PileDriver Magazine - Issue #3, 2026

A New Issue of PileDriver Magazine!

The latest issue of PileDriver is now available. Issue 3 explores the projects, people and companies shaping the driven pile industry today. Inside, you'll find project stories, member profiles, industry insights, chapter news and coverage of the issues affecting contractors, engineers and suppliers across the foundation construction sector. Whether you're looking for technical knowledge, business perspectives or industry success stories, there's something for every PDCA member in this edition.


For those of you heading to Orlando in July pick up extra copies of this issue during the upcoming PDCA Annual Conference!

This dedicated email is sponsored by:
Steel Foundation Solutions from Nucor Skyline

On the Cover: Vigor Shipyard

Aerial view of construction site

Can heavy marine construction help restore the environment it's built in? At Vigor Industrial's Seattle shipyard, Orion took on a $44.7-million project that required both rebuilding critical waterfront infrastructure and creating better habitat for juvenile fish. The result was a complex pile driving operation involving the removal of more than 6,000 timber piles, innovative construction techniques and close coordination with environmental regulators. Learn how the team balanced demanding marine construction requirements with habitat restoration goals and why salmon were spotted using the restored area just one week after the work was completed.

Brian Tolley:

Lessons in Leadership

Project photo and Brian Tolley

When Brian Tolley joined Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction in 2009, the company's piling and shoring division was little more than an idea on an organizational chart. Today, it's a major contributor to the business.


In this candid interview, Tolley reflects on the lessons learned while building the division from the ground up, the leadership principles that guide him today and why he believes the future of the deep foundations industry depends on developing people as much as projects. From hiring for grit and character to navigating workforce shortages and increasingly complex job sites, Tolley shares insights gained through nearly two decades of growth, problem-solving and team building.

PDCA Contractor Member: 
Parker Marine Contracting Celebrates 75 Years

Collage of images

In South Carolina, Charleston sits on challenging soils, faces significant seismic risk and continues to grow at a remarkable pace. For Parker Marine Contracting, that's exactly where the driven pile proves its value.


This third-generation family business has spent decades helping build hospitals, hotels, ports and other critical infrastructure throughout the Carolinas. From driving record-setting pile lengths to pioneering below-grade parking solutions in downtown Charleston, Parker Marine has earned a reputation for taking on projects others might avoid. Read how a company founded in 1951 continues to evolve while staying true to the values that built it.

Project Spotlight:
Transforming Skagway's Waterfront

Shot of barge in water in front of mountain range

How do you replace a deteriorating ore-loading facility with a modern cruise ship terminal in one of North America's most challenging marine environments?


The answer involved piles driven up to 319 feet deep, heavily loaded mooring structures, complex marine logistics and months of work under strict environmental regulations. Pacific Pile & Marine shares how it delivered the Ore Peninsula Redevelopment project in Skagway, Alaska, helping transform a piece of aging industrial infrastructure into a facility built for the next generation of cruise vessels.

Technical:
Driven Elements as Rigid Inclusions

Abstract background with vertical shapes

As demand for ground improvement solutions continues to grow, rigid inclusions are creating new opportunities for pile driving contractors. Many of the skills, equipment and installation practices used in traditional pile driving applications translate directly to this evolving market.


This technical feature examines how driven timber and prestressed concrete elements can be used as rigid inclusions, explores the role of load transfer platforms and reviews case studies that demonstrate where driven solutions can provide a competitive advantage. For contractors interested in expanding their capabilities, it's a valuable look at an increasingly important segment of the industry.

PDCA 2026 Annual Conference

From July 79 in Orlando, the PDCA Annual Conference & Expo brings contractors, engineers and suppliers together for technical learning, real-world discussion and relationship building. With sessions on innovation, QA/QC and industry trends, it's a chance to connect with peers facing the same challenges and opportunities.

Advertise in PileDriver Magazine

Front cover of the 2026 PDCA Media Kit

Plan your year with the 2026 PDCA Media Kit, available online. Explore advertising opportunities across PileDriver magazine, the PDCA Membership Directory, e-newsletters and more and connect your brand with the driven pile industry's most engaged audience.

Are you interested in being interviewed or writing an article for PileDriver magazine? Editorial coverage is one of the FREE benefits of PDCA membership! The PDCA Communications Committee is always looking for companies, pile driving projects and industry stories to write about. To learn more or to ask about how you can join a PDCA Communications Committee call email matt@piledrivers.org.

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Copyright © 2026 Pile Driving Contractors Association, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you are an industry leader in the pile driving community and may be a member of the Pile Driving Contractors Association.



Posted in PileDriver Magazine.

PileDriver Magazine - Issue #2, 2026

Cover image if Issue 2 of PileDriver magazine

A New Issue of PileDriver Magazine!

The latest issue of PileDriver is live! This edition covers a broad range of topics important to the pile driving industry right now complex marine construction, evolving project delivery, practical safety insights and the people building their careers in the field. From PDCA member profiles to a project executed inside an active port, it's a look at how work is getting done and who's doing it.

This dedicated email is sponsored by:
Steel Foundation Solutions from Nucor Skyline

On the Cover: Wando Welch Terminal

Construction barge in front of active terminal

Executing a 3,800-foot sheet pile toe wall 48 feet below water inside an active container terminal is no small task. On this project, Russell Marine LLC shows what it takes to deliver complex marine construction without disrupting operations at one of the busiest ports on the U.S. East Coast from equipment adjustments in the field to real-time coordination in a constrained footprint.

Chelsey Rodrigue:

Built in the Field

Chelsey Rodrigue in group photo

Chelsey Rodrigue didn't follow a traditional path into construction she built her career by stepping into the field and taking on responsibility before she felt fully ready. Now a senior project manager with GROUP Contractors, she shares what it takes to lead large crews, build confidence and develop people in high-pressure environments.

PDCA Contractor Member: 
Shimmick Corporation

With a self-perform model and a willingness to pursue complex scopes, Shimmick has built a reputation for tackling technically demanding infrastructure projects. This profile looks at how early collaboration, deep in-house capabilities and a commitment to driven piles position the company in an increasingly competitive market.

PDCA Engineering Affiliate Member:
Geosyntec Consultants

Steel h-piles

For more than four decades, Geosyntec Consultants has worked at the intersection of engineering and construction, helping teams navigate complex ground conditions and project risks. This article explores how collaboration, field understanding and technical depth come together to support successful driven pile projects.

PDCA Toolbox Talk:
Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset

Back injury

Back injuries don't usually come from one major incident they build over time through everyday tasks. This latest PDCA Toolbox Talk breaks down where risk actually shows up on site and how small changes in lifting, positioning and planning can make a long-term difference in keeping crews healthy and working.

PDCA 2026 Annual Conference

From July 79 in Orlando, the PDCA Annual Conference & Expo brings contractors, engineers and suppliers together for technical learning, real-world discussion and relationship building. With sessions on innovation, QA/QC and industry trends, it's a chance to connect with peers facing the same challenges and opportunities.

Advertise in PileDriver Magazine

Front cover of the 2026 PDCA Media Kit

Plan your year with the 2026 PDCA Media Kit, available online. Explore advertising opportunities across PileDriver magazine, the PDCA Membership Directory, e-newsletters and more and connect your brand with the driven pile industry's most engaged audience.

Are you interested in being interviewed or writing an article for PileDriver magazine? Editorial coverage is one of the FREE benefits of PDCA membership! The PDCA Communications Committee is always looking for companies, pile driving projects and industry stories to write about. To learn more or to ask about how you can join a PDCA Communications Committee call email matt@piledrivers.org.

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Lester Communications Inc. Logo

Copyright © 2026 Pile Driving Contractors Association, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you are an industry leader in the pile driving community and may be a member of the Pile Driving Contractors Association.



Posted in PileDriver Magazine.

PileDriver Magazine - Issue #1-2026

Click the Cover Image below to read the first PileDriver magazine of 2026...
PileDriver_1_2026

A New Issue of PileDriver Magazine!

The newest issue of PileDriver magazine is available now! This edition brings together project spotlights, industry updates and member stories from across the driven pile community including a closer look at the Ticonic Bridge Replacement in Maine and an exclusive interview with Wayne Waters, one of PDCA's founding members. From major marine and petrochemical foundation work to chapter news and upcoming events, this issue is packed with the people and projects shaping our industry.

Take a look inside
 
 

On the Cover: Ticonic Bridge Replacement

Ticonic Bridge in Maine

Replacing a major bridge over Maine's flood-prone Kennebec River required more than a standard approach. In this issue's cover feature, PileDriver takes readers inside the $52.8-million Ticonic Bridge Replacement, where Cianbro Corporation developed an innovative overhead gantry and truss system to minimize risk, reduce environmental impact and keep work moving safely above the water. The article also highlights how driven piles played a critical role in supporting the temporary structures that made this ambitious build possible.

Read more
 
 

Five Decades in Deep Foundations:

Exclusive Interview with Wayne Waters

Wayne Waters at desk

Read a special conversation with Wayne Waters, a founding leader of PDCA and past president whose 56-year career helped shape the modern driven pile industry. Waters reflects on growing up around cranes, building a family contracting business and the lessons he learned about leadership, safety and the value of community within PDCA. It's a thoughtful look at the people and perspective behind a lifetime in pile driving and a reminder of what makes this industry unique.

Read Wayne's insights
 
 

The Driven Pile Academy: 
A Landmark Hands-on Training Event

More than 300 industry professionals gathered in Southern Mississippi in November for PDCA's 2025 Driven Pile Academy  the most immersive hands-on training experience in the deep foundations sector. From safety planning and real-world field stations to cutting-edge equipment demonstrations and peer-to-peer collaboration, the Academy offered a rare opportunity to learn directly on the job site.

See the event highlights
 
 

PDCA Member Profile:
Kingdom Pipe & Steel

Kingdom Pipe and Steel yard

This issue features a spotlight on Kingdom Pipe & Steel, a Texas-based, family-owned supplier providing structural pipe piling for driven pile foundations across the U.S. The article explores the company's focus on New Mill Secondary pipe as a cost-effective option for deep foundation projects, along with the values-driven approach that guides its relationships, customer service and growth as a newer PDCA associate member. 

Read more
 
 

Project Spotlight:
BWC Stockton Marine Oil Terminal

The BWC Stockton Marine Oil Terminal marks a major milestone as the first newly constructed greenfield marine oil terminal in California in more than three decades. Designed by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger and built by CS Marine Constructors Inc., the project showcases innovative pile-supported platforms, seismic resilience and precise execution within a narrow in-water construction window. With complex subsurface conditions and an aggressive schedule, the Stockton MOT sets a new benchmark for modern maritime infrastructure.

Read the full story
 
 

Project Spotlight: Rebuilding Terminal 5

Orion takes readers inside the modernization of Terminal 5 at the Port of Seattle, one of the most significant marine infrastructure projects in the Puget Sound region in recent years. Serving as both general contractor and marine foundation specialist, Orion tackled extensive demolition, dredging and deep foundation installation to strengthen the aging wharf and prepare it for larger vessels and increased cargo demands. With thousands of driven piles, complex underwater conditions and innovative solutions to unexpected challenges, the project demonstrates the scale and expertise required to rebuild critical waterfront facilities.

Explore the full project
 
 

The 2026 Media Kit is Here!

Front cover of the 2026 PDCA Media Kit

Plan your year with the 2026 PDCA Media Kit, available online. Explore advertising opportunities across PileDriver magazine, the PDCA Membership Directory, e-newsletters and more and connect your brand with the driven pile industry's most engaged audience.

View the 2026 Media Kit!

Are you interested in being interviewed or writing an article for PileDriver magazine? Editorial coverage is one of the FREE benefits of PDCA membership! The PDCA Communications Committee is always looking for companies, pile driving projects and industry stories to write about. To learn more or to ask about how you can join a PDCA Communications Committee call email matt@piledrivers.org.

 

Posted in PileDriver Magazine.

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