Marking his 40th year in the driven pile industry, veteran deep foundations professional Michael Kelly is the newly-appointed Chair of the PDCA Safety & Environmental Committee, where he has served as a member for the past 3 years. Kelly succeeds fellow Louisianan Chris Normand, who strongly advocated his appointment before the PDCA Board of Directors. Committee chairs are volunteer members of the organization who serve at the pleasure of the Board; there is no restriction on their terms of service.
"The goal as Chair is the same goal as the Safety & Environmental Committee, to further the knowledge resource available that benefits the people and the companies in the working environments that challenge us everyday," stated Kelly. "When we do this, it will benefit the industry and add value to being a PDCA Member."
A native of Metairie, LA, Michael Kelly began work in pile driving in 1985 where he oversaw land-based piling operations and performed project management and estimating for S.K. Whitty and Company, Inc. After seven years in that role, he assumed the role of VP Sales, while still overseeing land-based pile driving for The Whitty Company, Inc. In 1997, and for the next quarter-century, he held a similar position at Gulf-South Piling & Construction, Inc. Then in 2022, Beard Construction Group purchased Gulf-South, and Kelly transitioned into the role of Piling Division Manager for the expanded company.
"The goal as Chair is the same goal as the Safety & Environmental Committee, to further the knowledge resource available that benefits the people and the companies in the working environments that challenge us everyday," stated Kelly. "When we do this, it will benefit the industry and add value to being a PDCA Member."
A native of Metairie, LA, Michael Kelly began work in pile driving in 1985 where he oversaw land-based piling operations and performed project management and estimating for S.K. Whitty and Company, Inc. After seven years in that role, he assumed the role of VP Sales, while still overseeing land-based pile driving for The Whitty Company, Inc. In 1997, and for the next quarter-century, he held a similar position at Gulf-South Piling & Construction, Inc. Then in 2022, Beard Construction Group purchased Gulf-South, and Kelly transitioned into the role of Piling Division Manager for the expanded company.
(L-R), Kelly, Kirt Jackson administer Gulf
Coast Chapter Engineers Conference in 2019
Coast Chapter Engineers Conference in 2019
Paralleling his long career in pile driving, Michael Kelly has simultaneously been very active in PDCA and the PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter. He served as Chapter President for two separate, non-consecutive terms. He was also among the Chapter members who founded what has become a biennial, PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter Engineers Conference. Over the years, he has been involved in the planning and organization of this popular, technical education event.
When he takes a break from the rigors of his fast-paced career in deep foundations construction in a region where pile driving is in high demand, he enjoys time with his family, performing home improvement tasks, and getaways to the beach. Kelly earned his B.S. in Construction Management from Louisiana State University, and counts supporting his beloved Tigers, as well as New Orleans Saints football, as priorities during his spare time.
The PDCA Safety & Environmental Committee, like the other seven PDCA standing committees, is made up of member volunteers. If you are interested in joining a PDCA committee, please submit your intentions and contact information by completing the Join a Committee form.
When he takes a break from the rigors of his fast-paced career in deep foundations construction in a region where pile driving is in high demand, he enjoys time with his family, performing home improvement tasks, and getaways to the beach. Kelly earned his B.S. in Construction Management from Louisiana State University, and counts supporting his beloved Tigers, as well as New Orleans Saints football, as priorities during his spare time.
The PDCA Safety & Environmental Committee, like the other seven PDCA standing committees, is made up of member volunteers. If you are interested in joining a PDCA committee, please submit your intentions and contact information by completing the Join a Committee form.
