A new edition of PileDriver is here!

The latest issue of PDCA's official magazine is now available, featuring industry news, member stories, project spotlights and more.

Print copies are on their way to mailboxes, along with the 2027 PDCA Wall Calendar!

Russell Marine LLC took on a $21.9 million scope for two new barge facilities at LBC Houston Terminal, installing driven piles and an earth retention system around live tanks, pipelines and ongoing terminal operations. The project required a carefully coordinated transition from land-based pile driving to marine construction as the new barge slips were excavated, dredged and flooded.

From an unexpected start in deep foundations to becoming a partner at Patriot Construction and Industrial, Kevin Gourgues has spent nearly three decades building a career in pile driving. The former PDCA president reflects on memorable projects, the people who shaped his career, his approach to leadership and why developing the next generation of pile drivers is so important.

PDCA's 2026 Annual Conference brought pile driving professionals together in Orlando for three days of education, networking, exhibits and industry recognition. From the annual golf tournament and technical sessions to the presentation of PDCA's association and Project of the Year awards, take a look back at the people and moments that made the event memorable.

Fifty years after developing its first piling equipment, Finnish manufacturer Junttan is adapting to changing expectations from deep foundation contractors. Miika Eskelinen, vice president of sales, discusses how automation, digital technology and demand for more versatile machinery are shaping equipment development, along with the opportunities and challenges he sees in the North American market.

The 2027 PDCA Media Kit is now available! 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.

Every project has a problem to solve. The projects recognized in the 2026 PDCA Project of the Year Awards solved some of the industry's toughest ones.

In Issue 4 of PileDriver, you'll find out who this year's winners are, and take a closer look at the projects that earned top honors. From challenging site conditions to demanding engineering requirements, these stories show how PDCA members found practical solutions, adapted in the field and delivered outstanding results.

The 2026 PDCA Project of the Year Awards feature nine award-winning projects completed by eight PDCA member companies. Spanning land, marine, earth retention, associate/engineering affiliate and international categories, these projects demonstrate the ingenuity, collaboration and technical expertise required to tackle some of the industry's most demanding work.

Click to find out who won:

• Land: Less than $3 Million
• Land: $3 Million to $10 Million
• Land: Over $10 Million
• Marine: Less than $10 Million
• Marine: Over $10 Million
• Earth Retention: Less than $10 Million
• Earth Retention: Over $10 Million
• Associate/Engineering Affiliate
• International

This year's program was extremely competitive, and PDCA thanks all members who submitted an entry. Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 PDCA Project of the Year Awards!

Engineering, construction and decades of field experience all come together in our conversation with Michael Wysockey, Ph.D., P.E., president of Thatcher Foundations and vice president of PDCA. He reflects on leadership, constructability, the evolution of the industry and why driven piles continue to set the standard for reliability.

"The reliability of a driven pile foundation versus the reliability of a drilled foundation isn't appreciated well enough in the engineering community," he said.

Read our exclusive interview to learn why he believes a driven pile is a tested pile and what that means for the future of deep foundation design and construction.

Few construction companies reach 80 years under the same family's leadership. Jordan Pile Driving has done it by investing in its people, adapting to an evolving industry and building lasting relationships with customers across the Gulf Coast.

"It's a milestone that many people in the construction business will never attain," said D.R. Jordan.

From rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina to helping restore the Big Bayou Canot Bridge, discover the projects, people and values that have defined Jordan Pile Driving's remarkable 80-year journey.

For 50 years, GRL Engineers has helped advance deep foundation testing, analysis and quality assurance, building a reputation for technical expertise, innovation and a commitment to improving engineering practice.

"We want to bring value to the industry. More than anything else, we want to make deep foundation testing better and safer at the end of the day," said Scott Webster, president of GRL Engineers.

Read how the company has spent five decades helping raise the standard for deep foundation testing and engineering practice.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.