As it has 17 years prior, the pile driving industry ventured to Charleston to attend the 18th Annual Oyster Roast. The social celebration took place on the grounds of Palmetto Pile Driving, Inc., Friday evening, January 19th. The 2024 version brought a large crowd that enjoyed FREE oysters, pulled pork, hot dogs, chili, and beverages, all thanks to the following PDCA members who generously sponsored the event:

As it does each January, the PDCA Board of Directors has passed an operating budget to guide the research, education, outreach, professional development, and regional engagement activities of the organization for the new year. The 2024 Strategic Planning Meeting brought an aggressive agenda before the panel at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida on January 11-12. Executive Committee and Board Members from throughout the country gathered to consider and refine various functions of PDCA such as member recognition, the Project of the Year Awards program, the Value Driven Webinar series, an ongoing field study on vibrations, the standing committee structure, and more.

President Brian Heck formally gaveled-in* the proceedings at 8:00 AM on Jan. 11th and guided those assembled in the room and virtually through the agenda. Executive Director Frank Peters and PDCA staff presented an overview of the 2023 budget and proposed a revenue and spending plan for 2024. Additionally, the Board members engaged in several detailed discussions about ongoing functions at PDCA and aspirational initiatives designed to strengthen the organization through member growth, refined operations, and enriching programs. Toward the end of the proceedings, the Board agreed to a not-ready-for-prime-time photo opp, complete with props - more on that, with pictures, at the bottom of the page.

*Historical note about the PDCA gavel, current Board Secretary Buck Darling was PDCA president in 2011, at which time, the Board had used a toy gavel. Buck's dad displayed a solid American Chestnut gavel in his office, retained from his time leading the American Chestnut Foundation. Buck asked to have the gavel and replace the unworthy toy, something his dad happily handed over and has been used since.

 
The PDCA Executive Committee and Board of Directors consists of Pres. Heck, VP Kustaa Mansfield, Secretary Buck Darling, Treasurer Scott Webster, Past President Kevin Gourgues, Directors Harold Baur, Greg Canivan, Jim Dempsey, Diane Fischer, Doug Keller, Randy Kelly, Mike Juneau, David Price, and Brad Roberts, and Chapter Representatives Anthony Sepulvado (Gulf Coast), Erich Kremer (Northeast), Dermot Fallon (Pacific Coast), Kent Parker (South Carolina), and Condon Verble (Texas).

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Signs of the Times

In addition to a full agenda, Board members agreed to take a break toward the end of the proceedings and stand for a group photo. A variety of replica highway signs had been produced to call attention to the attendees that the considerations they were making during the meeting periods were of high importance and consequential to the future of the organization. However, by the end of the event, Board members believed the signs were also great props for their photo opp. 

PDCA thanks the panel of volunteers who have accepted the challenge to serve as the organization's leadership and help guide the industry mission of advancement of the driven pile.

For a portion of the event, PDCA Executive Director Frank Peters gave a short program to introduce the past presidents and Board members who attended. He also explained that is important for areas with a concentrated population in the pile driving industry, to consider organizing behind efforts to develop a local PDCA Chapter. Libations With Leadership was the fourth time since 2019 that PDCA brought a regional reception to Florida, with earlier events taking place in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Miami. Peters also took the opportunity to award a couple attendees with PDCA Bucks, or $50 coupons good for purchase of PDCA merchandise, educational resources, or event registrations.

 

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An annual tradition for the PDCA South Carolina Chapter, the widely attended Oyster Roast is a highlight of the pile driving industry each January. The 18th consecutive event happens on January 19th, from 6-9 PM EST at Palmetto Pile Driving, Inc. at 1875 Pittsburgh Avenue in historic Charleston. In addition to FREE oysters prepared on-site, attendees are also offered pulled pork, hot dogs, chili, s'mores, and beverages thanks to a host of generous sponsors (see below). The event is exclusively networking and social time where friends, colleagues, customers, and families are encouraged to meander throughout the outdoor space where they'll find a large bonfire, shuckin' tables, or other expanse of fresh air, all beneath the ambient lighting of strung bulbs - seemingly a requirement in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Those who prefer inside accommodations in January are welcome in the shop space filled with table seating, sponsor swag, and 'unique' decor, as only a piling installer/producer might offer. The event is made possible by the following sponsors:

Koppers, Terracon, Essve Tech, Meever USA, Carter Lumber, ESP Associates, United Rentals, NUCOR Skyline, Pile Drivers, Inc., Soil Consultants, Mammoth Carbon, Russell Marine, LLC, Wire Products, Inc., Van-Smith Concrete, Beacon Transporation, Palmetto Pile Driving, Inc., AMERICAN SpiralWeld Pipe, SJ Hamill Construction Corp., Consolidated Pipe and Supply, Equipment Corporation of America (ECA), International Construction Equipment (ICE)

Registration for this can't miss, annual event is open, click below to let 'em know you're coming: