The meeting at Brookside Country Club in Stockton, CA opened with a special thank you to PDCA Board members for their continued service and dedication to the industry. Attendees were also introduced to new chapter leadership, including Darren Riddle as President, Shawn Hooker as Vice President, and Tommy Haupt as Treasurer.
The proceedings began with a ceremony to mark the 'passing of the gavel.' Past PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter President Dermot Fallon was in attendance and ceremoniously presented the organization's unique gavel to Riddle. Following the exchange, Riddle remarked to the assembly; "This industry is changing. There are new options in foundation construction, but the driven pile is the best option. And it is our job to promote it."
See photographic coverage of the leadership change:
Following the leadership change, there were several important announcements to follow, including a reminder that applications are now open for the PDCA Project of the Year Awards. Members were encouraged to submit projects across multiple categories, highlighting excellence in land, marine, earth retention, and engineering work.
Looking ahead, the chapter shared details on future events, including a spring trap shoot, classroom education sessions, and a golf tournament currently under development. A key focus of the meeting was PDCA's ongoing commitment to education and workforce development. Plans are underway for classroom sessions and university outreach, with upcoming pile driving lectures scheduled at UC Davis and additional institutions throughout the region.
According the President Riddle; "We want to get more involved in construction classes that are available through institutions of higher education to ensure that pile driving is understood in the up-and-coming generations of builders. It is our goal to form partnerships at regional colleges where we can have the opportunity to talk about piling."
The meeting concluded with an open discussion on new ideas and opportunities for member involvement as the Pacific Coast Chapter continues to grow and evolve.
Once the meeting ended, President Riddle granted an on-the-record interview to Paul Foley, founder of new PDCA Affiliated Services member Bulk Exchange. You can watch his interview in-full, when you click this link.
The next event for the PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter is the 14th Annual Scholarship Shoot, a successful fundraiser the organization hosts each year to raise scholarship funds for regional students pursuing careers in foundation construction. The event returns to Birds Landing, California on April 25th. Watch your inbox for registration and sponsorship opportunities.
See who was SPOTTED at the 2026 PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter Annual Luncheon:
