Southern Beltway Tour
Twenty ESWP members participated in a presentation and tour of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Southern Beltway construction project on December 4. Presenters included Steve Hrvoich of the PATC, and Dale Rosinski and Matthew Steele from CDR Maguire. The tour was sponsored by Trumbull Corporation. During the presentation overview, participants learned some of the many details involved in this 13-mile long mega-project. Participants then boarded a shuttle bus to visit several points along the still-under-construction roadways and bridges, including a drive along a portion of the new roadway, not yet open to vehicular traffic. Big thanks to the PATC, CCDR Maguire, and Trumbull Corporation for hosting this tour.
IWC 2019 Highlights
The 80th Annual International Water Conference was a celebration that took place on November 10-14, 2019 in Orlando, FL. It brought together over 900 end users, researchers, practicing engineers, educators, suppliers and contractors from 25 countries to learn unbiased details about the latest applications available in the industry, get educated on current technology, and hold wide ranging discussions with their peers active in water treatment.
The conference opened on Sunday with an IWC Golf Outing “Scramble” at the Disney Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Additionally, three Continuing Education Workshops were available for attendees to get one on one instruction from professional instructors. Following these activities, we officially opened the IWC Indoor and Outdoor Exhibits at the Get Acquainted Reception, along with a special “birthday cake” to celebrate the 80th Anniversary IWC!
The Conference program officially opened on Monday morning with four early morning technical sessions. The morning concluded with the IWC Keynote Session, featuring keynote presenter Charles Fishman, author of The Big Thirst, who delivered an interesting address to more than 300 attendees. In addition, the IWC Annual Awards were presented (for full details, visit: https://eswp.com/water/awards/). Following the Keynote Session, a strolling buffet luncheon was provided throughout the IWC Exhibit Hall, then four technical sessions filled out the afternoon. On Monday evening, attendees traveled to the Wyndam Hotel at Lake Buena Vista for the 80th Anniversary Dinner. IWC Executive Committee Member Mike Soller, serving as Master of Ceremonies for the Dinner, invited three IWC Alumni to share what the IWC means to them. To end the night, the comedy improv group “We Bring the Funny” entertained the crowd by bringing IWC attendees to the stage to entertain the audience.
Technical Sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday morning were filled with 48 additional presentations; all carefully peer-reviewed for quality and to ensure they are non-commercialism. Presentations at the IWC are followed by a Prepared Discussion-a thoroughly considered, different perspective on the topic. Each session would end with an open floor discussion when all audience members and presenters can fully interact-ask questions, seek clarification, and raise alternative viewpoints. Along the way, luncheons and receptions gave attendees additional opportunities to network with one another and visit with Exhibitors to continue the learning experience. Following the conference proper, attendees could stay on for 18 additional Workshops offered on Wednesday afternoon thru Thursday. To view the Technical Program and Workshop content, visit: https://eswp.com/water/overview/)
Overall, we want to thank all the attendees, sponsors, and committee members for contributing to a successful conference and we hope to see you for the 81st Annual International Water Conference taking place on November 8-12, 2020 at the Marriot Rivercenter in San Antonio, TX.
ESWP Company News: Fay, an i+iconUSA Company
Fay an i+iconUSA Company, a heavy-civil and industrial construction company, was recognized as a top subcontractor by Bechtel at the company’s annual Supply Chain Awards for exceptional work on projects for Bechtel’s Oil, Gas, and Chemical global business unit.
Companies were evaluated on multiple factors including: overall performance, ability to deliver quality services/supplies on time, ability to work collaboratively to meet milestones, and meeting or exceeding project expectations in aspects of safety, performance, technical expertise, and environmental compliance. Nominations were reviewed and approved by Bechtel procurement and project managers with final approval from senior leadership.
“It has been an honor to be one of several contractors working to transform a former industrial site into the $6 billion Pennsylvania chemicals plant,” stated Lester C. Snyder, III, President and CEO of i+iconUSA. “We are grateful to be recognized on a global level for the work of all of our employees on site.”
Fay has been performing marine and heavy civil construction for Bechtel for four years at the new Shell cracker plant in Monaca, PA. Fay has been involved in both the Early Works and the Site Work and Earth Works Packages.
“Fay has been a vital partner to Bechtel, working with us to achieve outstanding results for our customers,” said Al Hankins, Corporate Manager Procurement & Contracts. “The performance of key suppliers continues to be critical to delivering superior service to our customers and advancing innovation for the industry.”
Michael Baker International News
J. Brad Homan, PE, has been promoted to Regional Aviation Lead supporting strategic growth in aviation in the greater Pittsburgh area and throughout Michael Baker’s Great Lakes Region. Brad has been with Michael Baker for over 26 years, most recently serving as the Department Manager, Aviation, in the Pittsburgh Office. Brad also serves as the Assistant Project Manager for the Multi-Modal Complex for the Pittsburgh International Terminal Modernization Program. Brad has a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Indiana. Brad serves as the Vice Chair for the ACEC/PA Aviation Committee and is a member of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania.
John Tricini, PE, PLS, has been promoted to Vice President and Pittsburgh Transportation Practice Executive. John solidifies leadership in the Pittsburgh Office with his 26 years of industry experience, all at Michael Baker, and where he most recently served as the acting Transportation Practice Executive. As Practice Executive, John provides overall leadership to the group while managing the financials, operational performance, practice administration, production/project oversight, business development, and client engagement for our Highway, Traffic, Aviation and Emerging Technology services. John has a Master of Business Administration degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. He is a registered Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor in Pennsylvania. John also serves on the Board of Directors of ASHE’s Pittsburgh Chapter.
Wendy Berrill, PE, has been promoted to Department Manager, Highway, and will be responsible for overseeing growth and strategic business development within Michael Baker’s Highway Design Practice within the Greater Pittsburgh Region. She has been a part of Michael Baker for 14 years and most recently served as Acting Department Manager, Highway. Throughout her career, Wendy has worked extensively on roadway design and railroad design in various roles including Design Engineer, Task Manager and Project Manager. Wendy earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Wendy is a member of ASHE and serves on WTS Pittsburgh’s Board of Directors.
Jessica Belowich, PE, PTOE, has been promoted to Department Manager, Traffic, and will focus on growing the Company’s Traffic Engineering Practice within the Greater Pittsburgh Region, while identifying new opportunities for innovation. She has been with Michael Baker for 15 years, most recently serving as Acting Department Manager, Traffic. During her tenure with the Company, she has been involved with the design of numerous transportation projects, and she is currently the Lead Traffic Engineer for the I-2 Design-Build Project in Texas and the Highland Park Interchange Reconstruction Project in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jessica earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, both from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jessica is a member of ASHE, ESWP and WTS.
Future City News!
The announcement of the first of 4 Distinguished Alumni for 2019 has been released on Facebook today. The awardee is Brandon D’Aloiso who participated in 2007 with St. Thomas More School. See his impressive accomplishments:
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pghfuturecity
Future City Pittsburgh 2019
Distinguished Alumnus
Brandon D’Aloiso
Brandon D’Aloiso participated in the 2007 Future City Pittsburgh Competition with St. Thomas More School, supported by educator Gina Callahan and mentor Patricia Wattick.
Brandon received a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Bioengineering in 2015 from the University of Pittsburgh and a Cardiovascular Perfusion Certificate from UPMC in 2017.
As an undergraduate researcher at Pitt he worked on multiple artificial lung devices for treatment of COPD, ARDS and other lung problems which is where he learned about Perfusion.
Brandon has published articles about cardiopulmonary bypass and permeability of polymer fibers used in respiratory assist devices. He also has a patent for a Cannula Stabilization Device for ambulatory ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation).
He currently works as a perfusionist at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Presbyterian Hospital while pursuing a Master’s degree (M.S.) in Bioengineering at Pitt. Additionally, he serves as a co-director of a comprehensive ECMO training course for physicians to learn about this complex procedure.
Brandon Reflects on his Future City Experience:
“Future City was definitely a long time ago for me, but it feels like yesterday. Back in those days I had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up, but going through the experience helped me to realize something in the engineering/problem solving field was for me. Working and presenting our project to engineers was a great experience and really allowed me to learn about the field. While I took a turn and ended up doing more medical engineering, Future City allowed me to learn what engineering was and practice some of those early skills that would later serve me in school and work. Even teamwork was something we learned in the building and development of our city. Overall it was a great experience with some of my best friends until this day.”
Parsons News!
In September of 2019, the Goethals Bridge was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in Pittsburgh, PA. for the 2019 Project Excellence Award in the Large Project category. The Project Owner, Port Authority of NY/NJ used a P3 project delivery model for this $1.5B Project. The new Goethals Bridge is a dual cable-stayed bridge with a 900-foot main span and roughly 7,000-foot-long prestressed concrete girder approaches. The new bridge carries westbound and eastbound traffic independently and with built-in structural and operational redundancy. The bridge accommodates a future mass transit corridor that can be created by stitching together the eastbound and westbound spans by way of steel framing to accommodate either light rail transit or bus rapid transit without additional in-water work or foundations for the main bridge. The Developer was NY/NJ Link – MacQuarie Infrastructures Real Assets. The construction joint venture was Kiewit/Weeks Marine and Massman. The lead designer for the project was Parsons Transportation Group Inc. with Design Manager, Seth Condell, PE, LEED AP and Bridge Engineer of Record, Thomas Spoth, PE. Accepting the award on behalf of the project team was Joseph DiFiore, PE.
Trumbull News
Trumbull Project Executive John Nemmer recently rappelled down 22 stories as part of Over the Edge, an event that raises money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Western PA & WV Chapter. The Society offered John a spot as a “thank you” for providing a special project tour for a 3-year-old leukemia patient back in August. Although John has rappelled before, this event was different — something tells us he’ll go back Over the Edge in 2019! (Photos provided by PJ Dick, Trumbull and Lindy Paving)
Civil Engineering Professor Kent Harries Named ASCE Fellow
Civil Engineering Professor Kent Harries Named ASCE Fellow
PITTSBURGH (Oct. 18, 2019) — Kent Harries, PhD, FASCE, FACI, P.Eng., associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) this month. The Fellow status, FASCE, signifies members of the organization who have made celebrated contributions to the field and developed creative solutions that have enhanced lives. Fellows make up just three percent of ASCE’s members.
The election recognizes Harries’ work on international standards-writing committees and on the use of nonconventional materials, like carbon and glass fiber-reinforced polymers, for structural repair, the structural application of full-culm bamboo, and his design-oriented teaching that teaches students to use both conventional and nonconventional materials.
Harries’ research interests also include the seismic design and retrofit of building structures, the design and behavior of high-rise structures, applications of full-scale structural testing and the history and philosophy of science and technology. He received his bachelor’s, master’s and PhD in civil engineering – structures from McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Harries currently serves as a vice-president of IIFC, Senior Editor of Journal of Construction and Building Materials, chair of ACI Committee 440F (Repair of Concrete with FRP) and on numerous other U.S. and international codes and standards development committees including ASCE FCAPS. Harries is presently leading the effort to revise ISO 22156 Bamboo Structural Design. A Fellow of both ACI and IIFC, Harries is a professional engineer in Ontario, Canada, and was Leverhulme Visiting Professor at the University of Bath (UK) in 2018.
Summer Social Highlights
As summer comes to an end, ESWP hosted their 4th Annual YMF Summer Social at the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania on September 6, 2019.
This end of summer event was co-hosted by seven different professional organizations: ASCE, ASHE, Engineers Without Borders, PSPE, Tau Beta Pi, SAME, and WTS Pittsburgh Chapters. At this event, 75 young professionals met to network and learn about the various technical societies in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. At the event, ESWP did a 50/50 raffle to benefit Bridges to Prosperity. Bridges to Prosperity work with isolated communities to create access to essential health care, education and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers. We also offered door prizes to each person that attended. The door prizes were provided by each of the participating organizations.
We are proud and excited to bring together a community of young professionals to network and look forward to continuing this effort. We hope to see you at ESWP’s next event visit, https://eswp.com/events/.
ESWP Scholarship News!
Congratulations to Cameron Bunner, on being selected as the recipient of the ESWP 2019-2020 Members Scholarship valued at $2,500.00.
Cameron is a 2019 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, where he graduated #1 in his class. Cameron now attends the Penn State University in State College, PA, where he majors in Biomedical Engineering, Cameron is the son of ESWP Member Mathew Bunner. Congratulations Cameron!