May 16, 2025
Florida networking night - Tampa
Membership enrollment in the new, PDCA Florida Chapter has kicked into overdrive. Chapter leadership has launched a series of Networking Nights to take place in Florida population centers in the coming months, and the first one was held May 15th in Tampa.
On that Thursday evening in mid-May, around 50 members of the regional driven pile industry gathered at World of Beer in Tampa's Westshore area. Contractors, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers and affiliated engineers attended, free of charge, and enjoyed two hours of industry networking enhanced by an open bar and a buffet of appetizers. Several attendees committed to PDCA Florida Chapter membership, right on the spot!
The event was made possible through the generosity of the Chapter leadership team and their respective employers, including President Lina Martin of Orion, VP Dean Cacio of R.W. Harris, Inc. - A Goettle Company, John Hayes of Equipment Corporation of America, and Samantha See of Apex Pipe & Piling.
The PDCA Florida Chapter recently announced that it will be hosting a golf tournament in conjunction with the PDCA DICEP Conference, taking place at Rosen Shingle Creek, September 9-10 in Orlando. In advance of that event, a push to grow the organization's membership will continue. The new PDCA Florida Chapter affiliated with PDCA in January of this year, following an eight-year hiatus from operation in the Sunshine State.
If you are interested in join The PDCA Florida Chapter, click the button below to become a member.
Posted in Chapter News Florida.
March 14, 2025
(L-R) Samantha See, Dean Cacio, Lina Martin, officers of new PDCA Florida Chapter, address attendees at 2025 PDCA Annual Conference
Dear Contractors, Manufacturers, Suppliers, Engineers, and Others in the Florida Pile Driving Industry:
You are invited to part of the Florida Chapter of the Pile Driving Contractors Association, an organization committed to advancing the driven pile industry through education, networking, and advocacy. As a member, you'll have access to industry resources, professional development opportunities, and a strong community of experts in the field. To join, please complete the online enrollment form on our membership page, accessible when you click the button below. If you encounter any issues or have questions, please contact the PDCA offices at 904-215-4771 or email marian@piledrivers.org for help. Learn more about PDCA and its mission at www.piledrivers.org. We look forward to having you as part of the Florida driven pile community! Best Regards, PDCA Florida Board President Lina Martin VP Dean Cacio Treasurer John Hayes Secretary Samantha See |
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Posted in Chapter News Florida.
January 14, 2025
(L-R): Samantha See, Lina Garcia Martin, Dean Cacio, and John Hayes
During PDCA Board & Brews, the Jan. 8, 2025 networking reception at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort in Clearwater, FL, three pile driving industry professionals from Florida who attended announced their desire to re-establish a PDCA Florida Chapter. Together, they delivered a 'Letter of Intent' document which is a request of the PDCA Board of Directors to formalize an affiliation with their new group. The three event attendees, as well as a fourth individual who had a conflict, all signed the letter. PDCA chapters presently exist and operate as autonomous entities which gain support from PDCA through the terms of a formal affiliation.
The proposition from the four piling professionals seeking to form the Florida Chapter received a vote of the Board during their 2025 Strategic Planning meeting which was held over the two days following the reception. On Jan. 10th, the new PDCA Florida Chapter was born through a unanimous Board of Directors vote to affiliate.
The Chapter consists of its four organizing members; each holds an officer position in order to fulfill state incorporation requirements. We introduce you to the new Chapter leadership team:
- President: Lina Garcia Martin, a BDM at Orion in Tampa
- Vice President: Dean Cacio, a BDM at R.W. Harris Inc. - A Goettle Company in Clearwater
- Secretary: Samantha See, a BDM at Apex Steel Pipe & Piling in Ft. Lauderdale
- Treasurer: John Hayes, a Director at Equipment Corporation of America in Green Cove Springs
The new PDCA Florida Chapter is currently inviting pile driving professionals throughout the state to join the organization as active members. They are developing a plan to hold meetings and other events they expect to offer their members in 2025 and years beyond.
PDCA chapters play a critical role in growing the international organization. The Florida Chapter is the second one to re-establish in just three years, following the Texas Chapter's formation in 2022. PDCA hosts regional networking receptions in different parts of the country throughout each year, while delivering a message to attendees from the localities that the organization will be supportive of them if they seek to establish and operate a local chapter. Thank you to all current PDCA Chapter members, as well as those who attend PDCA regional networking receptions. The next event is coming on February 27th in Norfolk, VA. |
(L-R): New PDCA Florida Chapter Pres. Lina Garcia stands with new VP Dean Cacio for a 'selfie' at the Board & Brews event. |
PDCA E.D. Frank Peters (L) introduces See and Garcia |
(L-R): Cacio, PDCA Pres. Buck Darling, Board members
Doug Keller, Brian Heck, and Randy Kelly |
Garcia with Gulf Coast Chapter Pres. Scott Williams |
Posted in Chapter News Florida.
