The Rail Commission partnered with Kanawha River Railroad (KNWA) and Norfolk Southern (NS) on a December 2022 submission to the Federal Railroad Administration and was recently notified the project was approved. The project will rehabilitate significant sections of the line which runs between Columbus, Ohio, and Cornelia, West Virginia, a distance of approximately 240 miles.  The line is owned by NS and operated by KNWA, a subsidiary of Watco. The project includes replacing rail and ties as well as necessary surfacing work. It also includes repairing several bridges along the line. The approximately $32.5 million project will result in the elimination of slow orders and the restoration of Class II track speeds across the project area.  These improvements will allow KNWA to maintain safe and reliable service to meet the needs of its existing customers and improve its ability to attract new customers.

Matthew Dietrich, Executive Director of the Rail Commission, said “This project will preserve and improve a rail line in Southeastern Ohio that serves as an important link between industries in West Virginia and Ohio.  Anytime we are able to work in tandem with our railroad partners to make improvements that reduce the opportunity for incidents to occur, it’s a benefit to all.  We are happy to support that effort.”

LAS VEGAS—Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today announced the winners of the annual Trimble Construction Management Awards, which honors the successes that North American civil, general and specialty contractors have achieved with the support of Trimble technology.

This year’s awards were expanded to five categories, two of which were specific to mechanical and electrical contractors: best estimating success story and most impressive use of virtual design and construction. The remaining three categories were biggest accounting/finance team transformation, best HR achievement and most challenging project. The announcement was made at the annual Trimble Dimensions Conference

“Each year, we take a moment to recognize the extraordinary feats happening across the construction industry given that today’s contractors are expected to not just deliver on time and on budget, but to build exceptional projects that will stand the test of time,” said Lawrence Smith, vice president and general manager of Trimble Construction Management Solutions. “Technology plays a key role in helping contractors succeed by connecting teams, reducing friction, streamlining workflows and improving the way these businesses and their projects are run and we want to recognize those highlights.”

The 2023 Trimble Construction Management Award Winners are:

Best Estimating Success Story: Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc.

Jamerson & Bauwens faced challenges with supply chain disruptions, pricing volatility and remote workforce needs. At the same time, the company also started bidding on larger, more complex projects with tighter deadlines. J&B recognized their estimating process wasn’t keeping pace with market conditions or helping them grow their business so decided to adopt Trimble Accubid Anywhere and immediately saw improvements — even winning a bid for a large, complex hospital project in just five days. Takeoffs are now two to three times faster, the team is able to provide more accurate pricing and has greater confidence in project costs, and handoffs to the project management and field teams have been dramatically improved. Watch Jamerson & Bauwens talk about the award.

Most Impressive Use of Virtual Design and Construction: T.S. Raulston, Inc.

T.S. Raulston has kept on the cutting edge of HVAC and plumbing design, fabrication and installation through the use of integrated software solutions that enable the company to leverage rich data in 3D models to inform procurement and fabrication. The company automates a workflow using a combination of Trimble AutoBid, SysQue, Connect, Connect2Fab, ProjectSight and SiteVision to streamline their workflow from the office to the field. On average, T.S. Raulston has decreased its takeoff to estimate time by about 50 percent. Watch T.S. Raulston talk about the award.

Biggest Accounting/Finance Team Transformation: Coyote Ridge Construction, LLC “Production” was the key word that Coyote Ridge Construction became fixated on tracking because their previous software couldn’t adequately report production quantities, impacting operations across the company. Coyote Ridge upgraded to Viewpoint Spectrum and B2W Track to better track production numbers and payroll hours from the field. Since implementing the solutions, Coyote Ridge has automated job cost setup, and what used to take an entire day now takes less than 10 minutes. Payroll is also simplified, and accounts payable is now processing 100 vendor payments each week electronically. Coyote Ridge has also seen increased success on bids by developing more accurate rates, and the company can better project and control costs. Watch Coyote Ridge Construction talk about the

Best HR Achievement: SDB Contracting Services, Inc.

SDB Contracting Services specializes in building semiconductor clean rooms, along with a wide range of specialty services, across more than 15 states. To win a major contract recently, the company needed to convince their semiconductor client they could quickly hire and onboard hundreds of new crew members in a particular location. They turned to Viewpoint HR Management to help streamline and accelerate the process, ultimately winning the contract and follow-on work for years to come. SDB now has a centralized and automated HR management system that seamlessly connects the office, field and employees. New workers complete and submit forms electronically and custom workflows help HR staff ensure all necessary tasks are completed correctly and on time. Watch SDB Contracting Services talk about the award.

Most Challenging Project: HP Civil, Inc.

The Blumenauer Bridge, a bicycle and pedestrian crossing in Portland, Ore., was created to connect two of the city’s neighborhoods over a busy interstate and railway line. HP Civil was hired as the construction manager/general contractor and used Viewpoint Vista to account for every dollar on the job, from the initial estimate all the way through to completion — from tracking labor and field progress to ensure that production timelines and budget targets were being met to managing the project’s numerous change orders effectively. This complex and challenging alternative delivery project required HP Civil to work with the city, state and railway – not to mention many subcontractors and other partners – climaxing in a critical weekend closure of the interstate and rail line to erect the bridge. Watch HP Civil talk about the award.

Honorable Mentions: We are also pleased to recognize 10 additional companies as part of this year’s awards program: Blackwater Electric; CDA Paving and Concrete Specialties; Duggan Contracting; Faulconer Construction; Industrial Builders; JD Abrams; McCormick Construction; Perman Construction and Development; Rummel Construction; and Tilson Technology.

The Trimble Construction Management Awards are open to all North American contractors. This year’s judges included several construction award winners from year’s past years who are invited to be on the panel annually, as well as Trimble Construction executives.

About Trimble
Dedicated to the world’s tomorrow, Trimble is a technology company delivering solutions that enable our customers to work in new ways to measure, build, grow and move goods for a better quality of life. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics connect the digital and physical worlds to improve productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability. From purpose-built products and enterprise lifecycle solutions to industry cloud services, Trimble is transforming critical industries such as construction, geospatial, agriculture and transportation to power an interconnected world of work. For more information about Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com. 

Reston, Va. –  The latest publication from American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Resilient and Sustainable Buildings, Infrastructure Resilience Publication (IRP) 7, provides a high-level overview of the methods and outcomes of four major projects funded by the National Science Foundation that focus on different aspects of resilient and sustainable buildings (RSB), ranging from a single building to a full community. The format is four chapters, with the first chapter providing the motivation and a short summary of each project chapter.

Topics addressed include a comprehensive overview of the four multi-year research efforts, commonalities between the projects, differences between the projects in methods as a function of scale and hazard, multiresilient and sustainable soil foundation structural envelope (SFSE) building systems, and decision frameworks for selecting among alternative building system designs.  This title will appeal to a wide range of civil engineering readers including graduate students, urban planners, engineers and social science practitioners interested in learning about the direction of RSB research.

To purchase online, visit the ASCE Library.

Limited review copies are available for book reviews. Please contact Leslie Connelly at lconnelly@asce.org.

“Our updated structure and leadership will help us best serve local and national clients, allow us to gain greater depth in technical expertise and provide great opportunities for employees,” said Chief Executive Officer Brad Strittmatter.  

The senior leadership group now includes leaders for Olsson’s disciplines, markets and geographies. It also includes senior directors for both IT and Operations. 

The five discipline leaders are responsible for growing technical excellence and developing Olsson’s services and expertise.  

• Adam Christensen leads the Vertical Infrastructure discipline, which includes facilities engineering, transmission and distribution services, on-site services, and substation design. 
• Andrew Phillips oversees Field Services, including non-destructive testing, construction materials testing, geotechnical services, construction management and drilling. 
• Brian Osborn leads Environmental Infrastructure, including water and wastewater services, environmental science expertise, and water resources work.  
• Justin Petersen manages Civil Infrastructure, including site design, landscape architecture and planning, airport and rail design, road and bridge design, telecommunications services and traffic and technology services.  
• Nic Schrader leads Geospatial, including survey services that utilize the latest technology.  

The six market leaders are responsible for leading and developing Olsson’s partnerships with national and multi-state clients across key industries.  

• Chris Hall leads the Water market and focuses on water, wastewater and water resources solutions for public and private clients.  
• Cory Clark oversees Transportation and leads roadway, bridge and traffic technology work for public agencies, railroads and other clients.   
• John Henning leads Energy and handles Olsson’s utilities and renewable work for both public and private clients. 
• Mark Himes leads Federal, where he manages the integration of federal work across Olsson’s services and develops technical expertise to best serve federal clients. 
• Patrick McFarlin oversees Technology and leads Olsson’s work involving data centers and telecommunications for Fortune 500 and government clients. 
• Tyler Fritz oversees Industrial, handling engineering, design, and development opportunities for private clients.  

The four geography leaders provide localized leadership to serve clients in specific regions and communities.  

• Brian Chaffin leads the North Central geography, working with clients in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas. 
• Jared Rasmussen oversees the East Central region, covering clients in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. 
• Jessica Burch leads the West Central area, which includes clients in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. 
• Nick Weander oversees the South region, including clients in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. 

The firm has also named two additional members to the senior leadership group:  

• Annie Adams is the Senior Director of Operations and leads operations, project support and environment, health and safety.  
• Chad TerMaat serves as the Senior Director of Information Technology (IT) and oversees cybersecurity, applied technology, software development, network services and the service desk. 

Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President Ben Jones states, “For 77 years, Thomas & Hutton continues to focus on growth and sustainability, and ownership transition is an integral part of our plan. We are excited to welcome Cecilia and Brian as shareholders at Thomas & Hutton. With both having over 20 years of experience at the firm, their outstanding performance and steadfast loyalty continue to propel Thomas & Hutton forward. Their commitment to our clients, mission and culture will make them valuable members of our ownership team and will help play a role in shaping the future and continued success of our company.”

Cecilia Arango, CPSM is a Certified Professional Services Marketer and oversees the marketing, communications, and community relations for Thomas & Hutton’s 10 regions in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. She earned her B.A. in English Communications and received this year’s 2023 Georgia Southern University Alumni Association’s George & Lucy Armstrong Award. Cecilia began her career at Thomas & Hutton as an intern in 2001 and upon graduation, transitioned full-time to the marketing department. Today, she leads company-wide marketing strategy and operations as the Marketing Manager.

As a past Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40, Cecilia is an alumnus of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Southeast Georgia, and Leadership Savannah. She is passionate about service to the community and currently serves on various boards and committees including United Way of the Coastal Empire Campaign Cabinet and Marketing Committee, Savannah Sports Council, TEDxSavannah, Society of Marketing Professional Services, Leadership Southeast Georgia, and the Georgia Economic Developers Association. She enjoys being on the stage as an actress, singer, and performer and names the historic Hyundai Community Celebration a career highlight serving as its Mistress of Ceremonies. An avid runner, Cecilia is over halfway done on her quest to run a marathon in each state and is the founder of a running book club – Read, Run & Rant.

Brian Riley is a Civil Group Leader and Senior Project Manager in our Charleston region. He attended the University of South Carolina and began his career with Thomas & Hutton in 1998 as a land surveyor before transitioning into a construction administration role followed by civil designer and became a project manager in 2005.  In 2006, Brian relocated to Wilmington, NC to establish Thomas & Hutton’s presence in the NC market before returning to Charleston in 2012. Over the course of his 25-year career, Brian has played an integral role in the success of numerous projects in South and North Carolina, notably Daniel Island, Carnes Crossroads, Brunswick County Parks, and Holden Beach Middle School.  He currently oversees a group of project managers and designers that work on a vast array of projects including residential, commercial, and industrial developments.

An alumnus of Leadership Charleston 2014 class, Brian is a current member of the Charleston Chamber and active committee participant influencing new policies related to development regulations. He enjoys an active lifestyle that includes fitness training, golf, fishing, and hunting.  Brian is also active in the men’s fellowship community at Kings Cross Church. 

ABOUT THOMAS & HUTTON:

Thomas & Hutton celebrates 77 years of creating transformative communities. Founded in 1946, Thomas & Hutton is a privately held professional services company providing consulting, planning, and engineering design services related to land and infrastructure.  Thomas & Hutton is located in ten regions throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. For more information, visit www.thomasandhutton.com.

Graham is a senior engineer with Dan Brown and Associates in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has over 14 years of experience in the geotechnical engineering and construction industry. He has consulted on deep foundation design, load testing and construction for many major bridges throughout the U.S., including several Mississippi River crossings and the Gordie Howe International Bridge currently under construction between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. Graham is a licensed professional engineer in nine states and the District of Columbia. He is the lead author of eight peer-reviewed technical papers. An active member of ASCE and DFI, Graham holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering from Auburn University.

The Drilled Shaft Committee’s mission is advancing the state of the practice or state of the art in design, construction, and quality verification of drilled shaft foundation systems.

About the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI): DFI (www.dfi.org) is an international association of contractors, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, academics and owners in the deep foundations industry. Our multidisciplinary membership creates a consensus voice and a common vision for continual improvement in the planning, design and construction of deep foundations and excavations. We bring together members for networking, education, communication and collaboration. With our members, we promote the advancement of the deep foundations industry through technical committees, educational programs and conferences, publications, research, government relations and outreach. DFI has more than 4,000 members worldwide.

IRVING, Texas –  A new technical document that addresses techniques for the safe and proper use of spray polyurethane foam insulation on and around plastic pressure pipe materials has been published by the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) with input from the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA).  

Prepared by PPI’s Building & Construction Division, PPI TN-69 Recommendations when Applying Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation on and around Plastic Pressure Pipes & Fittings discusses the proper application of spray polyurethane foam insulation to avoid damage due to  heat generated by the foam. Pipe and fitting materials include CPVC, PEX, PEX/AL/PEX, PE-RT, PP-R, PP-RCT, PSU, PPS, PPSU, and PVDF. 

PPI and SPFA recommend that when there are plastic pipes and fittings in a wall, ceiling, or floor cavity, the SPF installer should apply one layer of foam until it touches the pipe but does not encase the pipe. SPF installers should let the first layer of foam cure for a sufficient amount of time while heat is released from the foam and the pipe remains partially exposed before installing the second layer of foam. These procedures are described in detail within PPI TN-69.  

Plastic pressure pipes and fittings are commonly used in applications such as hot- and cold-water plumbing, fire protection, and hydronic heating and cooling systems, including radiant distribution systems. In certain instances, pipes and fittings are installed inside areas that must be insulated, such as within a ceiling or wall cavity. In other installations, the pipes and fittings themselves must be insulated to reduce the transfer of heat through the pipe wall. 

According to the SPFA, Spray Polyurethane Foam, or SPF, is a high-performance insulation material commonly used in homes and buildings of all types, and has been used as insulation for decades.

“The spray polyurethane foam curing reaction is exothermic,” explained Richard Duncan, Ph.D., P.E., executive director of SPFA, “which means that heat is generated during the foam reaction. The heat of reaction is highly dependent on the SPF formulation and is also based upon the overall intended application or lift (i.e., layer) thickness installed. Peak temperature within the layer of foam typically occurs within 5 to 15 minutes of application, followed by gradual cooling.”

According to SPFA documents, the chemical reaction that takes place during the application and curing of SPF will generate exothermic temperatures above the 120°F – 130°F setpoint temperatures of the proportioner and hoses. Peak temperatures at the mid-thickness of a pass can exceed 200°F for several minutes and reach peak temperatures 250°F – 275°F for a minute or two, especially for closed-cell SPF, when applied at the maximum pass thickness.

“Plastic pipes and fittings in both residential and commercial plumbing, residential fire protection, and most hydronic applications are typically required to have pressure ratings at 180°F (82°C) operating temperature,” explained Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division.

MacNevin continued, “The plastic pipes and fittings referenced in PPI TN-69 will withstand short-term exposure to temperatures above 180°F. However, exposure to temperatures above the rated operating temperature of each material, which may occur if pipes are encased in a thick pass of closed-cell SPF, are likely to have negative effects on these materials, potentially leading to premature failure. It is important that SPF insulation is installed correctly to prevent overheating of pipes and fittings.”

Access the full content of PPI TN-69 at  https://plasticpipe.org/common/Uploaded%20files/Technical/TN-69/PPI%20TN-69.pdf

or by scanning: 

Additional information and data about pressure pipe materials used for plumbing and mechanical systems are available from the PPI Building & Construction Division at www.plasticpipe.org/buildingconstruction

Reston, Va. – The latest technical report from American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Premise Plumbing Modeling, examines various aspects of premise plumbing systems and how they have been and could be modeled for purposes of effective engineering design and operation. Premise plumbing covers water system devices (e.g. water heaters, showers, and sinks) that are connected to the main distribution system via service lines. In this new publication, the Premise Plumbing Modeling Task Committee paid special attention to the challenges and research gaps in current premise plumbing modeling efforts. 

Topics covered in this book specific to premise plumbing systems include modeling water demands, hydraulic modeling, water quality, hot water systems, instrumentation, modeling applications and limitations, future modeling, and design and management. This practical guide will benefit practicing engineers and water utility personnel, but also water researchers and graduate students in environmental science and engineering.

To purchase online, visit the ASCE Bookstore.

Limited review copies are available for book reviews. Please contact Leslie Connelly at lconnelly@asce.org.

San Francisco, CA – San Francisco-based structural engineering firm Degenkolb Engineers (Degenkolb) and Michigan-based structural engineering firm Ruby+Associates (Ruby) signed a Purchase Agreement and closed on an acquisition effective November 1, 2023. Ruby’s 55 employees will join Degenkolb, which will now have more than 330 employees in 10 offices.

The Michigan-based team will operate as Ruby+Associates, a Degenkolb Company. With Ruby’s engineering licenses in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and three Canadian provinces, the company’s combined forces will have a much broader geographical reach. The acquisition expands Degenkolb’s presence beyond the western United States for the first time in its 83-plus year history.

Stacy Bartoletti, CEO of the combined firm, said of the acquisition, “I have known leaders at Ruby for more than a decade, and we have partnered in different aspects of our business for multiple years. Our cultures align around giving opportunities to our employees and providing exceptional client service. The combined firm will grow more together than each firm would have on its own.”

Ruby+Associates is a 39-year old structural engineering firm headquartered in Bingham Farms, Michigan (metro Detroit), with a focus on steel construction and construction engineering services. Tricia Ruby has served as CEO since 2011.

“We are both proud of the firms that we’ve built. Our people are invested in our identities. The opportunities that this will provide to our existing employees and new hires are incredible. There will be flexibility in location, in markets to serve, and in clients to work with in the future,” said Tricia Ruby, Principal and Group Director at the newly combined firm.

Founded by McCarthy Building Companies in 2020, Construction Inclusion Week is an annual week-long, industry-wide effort to champion change and cultivate a more inclusive construction industry. Now in its third year, the event has grown exponentially with over 5,000 firms registered to participate nationwide.

The event’s Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the exceptional standards of construction excellence, dedication and accomplishment in the St. Louis region over a sustained period of time. Surrounded by family, Kennedy and Karl Grice of Grice Group Architects were honored with the award on Oct. 18 at Harris Stowe University’s Emerson Performance Center in front of a crowd of minority AEC industry organizations and businesses.

“Kennedy has played an integral role in the creative, technical and professional progress as a minority business development owner over the course of his professional life,” according to an email from McCarthy announcing the award recipients. 

Kennedy wanted to be an architect since age nine and became fascinated with construction watching homes being built in his Richmond Heights neighborhood designed by African American architect Charles Flemming. Despite a high school guidance counselor advising him in 1963 that Washington University’s schools of architecture “only took the cream of the crop and no negroes,” the university reached out to Kennedy in 1969 as the Civil Rights movement gained recognition and invited him to enter the School of Architecture as a graduate student with a degree in another subject. He then went on to study architecture at Washington University for an additional four years before finally became the first African American architect registered in the State of Missouri. 

He founded KAI in 1980 from his home office and grew the business alongside his oldest son Michael Kennedy, Jr., CEO, into one of the largest minority-owned AEC firms in the country with a diverse workforce of over 150 employees at its St. Louis headquarters and offices in Kansas City, KS; Atlanta, GA; and Dallas-Fort Worth, TX.

“Today is so appreciated, I am humbled by it,” said Kennedy. “I didn’t forget what my high school guidance counselor told me. As a 17-year-old, that went all the way to my marrow. Ever since then, I had two ambitions motivating me daily. One was to prove that he was wrong and the most important one was to demonstrate to my people that you can do it too. I couldn’t find a room with this many African American businesses in the construction industry here in the City of St. Louis when I started my career.”

Over the course of his career, Kennedy and the KAI team have designed several notable St. Louis-area landmarks, including the St. Louis City Justice Center, St. Louis Metro Light Rail Stations, Clyde C. Miller Career Academy, Harris-Stowe’s William L. Clay Early Childhood Center, and the Downtown Gateway Transportation Center, among many others.

Kennedy has also pursued numerous civic commitments to the St. Louis area, having served on the Board of Directors for the Downtown St. Louis Partnership, Forest Park Hospital, United Way of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association, American Red Cross and others.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — WSP in the U.S., a leading engineering, environment and professional services consultancy, will implement the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Urban Connect project to promote inclusive and resilient economic growth of nine secondary cities in the Philippines.

The project will enhance local economic development and improve public service delivery by strengthening the economic competitiveness of those cities through regulatory streamlining, investment promotion, inter-local government cooperation and economic integration across regions.

“WSP has carried out several projects across the Philippines, including projects focused on local governance, service delivery, value chain strengthening, regional economic integration and program support services,” said Baljit Vohra, WSP senior vice president, integrated development. “This recent engagement in the Philippines will help enable us to continue the high quality of work and maintain recognition by host country counterparts of our delivery capability.”

Urban Connect will also strengthen the partner local governments’ performance in planning, budgeting and revenue generation, as well as in their capacity to effectively deliver public services, particularly on education and health, with a focus on e-governance.

This important support forms part of USAID’s Cities Development Initiative (CDI). As USAID’s implementing partner on this initiative, WSP will work closely with representatives from current CDI cities, national government agencies, the private sector, civil society, donors and implementing partners from other USAID projects. WSP’s partners for this project include the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc.; Makati Business Club/Liveable Cities Philippines; and The Center for International Private Enterprise.

“As urbanization accelerates, it brings both the promise of economic growth and the challenge of ensuring that this growth is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,” said Alex Brillantes, Jr., chief of party for USAID Urban Connect. “The project was conceived with a clear understanding that our cities are not only key engines of progress but also powerful levers for creating a better, more equitable future for all citizens.”

“We look forward to the opportunity to further partner with USAID and city leadership across the Philippines,” added David Hoehner, WSP vice president, integrated development governance lead and project manager for Urban Connect. “WSP will provide demand-driven, customized, sustainable, future-ready, and mutually reinforcing technical assistance to achieve the goal and objectives of the project.”

With an established presence in the Philippines and strong relationships with USAID and other stakeholders, WSP looks forward to making an impactful contribution on this exciting project. 

About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 16,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com

“We are truly thrilled to receive this award that recognizes our fundamental approach of connecting people, data and technology to deliver the innovative solutions our clients depend on,” said Steve Morriss, President, Engineering Services, U.S., AtkinsRéalis. “By combining our digital expertise with decades of engineering excellence we are optimizing design and delivery of our planet’s most complex and challenging projects.”

The Floyd Hill project removes a bottleneck of the interstate and reduces travel times for commercial traffic, residents and tourists driving to nearby ski resorts and other destinations. It has been highlighted by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and CDOT for the economic benefits it provides to Colorado and the Nation. Safety enhancements along the corridor include improving the highway’s design speed and increasing stopping sight distance on horizontal curves. Additional upgrades include a westbound tolled Express Lane, an eastbound auxiliary lane, new bridges, improved interchange and frontage road access, wildlife passageways under the roadway, two air quality monitoring stations and a full reconstruction of a nearby trail. Construction is underway with project completion expected in 2028.

The use of technology and visualization software helped the team develop solutions to handle many site-specific challenges and constraints. Leveraging digital tools made it possible to mitigate impacts to the surrounding natural environment, built environment, residents and other stakeholders while also providing a more efficient and cost-effective design.

“Utilizing digital tools allowed our team to visualize dozens of alternative designs and fully evaluate construction impacts, quantities, costs and constructability leading to a preferred alternative that best met the project goals,” said Donna Huey, Chief Digital Officer, Engineering Services, U.S., AtkinsRéalis. “This award highlighted our ability to reduce hours worked by more than 50,000 and project costs by more than $7 million, showcasing AtkinsRéalis’ ability deliver exceptional value to our clients and taxpayers.”

AtkinsRéalis is revolutionizing the design, delivery and operation of infrastructure projects through its world-leading knowledge in design, engineering, project management, sustainability and digital-transformation. Our consultants, engineers, technologists and project managers have helped clients reshape the world, with new ways of designing and building that make the lived environment work better for everyone for more than eight decades.

The conference was held at the Omni PGA Resort in Frisco, TX from Sept 13-15. It kicked off with a well-attended welcome reception followed by an evening golf event at The Swing, where people could practice after dark on a lighted, 10-hole, par-3 course. 

More than 300 guests attended the gala and 266 guests attended the conference; 96 attended the M&A Next Symposium, an interactive event that provided M&A education and practical application through interactive roundtable discussions, expert panelists, and focused networking. People who attended this symposium left feeling well informed about opportunities for M&A as a growth strategy. 

There were two keynote speakers to inspire the crowd: Harry Clark, a highly-awarded entrepreneur, business advisor, board member, and entrepreneurial speaker; and Bolanle Williams-Olley, the CFO and co-owner of Mancini Duffy and the author of the bestselling “Build Boldly: Chart your unique career path and lead with courage.” Both provided thought-provoking moments and clear paths to success on various fronts.  

Hot topics: AI, recruiting, and retention

As a whole, the topics on most AEC leader minds had to do with AI, recruiting, and retention. The two most attended breakout sessions during the conference were:

“AI and the Implications on the AEC Industry,” presented by Kristin Kautz; and “Beyond Culture: Compensation Strategies to Drive Recruiting and Retention Performance,” presented by Jeremy Clarke. Kautz has more than 25 years of experience in marketing and business development communications (both strategic and tactical) for B2B and B2C organizations. Clarke was a decorated Air Force combat veteran and seasoned recruiting professional with extensive experience inside corporate, agency, and consultant-based recruiting environments, in both domestic and international markets. 

Kautz’s presentation explored AI 101. It defined exactly what AI is and what people should know about it. It touched on inherent problems and emerging opportunities. Attendees learned about the most significant ways that AI will affect their business–top to bottom–in every corner of the organizational chart, through design, leadership, management, HR, accounting, legal, and marketing. Audience Q&A was robust.

Clarke’s session explored the latest employee data from Best Firms To Work For and compensation assessments and reviewed how successful firms navigate the increasingly competitive recruiting and retention challenges. Attendees were privy to valuable industry insights from inside a successful AEC recruiting agency and roundtable discussions were lively. 

Panel discussion and roundtable leaders came from a host of backgrounds ranging from executive leaders and HR consultants to IT and communication professionals and strategic and entrepreneurial advisors. Topics were as varied as the speakers themselves and touched on everything from navigating hybrid work models and creating a successful internal leadership succession plan to diversity, equity and inclusion to how to use fractional C-suite executives. 

Award Highlights 

The Gala was the perfect platform for recognizing industry leaders. There were a large number of awards distributed to many worthy firms and people, but one that was particularly noteworthy was the Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award. Why? Because this award recognizes outstanding accomplishments through leadership in the AEC industry. This year’s recipient was Brian Bowers of Bowers + Kubota Consulting. 

Based in Hawaii, Bowers + Kubota Consulting is a 100 percent employee-owned firm that specializes in construction management, architectural, and engineering design. Bowers has led the firm for 26 years and has been an industry leader for more than three decades. He’s grown the firm from 12 employees in 1997 to more than 270 in 2023, making it the largest architectural and engineering firm in Hawaii.

One of the shining moments in his career was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. While many firms struggled, he ensured Bowers + Kubota thrived, with a 16 percent increase in ESOP stock value and 30 percent higher profitability in 2019-2020. The firm prioritized employee safety, embracing remote work and providing support during quarantine. Additionally, the firm was also able to make a difference in the community by sponsoring and donating man-hours and money to organizations such as Aloha United Way, Institute for Human Services, and Hawaii Foodbank.

Many other noteworthy awards were presented during the conference gala in the following categories: 

• Excellence in Client Experience Award
• Top New Venture Award
• Trifecta Award
• Best Firms to Work For Award
• Hot Firm Award
• Marketing Excellence Award

To see a complete list of all the winners from the various categories: https://zweiggroup.com/pages/2023-award-winners. 

For more information about the specific award categories: https://zweiggroup.com/pages/award-faq. 

A big sponsor shoutout

And last, but certainly not least, were the incredible sponsors who made the event possible. They included Unanet, OpenAsset, SES ESOP Strategies, CTA, Ames & Gough, epsa USA, Insperity, Vertex, Wipfli, miyamato, civil + structural Engineer Media, Client Savvy, emissary, the Zweig Letter podcast, and Eight. 

Thanks to all who joined us. We’re already planning for and looking forward to next year.

One of my mentors always tells me: “In business—especially architecture, engineering, and construction—communication is the differentiator.”  A lot of GCs handle problems the exact opposite way:

• They don’t trust their Subs
• So they don’t communicate key information
• Because they don’t want them to use it against them

Which then leads to those Subs:

• Not trusting the GC
• Concealing their own information
• And constantly trying to find ways to “get one over” on the GC

It’s really an ugly cycle.  But I’m here to tell you from my 7 years as a Subcontractor, that it doesn’t have to be this way.  I’ve worked with some really collaborative GCs. Ones who not only trusted their Subs, but went as far to say, “we are nothing without our subs.” It all starts with good, honest communication at the beginning of the project.

The projects with these GCs consistently produce better Owner/Architect/GC/Sub relationships, more positive jobsite culture, and deliver better projects. Here’s the simple but essential 4-step approach collaborative GCs use to make it happen:

1. Have a Pre-Project Kick Off

If you want to build a collaborative team, the first thing you need to do is get that team in the same room together. The pre-project kick off meeting is a great time to do that:

1. Invite the architect, owner’s rep, and key subs.
2. Set aside a few hours, and buy everyone pizza.

I had one GC do this for a $100MM Community College project. From day one, it made me feel like an important part of the project who knew all the stakeholders. By 8 months into the project, those stakeholders started becoming friends. As a result, our team—and the other team’s in that meeting — had a real connection to each other. We all worked great together.

It works really well, and it gives you an opportunity to set some really important expectations.  The next 3 steps are all Agenda items you can use in this meeting.

2. Share The Project’s Mission

Once you have everyone together, the best thing you can do is share the project’s Mission.

In the example above, the Mission of the project was to produce the best Health and Life Science Building in the Maryland Community College System. The GC clearly identified that the students were the priority: make this building great for them. And it totally made all the Subcontractors in the room feel like we were a part of something deeper than our scope of work.

Compare this to the normal Mission your Subs would have of “making money” and you can see why having a deeper mission leads to more collaboration and better outcomes.

GCs can control this motivation by simply being clear about why we’re here to build this project.  It’s a really cool way to be collaborative.

3. Tell Your Team’s Story

After you share the Project Mission, then you should get deeper into your team’s story.

For this step, I believe the most effective way to tell your story is to compare yourself to bad project teams so that the juxtaposition shows your dedication to being different.  This may sound like:

“My name is Katherine and I’m going to be the Senior PM running this project. I have been a part of some really bad projects in the past, as I’m sure many of you have been too. I’m talking about projects where no one trusts each other, everyone is only looking out for themselves, and we end up being late and over budget.

In fact, I remember one time specifically that I really screwed up because I didn’t give my Sub some important context and it led to them making a really bad decision onsite that set us back 3 weeks. I tell you this because I want you to know my commitment to never running a project like this again. I am here to be collaborative, open, and honest because in my experience, that leads to the best outcomes. That is my commitment to you.

And if you ever catch me acting outside of those commitments, I want you to call me out for it. And if I ever catch you doing it, I will feel comfortable doing the same. This is the type of GC we want to be. And these are the types of Subs we want to be on this project.”

That short story-telling of past mistakes and a commitment to being better will resonate with all of the parties involved and set the project up for success from day one.

4. Communicate Your Contractual Philosophy

The Contract is always the elephant in the room.  But the most collaborative GCs I have seen don’t let the Contract stand in the way of building great projects.  So what do they do?  They communicate their contractual philosophy.

Some teams bring up the contract all the time. No matter your question or objection, they send you an email stating which article in the Contract to follow.

But other teams aren’t that way. Other team’s actually listen to their Subs and want to know any issues with the Drawings and Specs—and more importantly, are willing to follow logic when it contradicts the Contract Documents. Usually, these same GCs hardly ever bring up the Contract, and instead create an expectation that Subs own their scope of work, and don’t send change orders for every small thing.

When Subs feel comfortable that they’re not always going to get screwed by the Contract, they’re more willing to do a little extra work here and there that they know they should realistically own anyway.

In my opinion, the logical approach works WAY better than the “do what the Contract says” approach, but either way you need to make it clear early and often how you plan to use the Contract in running the project.

“We all want to be on a great project.”

Construction projects are crazy because they can totally change your life for 1-4 years.  Every day, you have to wake up and go to that jobsite and be with that same group of people.  And unfortunately, most projects are “bad projects”: People argue and fight, no one trusts each other, and it’s hard for the teams to wake up and go to the job every day.  It sucks, and it doesn’t have to be that way.  One mentor I look up to always say, “We all want to be on a great project.”  And it’s true isn’t it?  If you never have experienced it, there are some projects that you actually feel sad when they end because of how great it was.  So if you’re going to sink 1-4 years of your life into something, why not make it a great project?  You have the ability to make every project a great project.  Just be collaborative, have a pre-project kick off, and communicate often.  Give it a try, and let me know what you think.

Matt Verderamo is passionate about making the construction industry a better place to work for all people. His weekly newsletter, Building Balance, helps construction professionals accelerate their careers (without burning out). He is a strategic consultant at Well Built Construction Consulting and Board Member of the Building Congress & Exchange Foundation. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

The conference was held at the Omni PGA Resort in Frisco, TX from Sept 13-15. It kicked off with a well-attended welcome reception followed by an evening golf event at The Swing, where people could practice after dark on a lighted, 10-hole, par-3 course. 

More than 300 guests attended the gala and 266 guests attended the conference; 96 attended the M&A Next Symposium, an interactive event that provided M&A education and practical application through interactive roundtable discussions, expert panelists, and focused networking. People who attended this symposium left feeling well informed about opportunities for M&A as a growth strategy. 

There were two keynote speakers to inspire the crowd: Harry Clark, a highly-awarded entrepreneur, business advisor, board member, and entrepreneurial speaker; and Bolanle Williams-Olley, the CFO and co-owner of Mancini Duffy and the author of the bestselling “Build Boldly: Chart your unique career path and lead with courage.” Both provided thought-provoking moments and clear paths to success on various fronts.  

Hot topics: AI, recruiting, and retention

As a whole, the topics on most AEC leader minds had to do with AI, recruiting, and retention. The two most attended breakout sessions during the conference were:

“AI and the Implications on the AEC Industry,” presented by Kristin Kautz; and “Beyond Culture: Compensation Strategies to Drive Recruiting and Retention Performance,” presented by Jeremy Clarke. Kautz has more than 25 years of experience in marketing and business development communications (both strategic and tactical) for B2B and B2C organizations. Clarke was a decorated Air Force combat veteran and seasoned recruiting professional with extensive experience inside corporate, agency, and consultant-based recruiting environments, in both domestic and international markets. 

Kautz’s presentation explored AI 101. It defined exactly what AI is and what people should know about it. It touched on inherent problems and emerging opportunities. Attendees learned about the most significant ways that AI will affect their business–top to bottom–in every corner of the organizational chart, through design, leadership, management, HR, accounting, legal, and marketing. Audience Q&A was robust.

Clarke’s session explored the latest employee data from Best Firms To Work For and compensation assessments and reviewed how successful firms navigate the increasingly competitive recruiting and retention challenges. Attendees were privy to valuable industry insights from inside a successful AEC recruiting agency and roundtable discussions were lively. 

Panel discussion and roundtable leaders came from a host of backgrounds ranging from executive leaders and HR consultants to IT and communication professionals and strategic and entrepreneurial advisors. Topics were as varied as the speakers themselves and touched on everything from navigating hybrid work models and creating a successful internal leadership succession plan to diversity, equity and inclusion to how to use fractional C-suite executives. 

Award Highlights 

The Gala was the perfect platform for recognizing industry leaders. There were a large number of awards distributed to many worthy firms and people, but one that was particularly noteworthy was the Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award. Why? Because this award recognizes outstanding accomplishments through leadership in the AEC industry. This year’s recipient was Brian Bowers of Bowers + Kubota Consulting. 

Based in Hawaii, Bowers + Kubota Consulting is a 100 percent employee-owned firm that specializes in construction management, architectural, and engineering design. Bowers has led the firm for 26 years and has been an industry leader for more than three decades. He’s grown the firm from 12 employees in 1997 to more than 270 in 2023, making it the largest architectural and engineering firm in Hawaii.

One of the shining moments in his career was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. While many firms struggled, he ensured Bowers + Kubota thrived, with a 16 percent increase in ESOP stock value and 30 percent higher profitability in 2019-2020. The firm prioritized employee safety, embracing remote work and providing support during quarantine. Additionally, the firm was also able to make a difference in the community by sponsoring and donating man-hours and money to organizations such as Aloha United Way, Institute for Human Services, and Hawaii Foodbank.

Many other noteworthy awards were presented during the conference gala in the following categories: 

• Excellence in Client Experience Award
• Top New Venture Award
• Trifecta Award
• Best Firms to Work For Award
• Hot Firm Award
• Marketing Excellence Award

To see a complete list of all the winners from the various categories: https://zweiggroup.com/pages/2023-award-winners. 

For more information about the specific award categories: https://zweiggroup.com/pages/award-faq. 

A big sponsor shoutout

And last, but certainly not least, were the incredible sponsors who made the event possible. They included Unanet, OpenAsset, SES ESOP Strategies, CTA, Ames & Gough, epsa USA, Insperity, Vertex, Wipfli, miyamato, civil + structural Engineer Media, Client Savvy, emissary, the Zweig Letter podcast, and Eight. 

Thanks to all who joined us. We’re already planning for and looking forward to next year.

Estimates aren’t just a “necessary evil” in the process of creating bids and design plans; they also ensure projects stay on track by offering a baseline to compare construction project activity—or a scoreboard—to measure success.

Compare the process to sports. How to achieve the objective—a win—varies depending on the sport. In soccer, teams want to put as many points on the board as possible, while in golf, the goal is to have a lower score.

Projects are no different. Teams must understand how they’ll be scored before taking the field—or the jobsite and most of the time, a low score wins, using less resources and finishing faster. 

Think of the jobsite as a golf course—not just because it’ll make the day go faster. Rather, there are a lot of parallels between the game of golf and how contractors and engineers approach the modern job site.

If the project were a lump sum bid, everybody who finishes under par and sits at the top of the leaderboard would have made money, while those over par would have lost money.

Dig deeper for a moment—a golf score isn’t just the result. In a tournament, players will put up scores across multiple days.

Days of the tournament are, in essence, comparable to the various trades on the job—such as grading, underground utility installation, and paving. Some days a golfer may be above par, while other days, they’ll be below par.

The same goes for the trades.

A contractor may have estimated some correctly and others incorrectly. The goal is to be under where it matters the most: the final result.

Understanding the course layout

In golf, the caddy is more than the person who carries the golfer’s clubs. They’re a trusted partner who helps pick the right club for the situation, knows the lay of the land, and helps prepare for the round even before hitting the links—just as the foreman oversees the jobsite.

Attacking a hole without first understanding the locations of the sand traps and water hazards would be impossible. With that knowledge, the golfer can confidently choose between a one-wood and a nine-iron.

Teeing off and hoping for the best isn’t a strategy for success. Tackling the jobsite is no different.

Crews need to know where the obstacles are, such as underground utilities, so they can adjust course and work around any potential hazards. It would be dangerous to start digging and hope there are no underground utilities in the area.

Technology has enabled contractors to approach their jobsite with the confidence that it’ll be done right the first time.

Practice makes perfect

The best golfers in the world spend more time practicing than competing. They hit the driving range and practice putting before hitting the course. 

Construction needs the same approach. Too often in construction, companies don’t do the appropriate training, operating under the belief that everybody knows how to approach the responsibilities—or will figure it out.

Without training, workers won’t perform at their peak. Attending training sessions, getting updated on the latest technology, and talking to the experts will provide teams with an edge when it comes to performing the actual job.

It also helps teams identify potential problems as the job progresses.

Just as golfers don’t wait for the tournament’s final day to look at the leaderboard, contractors can’t wait until they’re done grading to know if they are on track. Instead, success requires teams regularly check their progress against the plans to make sure they’re in the fairway and not out of bounds, increasing the chances of success.

The right tools are necessary

Every professional golfer knows their tools—specifically, their clubs—are integral to their success. That’s why they don’t use the same clubs an amateur does; instead, they use the best on the market.

Contractors need to operate with a similar mindset.

Operating dozers without machine control and using paper plans to navigate on site aren’t the best tools. Instead, they should use the latest technology to perform their jobs as efficiently as possible.

Dozer drivers no longer need to rely on grade stakes. Machine control puts the “course map” into the driver’s cabin—and in greater detail than could ever be included in a 2-D paper map and mobile apps can provide everyone on site with the latest information.

If you don’t know where you are on the site or whether their work is being performed correctly, you risk making a mistake that will cost time and money.

Construction information is more than making sure teams have accurate data; successful jobs require real-time data that is available to everyone who needs it when they need it. Only then can construction proceed with as few disruptions as possible on time, on spec and on budget. 

Consider how technology can give a new vantage

Golfers might get halfway through the course and realize they’re behind. With that knowledge, they can adjust their game moving forward—perhaps it’s playing the next hole more aggressively, or if they’re ahead, they can opt for a more conservative approach.

On the jobsite, solutions such as drones can help a lot with understanding the jobsite progress and  coupled with underground utility detection tools, can help crews identify and mark the job site’s potential dangers, so the crew can avoid any hazards—and the costly rework that goes with having to fix mistakes.

Often, the first operation would be to strip the topsoil off the site and stockpile it for later. Understanding how much to strip off and the volume that might be needed for re-spread is the first part of the construction.

The process to complete the operation normally belongs to the foreman, who then asks a Surveyor or Gradechecker to confirm the information and an excavator to perform the work. Arming the operator with the information they need to perform their job not only streamlines the process but also allows the entire team to make better decisions and complete their work more quickly and reduces the need for costly rework.

Putt to victory

Reaching the green in one shot, then triple putting for a bogey, negates that beautiful shot off the tee.

Golf is won and lost in the short game, and one bad putt can ruin a well-played hole. The same is true for a project.

On the jobsite, the “green” might be paving or fine grading, the more finesse elements that can make or break a project. Estimating grading correctly but ignoring the paving estimate negates all the previous positive efforts.

Tracking actual costs against the original estimates can greatly improve a company’s ability to reign in project creep, which negatively affects profit margins.

Teams can improve their “score” even more by examining projects where takeoffs closely matched actual quantities and timelines and projects where estimates varied greatly from actual quantities and timelines to determine what’s been done correctly and opportunities for improvement when it comes to creating takeoffs and executing projects. 

Learn more

How can you determine key areas to focus on for project success? Complete our Site Preparation Survey and receive a personalized PDF with insights, suggestions and support to help master the next project safely, sustainably and profitably.

Matt Desmond is President of AGTEK and Vice President of Heavy Construction, Construction Management Solutions at Hexagon.

AI is a hot topic with numerous applications in AEC, though navigating the options can be overwhelming.

AI may be the latest buzzword, but–even though the spooky season has just ended–it doesn’t have to be as scary as it may seem. There were three sessions on AI between Zweig Group’s M&A Next Symposium and its 2023 ElevateAEC Conference this September, and one of them was standing room only.

I think the biggest question on everyone’s mind is, “How can I use it?” Well, I have the answer, but you’re not going to like it. “42.”

Just kidding. Apologies, my nerd is showing. The real answer is, “However you want.”

No really. “If there is something you want AI for, do a search, and you will probably find one!” per Kristin Kautz, an artificial intelligence consultant with Zweig Group. And this is true. The industry has exploded. According to Tracxn Technologies, which tracks startup businesses, as of June, there were approximately 18,563 AI startups in the US, and an estimated (almost) 60,486 in the world as of September.

For those of us who have played around with ChatGPT, the technocrats of the symposium dubbed it the “gateway drug” of AI. There are so many possibilities for it, but therein lies the problem. With these new revolutions in technology, we are looking out at an unending sea of possibilities. Where on earth do we start?

Well, within the world of AEC, there are a number of offerings already relevant to our needs. For example, Microsoft is in beta testing for Copilot, the integrated AI for their Office Suite. Google is working to release Duet, its rival to Copilot. Autodesk has released Forma (formerly Spacemaker) which offers powerful real-time analytics (but is best used for conceptual design at this point). There are even specialized programs, such as Box.ai and Joist.ai, that work with your company’s own documents to help streamline business practices … and on and on.

The bottom line is this: There is a lot happening right now, and it is impossible to have a solid grasp on all the available options. That is why we defer to those who are doing this for a living. If you are like me, and want to learn more about how AI can be used specifically in the AEC industry, Zweig Group can help.

Zweig Group offers AI Innovation Discovery advisory services that specialize in providing tailored guidance, consulting, and training to AEC firms on how to leverage the potential of AI in their business operations. With the rapid advancement of AI, it is crucial for firms to adopt and manage AI technologies to stay competitive in their respective markets. However, implementing AI and its oversight can be complex and requires careful consideration of the right programs, policies, procedures, and training to ensure successful integration. Zweig Group’s AI Innovation Discovery Team has extensive knowledge and experience in both AI and AEC. Click here to learn more. 

Sara Karstetter, MBA is a mergers and acquisitions advisor with Zweig Group. Contact her at skarstetter@zweiggroup.com.

Sports and athletics play a massive role in American culture and society, and this importance is reflected in the space they occupy within the built environment.  For as long as humans have grouped together there have been sports and games.  Over time, these activities moved towards the core of society, and were elevated into meaningful acts of community, courage, and spirituality.  The relationship between sports and society and the resulting reflection on the built environment can be seen time and again throughout history–from the Mayans to the Romans and everywhere between.

America’s obsession with sports–both professional and amateur–seems to make sense in the context of this long tradition.  In recent history, the proliferation of professional sports has bolstered the grand scale of American sporting infrastructure, but the popularity and ubiquity of amateur sports in every corner of the country is evidence of this shared tradition.  From Alaska to Florida and everywhere between, in every city and town–no matter the size it seems–there is a purpose built field or space to house athletic competitions both formal and recreational.  Regardless of population or geography there is always a space–baseball or football field, a rodeo or basketball arena, a baseball diamond or running track–to reflect this deeply rooted connection.

Although baseball holds the title of America’s pastime and football is the most popular sport in the United States when judged by its ability to draw television viewers, the sport with the most participants, by far, is basketball.  This massive gap in participation is in large part due to the position the sport has in the built environment.  Unlike baseball or football, basketball is more easily played indoors, and doesn’t require the same maintenance and upkeep of hockey rinks or pools.  Thus, for small communities and communities with less access to resources, an indoor basketball court is a good recreational option for the amount of investment required.

The sport of basketball was invented in 1891 for just that purpose when Dr. James Naismith–a physical education instructor in Springfield, Massachusetts–set out to create a new indoor game that would entertain and exercise his students through the long winter months.  And, although the game we play today bears many glaring differences to the one played on that December day in Massachusetts, basketball quickly grew in popularity.  High schools and colleges throughout the region soon began fielding teams, and it wouldn’t be long before the game spread across North American.  As more and more communities began to field basketball teams, more and more gyms and fieldhouses began to crop up in communities small and large.

In states like Indiana, basketball quickly became a central part of school and community identity.  Many towns and cities raced to construct new homes for their basketball teams, seeing it as an opportunity to build a multipurpose space centered around housing spectators for competitions.  Places like the Muncie Fieldhouse, which opened in 1928 and was larger than any of the college arenas in the state, were constructed not only in Indiana, but throughout the United States.  During this time, the game of basketball transformed into the game we know today, and transformed the way schools and communities build their athletic facilities.  Dr. Naismith set out to create a game that would keep his students active during the long winter months, and ended up transforming the build environment of communities throughout the United States as well as the entire world as basketball has grown into a global game.

As basketball continues to reign as the most played sport in the United States, it is important to note the influence this has on the AEC industry and the built environment.  Similar to other massively popular sports like soccer, basketball carries a very low threshold for investment in terms of participation–a ball, shoes (if necessary), and at least one hoop.  On the other side of this, however, is our investment as the creators of the built environment.  The AEC industry plays a massive role in shaping both participation and experience when it comes to sports like basketball, and these spaces have come to represent much more than just buildings.  They are the centers of community and commerce.  They are oftentimes more than places to just compete and practice–becoming places where people young and old can participate in shared experience.  Our role as the designers of the world around us is to facilitate this tradition, growing and spreading these experiences to new generations and continuing the long-held human tradition of sports and athletics.

During the initial exploration of the New Claims, Medaro’s team uncovered substantial pegmatite outcroppings, from which the Company collected 24 samples. Further, Medaro sampled a substantial boulder float (Figure 1) with an astonishing 5380 ppm Li (1.15% lithium oxide).

At this time, the Company intends to conduct further exploration activity on the Property, including satellite imaging, prospecting, and a diamond drilling initiative. In addition, the Company is performing a comprehensive analysis comparing the Company’s 2022 drill results (as described in the Company’s news release dated February 15, 2023) with the results of the aforementioned satellite imaging.

Michael Mulberry, CEO of Medaro, stated, “It’s exhilarating to witness yet another triumph for our Quebec-based lithium ventures. These results invigorate us, setting the stage for an extensive exploration agenda for Medaro’s Lac La Motte property in the future.”

Qualified Person
Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., a “Qualified Person” for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About the Lac La Motte Lithium Property
Situated in the prolific mining region of Abitibi, Quebec, merely 40 kilometers Northwest of Val-d’Or, the Lac La Motte Property is strategically located. Several active lithium prospects/mines, positioned 5 km to 20 km from our property, underscore the lithium exploration potential of the area. Historical diamond drilling in the 1950s at the Property has yielded promising results, with drill holes returning over 1% lithium oxide values.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Michael Mulberry
CEO and Director

About the Company
Medaro Mining Corp. is a lithium exploration company based in Vancouver, BC, which holds options on the Superb Lake lithium property located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Lac La Motte, Darlin, Rapide, Pontax and Cyr lithium properties in Quebec and the Yurchison uranium property in Northern Saskatchewan. The Company is also involved in the development and commercialization of a new process to extract lithium from spodumene concentrate through its Global Lithium Extraction Technologies joint venture.

For more detailed information, please consult the Company’s filings, available at www.sedarplus.com.

Through this collaboration, HCSS and Miter will help customers build better teams and solve their urgent human capital challenges. Together, Miter and HCSS will help contractors around the U.S. attract, hire, pay, and retain their workforce—all key challenge areas aimed at addressing today’s labor shortage. 

“We admire HCSS and their extraordinary customer focus,” says Connor Watumull, CEO at Miter. “We see this partnership as a huge win for contractors who want to modernize their back-office systems and attract, motivate, and retain a modern workforce.” 

HCSS is a premier civil construction management company and shares market overlap with Miter’s customer base. Combining HeavyJob, HCSS’s time-tracking management solution, with Miter’s payroll and HR solution will streamline customers’ tedious manual payment processes. This will enable customers to easily track time on job sites and run payroll in seconds, not hours, by syncing all their HeavyJob time sheets with Miter. With the Miter and HCSS integration, customers will be able to automate certified payroll reporting and ensure direct and indirect job costs flow neatly into their ERP. 

“We really needed a company like Miter that understood both sides of the equation: construction payroll and certified payroll reporting,” says Rateb Almasri, Senior Product Manager at HCSS. “Miter helps contractors unlock valuable bandwidth to focus on growing their business, win more work, and hire a stronger team.” 

To explore complementary products and solutions to the HCSS suite of construction software solutions visit HCSS Marketplace at https://marketplace.hcssapps.com. To learn about becoming an HCSS Marketplace partner company, visit https://www.hcss.com/partners/

The BLK2GO PULSE is a new first-person laser scanner that combines cutting-edge LiDAR sensor technology with the original Leica BLK2GO form factor. It provides customers with a rapid, simple and intuitive first-person scanning method, controlled with their smartphone, that delivers full-colour 3D point clouds instantly in the field.

The BLK2GO PULSE was built in collaboration with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (Sony), the global leader in image sensors. The BLK2GO PULSE fuses Sony’s advanced Time-of-Flight (ToF) image sensors with Leica Geosystems’ proven GrandSLAM technology, resulting in the world’s first dual ToF handheld scanner.

With its release planned in early 2024, the BLK2GO PULSE will add a new, unique and disruptive member to the BLK2GO product family. The BLK2GO PULSE is primarily used for indoor applications such as the creation of 3D digital twins and 2D floor plans. Additional features include:

• First-person scanning: See what you capture from a first-person scanning perspective. Colourised 3D data is streamed in real time to the smartphone screen.
• Instant data availability: Immediately view and share colourised 3D point clouds and images from the field, as easy as sharing a photo or video.
• Intuitive companion app: With a smartphone (iOS or Android) attached to the scanner, access a streamlined end-to-end reality capture workflow in the BLK Live app.
• Smart scanning guidance: In-app notifications provide real-time guidance to the user to ensure optimal scanning practices.
• Reality Cloud Studio, powered by HxDR, upload: Easily upload scans from the field to Reality Cloud Studio, Hexagon’s cloud application for reality capture data visualisation, collaboration, and storage.

“With a fast end-to-end workflow that combines scanner and smartphone app into one reality capture solution, users will benefit from an easy, intuitive user experience and the delivery of complete data instantly,” said Juergen Mayer, President Reality Capture at Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon. “The BLK2GO PULSE furthers our mission to democratise reality capture, and along with Hexagon’s most recent innovations such as Reality Cloud Studio, we continue to push the envelope of what is possible in digital reality with even more disruptive products.”

For more information about the BLK2GO PULSE, visit the website or stop by the Hexagon booth (Hall 25 | Booth B25.16) at INTERGEO 2023 in Berlin.

Leica Geosystems — when it has to be right
With more than 200 years of history, Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, is the trusted supplier of premium sensors, software and services. Delivering value every day to professionals in surveying, construction, infrastructure, mining, mapping and other geospatial content-dependent industries, Leica Geosystems leads the industry with innovative solutions to empower our autonomous future.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.2bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB

During the initial exploration of the New Claims, Medaro’s team uncovered substantial pegmatite outcroppings, from which the Company collected 24 samples. Further, Medaro sampled a substantial boulder float (Figure 1) with an astonishing 5380 ppm Li (1.15% lithium oxide).

At this time, the Company intends to conduct further exploration activity on the Property, including satellite imaging, prospecting, and a diamond drilling initiative. In addition, the Company is performing a comprehensive analysis comparing the Company’s 2022 drill results (as described in the Company’s news release dated February 15, 2023) with the results of the aforementioned satellite imaging.

Michael Mulberry, CEO of Medaro, stated, “It’s exhilarating to witness yet another triumph for our Quebec-based lithium ventures. These results invigorate us, setting the stage for an extensive exploration agenda for Medaro’s Lac La Motte property in the future.”

Qualified Person
Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., a “Qualified Person” for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About the Lac La Motte Lithium Property
Situated in the prolific mining region of Abitibi, Quebec, merely 40 kilometers Northwest of Val-d’Or, the Lac La Motte Property is strategically located. Several active lithium prospects/mines, positioned 5 km to 20 km from our property, underscore the lithium exploration potential of the area. Historical diamond drilling in the 1950s at the Property has yielded promising results, with drill holes returning over 1% lithium oxide values.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Michael Mulberry
CEO and Director

About the Company
Medaro Mining Corp. is a lithium exploration company based in Vancouver, BC, which holds options on the Superb Lake lithium property located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Lac La Motte, Darlin, Rapide, Pontax and Cyr lithium properties in Quebec and the Yurchison uranium property in Northern Saskatchewan. The Company is also involved in the development and commercialization of a new process to extract lithium from spodumene concentrate through its Global Lithium Extraction Technologies joint venture.

For more detailed information, please consult the Company’s filings, available at www.sedarplus.com.

Funded through HDR’s Fellowship Program, the work culminated in an economic method, called Social Equity Value Analysis, which better accounts for the value of projects to disadvantaged communities and people with lower incomes. The SEVA method was reviewed and endorsed by an advisory panel of leading subject matter experts including academics and federal, state and local agency economists and engineers.

“SEVA reveals a more complete measure of the value of projects in ways that a benefit-cost analysis cannot, especially for people with lower incomes,” Behr said. “The results add important new perspectives on projects for infrastructure owners and state and federal funding agencies, which aim to account for equity in implementation decisions.”

SEVA is a benefit-cost analysis weighted by the income differences of beneficiaries, a key feature of most measures of equity and distributive justice. The results of a SEVA can be presented in the same way as a BCA — with a comparison of benefits and costs. HDR is standardizing this approach in all of its economic analyses.

The SEVA approach is grounded in economic theory and consistent with U.S. federal BCA guidelines related to assessing the distribution of outcomes. The Office of Management and Budget recently issued draft revisions to its BCA guidelines and includes a discussion on implementing a distributional analysis in the same form as SEVA.

“Equity has become a cornerstone of planning and implementing new infrastructure projects, and today, federal funding depends on demonstrating equity considerations,” said Cathy LaFata, HDR’s transportation equity director. “SEVA can give owners greater insights on the equity implications underlying implementation decisions across a portfolio of project alternatives. For owners seeking to elevate equity in their planning criteria, SEVA is a defensible method that can provide a compelling rationale for funding a project that makes sense to implement.”

About HDR
For over a century, HDR has partnered with clients to shape communities and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our expertise spans more than 12,000 employees in more than 200 locations around the world — and counting. Our engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services bring an impressive breadth of knowledge to every project. Our optimistic approach to finding innovative solutions defined our past and drives our future. 

LocLab specialises in developing object-based and structured digital twin models that seamlessly integrate data from various systems and sources. Users can click on an object within the model to access relevant data sets stored elsewhere. Clients rely on these models for efficient asset management, process optimisation, simulations and more.

“Industry increasingly understands the benefits of data-enriched digital twins. But to fully realise their potential, users need an efficient platform that helps them securely store, manage and maintain these assets, ensuring real-time updates,” says Ilka May, CEO at LocLab. “LocLab Cloud is an innovative SaaS platform that enables clients to access and share data about their assets through a very intuitive spatial 3D environment.”

LocLab Cloud is accessible from any computer, tablet or mobile device via a web browser and the new Digital Twin Player. The cloud-native security system ensures that only authorised collaborators can upload, access share and collaborate on the digital content.

The platform empowers users, such as infrastructure providers, with comprehensive data, enabling predictive maintenance, scenario planning, sustainability analysis and overall improved decision-making. Users can seamlessly interact with the 3D model and receive live updates from on-site sensors. LocLab Cloud thus provides them with immediate, actionable insights.

At the heart of Hexagon’s cloud services is HxDR, a cloud-native platform for geospatial data at any scale. HxDR powers Hexagon’s digital reality applications with storage, visualisation, collaboration tools and automated microservices for data processing. HxDR also powers Reality Cloud Studio, HxGN GeoCloud and the HxGN Content Program.

Find out more at hxdr.com/loclab-cloud/ or visit the Hexagon booth at INTERGEO (Hall 25 | Booth B25.16). 

LocLab Consulting GmbH

LocLab, part of Hexagon, is a leader in 3D digital twin content creation. LocLab’s proprietary technology, enabled by a high degree of automation using proven workflows and artificial intelligence, allows the cost- and time-efficient creation of digital twins of machines, buildings, manufacturing facilities or large-scale areas such as transportation networks or entire cities.

This version reflects significant changes made to the wind load provisions from the previous version of the standard, ASCE 7-16. This guide has been reorganized to follow the chapter organization in ASCE 7-22 and the step-by-step procedures provided in the standard. 

Important revisions to the ASCE 7-22 wind load provisions that are covered in this guide include:

• Simplifications to external Component and Cladding (C&C) roof pressure coefficients for steep slope roofs, 
• Use of ASCE design wind speed maps that include terrain speedup effects, 
• Changes to the definition of the Wind-borne Debris Region, and 
• Deletion of the Simplified Procedures.

With 19 real-life design problems applying the appropriate use of analytical and simplified procedures for calculating wind loads for various common structure types, this guide is an essential reference for practicing structural engineers.

To purchase online, visit the ASCE Bookstore.Limited review copies are available for book reviews. Please contact Leslie Connelly at lconnelly@asce.org.

Jonah Allaben will continue in his key role as Senior Mechanical Engineer and Program Manager to deliver energy-efficient engineering designs. He works closely with Goldman Copeland’s Energy Services Department to convert the findings of energy studies into energy-saving mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) solutions. He thereby leads projects through design and implementation of multi-million-dollar, capital improvement initiatives, generating both energy and financial savings for some of the largest property owners in the tri-state area. Jonah’s expertise includes the implementation of utility incentive programs for healthcare institutions, higher education buildings, and transit facilities.

Jonah was named the 2023 “Engineer of the Year” by the Long Island Chapter of ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers). He is a graduate of Cornell University, from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Daniel Galarza (pictured at lower right) will continue in his key role as a Senior Mechanical Engineer and Executive Account Manager, focusing on delivering superior HVAC design solutions to commercial and institutional facilities. His role is especially vital as major property owners in New York City adapt to Local Law 97, which sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Adept at navigating the intricacies of New York City’s building landscape, Dan is able to analyze complex HVAC challenges and devise innovative, cost-effective solutions that adhere to local codes and regulations while prioritizing client objectives. Dan has successfully designed HVAC systems for millions of square feet of commercial and retail space, while maintaining a dedication to incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly strategies and occupant comfort. 

With over 15 years of expertise, Dan is trusted by prestigious clients, including Empire State Realty Trust, Vornado Realty Trust, L&L Holdings, and Tishman Speyer. While having the proven ability to thrive in the demanding environment of New York City and exceed client expectations, he has served as the lead engineer for projects ranging from large office complexes to luxury retail and restaurants. He is a graduate of Northeastern University, from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Dr. Sherman was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Robert J. Dexter Memorial Award Lecture by the Steel Bridge Task Force of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA), and the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Steel and Metals Technical Committee. The program was instituted in 2005 in memory of Robert J. Dexter, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Minnesota, who was an internationally recognized expert on steel fracture and fatigue problems in bridges.

The Robert J. Dexter Memorial Award Lecture program provides an opportunity for individuals early in their careers in structural engineering to present a lecture on their steel bridge research activities to the Steel Bridge Task Force and to participate in its semiannual three-day meeting. Recipients become guests of the Steel Bridge Task Force, which is comprised of leading steel bridge experts.

Dr. Sherman has conducted large-scale laboratory testing and performed field monitoring and instrumentation projects on steel bridge and ancillary highway structures across the United States. His research encompasses the areas of large-scale structural experimentation, structural health monitoring, material characterization, finite element simulation, fatigue and fracture, and additive manufacturing for civil engineering infrastructure.

He joined the faculty in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology as an assistant professor in 2019. He earned his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University and his M.S. degree and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. Previously, he served on the faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Construction, and he worked as a research engineer at the Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research at Purdue University. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Nevada.

Previous recipients of the Robert J. Dexter Memorial Award Lecture include:

• William Collins, Ph.D., P.E., University of Kansas at Lawrence (2022)
• Matthew Yarnold, Ph.D., P.E., Texas A&M University (2021)
• Matthew H. Hebdon, Ph.D., P.E., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2019)
• Hussam Mahmoud, Ph.D., Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado (2014)
• Caroline R. Bennett, Ph.D., P.E., University of Kansas in Lawrence (2013)
• Hassan H. Abbas, Ph.D., Auburn University (2012)
• Justin Ocel, Ph.D., P.E., Federal Highway Administration (2010)
• Emmett A. Sumner III, Ph.D., North Carolina State University in Raleigh (2009)
• Jennifer Righman McConnell, Ph.D., University of Delaware (2007)
• Reagan Herman, Ph.D., University of Houston (2006)
• Robert J. Connor, Ph.D., P.E., Purdue University (2005)

The Steel Bridge Task Force was formed more than 40 years ago to coordinate research that establishes safe, cost-effective steel bridges and to implement these developments into steel bridge design codes, specifically the AASHTO design codes. Its members include the American Iron and Steel Institute, National Steel Bridge Alliance, AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee, steel producers, steel organizations, steel bridge fabricators, bridge owners, university faculty, consultants and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration.

“Lance’s experience and impressive track record in the engineering and construction industry, along with his strategic vision, align him perfectly with our strategic organic growth initiatives,” said Gary Bowman, chairman and CEO of Bowman. “His ability to facilitate collaboration and promote a culture of selling will accelerate our efforts to secure profitable new business opportunities, build strong client relationships and expand our market share. I am pleased to have Lance onboard as part of our executive leadership team.”

Mr. Hendrix brings over 30 years of proven experience in engineering and construction management with a strong focus on the power, renewables and industrials markets. He possesses 20 years of experience managing and selling large, complex engineering and construction management projects. Prior to Bowman, Lance has provided revenue leadership for firms with over $500 million in annual revenue and billion-dollar backlogs.

His career includes positions such as vice president business development at the Washington Group, president of Kiewit Power Engineers and vice president and general manager at Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR). With a bachelor’s and master’s in civil engineering and an Executive Master of Business Administration, he has a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen.

“Bowman’s reputation for delivering engineering services and infrastructure solutions is well-known in the industry, and I am excited to be part of this dynamic team,” Hendrix added. “I am committed to driving the company’s growth initiatives and ensuring the company continues to excel by leveraging my experience to contribute to its ongoing success.”

About Bowman Consulting Group Ltd.

Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Bowman is a national engineering services firm delivering infrastructure solutions to customers who own, develop and maintain the built environment. With over 2,000 employees and more than 80 offices throughout the United States, Bowman provides a variety of planning, engineering, geospatial, construction management, commissioning, environmental consulting, land procurement and other technical services to customers operating in a diverse set of regulated end markets. Bowman trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol BWMN. For more information, visit bowman.com or investors.bowman.com.

In addition to four days of peer-led education sessions, Newforma workshops, and networking events, Newforma World hosted keynote speakers Giovanna Brasfield (“United in Diversity: The Transformative Impact of Inclusive Collaboration in the AECO Industry”) and David Sears (“Mission: Collaboration Excellence — The Importance of Equipping Your Teams for Success”).

Attendees also had exclusive access to the innovative Newforma Konekt platform, which combines information management, project management, and simple BIM coordination by those using BIM in their process. Newforma Konekt seamlessly integrates intricate design collaboration and issue management, essential during design and building phases, with overarching processes like document handling, RFIs, submittals, email coordination, and other project completion tasks.

Carl Veillette, Chief Product Officer, offered this summary of the new platform. “Newforma Konekt is an interconnected ecosystem – an environment, really — that encapsulates Newforma’s very essence, ideals, and commitment to the AECO industry. Time is always of the essence in construction, but Newforma Konekt gives users more than just hours; it gives them clarity, efficiency, and above all, peace of mind, by uniting every element of their project.”

With Newforma Konekt, all stakeholders on a project, including architects, engineers, contractors, and owners, are empowered to collaborate and make informed decisions while creating a comprehensive, intuitive, and easily searchable project record. Newforma Konekt synchronizes with existing software tools, eradicating communication gridlocks, isolated data, and tedious document tasks so firms gain valuable time that they can spend on delivering quality projects.

At Newforma World 2023, Newforma also announced the launch of its re-envisioned brand identity, underscoring the company’s commitment to product innovation and its mission to power CONNECTED project delivery for AECO project teams.

The transformation underscores Newforma’s belief in the omnipresence of connection points and collaboration opportunities across the industry’s stakeholders. The company advocates for a centralized hub as the paramount way to manage project information effectively, an ethos powerfully embodied in the new “contained web” logomark.

With this bold visual evolution, Newforma establishes itself as a leader in innovation, fostering collaboration in unprecedented ways. The industry, customers, partners, and stakeholders are invited to embark on this thrilling journey with Newforma as it continues to redefine the paradigms of connected project delivery.

For more information about Newforma Konekt and Newforma World, visit the all-new http://www.newforma.com.

About Newforma

Newforma provides Information Management and collaboration software for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Owner/Operator (AECO) industry. We empower AECO firms by delivering technology solutions that drive better project outcomes at every stage of the construction project lifecycle, from design, to ribbon-cutting, and beyond. Over 500,000 users in more than 1,500 firms worldwide have streamlined their communication, simplified their administration, and enabled real-time collaboration, all thanks to Newforma’s platforms. Visit us at newforma.com.

Invent It. Build It — is specifically designed for Los Angeles-area girls ages 10-18, their parents, and educators who spend the day participating in engineering activities and competitions in addition to learning about local clubs, after-school programs, scholarships, and future careers. 

This year, IIBI features Jay Flores and Diana Mogena, global STEM ambassadors. Founders of Invent the Change, Jay and Diana, are incredible engineers who aim to use the entertainment factor of magic to increase awareness of STEM. Featured on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior and starring on over 75 shows on networks like Telemundo and ESPN, Jay will bring STEM center stage as Diana demystifies science through eight cool experiments.   

Deysi Melgar, former host of PBS’s series Design Squad, will challenge pre-college students, 10-13, to build a functioning balloon-powered car. Students will test their skills by seeing how fast their cars travel.

Tamara Robertson, former MythBusters host, will lead a fun and dynamic hydraulic lift-building activity for pre-college students, ages 14-18 right after the opening ceremony. in the afternoon. During this session, students will build hydraulic lifting systems (similar to scissor lifts), and SWE will have a load capacity competition to see whose device can lift the most weight.

Career Fair — the world’s largest career fair for women engineers and technologists. At WE23, collegians and professionals of all backgrounds, disciplines, and sectors have the unique opportunity to connect with hundreds of organizations that are committed to advancing women in STEM. Thousands of attendees explore new possibilities at a dynamic career fair filled with academic, internship, and career opportunities with top employers.

When:     October 26-28, 2023

Where:   Los Angeles Convention Center/West Hall/1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90015

Media  For press interested in covering WE23, please register at https://we23.swe.org/resources/press/

Contact:  For more information, visit https://we23.swe.org or email cmartin@davidjamesgroup.com.

The award recognizes and honors an individual who has made substantial and measurable engineering, scientific, and/or operations contributions to managing or treating industrial wastes to improve water quality. A renowned pioneer of industrial wastewater management, WEF created the award in 2007 to honor the late W. Wesley Eckenfelder Jr.

Eckenfelder was a prolific writer, influencing countless engineers through his many textbooks, hundreds of journal articles, and courses. One such engineer is Flippin, who achieved a master’s degree in environmental and water resource engineering and a bachelor’s in civil and environmental engineering from Vanderbilt University under the tutelage of Eckenfelder.

The impact Eckenfelder has had on Flippin is profound. After serving as a research assistant to Eckenfelder at Vanderbilt in 1983, Flippin has dedicated his career to enhancing the environment through the design, construction, and optimization of industrial water and wastewater treatment facilities. Since joining Brown and Caldwell in 1984, he has evaluated and developed process design and operating guidelines for hundreds of treatment facilities encompassing food and beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical and nutrition, refinery and renewable fuels, mining, and many more industries. His experience and technical acumen have been pivotal in helping industrial clients achieve water treatment cost savings while maintaining effluent and emissions compliance.

Project highlights include the Bush Brothers & Company’s (Bush’s® Best Baked Beans) award-winning Process Water Reclamation Facility. As technical lead, Flippin directed the process design of the 2.1 million gallons per day facility that treats production process water to be used for utility water makeup or irrigation of adjacent pasturelands on which cattle are raised by Bush Brothers & Company-owned agriculture.

Furthermore, Flippin has continued Eckenfelder’s legacy by mentoring aspiring engineers and lending his expertise to improve water quality through engineering and scientific advancements in treating industrial waters. He regularly leads educational workshops and authors thought leadership articles focused on bringing new information and pioneering solutions to market.

Brown and Caldwell CEO Rich D’Amato commented on the esteemed recognition:

“I am thrilled that WEF has awarded Houston’s decades of dedication and contributions to the field of industrial water treatment. Spanning four decades, he has continuously solved various highly technical, complex industrial water challenges to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients and communities. His selfless approach to innovation and mentoring has tremendously impacted the industry and our people. All at Brown and Caldwell are immensely proud of Houston for this well-earned accolade.”

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Flippin is a licensed professional engineer in 16 states and a board-certified environmental engineer.

The recently completed Merchants Bridge rebuild serves as a showcase of tightly orchestrated engineering and construction planning to replace the double-track bridge, which was built in 1889. Its three main truss spans of 520 feet each needed replacement, and the unreinforced masonry piers did not provide adequate resistance to vessel impact or seismic loading.

“Years of heavy use had caused serious structural degradation that limited crossings,” says Kevin Eisenbeis, project structural engineer at Burns & McDonnell. “The bridge has now gained decades of service life and is projected to boost the local economy by hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to this rebuild project.”

Burns & McDonnell provided preliminary and final truss design, river pier foundation design, seismic analysis and environmental services for the Merchants Bridge replacement as a subconsultant to Transystems for the owner of the bridge, the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis. The engineering solution included stabilizing the existing foundations with micropiles and encasing the footings and original masonry piers with concrete. The new truss span design incorporated a ballasted deck system providing an improvement to the original open-deck, rail-on-tie configuration. In addition, the track centers on the new bridge deck were widened from 12 to 15 feet, providing more operational flexibility and improved safety.

The construction plan for the three main truss spans involved a combination of existing span float-out and new span float-in on barges, plus vertical strand jack lifts combined with lateral slide operations using an overhead gantry system. The three new Warren-type truss spans were individually assembled on barges located along the riverbank. Once a truss span was fully assembled and ready for placement, the contractor Walsh Construction had 10 days to remove an old span and replace it with a new one. The sequence began with a 24-hour river traffic closure. During this nearly round-the-clock operation, empty barges were moved into place in the span between the gantry cranes to receive the existing truss span, which was lifted, slid over and then lowered to the awaiting barges below.  The sequence was then reversed during a second 24-hour river traffic closure to float-in, lift and slide the new span into position.

The Hay Award adds to a growing list of industry honors for the project, which includes the following:

• American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri (ACECMo) Grand Conceptor
• ENR Midwest Regional Best Project
• Railway Track & Structures Top Project
• Supply & Demand Chain Executive Top Supply Chain Project

The variety of awards reflects the complexity of this project, which required significant coordination to minimize disruptions to rail and river traffic during the three-plus years of construction. Within a few months of the bridge’s completion, an average of 70 trains were crossing the bridge each day, resulting in a 49% increase in rail tonnage to the five Class I railroads that use the bridge. 

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell brings together an unmatched team of 13,500 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, and more to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from 70 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn how we are designed to build.

Prepared by PPI’s Building & Construction Division, PPI TN-67 Chlorine Dioxide and Plastic Hot- And Cold- Water Plumbing Distribution Pipes focuses on the application of chlorine dioxide within buildings and its potential effects on plastic hot- and cold-water plumbing distribution pipe materials.

While chlorine dioxide is rarely used as a secondary (i.e., residual) water disinfectant in public potable water systems, in certain types of large facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, apartment buildings, and large office buildings, it is sometimes added to plumbing distribution systems to treat or control outbreaks of harmful bacteria such as Legionella which can occur in these systems. In such facilities, following outbreaks of Legionella or other pathogens in the plumbing distribution system, specialized chlorine dioxide generation devices can be added to inject ClO₂  in measured doses directly into the piping system before hot water is delivered throughout the building.

Starting in 2020, a team of experts from PPI member companies began a research project to investigate the potential effects of chlorine dioxide on pressure piping materials CPVC, PEX, PE-RT, PP-R, andPP-RCT.

“Currently, only limited North American industry data is publicly available to predict the impact that chlorine dioxide may have on specific plumbing distribution pipe materials,” explained Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division. “PPI TN-67 addresses this topic based on data that has been collected through an extensive analysis of published research combined with the experience and expertise of PPI members.”

Chlorine dioxide is a dissolved gas and is highly volatile and efficient as an oxidizing agent for disinfection. It is used in different concentrations than free chlorine or chloramines and has a different mechanism of attack on the various materials and substances to which it is exposed.

MacNevin continued, “Based on the data that has been analyzed by our association regarding the effects of chlorine dioxide on piping materials in hot- and cold-water plumbing systems, it is apparent that this compound can be very aggressive to certain piping materials. PPI recommends caution when considering its use of as a chemical disinfectant to treat water for the control of Legionella or other pathogens.”

PPI recommends contacting each piping system supplier for guidance on the use of their pipe and fitting material(s) in circumstances where chlorine dioxide has been selected as the disinfection chemical.  

Access the full content of PPI TN-67 at https://plasticpipe.org/common/Uploaded%20files/1-PPI/General%20Literature/Technical%20Notes/PPI%20TN-67/PPI%20TN-67.pdf

Additional information and data about piping materials used for hot- and cold-water plumbing systems and other applications are available from the PPI Building & Construction Division at www.plasticpipe.org/buildingconstruction

As the official podcast of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), The Builders’ Table seeks to educate, empower and engage listeners on the importance of the construction industry. The award-winning podcast is hosted by NCCER’s Vice President of Innovation, Jennifer Wilkerson. 

Season 1 of the podcast featured guests from across the world of construction, ranging from craft professionals and industry leaders to educators, government and nonprofit representatives, and more. The weekly episodes earned more than 6,200 downloads across all streaming platforms.  

NCCER received two local American Advertising Awards for The Builders’ Table, winning both a Gold and Silver ADDY from the American Advertising Federation’s North Central Florida Chapter. 

“I want to thank all of our dedicated listeners and our insightful guests for helping to make the first season of The Builders’ Table a success,” said Wilkerson. “I’m proud of the important topics and interesting discussions we’ve covered through our first 49 episodes, and I’m excited to continue sharing more great conversations in the year ahead.” 

Season 2 kicked off with Episode 50 on October 2. The first week of October marks both the beginning of Careers in Construction Month and the one-year anniversary of the podcast’s first episode. The season-opening episode features special guest Sean Ray, Vice President of Craft Workforce Development at Sundt Construction in Arizona. 

The Builders’ Table is available on several services including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more. New episodes are released on Mondays at 7 a.m. ET. 

To recommend a topic or guest for the podcast, please contact Nancy Kim at nkim@nccer.org.  

About NCCER — NCCER is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) education foundation created by the construction industry to develop standardized curriculum and assessments with portable credentials and certifications for skilled craft professionals. NCCER provides a comprehensive workforce development system that includes accreditation, training, assessment, certification and career development solutions for the construction and maintenance industries. For more information, visit www.nccer.org or contact NCCER customer service at 888.622.3720. 

The award was presented to John O’Quinn at a meeting of the Steel Bridge Task Force on September 20 in Denver, Colorado. Karl Frank, Ph.D., P.E., a consultant and member of the Steel Bridge Task Force Oversight Council, presented the award, which reads: “In recognition of his significant leadership, mentoring and support of research which have contributed substantially to the advancement of steel bridges.”

“As chair of the Steel Bridge Task Force for many years, Alex Wilson had a vision for recognizing and mentoring the next generation of talent for innovative steel bridge research,” said Dan Snyder, vice president, construction program at AISI. “It is appropriate that we present this award to John O’Quinn, who for many years has provided mentoring and guidance to researchers and engineers as well as financial and materials support for their research. His direct support has enabled significant technological advancements for the steel bridge industry. John is highly respected and greatly appreciated by his peers, and it is an honor to recognize his contributions and lasting impact on our industry with the 2023 Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award.”

About John O’Quinn
John O’Quinn began his steel industry career in an entry-level position at Carolina Steel in 1980. He learned the business from the ground up, working as a material handler, shear operator, welder and fitter before transitioning to maintenance, supervision and management. In 1993, he left Carolina Steel to launch O’Quinn Enterprises, a steel fabrication and erection company. In 2006, O’Quinn returned to Carolina Steel/Hirschfeld Industries as vice president. He left the company as president in 2016 to become president of High Steel Structures, LLC in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the position he currently holds.

Since 2006, John has served the steel fabrication industry through his participation and leadership on various boards, councils and advisory groups. He currently serves on the American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC) Board of Directors providing oversight for the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) and as vice-chair of the Government Relations Subcommittee. He is a member of the Steel Bridge Task Force. He previously served as chair of the NSBA Executive Council and as two-time chair of the NSBA Market Development Committee.

About Alex Wilson
As chair of the Steel Bridge Task Force, Alex Wilson presided over a group representing the top steel bridge design experts in the United States. As manager of customer technical services for ArcelorMittal USA, he developed and tested new technologies for the bridge industry, including weathering and High-Performance Steels, both of which provide cost-effective and durable alternatives to competing materials and are widely used in bridge construction today. He conducted research on fracture mechanic evaluations, consulted on steel plate development, published 65 technical papers, and shaped the advancement of new steel bridge material specifications. Looking to the next generation of talent, he oversaw the establishment of AISI’s Robert J. Dexter Memorial Award Lecture.

The Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award was instituted in 2022. The first award was presented to metallurgical consultant Dean C. Krouse.

The Steel Bridge Task Force was formed more than 40 years ago to coordinate research that establishes safe, cost-effective steel bridges and to implement these developments into steel specifications, specifically the AASHTO design codes. Its members include the American Iron and Steel Institute, National Steel Bridge Alliance, AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee, steel producers, steel organizations, steel bridge fabricators, bridge owners, university faculty, consultants and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration.

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, and associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s websites at http://www.steel.org and www.buildusingsteel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel, @BuildUsingSteel) or Instagram.  

Large brings over 30 years of foundation experience to geotechnical specialty engineering and construction contractor, Nicholson Construction Company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  As client care manager, she strengthens relationships with current clients and develops new relationships and partnerships across several markets. She is a professional engineer in Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan; a member of ADSC, ASCE, Chi Epsilon, DFI, Engineers Without Borders, TRB, USSD, and ASDSO; and a Diplomate of Geotechnical Engineering. She has authored/co-authored technical papers on micropiles, deep mixing and ground anchors.  She serves as the executive director of the International Society for Micropiles (ISM). She holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from Cornell University. 

The Structural Slurry Wall and Seepage Control Committee was formed when DFI’s Seepage Control Committee and Slurry Wall Committee merged at the start of 2023. The mission of the committee is to be a collaborative forum to discuss and disseminate best practices for structural slurry walls and seepage control, and to advance the awareness, use and performance of structural slurry wall and seepage control technologies.

About the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI): DFI (www.dfi.org) is an international association of contractors, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, academics and owners in the deep foundations industry. Our multidisciplinary membership creates a consensus voice and a common vision for continual improvement in the planning, design and construction of deep foundations and excavations. We bring together members for networking, education, communication and collaboration. With our members, we promote the advancement of the deep foundations industry through technical committees, educational programs and conferences, publications, research, government relations and outreach. DFI has more than 4,000 members worldwide.

“Ryan is a results-driven individual with a passion for connecting with new and previous colleagues,” says Matthew Glisson, P.E., director of technical activities at DFI. “His many years of construction experience in our industry as an employee of DFI member companies makes him well suited to support DFI committees.”

Reavis is an experienced professional with over 20 years in the geotechnical industry. He held various leadership positions, including project manager with Keller, operations manager for McKinney Drilling Company, project development manager for Rail at GeoStabilization International and operations manager for Eclipse Foundation Group. His diverse experience in construction project operations, management, logistics and contracts has equipped him with a unique skill set for his current role.

About the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI): DFI (www.dfi.org) is an international association of contractors, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, academics and owners in the deep foundations industry. Our multidisciplinary membership creates a consensus voice and a common vision for continual improvement in the planning, design and construction of deep foundations and excavations. We bring together members for networking, education, communication and collaboration. With our members, we promote the advancement of the deep foundations industry through technical committees, educational programs and conferences, publications, research, government relations and outreach. DFI has more than 4,000 members worldwide.

The scholarships are given in an effort to continue to support the Foundation’s mission: The CMAA Foundation advances and supports workforce development to support the future growth of the industry, development of research beneficial to the advancement of technological, educational, or vocational expertise in the industry, and education in the construction management profession.

The Erica Lynn First Generation College Student Scholarship was awarded for the first time to Serena Foote, a graduate student at Colorado State University. The Erica Lynn scholarship provides funds to first-generation students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in construction management, construction engineering, or civil engineering with an emphasis in construction management.

The College of Fellows Scholarship Fund awarded a scholarship to Ann Lyons, a graduate student at Clemson University pursuing a degree in Construction Science and Management with a minor in Trust in Construction Teams. This first annual scholarship was given in honor of Ron Pennella, CCM, FCMAA, who was inducted to the CMAA College of Fellows in 2016.

The 2023 CMAA Foundation Scholarships were awarded to Shirley Wu, an undergraduate from New York University, and to Ehsan Rajaie, a graduate student attending the University of Texas at Arlington. The CMAA Foundation Scholarship program is designed to aid students pursuing postsecondary education that is intended to lead to a construction management career.

The 2023 Francis M. Keville Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Brianna Lopez from San Diego State University. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. The Francis M. Keville Scholarship was established in 2009 by Christine Keville, FCMAA, through her firm, Keville Enterprises, Inc. It was created in honor of her late father. The scholarship is awarded each year to a female student pursuing a degree in construction management or a related discipline, who has a record of leadership and engagement both on- and off-campus, and who is planning a career in the field.

“It is incredibly rewarding for the CMAA Foundation to be in the position to award five scholarships in 2023,” says Andrea S. Rutledge, CAE, President and CEO of CMAA and the CMAA Foundation. “With these scholarships, the Foundation will continue to increase its impact on the program and construction management profession long into the future.”

Greenhagen joined the company as its first survey crew chief in 1986, serving land development. During his 37 years at Westwood, he held multiple leadership positions and led the firm’s diversification into renewables and power delivery. Greenhagen was appointed CEO in 2010. When reflecting on his time as CEO, Greenhagen says, “When our team met our goals, we then set them higher and pushed forward. The high level of success Westwood has achieved couldn’t have happened any other way. I am honored to have led such a great team, and I am especially grateful for the lifelong friends I’ve gained over the years.”

Looking to the future, Greenhagen continues, “Westwood has a bright future, and Bryan will do a great job as CEO. He has a proven track record of success as a leader and is the right person at the right time to lead the company to the next level. I look forward to working with Bryan from the Board level and witnessing Westwood’s continued success.”

Larry Bossidy, Chairman of the Board, commented, “We wish Paul the best in his retirement and thank him for his outstanding efforts leading Westwood to where it is today. Paul has been a thoughtful, insightful, persevering, and effective leader as he and his team continuously set the stage for growth while overcoming many obstacles which otherwise would have delayed progress. At the same time, the Board welcomes Bryan Powell to the CEO role. Bryan is an energetic, strategic, results-oriented visionary with the required skills necessary to lead Westwood’s next promising chapter of the Company’s history.”

Powell has served as the firm’s Chief Operations Officer since 2021 and has held various leadership positions within Westwood since joining the firm in 2010. Bryan will lead the company from the Plano, Texas, office location.

“This is an exciting time for Westwood,” says Powell. “We recently launched our bold vision for 2024 and beyond, that continues to place Westwood as a leader in the industry. I am grateful to Paul and the Board of Directors for entrusting me to lead Westwood in this next chapter.”

Powell added, “I want to thank Paul for his 37 years of service at Westwood. His leadership propelled the firm from a local presence in Minnesota to a nationally recognized leader in the industry. His mentorship and support over the last 13 years were pivotal in my career. He will leave an impactful legacy at Westwood.”

Greenhagen received the Zweig Group Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award in 2019 that recognizes leaders who have made a profound impact in the industry. During his time as CEO, he led the firm in tremendous growth and national expansion.

Powell has held several senior leadership positions in Westwood, including Director, Vice President, and Senior Vice President. Since 2021, he has served as the Chief Operations Officer, providing executive oversight of Westwood’s operations driving unprecedented profitable growth for the firm. During his tenure, Westwood has added multiple new markets and services, revised the structure of the organization to accommodate growth, and successfully integrated several large firms through acquisitions.

“We’re proud to again be recognized in Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America and want to thank our team members who continue to excel year after year,” said Jay Todisco, President of Ware Malcomb. “These immensely talented and motivated individuals drive this growth and we’re fortunate to have them representing our firm.” 

“Together, we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and growth of our footprint spanning four countries, 28 offices, and many global clients,” added Ken Wink, CEO of Ware Malcomb. “Being named to the Inc. 5000 list is an incredible honor and one that we share with our team members and our committed, visionary clients and partners who make this success possible.”

All companies on the Inc. 5000 list are U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit and independent. Companies were ranked according to percentage of revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify for the 2023 list, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. The Inc. 5000 list, which can be sorted by revenue growth, industry, state or metro area, can be viewed at https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2023.

About Ware Malcomb (waremalcomb.com)

Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a contemporary and expanding full-service design firm providing professional architecture, planning, interior design, civil engineering, branding and building measurement services to corporate, commercial/residential developer and public/institutional clients throughout the world. With office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, the firm specializes in the design of commercial office, corporate, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, retail, auto, public/institutional facilities and renovation projects. Ware Malcomb is recognized as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company and a Hot Firm by Zweig Group. The firm is also ranked among the top 30 architecture/engineering firms in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms and the top 30 interior design firms in Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants. For more information, visit http://www.waremalcomb.com/news and view Ware Malcomb’s Brand Video at youtube.com/waremalcomb.

In this role, Berger will lead quality assurance, resource availability and development, as well as project delivery for HDR’s freight rail work. He will play a major role in hiring and coordinating with technical leaders to provide exceptional service to HDR freight rail clients. Berger has been with HDR for nearly a decade and will continue his work on major projects for clients as a senior project manager, working out of the firm’s office in Walnut Creek, California.

“After 10 years with HDR, I’m still amazed not only at the depth and breadth of our talent, but also our team’s dedication to helping our clients achieve their goals,” Berger said. “This role is fundamentally about enabling the entire HDR network to bring our collective knowledge, practical railroad experience, and skillsets that extend far beyond the railway industry to create lasting value for our clients.”

Berger has nearly 30 years of experience, including field and management positions with Class I railways. He brings expertise in a wide range of rail engineering disciplines, including project development and planning, track, signal, freight and passenger facilities, grade crossings, and third-party projects. He also understands the fundamental economic and competitive considerations that shape the rail industry.

“Buzz draws on his practical experience to think strategically, solve complex engineering and stakeholder challenges, and lead projects through all phases of the delivery process,” said Bill Hjelholt, HDR’s freight rail director. “Many of our clients already know him, trust him and appreciate his ability to find win-win solutions. He will be a great asset to our technical teams and clients globally in making freight rail projects come to life.”

“Victor and Louis bring a wealth of knowledge, strategic acumen, and technical expertise to our organization during an important time of company growth, and we are excited to have them on our executive team,” stated Mark Ralph, President and Chief Executive Officer of Axine Water Technologies. “Victor’s well-deserved promotion acknowledges his instrumental contributions to the development of our contaminant destruction platform. Louis’ addition to the team is key to our success in expanding our commercial market presence in North America. I eagerly anticipate working alongside both Louis and Victor as we continue to propel Axine’s growth and build upon our leadership position in the market.”

Dr. Leung brings over a decade of expertise in industrial applications as well as academic research and development in materials technology. He has specialized in the scaling and optimization of platforms for various sectors, including mineral processing, medical devices, and clean technology. Under Dr. Leung’s guidance, Axine has commercialized a proprietary electrochemical oxidation technology that achieves safe and efficient destruction of a broad range of dangerous contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In his expanded role with Axine, he will be responsible for the continued growth of Axine’s proprietary treatment platform, which destroys dangerous contaminants without leaving dangerous byproducts behind, as well as directing strategic investments in expanding the platform to address emerging contaminants. Dr. Leung holds a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from The University of British Columbia.

Mr. LeBrun joins Axine with over 25 years of experience in the design, commercialization, and sales of various wastewater and environmental process technologies. He has held leadership positions with several water technology companies, including AqualytX, LLC (which he founded), Hoganas Environment Solutions, X-Flow (Pentair), and Parkson Corporation. As Vice President of Sales, he will lead Axine’s commercialization expansion of its on-site destruction platform, with a particular focus on addressing complex contaminants, including “forever chemicals” like PFAS. A licensed Professional Engineer, Mr. LeBrun holds B.S. and M.S. degrees, as well as an MBA from Duke University.

About Axine Water Technologies

Axine Water Technologies is an innovative leader in industrial wastewater treatment, with on-site solutions that effectively eliminate toxic organic contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), through electrochemical oxidation. With a proven track record spanning over a decade and more than 100,000 hours of commercial runtime, Axine empowers industrial manufacturers to meet stringent discharge permit requirements, reduce off-site disposal costs, alleviate bottlenecks, and mitigate litigation risks. Discover more about Axine’s revolutionary technology at axinewater.com.

Lorin aims to raise awareness of coil anodized aluminum’s benefits compared to other options like painted aluminum, bronze, copper, zinc, stainless steel, titanium, brass, or gold. Anodizing is an electro-chemical process that builds an anodic layer from the aluminum, bonding it to the surface at the molecular level, thus protecting the aluminum from the elements. Lorin offers a myriad of color options for interior applications, a wide variety of shades of natural metal looks that are UV stable, various embossed and perforated options, and the durable material will not chip, flake, peel, or corrode. It also resists scratches and requires very minimal maintenance.

Lorin experts will answer architects’ questions and dispel some common myths about the material. In particular, Lorin experts plan to speak with these leading architects about architectural trends around the world, as well as how Lorin coil anodized aluminum meets these trends. For example, Lorin’s Stainless and Copper series can match natural metal looks while offering superior performance and durability for a better return on investment. Experts will also discuss environmental design trends. Architects working on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building projects can use 100% recyclable and zero VOC emitting Lorin anodized aluminum for metallic ceiling tiles, paneling, exterior wall cladding, backsplashes, column covers, decorative trim, roofing, and more.

For more information on Lorin anodized aluminum products, visit www.lorin.com.

Representatives from the finalists’ organizations will present their projects to a panel of independent judges to determine the winners and meet with global press and industry executives at the 2023 Year in Infrastructure and Going Digital Awards event, which will be held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, October 11-12, 2023. Visit the site to learn how these extraordinary infrastructure projects are leveraging digital advancements to achieve unprecedented outcomes.

The United States projects named as finalists for the 2023 Going Digital Awards are:

Bridges and Tunnels

Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence for Historic Robert Street Bridge Rehabilitation

Collins Engineers, Inc. – St. Paul, Minnesota, United States

This reinforced concrete arch bridge across the Mississippi River needed rehabilitation. MNDOT retained Collins Engineers to perform a detailed bridge inspection. Collins Engineers selected iTwin Capture and iTwin Experience to generate a digital twin of the bridge. The organization expects to save approximately 20% in rehabilitative construction costs.

Enterprise Engineering

CAD Assets to GIS – A CLIP Update

Phocaz, Inc. – Atlanta, Georgia, United States

To help Georgia DOT access asset data for 80,000 miles of road centerline, Phocaz leveraged ProjectWise to store and manage the roadway design files and iTwin to generate a cloud-based digital twin. The team also used artificial intelligence to automate and digitize the generation of characteristics and locations of highway assets, saving significant time and cost while providing more accurate results.

Roads and Highways

I-70 Floyd Hill to Veterans Memorial Tunnels Project

AtkinsRéalis – Idaho Springs, Colorado, United States

While designing roadway improvements along eight miles of the I-70 corridor, AtkinsRéalis faced site constraints, challenging topography, and a complex design. They utilized iTwin to create digital twins to gain visibility, Bentley’s open modeling applications to facilitate collaborative modeling and data management, and LumenRT for visualization, saving USD 1.2 million and 5,500 hours in coordination time.

Water and Wastewater

EchoWater Project

Project Controls Cubed LLC – Sacramento, California, United States

Among Sacramento’s largest public works projects, EchoWater will upgrade infrastructure to treat approximately 135 million gallons of wastewater per day, providing a safe, reliable water supply. Project Controls Cubed needed to design 22 individual projects for a sprawling complex for removing 99% of ammonia and 89% of nitrogen, presenting significant challenges. The team selected SYNCHRO and iTwin to develop construction solutions and a digital twin. Working in a connected digital visual environment helped EchoWater deliver the project USD 400 million under budget.  

EchoWater Project; Image courtesy of Project Controls Cubed LLC

To view the full list of awards finalists, visit https://yii.bentley.com/award-finalists.

Winners will be announced on Oct. 12, 2023.

AISI D250-23 provides a general discussion about the national model codes of the United States and Canada and a general review of the basic principles of thermal dynamics of a building envelope. It also provides thermal design examples covering wall and roof assemblies constructed using AISI S250, a method to address custom or proprietary cold-formed steel wall framing, and thermal design examples covering floor assemblies constructed over unconditioned spaces using the International Code Council (ICC) International Energy Conservation Code, 2003 Edition.

“This document is designed to meet a variety of user needs,” said Jay Larson, P.E., F.ASCE, managing director of AISI’s Construction Technical Program. “Designers and builders will find information on the specific thermal properties of materials and elements in a building envelope assembly to comply with a local or state adopted code. They will also be able to determine the level of performance in an energy code or high-performance rating system. Additionally, individuals interested in whole-building performance will find detailed information on simulation tools or calculation methods, and software developers will benefit from the latest cold-formed steel thermal characteristics and calculation methods for various cold-formed steel assemblies. In all cases, it is recommended that users refer to the adopted codes in effect where the building or structure will be constructed.”

Larson noted that AISI D250-23 is an update of the “Thermal Design Guide for Exterior Walls” originally published by AISI that was updated and revised in 2008 and 2015. It addresses recent changes in codes and standards and incorporates information from research conducted by AISI. 

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, and associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s websites at www.steel.org and www.buildusingsteel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Twitter (@AISISteel), @BuildUsingSteel or Instagram.      

Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and innovative engineering, has been awarded a new US$25 million 5-year single-award, task-order master services agreement with the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW). Under this contract, the firm will provide flood risk mapping, assessment, and planning services. A portion of the first task order will focus on implementation of the Stantec.io product Flood Predictor. 

Flood Predictor is a cloud-based, decision-support technology that uses machine learning to provide advanced insights and predictions on when and where flooding is likely to happen. The technology will allow DOW and community officials to make more accurate, timely decisions and inform the public of imminent flood risk and the best evacuation routes.

“It’s an honor to continue our work in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Mike Greene, Stantec principal and project manager, Water. “We have several critical tasks ahead to influence mitigation of flood risk and ensure Kentucky is well equipped to prevent the loss of life and property, and our efforts will support the state as it continues to build more resilient communities.”

Additional services under this agreement include assisting with DOW’s goal of two-dimensional (2D) modeling of all the watersheds in the state, which includes hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and mapping. These 2D models will allow DOW to provide the most up-to-date conditions assessment and better support data management and regulatory processes. Stantec has already begun 2D analyses for DOW and will be able to cover the state under the new master services agreement.

“The work we’re doing with Stantec is imperative, especially amid unpredictable weather events,” said Carey Johnson, director of DOW. “This agreement comes at an opportune time with the development of new technologies that can help us better understand the Commonwealth’s flood risk and prepare accordingly.” 

Much of the work under the agreement will support DOW’s role as a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Under the agreement, Stantec will also assist DOW in its new role as a LOMR (Letter of Map Revision) Review Partner, supporting state officials in reviewing floodplain updates.

The agreement builds on Stantec’s long-standing relationship with DOW, which dates back to 2005. The firm’s project team for DOW consists largely of staff based in Kentucky, who are closely connected to its communities statewide. Last year, when heavy flooding hit Eastern Kentucky, the Stantec team participated in relief and recovery efforts and supported fundraising for hard-hit areas, raising more than US$40,000 from local offices and beyond.

Stantec’s Water practice has extensive experience working with flood mitigation, wet weather flow, and resiliency efforts. The firm is currently supporting the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on a similar project to deliver vital floodplain mapping data to the public, supporting risk mitigation for communities statewide. Last year, Stantec worked with the Tennessee Economic and Community Development Department to integrate Flood Predictor, which gave department officials advanced insights on the areas at highest risk and impacted infrastructure during heavy storms. Stantec is currently supporting the Texas Water Development Board on a statewide floodplain modeling and mapping project to help the board better understand and evaluate regional flood risks to drive statewide efforts to create effective flood mitigation strategies.

2023 has been a tumultuous ride for a lot of us. We are still recovering from COVID, principles of economy no longer apply anywhere, the legislatures keep punching women in the guts, and most recently, Barbie unexpectedly became our new hero. The world has been chaotic to me, and nothing is predictable.

When the founders of ElevateHER, Christy Zweig Niehues and Jamie Claire Kiser, left Zweig Group for other incredible opportunities, the opportunity and honor to step in and take the reins for ElevateHER landed on my laps. While both founders are still involved, the day-to-day is now in my hands. Like a typical middle-age, mid-career woman in middle management does, the self-doubt follows immediately, and the pressure slowly manifests–Is it ok to even talk DEI with our clients? Is it ok to write a cover article about the Supreme Court rulings? I know where I stand, but is it fair to put that on the company? 

Then in Q2, an opportunity came about, and Zweig Group was invited to partner with the ACEC Research Institute on their development of the Diversity Roadmap Benchmarking Tool. It’s a big commitment (and responsibility) to put our name on such a prominent and widespread effort; I immediately had a long list of doubts disguised as questions– Do we have the resources to commit to the partnership responsibly? How will this help our clients? What does that mean to ElevateHER? I remember vividly that I started shaking feeling the excitement but also the weight of it all. 

All the doubts went away rather quickly. I was blown away at how fast and certain that Chad Clinehens, our CEO, agreed to the partnership. Almost right away, the conversation shifted from go/no-go to what we needed to do to complement this partnership. Once again, I was shown that it’s not a cheeky tagline that Zweig Group slings around on our website and business cards, we are genuinely committed to elevating the industry in an increasing number of ways.

I share this story to tell you just how honored I am to get to lead ElevateHER, and how proud I am to witness the 2023 ElevateHER cohort members present their research and projects on the ElevateAEC Conference main stage. It has been an impossibly busy and unpredictable year for most of us, yet this small but mighty class stayed focused, and developed tools, frameworks, etc., so that women and other marginalized groups of the workforce could have a more promising career in AEC. Together–across different organizations (like ACEC), and over time (i.e., ElevateHER cohorts in the last four years) –we are building a sustainable AEC workforce that will thrive and flourish, and it is shaping up to be one that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where anyone that wants to be a part of it will feel like they belong.

So once again, it is my absolute honor to introduce to you the 2023 ElevateHER® projects and the team members:

• HostAgE Crisis, presented by Emily Havelka and Laura Morton, highlights the impact of liquidity issues at many AEC firms. By increasing fees and/or ensuring prompt payment, firms can stay liquid and profitable – allowing them to attract, maintain, and train top talent and restore the pride and dynamism of the industry.
• MentHERship, presented by Amy Kunselman, Andrea Narendorf, Carmen Pemsler, Jessica Bazán, Lalitha Benjaram, Shelby Harvey, and Stephanie Putzke, continues the work from one of the 2021 ElevateHER® project teams, and offers a framework for firms and organizations to implement a successful mentorship program. 
• PromoteHER, presented by Adrienne Taylor, Amanda Thomas, Kara Koenig, Laci Budd, and M. Jackie Chang, established that one way to retain women and minorities in the AEC industry is by ensuring equitable advancement opportunities. The team is creating a readily accessible hub of resources and framework to help track professional skill sets and achievements.
• TeacHER2.0, presented by Amanda Roehl, Chad Coldiron, and Kellie Delaney, expands on the effort by 2022 ElevateHER® project teams, and leverages the collective powers of public libraries to distribute materials that will help expose AEC career paths to children at an early stage.
• TransformUS, presented by Alejandra Ruiz, Alicia Albini, and Katie Fitzpatrick, asserts that a growth mindset is key to implementing DEI initiatives and improving recruitment, retention, and culture at AEC organizations. They will share their research and a framework that change agents can leverage to gain buy-in from firm leaders.

Applications are now open to join the 2024 Cohort. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2023.

If you want to help make the ElevateHER program more accessible to all AEC professionals, consider becoming 2024 ElevateHER Sponsor.

Shirley Che is director of field marketing, learning, and ElevateHER® at Zweig Group.  Resourceful and forever curious, Shirley is a data-oriented creative with a passion for connecting communities to resources. She joined Zweig Group as Marketing Manager in 2021.  Contact her at sche@zweiggroup.com.

“Cultivating and sustaining long-standing relationships with key clients like the FDOT is an effective way to bring our global expertise to the local communities in which we operate,” said Ian L. Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, AtkinsRéalis. “These decades-long partnerships have been effective in transforming our client’s vision into reality, driving economies and enabling us to realize our purpose of engineering a better future for our planet and its people.” 

Under the five-year $26M US contract, AtkinsRéalis will provide a full complement of engineering services including project management, planning, design and right-of-way support. Operations, maintenance and construction support will be provided as needed. The Company will also assist FDOT with accelerated design and construction of several Central Florida projects within the state’s $4 billion US Moving Florida Forward program.  

FDOT’s District Five in Central Florida, where the work will be undertaken, covers nine counties and is home to over four million residents who travel an estimated 67.3 million roadway miles daily. The District is served by seven transit agencies, five rail lines, one deep-water port, 25 public use and 133 private use airports and is home to Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority.   

“Our end-to-end services span the entire transport ecosystem, from railways to highways and from shipping ports to airports, making us a natural fit for the District’s varying needs,” said Steve Morriss, President, Engineering Services, U.S., AtkinsRéalis. “Florida has been home to our U.S. business since 1960 and it’s an honor to continue to help deliver safe and reliable transport infrastructure in our own back yard.” 

AtkinsRéalis has a strong reputation of providing GEC services to transportation authorities and state DOTs in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New York, North Carolina and Texas.  

Moving an intermodal or other facility to green energy involves infrastructure changes that require time and planning to properly implement. As market forces push freight and passenger railroads to decarbonize, the most practical and cost-effective solutions require careful planning well in advance of target carbon reduction dates. This is a new area for many rail operators and owners, who can take lessons from other industries about how to approach electrification.

In the latest in HDR’s Experts Talk series, Transportation Sustainability Leader Will Kirby, P.E., ENV SP, explains how to efficiently begin the complicated process of electrifying a rail facility. Drawing from his experience in the power sector, he explains the potential challenges and strategies to mitigate them. His overall message: Planning is key.

“Success begins with preparation,” he said. “Planning and modeling can inform clients on which technologies are most compatible with each facility’s schedules, site configurations and power demand. Modeling can help define an electrification roadmap for pilot projects, which helps further define and refine the course for overall electrification and decarbonization goals, initiatives and commitments.”

In his 15 years in the infrastructure industry, Kirby has helped many transportation and power clients successfully adopt practical sustainable solutions for electrification. Kirby is enthusiastic about all forms of sustainability, particularly renewable energy. He is a frequent presenter at sustainability and rail conferences, including the 2023 Federal Rail Administration Rail Decarbonization Workshop and the AREMA 2023 Annual Conference.

Read the whole interview on rail facility electrification.

HDR’s Experts Talk interview series shines a light on various aspects of transportation infrastructure design and delivery. Each subject matter expert offers unique expertise and insights about new and ongoing trends, emerging technologies and the human side of infrastructure.

About HDR
For over a century, HDR has partnered with clients to shape communities and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our expertise spans more than 12,000 employees in more than 200 locations around the world – and counting. Our engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services bring an impressive breadth of knowledge to every project. Our optimistic approach to finding innovative solutions defined our past and drives our future. 

Founded in 2013 by Lacie Bray and Andy Coates, the brewery was the first in Benton County and has remained committed to its community-centered approach to brewing, hospitality, and programming even as the brewery has grown significantly in ten years.

The proactive hospitality strategy is also a response to growth in Ozark’s Downtown Rogers neighborhood, with the addition of over 300 residential units within a mile of the brewery anticipated to be completed over the next several years.

“We’ve been dreaming about this backyard space since we acquired the building in 2016. We’re finally getting to a point where we must use the space to continue growing. Ozark’s success cannot be separated from our community, so developing this space for and with our neighbors is truly a dream come true for Ozark,” says owner Lacie Bray

The brewery is teaming up with Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) NW Arkansas district council to bring artists into the design process at its earliest stages. Funded by an Art in Place grant awarded to ULI NWA by ULI’s National Council, the project is being planned and developed with a mind toward integrating feedback, inspiration, and participation from artists in the region.

“The purpose of Art in Place is to cultivate better relationships and promote better understanding between artists and private real estate developers, making it easier for the integration and commissioning of art in new development, and to make a case for economic benefits of placing the arts at the center of community engagement and placemaking,” says local project leader Dayton Castleman, Director of Creative Placemaking and Artist Lead at Rogers architecture firm Verdant Studio.

Northwest Arkansas was selected among nine other grantees worldwide to participate in the Art in Place grant program, with each grantee convening artists and developing pilot projects unique to their own urban areas. The other locations include district councils in Austin, TX, Cleveland, OH, Hong Kong, and Tampa, FL, as well as state and national councils in Indiana, Louisiana, Germany, and France.

Building excitement and soliciting community input for the project is also a priority. The brewery is currently inviting patrons to draw their “Dream Ozark Beer Co. Backyard” on printed coloring pages available in the Rogers taproom, then hang them up for display, and perhaps spark some lively barroom discussion.

Coates’ eyes sparkle when he describes their visions for art woven into the Ozark backyard space.

“The blank slate of the space lends itself to big ideas. We’re beyond excited to explore this project artistically,” says owner Andy Coates.

Tippery received and subsequently accepted the invitation to participate in the challenge after being honored earlier this year with the 2023 Collections Award by the Wisconsin Section of the Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA), an organization within the Water Environment Federation. This esteemed award recognized his exceptional contributions to advancing collection system knowledge and improving water quality. 

Jerry Cramer, president of the Wisconsin Wastewater Operations Association, shared, “Chris is a valuable member on one of the two teams representing the Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA) at the 2023 Operation Challenge competition. The Operations Challenge is the ‘Wastewater Olympics’ for professionals in the wastewater industry.” 

Tippery is a member of the four-person “Pumpers” team, comprised of Kate Despinoy of Stanley Group (Chicago) and wastewater operators Casey Kleven (City of Janesville) and Kevin Stephens (City of Racine). Laboratory Supervisor Marc Zimmerman (City of Janesville) will serve as coach for the team. The “Pumpers” will compete against the other teams in five challenging events, including maintenance, collection systems, safety, process control, and laboratory. The “Pumpers” will compete against the other teams to achieve top scores in the five events, vying for various awards and prizes. 

Tippery has over 20 years of experience in water, wastewater, stormwater design, and construction services. Since joining raSmith’s municipal services division in 2019, he has provided project management and design services for upgrades to major municipal wastewater treatment plants and numerous water distribution and wastewater/stormwater collection system modifications and upgrades. Tippery is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Wisconsin and an Envision Sustainability Professional. 

About raSmith 

raSmith is a multi-disciplinary engineering consultant established in the city of Brookfield, Wisconsin, in 1978. Our services are focused on our public and private sector client needs in planning, design, and construction including site planning and design, structural engineering, municipal engineering, transportation and traffic, surveying, development management, ecology, landscape architecture, LiDAR (3D laser scanning), UAS (unmanned aircraft systems), construction services, and geographic information systems (GIS). We work on projects nationwide from our seven locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and California. The firm employs a staff of 220. For more information about raSmith, visit www.rasmith.com. 

In his new role as a vice president with the firm, Zhang will be responsible for enhancing and reinforcing the firm’s growing range of toll industry services to new and existing clients.

“As both an operator and consultant, Ning brings a unique perspective and background to tolling,” said Christopher Burke, vice president and national business practice lead for tolling at WSP. “He has led initiatives that utilize business intelligence for revenue and traffic trends, procurements for timely delivery, and modeling traffic and revenue.”

Prior to joining the firm, Zhang served as a senior manager for traffic and revenue for a Texas-based engineering firm where he managed three major toll projects with $600 million annual revenue. For more than a decade he has provided tolling advisory and project management services, as well as extensive support in the development, implementation and measurement of tolling strategy initiatives. He is based in the firm’s Dallas office.

WSP has a lengthy history of supporting clients nationwide with planning, financing, implementing and operating toll facilities. WSP experts are focused on increasing efficiency and improving system performance, as well as the user experience, by preventing issues before they surface. The firm’s services include:

• Program development: strategic planning, toll demand modeling, as well as traffic and net revenue projections
• Program implementation: policy and governance, financial planning, toll delivery advisory
• Systems design: toll technology, payment methods, systems engineering
• Design and construction: general engineering consulting, design, construction engineering and inspection, program management
• Toll delivery: toll systems integration, back-office operations, procurement/oversight, violation processing
• Operations: customer service center, traffic management center, roadside customer assistance, roadway operations, maintenance

Ning is a graduate of Jilin University with a bachelor’s degree in transportation engineering; the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a master’s degree in civil engineering; Boston University with a master’s degree in business administration; and he earned a certificate in corporate finance from Columbia Business School. 

About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 16,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com

“I look forward to new and ongoing partnerships with airport and aviation clients – and helping them bring their visions to fruition with the exceptional talent that only TYLin can offer,” says Aarons.

Peter’s extensive 30 years of experience spans the entire spectrum of airport development programs from planning and design, program and project management, construction, installation, and commissioning of infrastructure solutions for the airport and aviation transportation industry.

As a trusted advisor and airport program manager, Peter has provided on-site management and oversight for master plan and capital improvement programs at renowned airports such as San Francisco International Airport, Los Angeles World Airports, and San Diego International Airport. His expertise encompasses advisory, project management, and design services for transportation infrastructure, including the Landside Access Modernization Program – Automated People Mover for Los Angeles World Airports at LAX, the Terminal Development Program (GreenBuild) at San Diego International Airport, and the Replacement Terminal Design/Build Program at Hollywood Burbank Airport.

“Peter’s experience is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the aviation industry,” says Tom Price, TYLin’s Chief Operating Officer. “His insights and expertise will continue to drive our success in shaping the future of airport development.”

Peter is an active member of industry groups and stays current on industry trends and solutions through his leadership positions with Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Airports Consultants Council (ACC), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).

About TYLin

Founded in 1954, TYLin is a globally recognized, full-service infrastructure consulting firm committed to providing innovative, cost-effective, constructible designs for the global infrastructure market. With 3,200 employees working in 65 offices throughout the Americas, Asia, and Europe, the firm provides support on projects of varying size and complexity. TYLin is part of Dar Group, one of the world’s leading architecture, engineering, project management and energy consultancy groups. For more information about the company, please visit www.tylin.com.

“Keith is an exceptional engineer who has been successful with a wide range of projects, including some with very complex challenges,” said Luke Corsbie, Regional Director, Civil Engineering for Ware Malcomb. “We look forward to seeing him lead our civil engineering practice in the Los Angeles region as it continues to grow.”

Since Malloy joined the firm in 2020 as Project Manager, the Los Angeles Civil Engineering practice has grown exponentially. He has helped expand the firm’s civil engineering team in the region, all while collaborating on projects with the firm’s four other Southern California offices. He brings more than fifteen years of civil engineering experience to the Ware Malcomb team, focused on all project aspects from design and production to project and client management. A licensed Professional Engineer, he’s worked on projects in California, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

“Keith has been instrumental in expanding civil engineering services in our region,” said Sergio Valentini, Principal for Ware Malcomb. “Our office continues to diversify and we are confident that Keith will maintain a large role in our success.”

Malloy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut. He is a member of ULI Los Angeles and ULI Next.

Ware Malcomb’s Civil Engineering practice specializes in land development projects, with a focus on efficient design practices ensuring successful project outcomes. The team has worked on office, industrial, healthcare, public, institutional, retail, restaurant, mixed-use, multifamily and single family residential and subdivision projects.

About Ware Malcomb (waremalcomb.com)

Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a contemporary and expanding full-service design firm providing professional architecture, planning, interior design, civil engineering, branding and building measurement services to corporate, commercial/residential developer and public/institutional clients throughout the world. With office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, the firm specializes in the design of office, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, multifamily, retail, and public/institutional projects. Ware Malcomb is recognized as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company and a Hot Firm by Zweig Group. The firm is also ranked among the top 15 architecture/engineering firms in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms and the top 25 interior design firms in Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants. For more information, visit waremalcomb.com.

Project planning and design requires a blend of professional judgment, cost estimating and schedule management skills, and an understanding of potential project risks. In consideration of these challenges, Presto Geosystems developed the Presto Geo P³ Project Planning Portal, a free, web-based suite of geotechnical calculation tools designed to empower engineers and other project stakeholders in evaluating geosynthetic product solutions in accordance with their own project-specific timelines and needs. 

The P³ Project Planning Portal is designed to help engineers, contractors, landscape architects, and project owners incorporate technical solutions including geocells, porous pavements, and reusable construction mats into project plans quickly and efficiently. The P³ Project Planning Portal offers valuable insight to using unique value engineering products, including technical resources and supporting documentation. 

The Presto Geo P³ Portal is specific to Presto Geosystems’ products and is based on full-scale testing by third-party experts. Concerns about tight deadlines, limited project information, or uncertainty about using “new-to-you” products are alleviated with this software. Veteran industry experts and first-time users alike will find this software sets a new standard in value engineering solutions.

Using GEOWEB® Geocells for Load Support Calculations with the Presto Geo P³ Portal

Whether you’re looking to strengthen an unpaved, granular road surface with enhanced water infiltration capabilities or provide robust base support for concrete or asphalt roads over soft soils, the GEOWEB System (geocells) is designed to meet your requirements.

For unpaved roads the GEOWEB panels are compatible with a wide variety of infill materials including crushed aggregate, low cohesion granular materials such as sand, or even on-site salvaged materials. For flexible and rigid pavements, the GEOWEB System’s panels act as a strong base layer, bridging soft soils to reduce differential settlement and minimize surface degradation. Moreover, by harnessing the power of lateral confinement, the GEOWEB System can reduce cross-section thickness by as much as 50% – resulting in substantial project savings. Highways, ports and intermodal yards, and utility access roads are examples of common applications for the GEOWEB base stabilization solution.

Geocells such as the GEOWEB System are designed following AASHTO standards for both granular surfaces and base support applications. These methods have been approved by the Federal Highway Administration and state DOTs, as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers. 

Simple Application of the Presto Geo P³ Portal for Unpaved Emergency Access Road

With growing infrastructure needs and increased climate considerations, being able to provide emergency vehicle access lanes is a huge consideration for new builds and rebuild projects. Utilizing a granular surface avoids the heat island effect, allows for water infiltration, and speeds construction time. 

The P³ Project Planning Portal allows for several decisions, giving flexibility to meet site conditions and project criteria. Input options include the cross-section thickness, infill material parameters, strength of the native soil subgrade, and anticipated traffic loading. Additionally, there is an internal calculation that confirms that the selected inputs are within the acceptable mechanical properties of the GEOWEB panels.

For an emergency access lane that will support fully loaded fire trucks, the main calculation page will include the following inputs: 

• Layer Type: Start with a 2-inch minimum wear surface, and a 6-inch deep GEOWEB panel. This will result in a total cross-section depth of 8 inches. The wear surface protects the GEOWEB panels from impact damage due to vehicle passes. A base layer can be added to improve the Factor of Safety if required.
• GEOWEB Infill: A list of common granular material is available to choose from, and the material properties can be edited as necessary. On-site salvaged material can be used, even if it is poor quality, and a vegetated, grass-surface option is also available if desired. If on-site material is selected, the fines content (passing a 200 sieve) should be limited to less than 10%.
• Subgrade Below GEOWEB: The strength of the subgrade below the GEOWEB system is a driving factor in the total required cross section. The weaker the subgrade, the greater the effect the GEOWEB System will have on the overall cross section. The project geotechnical engineer should be consulted to determine a representative CBR value.
• Required Information: Emergency access loading is covered by AASHTO H/HS20 standards, with the wheel load and tire pressure shown. A geotextile under the GEOWEB panels is recommended to help prevent material loss, especially in soft soil environments. The desired Factor of Safety may be adjusted to account for project specific conditions as needed.
• Hoop Stress Check: This is an un-editable section that shows the Factor of Safety (FoS) for a variety of conditions related to the function of a geocell. The high FoS values show that the GEOWEB panels are sufficiently able to withstand all anticipated conditions with no potential for cell rupture or failure.

As the calculation progresses, the Calculated Factor of Safety is continually updated to show if the cross-section is acceptable or needs adjustment. The cross-section diagram gives a real-time indication of the different layers used in the calculation.

Once an Acceptable Factor of Safety is achieved, the results can be downloaded and printed. (Figure 1)

Figure 1

The results page includes the customizable fields for project name and company information, and a short description of the calculation method. The calculation information is shown in an easy-to-read format with clear indication of an acceptable result. This results page can now be included in project plans, added to bidding documents, and shared with colleagues and clients. When the project is ready to move to the next phase, contact Presto Geosystems for information about pricing and local distribution.

Additional Value Engineering Options with the Presto Geo P³ Portal

In addition to the GEOWEB geocell calculations, the P³ Project Planning Portal offers calculations for both porous pavements and site access alternatives. Porous pavements can be either aggregate or vegetated and can support full AASHTO H/HS25 loadings. Site access options include both temporary and permanent solutions depending on project needs.

The Presto Geo P³ Portal also serves as a comprehensive resource hub. With access to a vast library of technical documents and product resources, you can deepen your industry knowledge, stay up to date with the latest product advancements, and make more informed decisions when it comes to your projects.

Designed to revolutionize project planning and execution, the Presto Geo P³ Portal empowers you to build smarter, faster, and more sustainably.

Sign up for the Presto Geo P³ Portal to start your next project.

Register for our upcoming webinar to learn more about the Presto Geo P³ Portal. 

The AEC industry is a cornerstone of modern society, shaping the world in which we live, work, play, and worship. Yet, it often goes unnoticed and underappreciated by the very people who benefit from its innovations and creations. To understand the essence of being an AEC professional, one must delve into the multifaceted nature of this industry. 

Whether an individual is meticulously analyzing geotechnical data to determine the stability of soil or rock samples, envisioning the schematic design of a cutting-edge commercial office space, surveying a site for a potential wastewater treatment plant, or navigating the intricate processes of a planning commission meeting to secure a building permit for a multi-family development, all these endeavors and many more converge towards a singular goal: improving the built environment to make our lives easier and better.  In this light, our work as AEC professionals converges in its many forms to create a bridge from what is to what can be. 

The AEC industry thrives on the collaboration of various disciplines, each contributing its unique expertise to shape the physical world around us. Architects bring artistic vision and functional design, engineers provide the structural and technical prowess, and construction professionals bring those visions to life. Together, they craft the physical spaces that define our existence.  One of the key aspects of the AEC industry is its potential to enhance the quality of life for people everywhere.  Step-by-step, piece-by-piece, block-by-block, we come together to move the shared spaces of our existence into a better vision of the future. 

The built environment is more than just brick and mortar; it is the backdrop of our daily experience–the homes where we raise our families, the parks where we find solace, the theaters we go to be entertained, and the historical downtowns we walk to. Furthermore, AEC professionals have the unique privilege of being placemakers. While “placemaking” has gained prominence in recent years as a concept focused on creating people-centric spaces, AEC professionals have been doing just that for centuries. They are the true stewards of placemaking, as they design the physical environments that foster community, connectivity, and belonging.  

Over the last few years, demand for our services has skyrocketed and has created burnout in the AEC workforce. Because of this, AEC professionals often overlook the profound impact they have on industries and communities. But let this serve as a reminder: You may view your work as routine, just another day at the office, planning meeting, or on the construction site. Yet, the reality is that your contributions have a multi-generational influence on the built environment. Without you our built environment as we know it would not exist and the comfort that society experiences would cease to exist.  It is with this profound importance in mind that we should shape our future endeavors, ensuring the bridge to a better future is built around solid foundations. 

The AEC industry is not merely an economic engine; it is an integral part of all our lives. It transforms the barren into the habitable, the chaotic into the organized, and the dream into reality. Its significance cannot be overstated. As we celebrate the AEC industry, let us not forget how it affects the communities we call home. It is a force for unity as it shapes the world in which we live in ways that extend far beyond the tangible structures we see. AEC professionals help to create spaces where people thrive, connect, and flourish. Their work gives structures a soul and story while enhancing the spirit of community. As AEC professionals, we should take a moment to be thankful to be part of an industry that creates value in lives and communities.

Ezequiel Tovar is an analyst within Zweig Group’s Ownership Transition team. He works directly with AEC firms to develop and implement successful ownership transition efforts with financial modeling, valuations, and comprehensive strategic planning.

Most construction businesses take on fast-paced projects–juggling tight timelines and thin margins. At the same time, the costs of debt and equity are rising, pressuring contractors to streamline sluggish accounting workflows that can hinder cash flow, strain relationships, and put projects behind schedule. Seeking to move away from paper and manual processes that hamper profitability, many contractors are adopting cloud-based mobile applications that accelerate invoicing and accounts payable (AP) processes by democratizing data and streamlining workflows.

Connected mobile applications allow workers in the field to remotely access and capture data in real-time, alleviating the delays, errors, and costs associated with paper-based payments and invoicing. With integrated mobile applications, workers in the field no longer need to re-enter information from paper or spreadsheets into construction management software when they return to the office. With the ability to capture data in real-time, the risks of miscommunication, mistakes, and lost documentation are nearly eliminated. 

Storing data securely in the cloud gives accounting teams the information they need to generate invoices quickly. Access to accurate data means they no longer have to follow a paper trail or chase down answers when a problem or conflicting information arises. The ability to pay bills and invoices without delays improves cash flow, frees up accounting teams to work on other vital tasks and keeps projects moving. 

From Manual to Mobile 

For years, Texas-based civil contractor Great Basin Industrial (GBI) captured time and materials (T&M) in spreadsheets and transmitted them to the office, where the information was entered into its accounting ERP. The manual process of entering and transferring the data was incredibly time-consuming, taking around 30 days to consolidate T&M data into field tickets for owner submission. 

Many T&M dollars were unbilled due to complexity, with the sheer volume of tickets and spreadsheet-based tracking too overwhelming for their accounting team to keep up with. Work-to-billed-to-paid time stretched 50 days or more, which impacted cash flow. An outsized proportion of the accounting team’s time and resources were devoted to billing, and ensuring projects stayed on budget without daily cost data was a pain point for the company’s project managers. 

The company’s transition from manual processes to a connected mobile app accelerated time and materials (T&M) billing, improved cash flow and reduced costs. The ability to capture labor, equipment time, materials, and production in the field reduced the time to produce a field ticket from 30 days to one day, improving the company’s cash flow and cutting its work-to-billed-to-paid time in half. Accounting employees had more time to focus on other tasks, and GBI reduced the number of people focused solely on billing by 50 percent.

Empowering Workers in the Field 

Connected mobile applications can be especially transformative for service contractors. Whether performing regular maintenance on a cooling unit or repairing a malfunctioning boiler system, service technicians work in the field but need to be well-connected to the office. To get their job done efficiently, they require access to data that allows them to make quick, informed decisions and capture critical information without burdensome administrative tasks or disconnected systems that derail their work.  

By using a mobile app to gain real-time access to the information in the field, technicians can self-manage their work and eliminate manually inputting data into systems when they return to the office. Because mobile applications use the same connected data as the back office, generating purchase order requests is more efficient and accurate. Receipt information and tracking can be captured in the field, with a three-way match in place to ensure the accuracy of purchase orders. Electronic signature capture allows customers to sign, approve and receive emailed work orders from the technician’s mobile device. With this real-time connection to the office, completed work orders are routed to accounting for generating invoices right away.

Informed Decision Making from Anywhere at Any Time 

Most construction companies want to make data-driven decisions but are often forced to go with their gut and rely on instinct. Connected mobile applications can extend analytics to the field, helping contractors better understand their work so they can adjust course and make important decisions on the fly.

Whether on a jobsite, in the office, in transit, or even working from home, mobile data analytics can be applied across the organization, allowing virtually any construction professional to compare and segment data. However, enjoying the benefits of mobile construction data analytics requires a connected, cloud-based software suite that creates a single source of truth. With real-time flow of data between the office, the field and everywhere in between, users can access and analyze accurate, up-to-date data in real time.

Although many contractors acknowledge the potential for mobile applications to streamline information flow and democratize data, many are just scratching the surface. The ability to capture and access data on the go and quickly analyze, compare, and digest it in the office or the field can be transformative. From accounts payable and cash flow to field operations, communication and analytics, it may be time to rethink how going mobile can improve your business.

About the author: Michael Smith is the Senior Director of Growth and Innovation at Trimble Viewpoint, where he leads the development of next-gen solutions that enable contractors to run smarter and more profitable office and field operations by connecting workflows and gaining insights through shared real-time data and industry-leading analytics.

A volatile risk climate worsened by ongoing reverberations from COVID-19, geopolitical conflict, and severe weather events is reshaping the traditional relationship between owners and contractors. Concerns around labor shortages, stagnation and recession, and the political climate all featured prominently among the biggest construction industry challenges in InEight’s recent Global Capital Projects Outlook survey. Others have pinpointed spiraling labor costs, inflation, and interest rate rises as major risks on the horizon. 

This is causing the construction industry to reevaluate traditional divisions of risk and responsibility between owners and contractors. Traditional design-bid-build models where the burden of risk was principally shouldered by contractors are gradually giving way to more collaborative models where risks and responsibilities are more evenly shared. Construction 4.0 technologies are bringing owners and contractors closer together by enabling remote, real-time collective visibility of risks across project lifecycles and helping all parties work together to find common solutions. 

A volatile risk landscape for contractors

The rise of more collaborative shared-risk models is happening against a backdrop of an increasingly volatile risk landscape for contractors. Craft skills shortages have been exacerbated by the mass of experienced workers nearing retirement age and increased demand for a limited labor pool has also increased labor costs. 

Meanwhile, ongoing supply chain volatility has made it exceedingly difficult to source large steel-intensive elements such as bridge girders, electrical and control equipment, and large switch gear tools. Equipment that would previously have taken eight to 10 months to arrive now takes an average of 12-14 months. Other risks are increasing too. Soaring inflation and interest rates are increasing project costs and affecting capital project cost estimates. 

Recent financial sector instability including First Republic’s seizure by the FDIC which was the second biggest bank failure in US history are creating uncertainties around capital projects tied to the financial sector. It is unsurprising that industry players cite unmanaged or unexpected risks (such as supply chain, labor, or safety concerns) as the biggest barrier to project certainty. These risks often cause unforeseen increases in both costs and schedules as well as driving compensatory scope creep. 

A new contractor-owner relationship

Uncertainty surrounding costs and schedules means contractors are no longer willing to shoulder the entire burden of risk through fixed-price construction contracts or delivery models with little owner involvement. Some contractors are responding to this unstable risk landscape by setting very cautious, conservative prices and schedules that load extra cost onto owners. Yet another way of mitigating growing risk is the adoption of progressive delivery models where owners, contractors, and designers collaboratively share risks, responsibilities, and resources.

Industry surveys show that more collaborative shared-risk delivery models are on the rise while traditional models such as Design-Bid-Build are on the way out. The most widely used models in industry are now collaborative Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methods and Design-Build models where contractors, owners and designers work together to mitigate risks from the design stage. This trend is expected to continue with use of design-bid-build projects set to decline by 9 percent over the next three-to-five years while adoption of IPD models will increase by the same proportion.

Progressive models such as IPD help reduce cumulative risks for all by enabling all parties collectively optimizing project performance to share responsibilities and resources across every project stage.  We have seen projects where owners, contractors, and designers jointly value-engineer designs to mitigate risks finding cost-effective, readily available material substitutes that alleviate supply chain woes to on-site design changes that reduce labor costs.  

These iterative, collaborative models ensure everything from project forecasts and construction processes are collaboratively and continually molded to the realities of their operating environment. Full transparency around design assumptions, labor costs, or supply chain challenges among owners and contractors reduces uncertainty and ensures more realistic targets and predictable delivery. Consequently, these models are the most successful at improving project certainty in an uncertain risk landscape with IPD used by the majority (62 percent) of companies that stay on schedule over 80 percent of the time.

Collaboration is happening at an industry-wide level, too. Some companies such as Graham Construction are participating in peer groups with other major contractors sharing anonymized data on everything from salaries to compensation that aid the creation of industry benchmarks. Industry benchmarks are now being used to improve project certainty almost half the time.

Construction 4.0 is bringing owners and contractors closer

At the heart of the emerging owner-contractor relationship is the digital transformation of the construction industry. Cloud technologies and connected data are giving owners and contractors shared visibility over project risks and driving more proactive and united risk management. Open, interoperable tools are facilitating more collaborative, cohesive projects where all partners jointly monitor and manage risks from planning phase and throughout the project lifecycle. 

Some project control platforms now use live digital dashboards drawing on connected data from multiple stakeholders to provide remote, at-a-glance oversight of costs and risks across entire projects. Moreover, they also offer predictive capabilities that are available to identify early warning signs and indicators that a project is at risk. By highlighting systemic risks such as rising labor costs or supply chain crunches, connected data spurs more collaborative mitigation measures. Consolidating project data across all stakeholders can show how disruption to a single supplier can affect all stakeholders and targets, driving more holistic mitigation measures.

Digitally integrating previously separate project controls is also giving owners, contractors, and designers shared visibility of the complex interplay between all project controls and phases. For example, cost, schedule, and design management have previously been siloed processes but technology is now helping join up those separate systems and data. This is enabling contractors and owners to see how some design options could increase labor costs or how efforts to expedite project delivery might cause overspending.

Construction 4.0 technologies are also providing the foundation for collaborative early-contractor-involvement models that collectively anticipate and avoid future costs and risks. Design-build or construction management at risk models require contractors to find the cheapest design among many options. Previously this would involve many people working intensively and estimating a project up to 15 times. Now, sophisticated 3D modeling and automated estimating software is enabling contractors, owners, and designers to simultaneously simulate hundreds of differing designs to find the lowest cost options without excessive manpower. Similar technologies are transforming risk management. We can now harness historic data to include previously known risks in the estimating phase and create what-if scenarios, forecasting how myriad changes to costs, schedules, or scope would affect project outcomes.

Toward progressive construction models

As a volatile risk climate becomes the new normal, a failure to adopt a more progressive approach to sharing risk can prevent infrastructure projects ever getting off the ground. Where owners continue to insist on a traditional transfer of risk, contractors are setting high upfront prices that jeopardize the feasibility of the project entirely; one project in Alberta was canceled because it was put out to the market and three contractors came back with prices that were significantly above the budget.

Progressive project delivery models and advanced technologies are now helping us find a way to reduce the burden of risk on contractors without unduly increasing the cost burden on owners. Early-contractor-involvement models supported by platforms built around collaboration and data integration are helping owners and contractors cooperatively mitigate costs and risks at planning and design stage. 

Steven Smith, Executive Vice President, Infrastructure, Graham Construction

Steven has over 30 years of progressive leadership in the engineering and construction industry. His expertise covers all transportation and infrastructure sectors including highways, bridges, rail and transit, water and airports. Steven has implemented innovative organizational strategies and has led teams in business development, operations and project delivery functions in diverse business, geographic and economic environments. He has a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Science in Geotechnical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and is an active participant in various industry organizations.

Catie Williams, Vice President, Product Development, InEight

Catie Williams leads as Vice President of Product Development at InEight, focused on digitalizing the industry and being a champion for change management and business process standardization for contractors, owners and engineers. Catie started her career as an application developer and quickly pivoted into the data and analytics space. Fast forward to today, Catie oversees several application products that drive productivity growth in the construction and engineering industries. Catie has a passion for efficiency, solving problems, team building and promoting women in S.T.E.M. fields. In addition to her work at InEight, Catie helped develop both undergraduate and graduate data science programs for a local university, where she also currently teaches.

Common FAQs

What types of projects should be submitted?

Think – elevation. YEA showcases AEC projects that have positively advanced the industry through community and environmental impact, innovative technical processes, or groundbreaking vision and execution. Firms from any field within the AEC industry are invited to submit projects from any of the following five categories: 

1. Housing/Residential
2. Transportation/Infrastructure
3. Water/Stormwater/Wastewater
4. Environmental/Sustainability
5. Small Firm (fewer than 50 employees)

So, if you have a project (or three) that you’re confident has contributed to making the world just a little better place to be, we’re confident that you should start putting your submission (s) together. 

Can the project be located outside the United States?

Yes. We accept international entries.  

How will the winners be selected?

There will be an online voting period and winners will be selected based on the decisions of a jury of industry peers and colleagues. During this period, voters will be encouraged to vote for the project they think demonstrates the best of the best from the AEC industry in 2023. Website visitors can vote once per day, and winners will be selected based on the number of votes received over a two-week voting period (Oct. 27-Nov. 10). Each of the winning projects will be displayed on the Civil+Structural Engineer Magazine website and the Summit Project will be featured on the magazine’s December issue cover. The Summit Award is reserved for the project that receives the highest number of votes during the voting period.  

What is the deadline for submitting a project?

October 18, 2023.

Can multiple projects be submitted?

Firms are eligible to submit any project completed, or scheduled to be completed, within the 2023 calendar year, but only one project per firm can win. 

How are projects submitted? 

It’s simple. There’s a project information form that asks questions (i.e., location, work dates, budget, team, etc.). There’s space to add media links for project photos and videos. That’s it. There is no fee to enter.  

When will winners be notified?

The winning projects will be announced in the December 2023 issue of Civil+Structural Engineer Magazine, but winners will receive a congratulatory email prior to its release. They will also be provided with press materials to help them promote their win. 

Who were the past YEA winners and why?

Since YEA is only in its third year, we have two Summit Award winners to share with you. In 2021, SCS Engineers received the award for a corporate business park in Florida. Voters were excited about the redevelopment and repurposing of this project. The firm turned a former landfill into a 30-acre state-of-the-art corporate park, with business and logistic centers. The project benefited the economy, created local jobs, and provided significant environmental benefits. In 2022, HNTB submitted a project that received more than 2,000 votes making it the clear winner. Its project–The Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement–was the largest and most complex bridge building project in the history of Los Angeles. This 3,500-foot bridge spans the LA River and the 101 Freeway, local surface roads as well as 18 railroad tracks operated by five different railroad agencies including Union Pacific and Metrolink. Its network tied arch structure incorporates wide sidewalks, bike lanes and artistic lighting. There’s even a 12-acre park underneath it all. Overall, it will enhance the region’s mobility for cyclists and pedestrians, alike. 

Why should I be excited about YEA? 

This is a question that should be at the top of mind. YEA brings together the best and the brightest in the AEC industry and gives firms a chance to showcase those projects that really make them shine. It also gives firms a chance to compete and see how they stack up in the eyes of other industry leaders. And, whether or not you win, you still get bragging rights because your projects are all part of a grander mission–to elevate the AEC industry.  

We’re excited to get this year’s competition underway, so if you have any other questions about the submission process that haven’t been answered here, contact: Luke Carothers  at: lcarothers@zweiggroup.com. 

For more information about the contest and to submit your entry visit: https://csengineermag.com/yea/. 

Ungemah, based in HDR’s Denver office, will build on the company’s successful, growing practice as a preferred global provider of managed facilities, including the planning and implementation of express lanes, high occupancy vehicle facilities, priced freeways and similar tollways and other managed facilities solutions.

“David will leverage his technical expertise to help our multidisciplinary teams and our clients pursue forward-thinking, resilient alternative roadway funding solutions,” said HDR’s Mobility and Operational Technology Services Director Ben Pierce. “HDR has a well-earned reputation for delivering pioneering alternative revenue solutions, whether the New York City Central Business District Tolling Program, the PennDOT Pathways program or any of many express lanes across North America. I look forward to supporting David and our entire team as they elevate our program to meet the increasing need for sustainable funding strategies that support continued infrastructure improvements and better quality of life.”

Ungemah brings a background working with road pricing throughout the entirety of his 30-year career in transportation. It exposed him to many related practices, including public-private partnerships, intelligent transportation systems, digital applications, financial analyses, economics and social psychology.

As technical director or project manager, Ungemah has guided over 130 congestion pricing and managed lane projects in 22 states, as well as projects for the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Transportation. He also previously served as chair of the Transportation Research Board Congestion Pricing Committee.

“Implementing road pricing requires dedication to building political coalitions that can transcend changes in administrations, legislatures, client staff and consultants, not to mention external factors like gas prices, pandemics and economics,” Ungemah said. “HDR is a game changing place to be because it is built for the collaboration and partnership that makes this consensus-based process a success.”

Projects will compete for a Best in Class, Gold, Silver, or Bronze award in nine different categories, with only one project earning the Craftsmanship Award each year. 

“The awards competition continues to showcase groundbreaking ways to design with clay brick,” said BIA President and CEO Ray Leonhard. “These inspiring projects promote sustainable design and highlight the versatility and infinite possibilities clay brick has to offer.”

As the nation’s leading architectural design competition featuring fired-clay brick, all submissions must use clay brick as the project’s primary building material. Entrants must be either an architect or designer employed by an architectural, design-build or landscaping design firm.

Per the competition rules, eligible projects include any work of architecture completed since January 1, 2018, in which new clay brick products comprise the predominant exterior building or paving material (over 50 percent) including face or hollow brick, building brick, thin brick, paving brick, glazed brick, structural glazed facing tile, new clay brick products in special shapes and/or a combination of these.

The winners will be judged by peers in December and announced next January. Winning projects are featured on BIA’s website and social media channels. BIA also highlights winning projects and promotes them to the architect and design community throughout the year offering extensive exposure.

Entries must be submitted online by November 3 in one or more of these categories:

1. Commercial

2. Education – K-12

3. Education – Colleges & Universities (Higher Education) *

4. Residential – Single Family

5. Residential – Multi-Family

6. Thin Brick (New in 2022)

7. Paving & Landscape Projects**

8. Historic Renovation***

9. International (Projects outside of the US, Canada or a U.S. territory must be entered in this category)

* Includes residence halls and academic/administrative buildings

**At least 50% of the project must include clay pavers

***Does not need to meet the 50% or more new brick requirement but project must have 50% or more renovated brick

Additionally, an overall Craftsmanship Award will honor a mason or team of masons with exceptionally artful or unique installation.

Last year’s winning projects were featured in in BIA’s 2022 Brick in Architecture Magazine with a full recap in this video.

For questions, contact Kaylee Jeffries: kjeffries@bia.org.

Russ has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and is a Massachusetts Certified Soil Evaluator. He lives in Salem, New Hampshire.

“Russ has worked hard as a Project Engineer to advance his understanding of the many aspects of Civil Engineering. Earning his PE license allows him to expand his professional capabilities in assisting clients as well as up-and-coming engineers,” said Hancock Associates Director of Engineering, Joseph Peznola, PE. “Everyone at Hancock Associates congratulates him on this great achievement.”

 About Hancock Associates

Hancock Associates is made up of talented surveyors, engineers and scientists dedicated to excellence in land/coastal development, construction and preservation. They have maintained their position as an industry leader through their investment in exceptional staff, state-of-the-art equipment/technology and acquisition of multiple surveying and engineering firms, and historical survey records dating back to 1852. Since 1978, Hancock Associates has been providing land surveying, civil engineering and wetland science services throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. They value the long-term relationships they have with their clients served through their offices in Boston, Brockton, Chelmsford, Danvers, Marlborough, Newburyport, Palmer and Princeton, Massachusetts and Concord, New Hampshire. For additional information, call (978) 777-3050 or visit www.HancockAssociates.com.

“What started off as a forum to share technical information about plastic pipe systems, has become the pivotal event for learning about cutting edge developments and the continued evolution of the science of plastic pipe systems,” stated David M. Fink, president of the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) and chairman of the PPCA Board of Directors. 

Now, the Plastic Pipes conference organized and hosted by PPCA members PE 100+ Association, PPI and The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA), is held every two years on a schedule rotating between European and North America sites. 

Participants include plastic pipe and fittings manufacturers and those for resin and additives/ ingredients, users and installers, plus representatives from major energy, water, telecom and sewer utility companies along with consultants, technicians and engineers, suppliers of raw materials, extrusion equipment manufacturers and joining technologies. 

As a result of the conferences, PPCA reports that it has one of the world’s largest databases of technical papers starting with those presented during its first conference in the 

1970s. This library includes nearly 2,000 documents, plus video recordings of recent conferences, all of which are available on its website for free. 

“This is such a fantastic and unique forum,” offered Robin Bresser of PE100+ Association and PPCA secretary, and one of the original organizers, “that is really technical in nature, with innovations that address current and future industry challenges, and where people are proud to present their R&D study, new developments or products and case studies.” 

In 2020, PPCA invited other trade associations involved with the plastic pipes Industry to become ‘PPCA Conference Partners’ to encourage submission of papers and to organize spin- off conferences in collaboration with PPCA. The global family of conference partners has now expanded and includes PVC4Pipes Association, as a member of ECVM, PVC Pipe Association (USA) and plastic pipe national trade associations based in Australia, Southern Africa, China, Europe and the USA. 

Cultivating Growth 

“Originally, it was a joint effort with those four trade associations,” Tony Calton, former general manager of TEPPFA and current PPCA vice chairman and treasurer explained. “Back some 20 years ago, in many countries, plastic pipes were still “the new material” coming along and expanding into systems utilizing traditional pipe materials such as concrete, ductile iron, copper, and other materials. Then, the tendency amongst engineers was to stick with traditional materials. However, that is definitely not the case today as the benefits, the science and technologies are known and well proven during a number of years.” 

The Next Level in Sustainability 

Recent PPCA conferences have discussed the environmental benefits that plastic pipe systems have over other materials. Calton explained, “The use of recycled plastic to make pipes is a major focus of the industry. For many years now, non- or low-pressure plastic pipe 

systems have consumed recycled plastic that started life as a container for milk or shampoo bottle, etc. Now, the one-off single-use product is value-added rather than going to landfill. The main focus in recent times has been how can the industry use more recycled material in plastic pipes systems without compromising the performance of the product or the longevity expected of a sustainable system.” 

As evidence of that trend, more manufacturing technologies are being developed that can increase the recycled content of pipes while not jeopardizing its integrity or useful life. 

“A number of manufacturers are extremely sophisticated in the development or use of the mechanical or chemical recycling technologies,” stated Sarah Patterson of PPI, PPXXI organizing committee chair. “Additionally, companies are working to expand the network of collection points for recyclable products whereby improving efficiencies allowing other manufacturers to value-add those finished goods. For PPXXI, the Organizing Committee (OC) worked hard to attract companies who developed or utilize chemical or mechanical recycling technologies, which furthers collaborations within our respective industries.” 

“The papers, presentations and discussions offer technical and engineering solutions using plastic pipe systems, leverage lessons from case studies, plus identify market and business opportunities, all of which further growth of plastic pipe systems worldwide.” explained Zoran Davidovski of Pipelife, PPXXI OC Co-Chair/ Technical Program Chair. 

Information, online registration, exhibition space and sponsorship opportunities for Plastic Pipes XXI can be found at: https://ppxxi.com

“Acela has an exceptionally strong history of performance in the healthcare industry with successful projects throughout the US,” said president Daniel Witczak, PE, PMP. “We are now taking this specialized experience and culture of client collaboration to the next level with the addition of Mr. Jaeger to our growing team.” He noted that his firm was founded in 2014 and has grown to a multi-disciplined firm of 45 professionals as it approaches its 10^th anniversary in 2024.

Mr. Jaeger brings more than 35 years of experience in healthcare facility design and project management to his new post. His career has focused on healthcare design, planning and management with mid-sized to major architectural firms based in metropolitan New York and New Jersey. His work has contributed to award-winning projects for New York University Healthcare System, Mount Sinai Health System and other integrated health networks.

Credentialed by the US Green Building Council as a LEED Accredited Professional, he brings advanced knowledge in green building technologies and techniques to his new position at Acela.

“Sustainability is a huge driver in all aspects of today’s healthcare facility design and I am gratified to have steered numerous green project successes throughout my professional career,” Jaeger said. “As the client-facing leader for Acela’s healthcare projects, I am confident that our knowledge and experience with sustainable design in the healthcare sector will provide a strong distinction for our Acela’s value proposition, client relationships and results.”

Mr. Jaeger previously served as Senior Healthcare Project Manager with major architectural firms based in New York City. He holds a degree in architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, among other professional credentials.

About Acela Architects + Engineers, P.C.
Founded in 2014, Acela is an integrated team of architectural, civil engineering, structural engineering and mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering professionals providing a full spectrum of design, consulting and project management services for private, corporate, government and institutional clients throughout the US. Acela is headquartered in Allentown, PA with regional offices in NJ, NY and OH. For more facts: www.acela-ae.com.

Pure Cycle is a vertically integrated water and wastewater resource development company. As a vertically integrated company, they also own and manage a full ecosystem of facilities needed to withdraw, store, treat, deliver and collect water and wastewater. Their goal is to provide sustainable, high-quality water to their customers and make prudent use of reclaimed water for outdoor irrigation and industrial demands.

Sky Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is their latest $10 million, state-of-the-art water reclamation facility completed in 2020, serving Sky Ranch, a master-planned community providing residential, commercial, retail, and light industrial lots along Denver’s booming I-70 corridor. The facility uses the latest green technology which includes dispensing highly treated reclaimed water for irrigation and other uses, active odor control technology; and green roofing will cover 90% of the main plant. Green energy is a constant theme, including within the maintenance department.

The battery powered M1 Model Microcrane® is being used for maintaining Aerzen blowers, pulling pumps out of basins and preforming various lifting jobs throughout the plant. The compact, flexible mini crane requires no fuel, emits zero fumes and has low sound levels.

“The tightness of the working areas make it difficult to get people in place safely for manual lifts. The Microcrane® allows us to accomplish maintenance tasks with ease and with only one person!” said Mike Dean of Pure Cycle Water.

Since 2008, Microcranes, Inc. has been focused on offering American Made quality mini cranes at an affordable price. The M1 Model can be transported on truck beds, trailers, through 36-inch doorways, inside elevators, up stairwells combined with stair climbing solutions, and can be hoisted by larger cranes up onto rooftops using hoist rings. The ISO 9001 certified M1 Global is rated at 2,000 lbs. (905kg) (no operator license required) and has a hook height of 20’-3” (6.1m). It is only 30 in. (762mm) wide and weighs 1,800 lbs. (816kg). To learn more about the Microcrane® visit: https://www.microcranes.com

Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge earned APWA’s 2023 Public Works Project of the Year Award in the Structures category, in the $5 Million, but less than $25 Million division. The City of North Charleston transformed an older area of the City into a place where locals and visitors can enjoy and interact with nature by creating the Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge (previously known as the Battery Park Bridge). The Bridge connects the City’s existing Riverfront Park to the newly developed Battery Park on the north side of Noisette Creek. The City of North Charleston intends to continue the momentum and redevelop 70 acres of the decommissioned Charleston Naval Complex with a mixed-use district. Although the Bridge serves as an initial catalyst for the revitalization efforts, the 800-foot-long Bridge, with two distinguishing 55-foot-tall arches spanning 238 feet, has created a destination on its own. Since the Bridge opened to the public in October of 2022, a continuous flow of people walking, running, and bicycling across the Bridge has contributed to its initial success. With gradual slopes along the entire length, the Bridge is universally accessible. The top of the Bridge offers unprecedented and unobstructed views across the marshes and waterways of the Lowcountry.

“The Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge is the City of North Charleston’s first step in transforming an older and underutilized area of its community. Their successful completion of this project is a testament to their dedication to breathing new life into the formal naval complex, promoting economic vitality, and improving quality of life for their citizens and beyond,” said SC APWA Chapter President Samantha H. Yager, who served as the nominator for the project to the APWA national awards competition. “A project of this size, complexity, and visibility requires a dedicated team who communicates regularly and responds quickly. T&H provided high-quality management and design throughout all phases, working closely with contractors and stakeholders during two years of construction, all accumulating in the project’s success.

T&H provided environmental permitting, surveying, landscape architecture, structural design, bidding, and construction services for the City of North Charleston. T&H conducted public meetings during the concept development phase, coordinated on behalf of their clients with numerous state and local agencies to secure permits, and, after the design was complete, led the City’s pre-qualification process to ensure the construction would be completed by an experienced contractor. T&H’s legacy in the South Carolina Low Country afforded the design team time-tested relationships with the City of North Charleston and prime contractor, Cape Romain Contractors Inc. CRC). Working on various projects within and for the City for over 30 years and with CRC for over 50 years, the team’s collective knowledge and proven experience working together allowed for a seamless construction process.

T&H looks forward to celebrating this achievement alongside the City of North Charleston and CRC at APWA’s PWX 2023 in San Diego in August. T&H also received recognition from the South Carolina Chapter of APWA for the Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge, which has been named a South Carolina Public Works Project of the Year in the Structures Category.

ABOUT APWA
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.org) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, with an office in Washington, DC, 62 chapters, and 97 branches throughout North America.

ABOUT THOMAS & HUTTON
Thomas & Hutton celebrates over 75 years of creating transformative communities. Founded in 1946, Thomas & Hutton is a privately held professional services company providing consulting, planning, and engineering design services related to land and infrastructure.  Thomas & Hutton is located in ten regions throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Porrello, a WSP senior vice president who previously served as West region development director, assumes the California district leader role. He is responsible for the firm’s business delivery performance and client engagement across the state. His reputation for collaboration and teamwork will result in leveraging the firm’s national business lines and technical expertise across all markets to address local client needs. He is based in Irvine.

In his previous role as West region development leader, Porrello oversaw a sales target of over $1 billion and, in addition, was a key stakeholder on several national initiatives aimed at improved efficiency and effectiveness.

“During his six years with the firm, Luis’s expert understanding of our business has been crucial in driving targeted expansion initiatives throughout the region,” said Chris Peters, West region president. “That influence and experience is critical to our continued growth across California.”

Porrello’s educational background includes a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering, a master of science degree in international project finance, and master and doctor of science degrees in transportation engineering.

Fisher, a senior vice president who is currently leading WSP’s state and local government affairs for the West region, will succeed Porrello as West region development director. In his new role, Fisher leads development of the firm’s growth strategy across 29 states and Guam. He is responsible for developing and implementing client care activities and delivering results for this vast region. Fisher is based in San Francisco.

“John’s previous experience, particularly his past government relations focus, affords him a deep understanding of strategy and priorities, issues and policy, as well as innate knowledge of our key client base in the West,” said Rebecca Nolan, national director of strategy and growth. 

Fisher has been a project manager for multiple transportation projects for WSP since joining the firm in 2008. As district manager for Northern California, he was responsible for profit and loss, operations, business development, sales and client satisfaction for the Transportation business in the region, including staff development and recruiting and project delivery in four offices in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento. He previously served as San Francisco area manager.

Prior to joining WSP, he served as manager of government and community relations at the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), and as legislative director in Washington D.C. for the late Bay Area Congresswoman Ellen O. Tauscher, a former member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

He is a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and the Eno Center for Transit Leadership’s Executive Development Program. He is a member of WTS, Bay Area chapter and past recipient of that chapter’s Ray LaHood “Man of the Year Award.”

About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 16,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com

The Report found that damages to underground utilities, which pose severe risks to public safety and interrupt commerce, have trended upward over the last three years. Excavation activity continues to increase as states work to improve infrastructure, along with a significant influx of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Three-year modeling from 2020-2022 reveals that damages per construction spending rose 12.35% and damages per 1,000 transmissions rose 9.34% between 2021 and 2022. A regression analysis of consistent 2020-2022 data which considered additional variables including weather, population and infrastructure density further confirms that damages were at best flat and likely increasing. 

The annual DIRT Report provides a comprehensive accounting and analysis of damages to buried infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada to help stakeholders understand the current damage landscape and the factors contributing to underground facility damages. As excavation activity continues to increase, the Report underscores the importance of addressing the ongoing causes of damages to vital facilities to drive these damage numbers down. 

The Report analyzed all 2022 data submitted voluntarily to DIRT by facility operators, utility locating companies, 811 centers, contractors, regulators and others from the U.S. and Canada and contextualized the data as part of a three-year trend analysis (2020-2022). Reflecting excavation/construction stakeholders’ increased engagement with damage prevention, that key group was the leading source of damage reports for the first time in 2022. 

The analysis of 2022 data indicates that a few persistent challenges are responsible for nearly 76% of damages that occur, including no notification to the 811 center; failure to pothole and/or maintain sufficient clearance; facilities not marked or marked inaccurately due to locator error; and other improper excavation practices. No-notification damages make up more than 25% of all damages, with 77% of no-notification damages attributed to professional excavators. Focusing industry efforts and outreach on these top challenges is key to making measurable progress in reducing damage and near-miss incidents. 

The Report urges stakeholders to commit to working within organizations and across stakeholder groups to generate new solutions to the persistent, systemic issues causing the majority of damages. Recommendations provided to address specific root cause groups included:

• No-Notification Root Cause: Focus excavator outreach on behavioral change—namely consistent and effective use of 811—and help restore excavator confidence in the system through improved locating processes. 
• Excavation Root Causes: Prioritize tolerance zone safety, address contracts to provide adequate compensation for potholing and provide excavators with access to map visualizations. 
• Locator Error Root Causes: Enhance facility maps to GIS-grade, address contract structures to emphasize timeliness and accuracy, and increase efficiency through effective use of the 811 system. 

The Report also provides recommendations to enhance reporting and analysis of damages to better understand and address trends, including the implementation of standardized data collection fields and the creation of damage prevention indices to gauge progress over time. Stakeholders are also encouraged to participate in the Damage Prevention Institute’s (DPI) accreditation and peer review processes to help develop the next generation of industry performance metrics. 

“Earlier this year, we challenged the industry with the ambitious goal of reducing damages by 50% over the next five years,” said CGA President and CEO Sarah Magruder Lyle. “The findings of the DIRT Report are critical to focusing the industry on key areas contributing to more than three-quarters of all damages to buried infrastructure. To make significant change and reverse damage rates, it’s critical that our industry rapidly adopts the recommendations outlined in this Report to target the most persistent challenges.”

To illustrate that the 50-in-5 challenge is achievable, the DIRT Report includes a case study from 811 Chicago, which reduced underground utility damages in the city by 50% over five years through collaboration and mapping efforts. The case study serves as a resource for other organizations to improve their processes and focus their investments on proven strategies that reduce damages so they can contribute to the 50-in-5 industry challenge. 

“We’d like to thank the dedicated damage prevention organizations that make the DIRT Report possible each year through their voluntary submission of damage and near-miss data,” said Louis Panzer, executive director of North Carolina 811 and CGA Data Reporting & Evaluation Committee co-chair. “The data makes it clear that we have areas we need to improve upon, but offers us a great direction forward to definitively reverse these concerning damage trends. With the new influx of data from excavators, as well as the monthly reporting required for Damage Prevention Institute participants, we can look forward to unprecedented insights that will help shape the future of damage prevention and drive industry progress.”

The complete DIRT Annual Report for 2022 is available for download at dirt.commongroundalliance.com, and stakeholders interested in submitting data to the 2023 Report or establishing a Virtual Private Dirt account should visit the DIRT site at www.cga-dirt.com.    

About Common Ground Alliance

CGA is a member-driven association of nearly 3,200 individuals, organizations, and sponsors in every facet of the underground utility industry. CGA has established itself as the preeminent source of damage prevention data and information in an effort to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders. For more information, visit CGA on the web at http://www.commongroundalliance.com.

As Project Engineers, Kodey Lane-Norful and Likitha Kaki are responsible for assisting project managers with quality control, project budgets and cost reports, reviewing and coordinating submittals and RFIs, subcontractor management and maintaining communication with the client and entire project team.

Likitha Kaki holds a Master of Construction Engineering and Management from Texas A&M University as well as a Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Enfgineering from Anna University in Chennai, India. Prior to joining Kwame, she served as a Project Engineer providing preconstruction services and assisting in value engineering.

Kodey Lane-Norful brings two years of industry experience having previously served as a Project Manager and Estimator. He also holds Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology.

As Project Administrator Diamond Spence is responsible for tracking contract changes, submittals and RFIs, creating presentations, managing and maintaining project document control systems and processing invoices for various projects.

ABOUT KWAME BUILDING GROUP, INC.

Kwame Building Group, Inc. (KWAME) is one of the nation’s top pure construction management firms, dedicating 100 percent of its resources to project management services. Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2021, the employee-owned company provides estimating, scheduling, project planning, value engineering and other project management services as an independent advocate for owners and developers. KWAME’s public and private sector projects include educational facilities, major airports nationwide, light-rail systems, hospitals, wastewater treatment facilities and government facilities. KWAME is headquartered in St. Louis with division offices in Atlanta, Dallas and Seattle. For more information, visit www.kwamebuildinggroup.com or call (314) 862-5344.

Equipment360 was created to solve the industry’s most pressing equipment management and maintenance pain points while also enabling automated preventive maintenance. Equipment360 ensures all work orders, preventive maintenance requests, and time cards are tracked and submitted electronically with the correct associated cost codes, part requests, and checklists. This not only streamlines the maintenance and payroll process but provides fleet managers with an electronic ledger of truth and equips the field with a direct line of communication to the shop. Additionally, Equipment360 interfaces with HCSS Telematics— providing critical machine data and meter readings. This enables fleet managers to make informed decisions for fleet assets from a financial standpoint as well.

HCSS Telematics is a plug-and-play hardware and software solution with no need for professional installation. Telematics utilizes GPS devices integrated directly with the equipment offering a hardware-powered solution for fleet utilization and management. Telematics aggregates OEM equipment data and displays it on a single platform. This equips fleet and project managers with a comprehensive overhead view of real-time fleet data, enabling more informed business decisions and thereby improving safety, efficiency, and productivity. The aggregate data report includes data points such as equipment location status, individual equipment ROI, and more.

FuelerPlus is HCSS’ fuel-tracking software, helping fleet managers easily keep track of actual burn rates so businesses can set more accurate equipment rates. FuelerPlus helps track every drop of fuel that goes through a fleet to help eliminate shrinkage and make better decisions around recouping costs. All HCSS Fleet products offer full integration, down to fuel level readings. HCSS operates on a field-first model, ensuring pertinent reporting happens on the field, electronically. Anybody in the field can catalog an issue with a piece of equipment, and that information goes straight to the shop.

For more information about HCSS’ Fleet offerings, please visit: hcss.com/products/fleet-maintenance-software/#product-features

Teams of students and a faculty advisor design, build, and test a 20-foot, precast, prestressed concrete beam. Local PCI-certified precast concrete producers mentor and fabricate the beams for the teams. Entries are judged on a variety of criteria, including the beam’s load-resisting performance in tests that simulate real-life conditions structural building and infrastructure components must endure to ensure life safety, as well as the quality of their analysis and reports, and a video overview of their project. 

“PCI Big Beam competition helped students learn different perspectives compared to the knowledge gained from the classroom,” said Tanarat Potisuk, faculty advisor for the winning team. “This included performing design calculations, building the beam, and observing actual behavior of the beam through the test. The results were eyeopening for them, showing that when design assumptions were well thought out and calculations were correctly executed, it could predict the actual behavior of the beam closely.” 

“This competition facilitates a link between engineering calculations and real-world precast concrete fabrication,” added Jared Brewe, PCI’s Vice President, Technical Services, who served as a judge. “It’s exciting to see how the teams approach the problem, adapt to meet limits of their producer partner, and learn 

through the process of design, fabrication, and testing. The creativity in the video submissions also demonstrates the ingenuity of these students and their excitement for the opportunity to visit and work with our producers.” 

The 2023 PCI Big Beam Competition was sponsored by ALP Supply and ASPIRE magazine. 

Overall Results 

First Place: Oregon State University 

Faculty Advisor: Tanarat Potisuk 

Student Team: Sean Freitag, Nicholas Peterson, Kobe Wagner PCI Producer: Knife River Prestress 

Second Place: University of Minnesota Duluth 

Faculty Advisor: Brock Hedegaard 

Student Team: Justin Entinger, Eric Gibson, Kate McCabe, Abby Norman PCI Producer: Molin Concrete Products 

Third Place: Iowa State University 

Faculty Advisor: Hartanto Wibowo 

Student Team: Anisha Karki, Gata Milla, Lucas Reidel, Chandra Shekhar Lakavath PCI Producer: Rinker Materials 

Remaining finishers in alphabetical order. 

University of British Columbia 

Faculty Advisor: Lisa Tobber 

Student Team: Alay Bhagat, Sara Darsi, Jassimrat Deol, Vishawjit Singh Gill, Navsift Kaur, Samantha Krieg, Mahya Moghadasi, Kiana Youssefian Sahzabi, Grant Shishido 

PCI Producer: Rapid-Span Precast, a Limited Partnership 

University of Illinois at Chicago 

Faculty Advisor: Didem Ozevin 

Student Team: Said Elferachi, Haider Himairi, Caitlin Koziel, Raguez Taha PCI Producer: County Prestress 

Lehigh University 

Faculty Advisor: Clay Naito 

Student Team: Tj Briscoe, Urinrin Otite, Constantine Patmandis PCI Producer: High Concrete Group LLC 

University of Massachusetts Amherst 

Faculty Advisor: Sergio Brena 

Student Team: Andrew Lochner, Lukas Souza, Omid Monshi Toussi PCI Producer: Unistress Corporation 

University of Massachusetts, Team 2 

Fsculty Advisor: Sergio Brena 

Student Team: Joshua Govina, Thien-Thanh Nguyen, Lucia Pan, Cameron Ritchie PCI Producer: Unistress Corporatiion 

New Jersey Institute of Technology 

Faculty Advisor: Mohamed Mahgoub 

Student Team: Armin Saadegh-Vaziri, Alexander Savekin PCI Producer: Jersey Precast 

Northern Arizona University 

Faculty Advisor: Robin Tuchscherer 

Student Team: Anthony Eschen, Hunter McCormick, Joshua Sewell, Farrah Young PCI Producer: Tpac 

Keith Kaufman Award for Best Report 

Judges considers the overall presentation of the report when deciding on a best report winner. In addition to verifying the report contains all the requested sections and required signatures, judges look for clear presentation of data, professional look and formatting, and an overall well-written report. 

Oregon State University 

Faculty Advisor: Tanarat Potisuk 

Student Team: Sean Freitag, Nicholas Peterson, Kobe Wagner PCI Producer: Knife River Prestress 

Best Video 

Requirements include a video taken of the precast concrete beam being tested. Teams are encouraged to be as creative as they wish when preparing the final video. Videos with a storyline related to the big beam competition are clear standouts and the judging committee may elect an entry to receive a best video award. 

Lehigh University 

Faculty Advisor: Clay Naito, PhD, PE 

Student Team: Tj Briscoe, Urinrin Otite, Constantine Patmanidis PCI Producer: High Concrete Group LLC 

To see the student videos, please visit PCI’s Big Beam Channel on YouTube. 

About PCI 

Founded in 1954, The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) is a technical institute for the precast concrete structures and systems industry. PCI develops maintains, and disseminates the Body of Knowledge for the design, fabrication, and construction of precast concrete structures and systems. PCI develops consensus base standards, industry handbooks, quality assurance programs, certification, research and development projects, design manuals, continuing education and periodical publications. PCI members include precast concrete producers, erectors, suppliers, professional engineers and architects, educators, students, and industry consultants who complement the wide range of knowledge of precast concrete. For additional information, visit pci.org/howprecastbuilds. 

“(Hullett) brings a wealth of insights and experience to this new position, having previously served as a practice director working closely across all markets and as a current member of RS&H’s Board of Directors,” said RS&H Chief Strategy Officer Bryan Nicol. “His deep understanding of our organization and its dynamics will contribute to developing a cohesive and focused business growth strategy.”

Hullett will work across business units in this newly established role to develop RS&H’s strategies for growing markets, clients, services, and geographic reach.

“I am excited to work with my fellow RS&H colleagues to advance collaborative and synchronized efforts to positively impact current and future clients with a holistic services approach,” said Hullett.

Hullett boasts 34 years of experience in the transportation industry in both the public and private sectors. He joined RS&H in April 2004 as Operations Manager for the Transportation Infrastructure Practice. Additionally, he opened RS&H’s Atlanta and Savannah offices and led the firm’s transportation initiatives in the Georgia market. In 2009, Hullet moved into the role of Mid-Atlantic Region Leader, leading sales, operations, strategic growth and expansion in the states of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. In 2015, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and RS&H’s national Transportation Infrastructure Practice Director.

Hullett holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University and is active in numerous organizations such as the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC-GA), the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and many more. In 2019, Hullett was elected to RS&H’s board of directors.

About RS&H
Employee-owned, RS&H is one of the nation’s leading architecture, engineering and consulting firms whose associates work hard every day to create a more connected future where everyone can thrive. We offer an exceptional journey from start to future for clients in the aerospace, aviation, corporate, federal, health and science, and transportation. Our integrated teams translate experience into insight, turn challenges into opportunities and build relationships that are as strong as the buildings and infrastructure we deliver together. RS&H can be reached at 1.800.741.2014 or rsandh.com.

“The City of Norfolk is a valued partner, and we are proud to be a part of the mutual vision for a sustainable future for their citizens and the region,” said Keith Weakley, PE, DBIA, Volkert senior vice president, Mid-Atlantic region.

In collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) the Norfolk Resilience Partners will support the City’s implementation of the CSRM program, which includes comprehensive flood risk reduction solutions to increase resiliency for major storm events impacting the City. Norfolk was identified as highly vulnerable to flooding by the USACE, based on having one of the highest rates of relative sea level rise among the Atlantic coastal communities.

“As a Norfolk native and homeowner, I am fully invested in the future of Norfolk and committed to our shared goal of building resilience together,” said Volkert’s Christine Fuller, PE, deputy program manager for the project. “I have enjoyed a 15-year working relationship with the City of Norfolk with a focus on program management, interagency coordination, and civil/structural engineering. I know the people and processes that are integral to this program and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its successful implementation.”

Norfolk Resilience Partners’ main mission is to strengthen and prioritize Norfolk’s infrastructure to adapt to climate changes and protect against coastal storm risk for years to come, while maintaining the City’s livable coastal character. This includes a system of floodwalls with levees, surge barriers, nature-based features, tide gates, pump stations, and non-structural elements such as home elevations, basement fills, and floodproofing. The project will be divided into five implementation phases: four phases associated with four watershed areas (Downtown, Pretty Lake, Lafayette River, Broad Creek) and the fifth phase to provide non-structural solutions across the City. 

“We’re excited to be one of the world’s leaders in coastal and urban resiliency solutions that are going to be delivered through this very important CSRM program,” said Matthew Simons, Norfolk Deputy Resilience Officer. “As a team, the City, USACE, and Norfolk Resilience Partners, we are ready to implement and deliver flood management solutions to enhance the life, safety, and longevity of our community, residents, and City.”

“Volkert has had its roots in the cities of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts for nearly a century. We have always been dedicated to the resilience of these communities because they are our homes, and we are excited to be a part of delivering these improvements for the City of Norfolk,” said Thomas A. Hand, PE, Volkert Chairman and CEO.

To learn more about the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Program, please visit: www.resilientnorfolk.com

About Volkert: Volkert is an award-winning professional services firm committed to expanding, enhancing, and protecting the built and natural environments. Planning, design, and engineering are at the heart of Volkert’s practice. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top 100 engineering firms, Volkert is proud to serve its valued clients with innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to existing and emerging challenges in the transportation, nature-based and green infrastructure, energy, and program management sectors.

The decision to move forward with repairs may not come quickly, but when it does, facility managers and owners should work with a specialty contractor experienced in disaster recovery to get the job done correctly and efficiently. Western Specialty Contractors’ branch offices in Atlanta, GA; Houston, TX; San Antonio, TX; and Fort Lauderdale, FL are willing and ready to help rebuild and repair non-residential buildings when disaster strikes.

As the nation’s leader in the restoration of commercial, institutional and industrial concrete and masonry structures and buildings, Western has been helping businesses recover from natural disasters on the Gulf Coast for over 50 years.
“Bringing a building or structure back to life in the case of a natural disaster takes a certain level of experience and skill,” said Chet Scott, Western Atlanta Branch Manager. “Special skills are needed to properly assess the damage, develop a recovery plan and initiate the restoration or take steps to mitigate further loss.”

Western provides the following comprehensive Disaster Recovery Services:

• Building exterior stabilization
• Emergency building enclosure
• Roofing repair and replacement
• Window boarding, repair and replacement
• General clean up
• Masonry and concrete repair
• Historic restoration

When Hurricane Katrina, one of the five deadliest and costliest hurricanes in the history of the United States, struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, Western Specialty Contractors was there to help.

South Shore Harbour Marina features one of the largest boat slips near the New Orleans Lakefront Airport overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. Hurricane Katrina left the covered slips unusable and virtually unrecognizable. Western crews worked to remove any remaining damaged panels and purlins and completely replaced the outer skin of the slips (approximately 30,000 square feet) with interlocking Berridge Zee-Lock panels. Western also replaced the guard house that overlooked the harbor with a new modular version and made renovations to the public restroom and oil containment facilities, which all suffered severe wind and flood damage during the hurricane.

That same year, Western Specialty Contractors came to the rescue of Florida-based Ardaman & Associates after they noticed some leaking windows in their building, resulting from the recent hurricane activity.
Western crews surveyed the building before making a recommendation to re-seal all the glass-to-glass, metal-to-glass and metal-to-concrete window joints throughout the entire building. The result was a watertight building and a happy owner.

For more information about Western’s Disaster Recovery Services, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com/projects/services/disaster-recovery/.

“This conference is an opportunity for local, regional and national stakeholders and decision-makers to engage in conversation, learning and networking that will help drive our state and industry forward,” said Carrie Gardenhire, Director of Association Partnerships at Arcoro. “We’ve worked hard to ensure the content is thought-provoking, impactful and solutions-driven.”

The event’s focus is “Hiring, managing and growing a successful construction workforce for today and tomorrow.” Attendees will participate in a series of panel discussions and presentations covering key topics, including:

• Finding the right candidates for the right role 
• Managing a diverse, multigenerational workforce
• How to win the wage war

“Our goal is to help attendees address the core issues that are keeping them up at night,” Gardenhire said. “We’re proud to tap some of the industry’s brightest minds to lead these conversations.”

Keynote speakers include:

• Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for Associated General Contractors of America, will discuss his forecast for the construction industry at a national and state level.
  
• LV Hanson, Head of People & Culture at Frampton Construction, will cover the importance of company culture in employee recruitment and retention.

In 2022, the first annual conference attracted 100+ attendees from Arizona and across the country. To participate in this year’s event, attendees must register and pay a $20 entry fee. To learn more and to access the full speaker lineup for the 2023 Arizona Construction Workforce Management Summit, please visit the event website.

About Arcoro 

More than 8,000 construction and contracting companies use Arcoro’s award-winning cloud-based software to hire, manage and grow their workforces. Arcoro offers proven modular HR solutions designed for the construction industry that maximize workforce performance and empower HR leaders with time-saving tools and strategic reporting. The company’s product suite and software platform offer end-to-end HR functionality to help drive business outcomes. With Arcoro’s flexible solutions, customers select the modules that meet their needs for talent acquisition, talent management, core HR, benefits administration, payroll, time and attendance tracking and more. Visit arcoro.com to learn more.

Supporting the company’s vision of building a full-service infrastructure platform, Thomas will be responsible for strategy development, client relationship management, and key pursuits and partnerships, with a direct reporting line to the company’s Board Chair & CEO, Terry Ruhl. Additionally, Thomas will partner with Lochner’s Corporate Development team to identify, acquire, and integrate transit and rail companies into Lochner’s service portfolio.

“We are excited and honored to have Gary join our team,” said Ruhl. “He is one of the most respected and innovative leaders in the public transit sector in America. I look forward to working with Gary and Lochner’s Transit & Rail team to enhance our mission of improving public transportation in communities across the nation.”

A 2022 inductee of the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA’s) Hall of Fame, Thomas brings to Lochner more than four decades of transit leadership and engineering experience, including his 22 years with DART. Under his leadership, DART doubled its light rail system, twice, to become the longest in the U.S. at 93 miles. The agency has been recognized for innovation in developing a progressive clean fuels program for its bus fleet, advancing new models for local bus and paratransit services, and implementing customer-facing communications technology.

“Public transportation plays an indispensable role in our communities, promoting accessibility, reducing congestion, and minimizing our environmental footprint,” said Thomas. “I’m excited to be joining the Lochner team and expanding the Transit & Rail practice nationally to deliver solutions that connect people and places and enhance quality of life.”

With a life-long commitment to advancing the transit industry in America, Thomas is a past chair of APTA, Rail-Volution, and the SouthWest Transit Association. He also served on the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee, Transportation Cooperative Research Program, Texas Transportation Association, and the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority. As a Texas Tech Distinguished Alumni, Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Architecture degree from the university.

On October 16, 2023, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute will be inducting Thomas into the Texas Transportation Hall of Honor.

About Lochner

Founded in 1944, Lochner provides planning, environmental, design, construction engineering and inspection, right-of-way, and drainage services for surface transportation, aviation, and water clients across the United States. The company is ranked No.128 in Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.

A member of the Esri Partner Network for more than two decades, Avineon is now a Gold Partner and has also been recognized as a Cornerstone Partner with extensive ArcGIS experience. The company has been supporting customers’ parcel management needs throughout its 31-year history. Qualifying to receive the Parcel Management Specialty demonstrates Avineon’s commitment to and expertise in land records, parcel management, and ArcGIS Pro.

“Avineon is proud to be among the first organizations to receive this recognition,” said Joel Campbell, Avineon’s Senior Vice President – Commercial Systems. “We have supported many customers in their individual journeys to ArcGIS Pro and the Parcel Fabric over the past several years. We believe these innovations hold tremendous promise for Esri customers and look forward to helping them realize their benefits quickly and efficiently.”

Avineon offers geospatial products and services to its Esri clients in numerous industries, including local, regional, tribal, and federal government customers that stand to benefit the most from the enhancements available in ArcGIS Pro. In addition to Parcel Fabric conversion and implementation, Avineon’s geospatial solutions include strategy, planning, specification development, GIS infrastructure implementation, product implementation, software development, project management, scanning, photogrammetric services, stereo-compilation, photo interpretation, land base and facilities data capture, data conflation, environmental mapping, database development, training, and data maintenance. In addition, Avineon offers a GIS managed services program for many of our customers, assisting them in the daily maintenance and operation of their Esri implementations.

About Avineon^®

Avineon, Inc. was founded to help you Visualize IT and See IT Through. Since 1992, our customers have relied on us to deliver high quality and value in digital modernization, spatial intelligence, and engineering support solutions. We offer state of the art information management support that improves execution of mission-critical tasks for electric, gas, water, wastewater, telecommunication, transportation, restaurant, real estate, and government customers. With headquarters in McLean, Virginia and offices in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Canada, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, India, and the Middle East, we stand ready to apply our CMMI Maturity Level 3 (DEV/SVC) and ISO 9001:2015 compliant processes for the benefit of your organization. For more information, please visit www.avineon.com.

Ware Malcomb provided interior architecture and design services for the project. In partnership with JLL, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification was achieved for the 7,500 square-foot project. Project management and LEED documentation services were provided by JLL. Janus Henderson is a leading global active asset manager with more than 2,000 employees, and offices in 24 cities worldwide. Headquartered in London, the company is listed on the NYSE and the ASX. 

“Our team truly delivered a project that represents the Janus Henderson brand and achieved the highest industry standards for sustainable design,” said Mark Schwamel AIA, Director, Interior Architecture & Design, Ware Malcomb. “JLL’s team was exceptional at developing and managing the project; the teamwork made everything on our end seamless.”

The design complements Janus Henderson’s hybrid workforce, with meeting and small break-out spaces, a welcoming reception space, and an open work café and large lounge spaces that promote collaboration within the office. Sustainable and eco-friendly systems and materials are incorporated throughout the office, and they combine to achieve improved occupant comfort and wellness, energy savings and a real, measurable ROI for the client. The office provides 19% energy efficiency savings compared to conventional design. In addition, it allows for 28% water savings by using low-flow plumbing fixtures and 69% of construction waste was diverted from the landfill.

LEED Platinum is the highest level of certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Projects awarded this level of achievement have integrated rigorous, innovative strategies relative to energy and water efficiency, high indoor environmental and air quality, minimized waste production, environmentally friendly and healthy materials, and more.

General contracting services for the project were provided by J.C. Anderson.  

Ware Malcomb’s Interior Architecture & Design Studio creates design solutions to transform interior environments into market relevant, contemporary spaces.

About Ware Malcomb (waremalcomb.com)

Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a contemporary and expanding full-service design firm providing professional architecture, planning, interior design, civil engineering, branding and building measurement services to corporate, commercial/residential developer and public/institutional clients throughout the world. With office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, the firm specializes in the design of commercial office, corporate, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, retail, auto, public/institutional facilities and renovation projects. Ware Malcomb is recognized as an Inc. 5000 “Fastest Growing Private Company” and a “Hot Firm” by Zweig Group. The firm is also ranked among the top 30 architecture/engineering firms in Engineering News-Record’s “Top 500 Design Firms” and the top 30 interior design firms in Interior Design magazine’s “Top 100 Giants.” For more information, visit and view Ware Malcomb’s website at http://www.waremalcomb.com/news/ and brand video at https://www.youtube.com/waremalcomb.

With more than 37 years of industry experience, Barlow is a results-orientated and highly accomplished program director and management professional with a specific focus on developing and managing large programs in multiple vertical markets, including transit/aviation/rail, healthcare, municipal capital, K-12, higher education and municipal water/wastewater/sewer.

In his new role, Barlow will oversee 360 CS operations in Atlanta as well as St. Louis and Dallas-Fort Worth. Working with internal and external stakeholders, Barlow will help to fulfill KAI’s vison, policies and overall goals.

“Tracy specializes in developing corporate protocols and implementing strategies to produce successful construction programs. He also possesses a rare quality that enables him to work as a hands-on manager, effective in both program and project management functions, as well as mentoring to individuals and teams to mitigate complex issues,” said KAI 360 CS President Bruce Wood, PE. “We are excited to add Tracy to our 360 CS team.”

Career projects have included two new wastewater treatment plants in Nassau, Bahamas; municipal water/wastewater programs for the City of Atlanta, District of Columbia and City of Pittsburg; and work with the Dallas Rapid Transit Authority (DART) and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). He also currently manages a master services agreement with Rice Capital Access for the Department of Education to provide construction oversight services for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Prior to 360 CS, Barlow was Vice President of Program and Construction Management Services at H. J. Russell & Company for seven years where he played an integral role in developing its New York market. He also had a long, successful career at URS (acquired by AECOM in 2014) where he held several positions and managed different programs throughout the country.

He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Systems Technologies from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management, Marketing and Related Support Services from Park University. He is a member of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

In his spare time, he volunteers with Elks Aidmore, Inc., Boy Scouts of America, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He is also a member of 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. He and his wife Precious have a son and two daughters, and he enjoys golfing, cycling, fishing and watching movies and sports as hobbies.

KAI Enterprises

KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. For more than 40 years, KAI has been instrumental in transforming communities through its expertise in residential, commercial, K-12, higher education, healthcare, science and technology, aviation, mobility, sports and entertainment, government, water and community-focused projects. KAI Enterprises is comprised of four distinct business units—KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build and KAI 360 Construction Services. To learn more about KAI, visit www.kai-db.com.

With over 25 years of experience leading corporate business strategies, organizational transformations, and product/service team management for several Fortune 500 companies, Chadha brings a wealth of knowledge in driving company performance. In executive roles, he has directed change management and business process initiatives to achieve growth objectives for multi-billion-dollar revenue organizations in various industries, including strategic consulting, automotive, and heavy machinery manufacturing.

As CSO, Chadha will develop, implement, and oversee Brown and Caldwell’s strategic direction. He will work closely with company leadership to ensure the employee-owned firm is well-positioned to sustain its measured growth and build on its reputation as a water and environmental market leader. In addition to strategy, he will direct business transformation, change management, mergers and acquisitions, and communications initiatives.

Brown and Caldwell CEO Rich D’Amato commented on Patil’s impact and Chadha’s appointment:

“We congratulate Jay on his retirement and thank him for dedicating the last 18 years of his career to shaping Brown and Caldwell’s growth and sales strategies. He has been instrumental in transforming our business model to deliver sustained double-digit growth. In Ravi, I am delighted to welcome an accomplished, results-driven leader who brings deep experience in varying sectors, which will help us continue to innovate and find new ways to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients and communities.”

Based in Chicago, Chadha holds an MBA, a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, and advanced certifications in sustainability leadership and organizational change management.

The enhanced interoperability between the Leica MC1 3D machine control solution and Caterpillar’s NGH sensors offers various benefits for construction professionals and operators. Unlike traditional solutions that require sensor replacements, this technical solution allows the Leica MC1 software to work in harmony with the existing Cat Grade 2D Assist system without any additional hardware modifications. It results in a more seamless and simplified installation, minimising downtime.  

Cat Grade 2D Assist in combination with Leica MC1 3D

While the Cat Grade 2D Assist system excels in accurate grading and levelling in two dimensions (horizontal plane), the Leica MC1 3D machine control system extends this functionality into the vertical plane. With 3D machine control, operators can now create, cut, and verify designs not only horizontally but also at various depths and slopes.

This capability ensures precise and efficient earthmoving and construction tasks, transforming grading and excavation. Complex grading tasks, such as shaping surfaces with varying slopes or creating intricate contours, can now be completed with unparalleled accuracy, reducing the need for costly rework.

Marcel Schleiss, owner of Schleiss AG in Switzerland, who has already benefited from this offer, shared his experience using the technology on the company’s latest earthwork project: “We have eagerly anticipated this new compatibility offer for some time. We are delighted to collaborate with top-notch suppliers of construction technology, as well as with the exceptionally supportive teams at both Leica Geosystems and the Cat dealer, Avesco.”

“As an excavator operator, I’ve experienced first-hand how the combination of Cat Grade 2D Assist and Leica MC1 3D machine control empowers us to deliver superior results.” said Fabian Stadelmann, excavator operator at Schleiss AG. “It not only optimises our productivity but also minimises material waste, ultimately contributing to more cost-effective and successful construction projects.” Leica Geosystems remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology in the construction and earthmoving sector to increase interoperability, providing customers with cutting-edge solutions that enhance productivity, precision, and overall project success.

The Leica MC1 3D machine control system is available now through authorised Leica Geosystems dealers. Customers can inquire about minimum compatibility requirements for 3D machine control solutions for Caterpillar Next Gen 2D excavators at their local Cat dealer. 

Additional information on the Leica MC1 3D machine control solution and Cat NGH compatibility is available here.

“As our industry’s marquee training and networking event, we are excited to bring together industry personnel from across the country,” says Steve Hoesing, ACPA Chairman of the Board from ACPA member company, County Materials. “Not only does the school continue to see growth in size, but it also continues to grow in quality and scope. This is setting up to be our most complete and robust Pipe School yet.”

Pipe School 2024 will offer attendees more than 70 courses over four days on topics such as resilience, sustainability, installation, inspection, repair, design, production, quality, and engineering. Additionally, there will be panel discussions, presentations on pressing transportation issues, and DOT leaders sharing case studies from across the country. A tour of Rinker Materials Grand Prairie plant is also available on Wednesday morning. During the school, attendees can network with the speakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure they have vital information for their decision-making process. More than 15 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are available to each attendee.

“Building off the growth and momentum of last year’s tremendous Pipe School, the 2024 event will be even more dynamic with new presentations, activities, and a special keynote speaker to be announced,” says Aimee Connerton, ACPA Education Committee Chair. “Every year we improve our offerings to ensure our attending members gain a deeper understanding of the product and the industry, but also to respond to broader audience needs. We welcome all industry personnel, including contractors, engineers, consultants, DOTs, and other transportation agencies, as we are confident they will gain knowledge and insights they cannot find anywhere else.”

This year, the ACPA will also host its first RCPix Photo Contest. The contest is open to anyone in the industry and allows participants to submit photos of concrete pipe or precast box culverts. Submitted photos are to include concrete pipe or box culverts at any point in the product life cycle and winners will be selected from a variety of different categories. Photos must be submitted by December 15th, 2023, and winners will be announced at the 2024 Pipe School. Visit pipeschool.org/photo to learn more.

Streaming Opportunities

The first day of the 2024 event will be available for streaming, an option previously only available to transportation agency professionals. Starting with the Opening Ceremonies, online participants will be able to hear the keynote speaker, along with a presentation from LinkedIn influencer, Don McNutt (known for his #McMinute), and an industry panel. Streaming on subsequent days will be made available in the Transportation Forum and only to transportation agency professionals (i.e. DOTs, municipalities, public works, etc.). The streaming option is free of charge.

The Transportation Forum will cover topics such as bridge replacements, deep fill boxes, fish passages, design and installation, and various industry panels all with transportation official presenters from around the country. The streaming option allows transportation professionals to engage virtually and have the exclusive option of attending Pipe School sessions online.

In conjunction with the Pipe School, the ACPA will host the 2024 Pipe Show, a three-day trade show that connects producers with vendors and partners. The show is open to all Pipe School attendees and takes place concurrently with Pipe School 2024 within the Embassy Suites from January 29th – January 31st. This year’s Pipe Show will conclude with a casino night for attendees.

For more information on Pipe School 2024, including how to register, visit pipeschool.org.

About the American Concrete Pipe Association
The American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) is the spokesperson for the concrete pipe industry in all matters affecting the industry’s welfare. ACPA members contribute to the improvement of our environment by producing quality concrete pipe, engineered to provide a lasting and economical solution to drainage and pollution problems. For more information, visit https://www.concretepipe.org/.

Packaging waste has emerged as a significant challenge within the built environment industry, contributing to economic and environmental concerns. This report addresses these critical challenges and whilst focusing on the housebuilding sector, known for its substantial packaging demands, its insights extend beyond and are relevant for wider construction, facilities management, infrastructure, and more. 

Ten School Partners have collaborated to co-fund this project, with a total of over 30 organisations joining forces to make this report possible. It encompasses real-world, actionable examples of packaging optimisation, including source elimination, reuse strategies, and optimal recycling conditions. It covers various packaging types, offering a comprehensive guide to implementing effective change.

Importantly, the report sheds light on the policy challenges that organisations dealing with significant packaging volumes are likely to encounter. It addresses key concerns such as the Plastic Packaging Tax and Extended Producer Responsibility, providing essential insights for navigating regulatory landscapes.

Key highlights of the report:

• Real-world examples of successful packaging optimisation strategies
• Insights into source elimination, reuse, and recycling optimisation
• Coverage of major packaging types and their optimisation potential
• Examination of common barriers to change and ongoing trials to overcome them
• Analysis of policy challenges faced by organisations dealing with substantial packaging volumes

Packaging remains a substantial cost and environmental burden for businesses. The UK construction industry alone generates around 55,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, with an estimated 35,000 tonnes originating from packaging. Less than half of this plastic packaging is recycled, reinforcing the urgency of effective solutions.

Matt Nichols, Regional Director at Reconomy and Chair of the School’s Waste and Resource Use Leadership Group, said: “Packaging and the waste created by its treatment remains a major contributor to cost and carbon across the entire built environment.  Our Housebuilding sector is not alone in experiencing major challenges to address this problem, so this opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the industry whilst drawing upon insights from so many expert stakeholders within the School partnership could not be missed.  This project report contains content applicable not just for Housebuilding, but for anyone interested in optimising and reducing the endless flow of packaging arriving at project sites every day. I cannot recommend it enough”.

Mark Turner, Waste and Resource Management lead for the Supply Chain Sustainability School, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the report: “This has been a brilliant opportunity to help deliver our School mission to enable a sustainable built environment through knowledge and collaboration. We have worked closely alongside four of the UK’s largest Housebuilders and in total over 30 leading organisations within the built environment to produce this report. Insights from the Housebuilders, their suppliers, product manufacturers, along with waste management and policy experts have provided a window into the opportunities for packaging optimisation. Most crucially, all of these organisations have entered into the spirit of open collaboration, providing solutions and practical examples for others to follow. We can only thank them.”

To access the full report and contribute to sustainable packaging practices in the housebuilding sector and the broader built environment, read the full report here.

The full report is available on the Supply Chain Sustainability School. Anyone can sign up for a free account to gain access.

Kristin Ackerman joined T&H as a Designer in the Civil Department. Kristin earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Georgia Southern University. She brings previous experience working in the construction industry as a field and office engineer. As a Designer, Kristin’s role is to help prepare construction plans, specifications, and reports for water, sewer, road, and storm drainage infrastructure projects throughout southeast Georgia. 

Roni Dos Santos joined T&H as a 3D Visualization Artist in the Civil Department. Roni is originally from Brazil, where he founded and owned an Arch Viz studio for many years. He has a graphic design degree from Instituto Federal Fluminese in Campos, Rio de Janeiro, and an Interior Designer Certificate from Universidade Gama Filho in Rio De Janeiro. Roni began his career after studying building design in high school and has several years of experience producing 3D renderings and animations for real estate, architecture, and engineering firms in Brazil and the United States. Roni is a decorated visualization artist recognized for involvement in acclaimed projects by the American Architecture Awards and Architect of The Year Awards. As a 3D Visualization Specialist at T&H, Roni will support the graphics department in improving 3D renderings and animations. To achieve this objective, he will focus on incorporating Autodesk’s 3DMax software into the 3D workflow. Additionally, Roni will assist in creating 2D renderings. He is working on 3D renderings for industrial projects across the Eastern US and enhancing T&H’s drone video footage and 3D model syndication firmwide.

Corina Fluker joined T&H as a Designer in the Environmental Department. Corina recently graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a minor in Spanish. Corina is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and the Ogeechee River Keeper. Her previous environmental and risk management internship experience will be an asset in her new role. As a Designer, Corina’s responsibilities will include preparing construction plans, specifications, reports, studies, supporting documentation, cost estimates, and permit applications for infrastructure projects in Bryan County, the City of Tybee, and the City of Springfield. 

Ashley MacDonald joined T&H as a Designer in the Environmental Department. Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, Ashley obtained her degree in environmental engineering from Clemson University. Before studying at Clemson, Ashley served in the U.S. Army for five years as an intelligence analyst. She is a certified volunteer for the SC Adopt-a-stream program. As a Designer, Ashley will assist in preparing construction plans, specifications, cost analysis, and permit applications for various water/wastewater projects. She assists with the North Bryan County, GA, Sewer, and Water Master Plan.

Rob McCall joined T&H as a Project Manager in the Transportation Department. Rob joins T&H with over 30 years of experience with the Georgia Department of Transportation and as a private-sector transportation engineer. He served as District Engineer for GDOT District 5, which is comprised of 26 counties in Southeast Georgia. He is well versed in maintenance, traffic operations, construction, and state aid offices of GDOT. As a Project Manager, Rob will assist in expanding the Savannah Transportation Department’s service capabilities to better serve clients throughout Coastal Georgia. Rob graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in civil engineering technology.

Alex Umberg joined T&H as a Designer in the Transportation Department. Alex recently earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Clemson University. He has previous internship experience in construction materials testing and geotechnical engineering. Alex also recently became a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. As a Designer, Alex will create construction drawings, calculations, layouts, and exhibits that adhere to local, state, and federal guidelines for designing roadway alignments, typical sections, and drainage. With T&H, he has worked on roadway and pedestrian improvement projects in Bryan and Chatham County.

Will Webb joined T&H as a Designer in the Civil Department. Will recently earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Georgia Southern University and was a member of the Honors College. He returns to Thomas & Hutton following an internship in the Civil Department last summer. As a Designer, Will’s role is to help prepare construction plans, specifications, and reports for water, sewer, road, and storm drainage infrastructure projects. These projects are geared towards industrial and economic development throughout Georgia.

ABOUT THOMAS & HUTTON:

Thomas & Hutton celebrates over 75 years of creating transformative communities. Founded in 1946, Thomas & Hutton is a privately held professional services company providing consulting, planning, and engineering design services related to land and infrastructure.  Thomas & Hutton is located in ten regions throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

In his new role, Ellis will work closely with Stewart’s executive leadership team to achieve short- and long-term goals and support overall business operations. His extensive experience in building client relationships and fostering inclusive company culture closely aligns with Stewart’s core philosophy of servant leadership.   

“Stewart’s people, culture and approach have always set it apart, and this is a particularly exciting time to join the firm,” said Ellis. “We are continuing to evolve our services across the Southeast, and I look forward to working closely with the entire Stewart team as we embark on this next chapter.” 

Prior to joining Stewart, Ellis was the senior vice president of TranSystems, a Kansas City-based firm that plans, designs and oversees construction to enhance the transportation networks and infrastructure that make communities more livable. He formerly served on SEPI’s executive leadership team as president, developing actionable strategies to improve operations, develop markets, grow revenue and improve profitability. Ellis also spent 21 years at Kimley-Horn and Associates, one of the nation’s largest engineering, planning and design consultants. During his tenure, he served as chief financial officer and senior vice president, spearheading the firm’s significant national growth and market expansion. 

“Nick knows the AEC business and industry at the local, regional and national level, and he has a proven track record of propelling respected organizations to national prominence,” said Willy Stewart, CEO and founder of Stewart. “Beyond his impressive professional credentials, Nick also embodies our THREAD values of trust, humility, respect, excellence, accountability and discipline that continue to guide our success.” 

In addition to his extensive leadership experience, Ellis currently serves as chairman on the Executive Board for Living with Autism – a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization he co-founded in 2010 that provides services for adults with a range of developmental disabilities. He also serves as chair of the Audit and Investment Committee for Catapult, an organization dedicated to providing human resources advisory services across a variety of industries.  

For more information about Stewart, career opportunities and open positions, visit www.stewartinc.com/lifeatstewart/careers.  

About Stewart 

Stewart is located throughout the Carolinas, comprising nearly 200 employees with eight office locations. With a unique interdisciplinary collaborative approach that results in stronger and more creative design solutions, Stewart serves domestic and international clientele, offering a full range of services to meet the needs of its clients, including: 

• Civil Engineering 
• Community Planning 
• Geomatics 
• Geotechnical & Construction Services 
• Landscape Architecture 
• Structural Engineering 
• Transportation

Founded in 1994 by Willy E. Stewart, PE, the firm is owned by a select group of professionals who are personally involved in our clients’ success. Stewart has developed a rich culture of servant leadership, summarized by the acronym, THREAD: Trust, Humility, Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Discipline. These core values are at the heart of how we work with each other, our clients, our partners, and our community. THREAD has evolved into a curriculum that is taught to employees through our THREAD Institute. 

The company has been recognized multiple times as a Best Place to Work in the Triangle and Charlotte markets by American City Business Journals. Engineering News-Record has nationally recognized Stewart as a Top 500 Design Firm since 2019. For more information, visit www.stewartinc.com or follow Stewart on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.  

The $3,500 scholarship is awarded to students whose course study is related to concrete pipe production, application, installation, or research.  Students participating in, or planning to attend, a technical program, community college, or university are eligible.  Winners of the scholarship are also qualified to participate in the ACPA’s 2024 Pipe School where they will gain industry insights from seasoned professionals, uncover industry insights, and leverage tremendous networking opportunities.

“Our founder, Jesse Besser, taught us the importance of investing in the people who will do the hard work necessary to bring innovation and stability to our industry,” says Besser’s Vice President of Pipe & Precast, Scott Kennedy.  “Offering the Besser Scholarship is one way we celebrate his foresight and secure the future of our industry.  We know firsthand that attracting talent to our industry is crucial; it allows us to investigate and incorporate fresh ideas which will ultimately improve the concrete pipe and box culverts that are essential for solid infrastructure that will serve countless generations of global citizens.”

The scholarship was originally established in 2016 in recognition of the ACPA’s Concrete Pipe Week with the intention of investing in talented and energetic students who have an interest in joining and advancing the industry forward.

“As part of the ACPA Foundation’s Mission, we are proud to partner with Besser and offer this scholarship to students wanting to make an impact,” comments ACPA Foundation’s Vice President, Margarita Takou, Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP.  “Every year we are amazed at the number of talented individuals looking to join our industry and make an impact when they do.  Any student, whether they are planning on going into production, engineering, sales, procurement, or research, is encouraged to apply as there are so many ways you can make an impact in the concrete pipe and box industry.”

Applications for the scholarship are due at midnight on October 30^th, 2023.

To learn more about the scholarship, visit concretepipe.org/scholarship

About the American Concrete Pipe Association

The American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) is the spokesperson for the concrete pipe industry in all matters affecting the industry’s welfare. ACPA members contribute to the improvement of our environment by producing quality concrete pipe, engineered to provide a lasting and economical solution to drainage and pollution problems. For more information, visit www.concretepipe.org

Building on more than a century of accomplishments from brands such as SNC-Lavalin, Atkins, Faithful+Gould, DTS and Atkins Acuity, AtkinsRéalis brings the whole organization together under one single brand and represents a major milestone in the Company’s transformation journey. Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, AtkinsRéalis combines the expertise of its 36,000 employees across markets and regions to deliver end-to-end solutions in the built and natural environments. 

“AtkinsRéalis is a new name for a new transformed company: our ability to draw upon such breadth and depth of global capabilities will maximize our ability to work seamlessly and provide one integrated offering for our clients and partners. Everything starts with our people; they care about each other, this Company and most importantly, they care about the work we do and believe in our purpose to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. I could not be prouder of our team’s dedication to the success of this Company”, said Ian L. Edwards, President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis.  

“In recent years, we have deliberately repositioned the Company. We exited those parts of the business that were not profitable or aligned with our strategy; corrected underlying issues affecting our performance; doubled down on high-growth global markets; embraced digital transformation; and most importantly, redefined our purpose and strengthened our culture. We have reached an inflection point so now is the right time to rebrand to AtkinsRéalis and reflect the exciting future ahead of us”, added Mr. Edwards.  

The name AtkinsRéalis is a coined term that combines Atkins, a legacy brand that is well-established across the Company’s international markets, and “Réalis,” inspired by the city of Montréal and the Company’s French-Canadian roots. “Réalis” also resembles the verb “to realize” or “to make happen” which emphasizes our focus on outcomes and project delivery.   

As of September 13, the Company’s new brand and associated visual identity will be used on all communications materials. The Company’s common shares will begin trading on the TSX under the new ticker symbol (TSX: ATRL) prior to market open on September 18, 2023. SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. will not change its legal name until the Company obtains shareholder approval, as required by law, at its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.   

Dr. Andy Robinson, President and COO of Standard Lithium, commented, “The land purchase demonstrates our commitment to advancing and de-risking the South West Arkansas Project. The land, which lies to the south west of the SWA Project’s brine lease footprint, is ideally located close to a paved highway, robust regional infrastructure and a skilled workforce. This acquisition adds to our existing land options in the Project area and provides us with added design flexibility as we progress the Project to the Definitive Feasibility and FEED phase.”

Figure 1: Overview of South West Arkansas Project and Land Purchase

The 118-acre parcel is located in Lafayette County, Arkansas near state highway 29 which historically has been used to access logging operations. A portion of the property has previously been logged and the remainder of the harvestable timber will be removed before the end of the year by the previous owner.

Figure 2: 118-acre Land Purchase Bird’s Eye View

About the South West Arkansas Project

The South West Arkansas Project is located approximately 15 miles west of the City of Magnolia in southwestern Arkansas. The SWA Project’s Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.4 Mt and 0.4 Mt lithium carbonate equivalent, respectively, has some of the highest reported lithium brine concentrations in North America, averaging above 400 mg/L. The recently announced results of a Preliminary Feasibility Study demonstrate robust economics (see press release dated 8 August 2023), assuming production of at least 30,000 tonnes per year of battery-quality lithium hydroxide beginning in 2027. Currently, the Project contemplates 91 full-time equivalent employees upon reaching commercial production.

The Company anticipates completing a FEED and Definitive Feasibility Study for the SWA Project in 2024 and beginning construction in 2025. The SWA Project is expected to reach commercial production in 2027, subject to continuing project definition, due diligence, project financing and receipt of future feasibility studies.

• Project observations and insights from the architect, construction team and local officials, including advice to architecture students.
• Specific needs and challenges for the unique facility, including addressing neighbors’ concerns, a tight budget and the desire to create an inviting yet practical space.
• Photos, drawings and design graphics that highlight important aspects of the project.

 
MBMA’s previous publications in the Architectural Significance in Metal Buildings series spotlight the Alamo Beer Company in San Antonio; the Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts; the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex in Los Angeles; the Haulover Marine Center in North Miami Beach, Florida; the Jacksonville University Basketball Performance Center in Jacksonville, Florida; and the Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy, Ohio.

In her new executive leadership role, Gagnier is accountable for the strategic direction, development and management of all HSEQ frameworks, metrics and reporting standards in the U.S. region.

“Jennifer plays a pivotal role in bolstering our unwavering commitment to delivering a consistently high level of excellence for our clients,” said Lou Cornell, president and CEO of WSP in the U.S. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role and is an integral part of WSP’s dedicated efforts to ensure and maintain a best-in-class HSEQ culture throughout our business operations.”

With more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of HSE programs, Gagnier benefits from a strong background from several industries — including healthcare, aviation, water, civil, justice, manufacturing environment and construction. Her experience also includes planning, design, construction management, program management, design build, operations and maintenance projects.

“I’m ready to work with our amazing team at WSP and collaborate with our clients to help set the firm’s standards and strategic direction of HSEQ,” Gagnier said. “The number one goal is to build a robust culture that leads to continuous HSEQ performance. To accomplish that, it means benchmarking best practices and establishing strong relationships — internally and externally.”

Gagnier, who previously served as an HSE senior director for a global engineering firm, will provide expert counsel to diverse stakeholders and work together with senior leaders while establishing WSP as a leader in HSEQ.

Gagnier is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, and she is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals and Women in Safety Engineering.

About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 16,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com

“Matt brings a wealth of experience to our firm,” said RS&H Vice President and Professional Practice Leader Don Glenn, PE. “We are excited to see him utilize this experience to serve our clients best and elevate our team.”

Chynoweth noted his connection with and appreciation of the firm’s leadership and an alignment of RS&H’s values with his own, specifically the firm’s people-driven approach. Chynoweth will provide strategic direction and leadership in his role, grow the firm’s technical experience and serve as a project director for strategic projects and pursuits.

“RS&H’s commitment to integrity and care presents the perfect opportunity to use my skills and experience to solve our client’s greatest challenges,” Chynoweth said. “I am excited to begin a journey with RS&H and continue the company’s track record of excellence.”

Chynoweth brings over 22 years of bridge experience, including structural analysis, design, detailing, constructability and technical reviews. As former chief bridge engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), he’s worked on cable-supported bridges, concrete segmental bridges, arch bridges and other complex structures, along with commissioning the MDOT Bureau of Bridges and Structures. He earned the American Segmental Bridge Institute (ASBI) Leadership Award in 2020 for his career contributions to the industry and received an AASHTO Sweet Sixteen Research award for his work in CFRP Prestressing/Post-Tensioning of Concrete Bridge Elements.

“Matt’s experience and sterling reputation throughout our industry make him the perfect candidate for this role,” said RS&H National Operations Leader for Infrastructure Planning and Design Rodney L. Bishop Jr., PE. “We are excited to see where he will lead our bridge teams as they deliver incredible projects for our clients.”  
Chynoweth holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from Wayne State University. He also teaches graduate bridge design/engineering courses as an adjunct professor for the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Lawrence Technological University.

Biome’s expertise includes consulting on thousands of private development projects, from single family residential through commercial and residential development, as well as government and industrial work. Biome also pioneered the mitigation banking industry in North Florida, which helps to preserve and restore wetlands, natural habitats, and streams so that there is no net loss to the environment during a construction project.

“As advocates for sustainable design, UES is committed to providing environmentally sound solutions that benefit both the communities and clients we serve,” said UES CEO Dave Witsken. “Biome’s expertise in ecological services will allow us to further advance our goals to better serve our clients.”

Biome joins the North Florida region of UES, led by Rick Kushner, P.E. Biome’s leadership team will continue to operate the day-to-day business. “The acquisition of Biome further expands our ecological and environmental services of our region, and we are excited to add their expert staff to Team UES,” said Kushner, P.E., president of the North Florida region.

One of Biome’s founding partners, Glen Miley notes, “We have collaborated with UES professionals for years and have the highest admiration and respect for them. The opportunity to join forces with UES brings us great joy, but also brings to fruition objectives integral to Biome’s strategic plan.”

With nearly six decades of experience and recognition as the premier engineering and consulting firm in the geotechnical engineering space, UES is well-positioned to serve the needs of commercial, residential, and civic customers across the country. Beginning in 2019, UES’ acquisitions have included prominent engineering firms including: Universal Engineering Sciences, GFA International, Inc., NOVA Geotechnical & Inspection Services, Contour Engineering, Wallace-Kuhl & Associates, Construction Testing & Engineering, SUMMIT Engineering, Laboratory & Testing, GEOServices, McGinley & Associates, Geotechnology, Alpha Testing, GSI Engineering, Speedie & Associates, Rock Engineering Testing & Laboratory, Dan Brown and Associates, Carmichael Engineering, Faulkner Engineering Services, Grubbs, Hoskyn, Barton & Wyatt, Riner Engineering, GEO Solutions and now Biome Consulting Group, which have made UES one of the largest, most resource-rich organizations of its kind nationwide.

In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the field of supply chain sustainability, with sustainable procurement garnering global awareness. However, although numerous organisations are taking action to become more sustainable themselves, they often fall short in extending this to their supply chains.  

In response to this, Action Sustainability has published a ‘Sustainable Procurement Progress Report 2023’, drawing from their evaluations of various organisations against the ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement Standard. 

Findings in this report indicate that, while organisations that invest in sustainable procurement have some level of sustainability embedded in their procurement activities, more progress needs to be made for this to be perceived as business-as-usual and to fully realise all benefits. The report provides valuable insights to organisations aiming to start embedding sustainability into procurement practices, as well as those seeking to further develop their existing approaches. 

Key highlights from the report: 

• In-depth analysis of the current sustainable procurement landscape across industries, with a specific focus on construction, train operating companies and utilities. 
• Real-world case studies from various organisations sharing their sustainable procurement journeys, including the challenges they have faced and the opportunities they have seized. 
• Best practices and actionable recommendations to help organisations realistically achieve sustainable procurement goals. 

Central to the report’s vision is the need to embed sustainable procurement across each spending area and continually seek improvement. It advocates for a collaborative approach, emphasising communication, knowledge-sharing and partnership throughout the value chain as key to shaping a more sustainable future. 

Shaun McCarthy OBE, Director of Action Sustainability, said: “This report provides useful case studies and advice from some of the numerous people we have worked with over the years. We have not taken a scattergun approach to this work, reporting on sectors based on flimsy research, we have focused on those sectors where we have comprehensive, hands-on experience and insight. It is not a complete overview of sustainable procurement; it is our attempt to share what we really know.” 

Dale Turner, Head of Procurement & Supply Chain at Skanska, added: “Over the last 10 years, there has been greater alignment between our customers and extended supply chain. The hierarchy of the relationships are aimed at encouraging collaboration and achieving more value together.  A sustainable procurement approach also drives a more diverse supply chain which helps to manage risk and understand where innovation can be applied down the tiers of the supply chain to make our projects more efficient and productive.” 

To access the complete report and gain an in-depth understanding of the sustainable procurement landscape, visit Action Sustainability’s website here. 

“The research generated through AISI’s Small Project/Fellowship Program has significantly advanced the understanding of cold-formed steel behavior and established improved design methods for a variety of cold-formed steel applications,” said Jay Larson, P.E., F.ASCE, managing director of AISI’s Construction Technical Program. “These findings have been incorporated into recent AISI design standards. The program has also helped to transition several talented cold-formed steel research students into successful research professionals who are continuing to contribute to our understanding of cold-formed steel behavior.”

The small project and fellowship requests should be developed and submitted by a project team that includes a student (if known at the time of submittal), an academic advisor from the student’s academic institution and an industry advisor. Either the academic advisor or industry advisor must be a member of the relevant AISI standards development committee. Project selections are based on several factors, including: 1) the potential for long-term impact on the industry, 2) steel industry engagement and co-funding, and 3) results for the AISI standards development committees, the student and the academic institution.

AISI funding is limited to $25,000 on small projects, which include stated deliverables; and $25,000 on individual fellowships, which do not include overhead expenses. Project ideas may be generated by the AISI standards development committee, industry advisor, academic advisor or student. A list of potential project ideas is available from Helen Chen, manager of AISI Construction Standards Development, who can be reached at hchen@steel.org.

Proposals for the 2024 Small Project/Fellowship Program are due to AISI by October 31, 2023. Requests should be submitted via e-mail to Jay Larson, secretary of the AISI Standards Council, at jlarson@steel.org. Winning projects are expected to be determined and announced by the AISI Standards Council by January 15, 2024.

The past 10 years (2014-2023) of this successful program have allowed AISI member companies to leverage their investment of $260,000 with an additional $93,700 investment by partner associations to support 41 small projects and fellowships involving 41 students, 12 academic institutions, 14 academic advisors, 32 industry advisors, and 12 AISI standards development subcommittees. Research reports detailing the projects and their results are available for free download from the AISI Design Resources section of www.buildusingsteel.org.

AISI’s Standards Council initiates cold-formed steel standards development projects and maintains accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). AISI has a long history of supporting academic research in pursuit of its standards development objectives. These efforts have generally been driven by the AISI standards development committees and have focused on stakeholder objectives. AISI understands that the effective engagement of academics and students is mutually beneficial and often yields maximum benefits for the industry.

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, and associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s websites at www.steel.org and www.buildusingsteel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel, @BuildUsingSteel) or Instagram.

“We are excited to unite Bergmann under the Colliers Engineering & Design brand,” said Kevin L. Haney, PE, President and CEO of Colliers Engineering & Design. “By combining Bergmann’s best-in-class service offerings under our nationally recognized brand and service platform, we are able to leverage our resources and enhance client experience and will exceed client expectations in the years to come.”

“We are thrilled to officially be working under the Colliers Engineering & Design brand,” said Andrew Raus, AICP Division Director, Buildings. “This new structure establishes us as a dynamic E/A firm that can serve our clients across a broader geography and with a complete suite of design services.” 

According to Richard Chelotti, PE, Division Director, Infrastructure, “We are excited about the new opportunities this partnership brings for our people and our clients, and look forward to accelerating success, together.”

As part of CED, Bergmann’s senior leadership team has become significant shareholders of the combined entity and continues to oversee operations under CED’s unique partnership model.

In his new role as director, Mortensen will lead the division’s site planners, civil engineers and landscape architects who work on projects across the United States in retail/commercial, mixed use, industrial, senior living, health care, residential, hospitality/entertainment, higher education and K-12, and office. He will work closely with team members who work out of raSmith’s Wisconsin, Illinois, and California offices as well as future hires who may be located in other areas of the United States. Mortensen will continue to work directly with several clients with whom he has established close working relationships.

Mortensen has more than 16 years of experience in land development including due diligence, planning, design, grant procurement, permitting and construction administration on various types of projects including parks, health care, hospitality, education and athletics, retail and mixed use, and commercial. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and is licensed as a professional engineer in Wisconsin.

About raSmith

raSmith is a multi-disciplinary engineering consultant established in the city of Brookfield, Wisconsin, in 1978. Our services are focused on our public and private sector client needs in planning, design, and construction including site planning and design, structural engineering, municipal engineering, transportation and traffic, surveying, development management, ecology, landscape architecture, LiDAR (3D laser scanning), UAS (unmanned aircraft systems), construction services, and geographic information systems (GIS). We work on projects nationwide from our seven locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and California. The firm employs a staff of 220. For more information about raSmith, visit www.rasmith.com.

“Supplement 3 includes many significant changes and additions to the North American Specification,” said Jay Larson, P.E., F.ASCE, managing director of AISI’s Construction Technical Program. “AISI created these design examples to assist engineers in understanding those changes, to aid programmers in including them in updates to their software, and to demonstrate to designers how to incorporate them into future projects.” He noted that the Smath Studio software required to access the design examples is free of charge to use.

The changes in Supplement 3 will be included in the next edition of AISI S100, which is expected to be published in 2024 and adopted in the 2027 edition of the ICC model building codes. The list of the changes in Supplement 3 is included in the Preface to AISI S100-16(2020) w/S3-22, which can be downloaded free of charge from the AISI Design Resources section at http://www.buildusingsteel.org or directly at https://ow.ly/hI1s50PF9ti.

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, and associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s websites at www.steel.org and www.buildusingsteel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel), @BuildUsingSteel or Instagram.      

In her new role, Yockey will work closely with HDR’s Transportation Building Information Modeling Program Manager Alexa Mitchell and the digital delivery advisory team to guide local, state and national transportation agencies across the United States as they transition their organizations to reap the benefits of the latest digital design technology. Her work will include developing digital delivery standards, as well as strategic planning for enterprise implementation of digital delivery to national and state applied research projects related to digital delivery. 

“Each DOT has the thankless and unending challenge of maintaining thousands of miles of roadway and tens of thousands of associated assets, all of which are aging, while facing tight budgets and a shrinking workforce,” Yockey said. “Implementing digital delivery and information modeling is an opportunity to utilize a data-oriented process that provides time saving automations and better information hand-offs, freeing people to focus on problem solving instead of repetitive and redundant tasks.”

Yockey began her career as a structures engineer working on the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, followed by other bridge and culvert projects for state Departments of Transportation and local agencies. In recent years, she has focused on advancing public agency capabilities in computer-aided design, modeling and digital delivery for bridge design. 

HDR’s digital delivery advisory team has aided numerous clients shifting to digital-first processes, including The Federal Highway Administration, The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, state Departments of Transportation and local public agencies. 

“Marcia will be an invaluable national resource as we pursue new advisory opportunities in digital delivery,” Mitchell said. “Our clients are looking to our teams for guidance on how to leverage the latest modeling and design tools to advance their project delivery while minimizing risk across their organizations.”

Perhaps the words Silvia Dalla Valle, Stone Italiana’s Marketing Director, chose for her introduction to the third edition of the Sustainability Report are the best summary of how last year went for Stone Italiana on an economic, social and environmental level. It was a complex year to face, one marked by the continuing geopolitical crisis and an ever more demanding market. Nonetheless, the Italian Company posted a 7% increase in net profits compared with 2021 and a 21% reduction in direct CO₂ emissions.

These are encouraging figures that echo the significant results it has attained in terms of its commitment to the environment, reducing the consumption of paper for waybills by 62% (compared with 2020), consolidating the figure of 11% recycled base materials out of the total purchased and increasing the percentage of recovered waste to 83%.

“While it is true that responsibility has been part of the Company DNA since it was founded in 1979,” continues Dalla Valle, “it can’t be denied that Stone Italiana is now committed to a more conscious way of doing business, by planning precise objectives on a large scale, objectives which go far beyond the simple manufacture of eco-friendly products. In the last two years, we have undertaken initiatives to improve our sustainability process, from the environment – with a growing focus on responsible consumption, recycling and limiting emissions – to social welfare and economic sustainability, which allows us to face our challenges and create value.”

The international launch of Cosmolite®, Stone Italiana’s unique, high-performance New Materia made 100% from recycled minerals, forms part of this drive. The formulas employed for the different collections contain varying amounts and grain sizes of mineral oxides, but are linked by a common thread: their low crystalline-silica content. The minerals are sourced locally in Italy, leading to the additional advantage of reducing energy consumption and transport costs. The resin used to bind the grains together is made using plant-based ingredients.

The fruit of years of research and experimentation, Cosmolite® has become the symbol of the future for Stone Italiana. It’s a bright new opportunity for designers who, whether following their own consciences or because they know it enhances the value of a product, seek out green solutions.

“For the past three years” explains Paola Dalla Valle, Chief Sustainability Officer at Stone Italiana, “drafting the Report has meant taking stock in order to see clearly which goals we have achieved and the areas we still have to work on. For us, the Report is always an exciting starting point and something we’re glad to share with all our stakeholders. What’s more, I strongly believe that being sustainable means first and foremost ensuring that we continue to do business in the best possible way for our partners, our staff, the local area and the environment at large.”

Stone Italiana’s increased focus on environmental welfare is flanked by a daily commitment to improve the Company’s worker welfare and safety practices, which includes performing periodical internal audits in order to assess and monitor all the various factors pertaining to risks in the workplace. 

In 2022, Stone Italiana’s Staff – counting five more members than the previous year – were able to enjoy a coffee allowance, the option to have lunch in the new staff canteen, and a new relaxation area designed for recreational activities and team building.

Lastly, the Company’s investments in cyber security and digitalization are continuing. As regards cyber security, Stone Italiana has decided to adopt major measures designed to augment the levels of protection of its own and third-party data, while the digital transformation process has seen the adoption of a new MES (Manufacturing Execution System) designed to ensure product traceability, logistics management for base materials and monitoring of machine downtimes. This last measure will provide useful information about machinery performance and preventive maintenance operations.

Innovation and care for both the environment and social welfare are the main focuses of a structured, robust corporate agenda aimed at consolidating Stone Italiana’s position as a flagship for the sector. 

EPCM encompasses the coordinated management of the project’s design, procurement, construction, and administration, with construction and design happening in tandem to crash the project schedule while simultaneously realizing significant potential cost reductions. EPCM achieves this by commencing project construction while design is still in its early stages, enabling the team to tender and award project elements prior to completed full package of design documentation.

EPCM Risks: Is Faster Always Better?

For EPCM to succeed, however, owners need to understand the risks involved. These include:

• Communications:  Even if the of project stakeholders is limited, at the core of EPCM delivery is constant and open coordination between the client and the EPCM team. Without the free flow of knowledge, ideas, concerns and maintenance/operational experience, efficiency can decrease significantly.
• Costs: As the scope is likely to evolve and change across the design and construction phases, EPCM projects can expect additional engineering costs as work progresses. Nevertheless, these additional costs are still significantly less than making changes during execution. The key to addressing this risk is to define capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) at project commencement, and to understand that both CAPEX and OPEX will fluctuate in EPCM delivery., Summary of both stays at the defined level, and the contingencies are under Client control, not contractors. This is a major departure from traditional design-bid-build delivery where the team only sees lump sum costs with various contingencies and, of course, large margins. Frequently on these projects, the consequence of changes occurring late in the project lifecycle is the establishment of a mechanism to recover CAPEX with OPEX increases, and then wrongly calling it savings.
• Quality: The speed of EPCM delivery means quality assurance is a key challenge. A rigorous quality control approach executed as planned is necessary to mitigate this risk. However, EPCM offers its solution to this risk: outside of early works, such as enabling works foundations, or structure, EPCM allows more time for engineering core internal systems, like building MEP systems. Emphasizing quality during planning and commencement, then, can help mitigate this risk.
• Capacity and Expertise: Identifying the right contracting partners to realize the benefits of EPCM is paramount to ultimate success. Pre-qualifying subcontractors who understand EPCM and have the resources available to achieve the fast-tracked delivery process can help owners avoid this risk. Finding the right management partner who can oversee and administer multiple construction contracts concurrently is a challenge, undoubtedly, but once that partner is aboard, then the diversification advantages of EPCM can drive progress forward much more quickly than other delivery methods.

Finding the Right Partner

Choosing a qualified and experienced consultant to help realize the benefits of EPCM while mitigating the inherent risks can help industrial owners get their facilities up and running as quickly as possible at the lowest cost. Find the partner firm that best fits with your needs depends on many factors, but at a minimum, we recommend seeking out a project management company that brings:

• Recent, relevant engineering experience in the type of project you need to deliver.
• Experience in procurement on relevant markets
• Strong experience and capabilities in managing similar projects.
• The latest management methodologies to ensure a smooth and open collaboration among all involved stakeholders.
• A technology suite that facilitates communication through the dissemination of timely, accurate data and reporting.

No matter the size or scale of your project, a PM partner with these characteristics can add value to the process and guide you through the nuances and opportunities of EPCM.

Case Study: A New Greenfield Manufacturing Facility and EPCM

When executed correctly with the right team, EPCM can deliver impressive results. For example, in Poland, Hill International is providing EPCM support for multiple facilities for a leading materials technology client in Poland. The team’s EPCM work includes supporting the delivery of tree buildings, while CM support will encompass six additional facilities. All of the new facilities will include new systems, tie-ins, and related infrastructure. The project will build-out a large greenfield site and will ultimately employ approximately 400 people involved in materials technology manufacturing processes for a variety of products related to green energy.

Hill’s specific services include consultancy and permitting services, cost management, risk management, impact analyses, schedule management, construction quality inspection, budget and schedule monitoring, reporting, site management, commissioning, handover, and close-out, among others.

To date, EPCM has delivered several quantifiable benefits to this project, including:

• Flexibility to adapt to project needs as they occur.
• Updating and prioritizing tasks on critical path by changed production needs.
• Cost efficiency through the procurement of long lead items as well as choosing local contractors to execute works.
• On-time delivery.

The Path Forward: Is EPCM Right for You?

Choosing the EPCM delivery method is not an easy decision. Simply determining if your organization has the appetite for risk and the sophistication to realize the trade-offs of EPCM can be an involved process. We recommend working with a qualified project manager alongside your internal team to weigh the costs and benefits of EPCM long before any specific project is on the table. This can help educate your team on the options available and see what works best for your company and your project.

For those organizations with the need for an accelerated schedule and who are ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of EPCM, the process can be rewarding both in the short- and long-term, as the lessons learned and best practices garnered from your first EPCM success can be applied and evolved over your entire portfolio.

If your organization is planning a schedule-driven, cost-sensitive project, we encourage you to reach out to learn more about EPCM from our experts. Hill International, Inc. Operations Director Tomasz Karczewski has more than 20 years of professional management and engineering experience, primarily focused on the industrial sector. With a strategic mindset and a keen focus on achieving results he consistently leads teams to success while ensuring the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction. As Operations Director for the Industrial Sector in Europe at Hill, Tomasz is responsible for overseeing and managing complex projects in the industrial sector. He leads strategic initiatives, ensures efficient project delivery, and leads cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones and objectives.