Nine GAI Consultants employees graduate from Point Park University MBA program

In partnership with Point Park University in Pittsburgh, GAI Consultants (GAI) recently graduated its fourth on-site Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree class. The University’s corporate MBA was launched in the fall of 2009, with GAI among the first businesses in the Pittsburgh region to take advantage of the program.
        
GAI’s degree program was designed with employee needs in mind, with course topics and projects related to the firm’s business and industry. The accelerated, fully accredited MBA program is a cornerstone of GAI’s in-house leadership development initiative and is open to all GAI employees who meet the minimum requirements. Point Park University professors teach classes exclusively to GAI employees at the firm’s Pittsburgh office once a week, with telecasting via Skype for Business available for employees at other locations.

The current MBA class includes nine employees from four of the firm’s 25 offices:
o    Pittsburgh-based Todd Wilson, PE, senior project engineer
o    Indianapolis-based Michael Wenning, PE, transportation services director
o    Murrysville-based Alexandria Brunstad, project technical specialist; David Bevilacqua, assistant vice president; and Tim Lonas, project EIT
o    Orlando-based Peter Sechler, PLA, AICP, assistant vice president; Abner Serrano, senior EI; Aimee Shields, PE, senior engineering manager; and Jeffrey Tuell, PE,  engineering manager

Gary DeJidas, PE, MBA, CEO and board chairman, GAI Consultants remarks: “It gives me great pride to celebrate the successful graduation of GAI’s fourth MBA class. This unique partnership with Point Park University affords GAI staff a tremendous opportunity for career growth and personal achievement. Congratulations to each and every graduate for achieving this milestone.”

With offices throughout the eastern and midwestern United States, 60-year-old, GAI Consultants is an employee-owned company that delivers engineering, planning, and environmental expertise to energy, transportation, development, government, and industrial clients worldwide. For more information, visit www.gaiconsultants.com

Identified Technologies releases new drone mapping analytics capabilities

Pittburgh, PA-based Identified Technologies has announced a suite of new drone mapping features and services for its customers in the engineering, construction, energy, and mining sectors. The new features, which will be launched throughout 2018, include:

Haul Road Analysis - Allows the user to incorporate mapped haul roads into the orthomosaic they receive when flying their site by drone. This analysis will cover the slope and width of the road. 

Slope Maps - Enables a user to move a cursor over any point to see the exact slope for that location. It will show slopes by both degree and percent grade.

Plan IQ Camera View - Provides a livestream of what the camera sees when the drone is flying.  This is particularly valuable for maintaining continuous line of sight on the drone as it flies, as required by the FAA regulations.

Change Detection Tool Color Coding - Empowers users to change the colors in this tool so they can color code piles of different things and measure change accordingly.

Enterprise Site Permissions - Gives users more control over shared data, so they can customize the level of access and control they want to grant individual customers, contractors, and stakeholders.

DJI Inspire 2 Drone - Customers will receive upgrades to the new DJI Inspire 2 with their Identified Technologies subscription. The Inspire 2 has enhanced accuracy, robustness and obstacle sense and avoid (SAA) capabilities.

The most dramatic changes to Identified Technologies’ Site IQ software capabilities are the Haul Road Analysis and Slope Map features. For these quickly constructed and heavily trafficked dirt roads, steep slopes result in dramatic increases in gas consumption and costs, accelerated wear and tear on vehicles, or exacerbated hazards from ice and inclement weather.

Going from .02 % to .01% slope doubles the fuel efficiency of the vehicle traveling on it, as it is documented that a 10% change in slope can affect the fuel efficiency by 10%. Given this fuel efficiency, a single large piece of equipment on a less steep slope could save a company $400,000 in fuel over a three-year project.

Identified empowers companies with the ability to track progress on highways, well pads, mines, and landfills in near real-time. Identified’s integrated software and services takes care of everything from FAA compliance and flight planning to advanced analytics. Learn more at www.identifiedtech.com.

RETTEW purchases geophysics company Enviroscan

RETTEW has purchased Enviroscan based in Lancaster, PA. The transaction joins the specialized geophysics services of Enviroscan with RETTEW’s engineering, surveying, and environmental consulting business. Geophysics is the science of detecting and mapping underground or underwater hidden objects and features. Enviroscan specializes in non-destructive, non-intrusive investigations to make digging, drilling, or earthmoving faster, safer, easier, and less expensive. The geophysics services will integrate directly into RETTEW’s existing earth sciences services, which include geotechnical, environmental, water resources, and subsurface utility engineering investigations.

Formed in 1992, Enviroscan is a certified women-owned business enterprise. All employees, including principals and corporate owners, will work from RETTEW’s offices in Manor Township, Lancaster County, PA. Enviroscan will operate as the geophysics service area under the RETTEW brand name.

“This purchase aligns perfectly with RETTEW’s strategic plan and complements our niche technical expertise,” says Mark Lauriello, president and CEO of RETTEW. “The high quality of work and people at Enviroscan are also a good fit with RETTEW’s culture – we’re known for working hard and playing hard, and caring about our communities.”

RETTEW began providing civil engineering and surveying services in 1969. Today the firm has more than 350 employees and 11 offices in Allentown, Conshohocken, Lancaster, Mechanicsburg, Pittsburgh, State College and Williamsport, PA; St. Clairsville and Uniontown, Ohio; Bridgeport, WV; and Denver, CO. For more information, visit www.rettew.com.

New ASTM International geosynthetics standard supports erosion control

A new ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) International standard supports geosynthetic cementitious composite mats (GCCM), a new family of materials that can help control erosion, protect slopes and berms, and line ditches and culverts. The new standard (D8173) identifies proper layout, installation, and hydration procedures for GCCM. It also describes equipment for designers, inspectors, and installers and provides a checklist for contractors to use before installations.

“This standard provides details on fastening, overlapping, attachments, anchoring and other topics critical to good GCCM installation,” says ASTM International member John Paulson of Dison Contracting and Supply, LLC. “The new standard will help minimize or eliminate common mistakes that may be made by a first-time installer.” Paulson notes that because GCCM is unique to geosynthetics and erosion control applications, the committee hopes to develop more standards related to testing, installation, and classification.

Anyone is welcome to help create these standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN. To purchase standards, contact ASTM International customer relations at 877-909-ASTM or sales@astm.org.

ASTM International develops standards to positively impact public health and safety, consumer confidence, and overall quality of life. They integrate consensus standards developed with its international membership of volunteer technical experts and innovate services to improve lives and help the world work better.

Recreation and water quality expert Brian McRae joins Cardno's Reno office

Cardno, Inc. has announced that Brian McRae, PE, QSD/QSP has joined the firm as a senior consultant in the company’s Reno, Nevada office. He has 22 years of experience as a civil engineer, specializing in recreation, water quality, and infrastructure projects throughout California and Nevada.

McRae’s previous work includes support for the design and planning of over a dozen miles of bike trails in northern Nevada and California. His project expertise includes construction management, stormwater quality, erosion control, geotechnical engineering, and water rights.  Brian is an active member of the International Erosion Control Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Public Works Association. 

“Brian will be a strong asset for our clients on many kinds of recreational and water quality projects around Lake Tahoe, Reno, and elsewhere,” says Cardno Senior Consultant Mark Gookin. “He’s a true expert in navigating complex, multifaceted environmental projects.”

With some 6000 staff members in over 130 offices around the world, Cardno is a professional infrastructure and environmental services company with specialist expertise in the development and improvement of physical and social infrastructure for communities around the world. Cardno’s team includes professionals who plan, design, manage, and deliver sustainable projects and community programs. For more information, visit www.cardno.com.

VCU School of Engineering receives GO Virginia funding

GO Virginia has announced that the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Engineering has been awarded a grant intended to spur economic development across the region. The $500,000 grant will support commercialization efforts to implement FDA-approved, sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing in Virginia using innovative, low-cost technologies while also increasing the highly skilled workforce needed to support the pharmaceutical industry. This initiative will further demonstrate that new, advanced manufacturing technologies can help create an industry cluster or network of interrelated businesses to invent, build, and grow highly efficient pharmaceutical manufacturing with the potential for wide-ranging benefits across the state.

In its initial phase, VCU’s Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering will engage with Bright Path Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, to commercialize new pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies. VCU and Bright Path intend to create jobs and grow economic activity in the region.

The GO Virginia award is further evidence of the continued progress of the Medicines for All Institute within the School of Engineering. The institute, which recently received additional funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is allowing B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D., the Floyd D. Gottwald Jr. Chair and chair of the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, to manufacture pharmaceuticals in ways that significantly lower costs and increase access to these lifesaving medications for people around the world.

“This funding from Go Virginia, coupled with additional support from the city of Richmond and other regional governmental entities, demonstrates broad-based support for initiatives that will create new, high-paying jobs and eventually reduce the cost of many pharmaceuticals,” says Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Chair and dean of the VCU School of Engineering. “It underscores that we are going in the right direction by creating collaborative relationships with companies like Bright Path that have the capability to deploy new technologies and bring beneficial changes to the world,” she adds.

As the first commercial partner, Bright Path Pharmaceuticals will combine VCU School of Engineering research with its own technologies to build low-cost, highly efficient pharmaceutical manufacturing systems expected to receive FDA approval and create new production capabilities for global markets. Bright Path is expected to bring significant operations to the Richmond area, says Tony Quinones, a founder of Bright Path Pharmaceuticals. “As a newcomer to the Richmond area, we are pleased to be part of the GO Virginia initiative and look forward to rapidly scaling up our operations. We are excited about the opportunities provided by the relationship with VCU Engineering,” Quinones said.

The partnership aims to create a Virginia-based industry network driven by rapid process innovation, development of new equipment, and a workforce to bring these advanced systems to a commercial level. It ultimately seeks to create partnerships across the state, with expansion to other for-profit and not-for-profit entities around the world.

McMillen Jacobs Associates announces six new principals

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McMillen Jacobs Associates announces six principal promotions in the firm’s Underground Division.

John Murray, P.E. is the firm’s New York City and Roseland, New Jersey office manager. Murray has 20 years of experience as a design engineer and project manager on several major tunnel design projects. He has served as a design lead and project manager on a number of design-build and design-bid-build tunnel projects, and his experience includes planning, preliminary design, final design, procurement support, and design support during construction. His experience includes large-diameter water, wastewater, mass transit, and highway tunnels. Murray is currently the design manager for the Catskill Aqueduct Repair and Rehabilitation Project in Upstate New York and is leading the firm’s efforts as part of the program management team on the Ottawa Rail Transit project for the City of Ottawa. He earned his MS in Geotechnical Engineering and BS in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a registered Professional Engineer in New York and Georgia.

Kristian Nelson CPEng, PEng, IntPE, is the firm’s Auckland, New Zealand office manager and has worked for 19 years as a civil engineer in Canada and New Zealand specializing in complex marine, temporary works, and ground improvement methods. He has extensive experience planning and delivering projects that maintain client access to facilities and working around operational activities. Nelson is currently the design manager on the Army Bay WWTP Upgrade and Outfall Replacement in Auckland. He earned his BASc in Civil Engineering from University of British Columbia. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer in New Zealand, a Professional Engineer in BC, Canada, and an International Professional Engineer.

Troy Page, PE, is an underground cost estimator with 34 years of experience. He started as a tunnel laborer in Chicago while in school and worked his way up the ranks. He spent 24 years with heavy construction contractors, primarily working on tunnels, shafts, and underground caverns. He has experience in most tunneling methods as well as grouting, estimating, and claims. He develops detailed engineering estimates, performs design feasibility and constructability reviews, and reviews contractor submittals. Page has provided cost estimating services on some of the firm’s most significant tunneling projects, including the Akron Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel, Ottawa Light Rail Transit, Central Subway PM/CM, and Ship Canal Water Quality Project. He earned his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of North Dakota and is a Professional Engineer in New York.

Samuel Swartz, PE, is the firm’s newly opened Chicago office manager. He has 19 years of engineering experience with the firm, working on major tunnel design projects. He has served as project manager and design lead on a number of large tunneling projects, including planning, preliminary design, final design, and design support during construction. Swartz is currently leading the final design for Metro Vancouver’s Second Narrows Water Supply Tunnel in Vancouver, BC, Canada. He earned his MS in Civil Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley and his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in California, Washington, and Illinois.

Mark Trim, CPEng, PE, has 19 years of experience working as a design engineer and manager specializing in permanent and temporary underground structures with an emphasis on tunnel design, deep excavation support systems, soil–structure interaction, and ground improvement technology. A few of the more notable projects he has worked on in North America and Australia are the WestConnex M4 East Project (Sydney, AU), Ottawa Light Rail Transit Project (Ottawa, CAN), Airport Link Project (Brisbane, AU), and Northern Sewerage Project (Melbourne, AU). He is a Chartered Professional Engineer in Australia and a Registered Civil Engineer in New York, Texas, and Washington. He earned his MS in Mining and Earth Systems Engineering and a BS in Civil Engineering from Colorado School of Mines. Mark works in the Sydney, Australia office, which he opened in 2014.

Sarah Wilson, PE, CCM has applied her combined experience in design and construction management to solving problems on underground projects, primarily in water supply and rail transit, for more than 18 years.  Sarah recently served as resident engineer for the SFMTA Central Subway’s $234M Tunnels and $294M Union Square Market Street Station contracts. She currently oversees the firm’s construction management practice as well as serving on the board of directors. She is a past president of the American Rock Mechanics Association and is currently working on an update to the UCA of SME’s publication Recommended Contract Practices for Underground Construction. She earned her MS in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, where she is a regularly invited lecturer, and her BS in Civil Engineering from Drexel University, where she was named one of the “Top 40 under 40” in 2015. Sarah is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer in California and a CMAA Certified Construction Manager.

With offices all over the United States and in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, McMillen Jacobs Associates is an employee-owned environmental, engineering, and construction company providing an array of technical services to the heavy civil, underground, and water resources markets.