2018 PA Brownfields Conference Recap
Over the course of 3 days, over 400 attendees joined us in Bethlehem, PA for the 2018 PA Brownfields Conference. With over 20+ educational sessions and networking opportunities with more than 45 exhibitors the conference was a success.
The conference opened on Monday with two mobile workshops (Brewing Brownfields Back to Life and Big Machines, Big Industry) followed by a “Get Acquainted Reception” at the Musikfest Café at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, that gave attendees a birds-eye view of the historic Bethlehem Steel Blast Furnaces.
Tuesday morning the conference started with a “Brownfields 101” session providing attendees an opportunity to learn the basics of Pennsylvania’s brownfields program before the start of the conference. Following this introductory session, we were welcomed to the conference by the Mayor of Bethlehem’s staff and opening remarks by PA Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell and U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management Deputy Assistant Administrator, Steven Cook. Day two offered more than 12 different sessions for attendees to choose from, plus a full exhibit hall providing attendees the opportunity to lunch and learn, as they visit with vendors.
Wednesday continued with 10 more sessions and an “Economic Forecast” by Don Cunningham from Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC). The conference concluded with a workshop “Winning EPA Brownfield Grants – Tips and Tricks for Success” as experts presented way to write a successful proposal.
Overall, we want to thank all the attendees, sponsors, and committee members for contributing to a successful conference. Stay tuned for information on when the next PA Brownfields Conference will occur. The Conference is planned in collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP).
Over the course of 3 days, over 400 attendees joined us in Bethlehem, PA for the 2018 PA Brownfields Conference. With over 20+ educational sessions and networking opportunities with more than 45 exhibitors the conference was a success.
The conference opened on Monday with two mobile workshops (Brewing Brownfields Back to Life and Big Machines, Big Industry) followed by a “Get Acquainted Reception” at the Musikfest Café at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, that gave attendees a birds-eye view of the historic Bethlehem Steel Blast Furnaces.
Tuesday morning the conference started with a “Brownfields 101” session providing attendees an opportunity to learn the basics of Pennsylvania’s brownfields program before the start of the conference. Following this introductory session, we were welcomed to the conference by the Mayor of Bethlehem’s staff and opening remarks by PA Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell and U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management Deputy Assistant Administrator, Steven Cook. Day two offered more than 12 different sessions for attendees to choose from, plus a full exhibit hall providing attendees the opportunity to lunch and learn, as they visit with vendors.
Wednesday continued with 10 more sessions and an “Economic Forecast” by Don Cunningham from Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC). The conference concluded with a workshop “Winning EPA Brownfield Grants – Tips and Tricks for Success” as experts presented way to write a successful proposal.
Overall, we want to thank all the attendees, sponsors, and committee members for contributing to a successful conference. Stay tuned for information on when the next PA Brownfields Conference will occur. The Conference is planned in collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP).
ESWP YMF Hosts Annual Social that Benefits Local Charity
ESWP hosted their 3rd Annual YMF Summer Social at the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania on September 7, 2018. The event was co-hosted by ASCE, ASHE, Tau Beta Pi, SAME, and WTS Pittsburgh Sections. This year the event brought together a record attendance of more than 60 young engineers in the Greater Pittsburgh area. The goal of this event is to seek and prepare the next generation of engineers by highlighting the diverse spectrum of engineering and related technical societies. Each co-host contributed a gift basket to raffle off and had a chance to inform attendees of their professional organization.
New this year, ESWP implemented a 50/50 raffle, that the proceeds benefited the Red Door Program at Saint Mary of Mercy Church. St. Mary of Mercy Church, which is in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, provides several kinds of assistance to people in need. The “oldest” of St. Mary’s services is the Red Door Program which began during the Great Depression. This program provides a bag lunch, Monday through Saturday to more than 100 persons each day. The program is underwritten by St. Mary of Mercy Church through various contributions made directly to the Red Door. After the conclusion of this event, ESWP donated a total of $80 to the Red Door Program. ESWP plans on implementing this event again in 2019 in hopes to exceed their contribution to a charitable organization.
As you can see our Young Member Forum is gaining momentum by offering the YMF Summer Social and other quality programs designed specifically with the young engineer in mind. If you are not already a ‘young member’ ESWP offers an Under-35 dues rate of $25 annually, with a limited time offer of NO entrance fee (a $55 savings!) Now is the time to add ESWP to your professional network and expand your horizons. Click here: https://eswp.com/membership/individual-membership-2/
ESWP Scholarship Winners announced!
We had a great response to the ESWP Members Scholarship program and after careful consideration in making some difficult decisions, we would like to extend congratulations to Lucia Bruschi and Katherine Sieber, who were selected as recipients of the 2018 ESWP Members Scholarship. Lucia, a graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School, is a Chemical Engineering student at the Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA and daughter of member Enrico Bruschi. Katherine, a graduate of West Allegheny High School, is a Mechanical Engineering student at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA and the daughter of member Suzanne Sieber. Each recipient will receive $2,500.00 to further their engineering education. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients and thank you to all who applied.
Member News!
ESWP 1st Vice-President Dave Borneman was honored upon his retirement after 22 years as Director of Engineering & Construction at ALCOSAN. Dave’s career at ALCOSAN culminated almost forty years of engineering and management service to government agencies in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The event was held in the Members Dining room with many of Dave’s friends and colleagues, including current and former co-workers. ALCOSAN Executive Director Arletta Scott-Williams recognized the many accomplishments achieved under Dave’s time at ALCOSAN. Dave is embarking on new challenges with Arcadis at its Wexford, PA office.
Job Postings
H.F. Lenz, an MEP Engineering Firm, and an ESWP Corporate Member, posted some new job openings on our Re-Employment Web Site, which can be found here.
Make sure to check those jobs out and to see how you can use the ESWP page to post job openings and resumes, for members and non-members to view.
ESWP Golf Outing
Monday at Treesdale Golf & Country Club turned out to be a wonderful day for the ESWP’s Annual Golf Outing. 64 players took to the golf course, and despite a brief rain shower at the start of the event, the weather was very cooperative. Players enjoyed some great golf, food and fellowship, all benefiting ESWP’s Student Outreach Activities. Guest Speaker Jim Colony shared a few Pittsburgh-themed sports stories before assisting Event Chair Wayne Johnson with the distribution of team and skill prizes. Thanks to all of our sponsors and raffle prized donors for helping to make the event a big success!
ESWP Corporate Member News
Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering Inc. (LSSE) announces internal Ownership transition: LSSE, a 90 person civil engineering firm, headquartered in Coraopolis PA, founded in 1985 announced ownership and management transitions completing implementation of the firm’s Strategic and Ownership Transition Plans adopted in 2008. Effective on Friday, June 15, 2018 Lawrence J. Lennon, P.E., DWRE, Daniel S. Gilligan, and Larry W. Souleret, P.E., PLS, have sold their interest in the firm. They have transferred 100% ownership of LSSE to Kevin A. Brett P.E., Ned Mitrovich P.E., and Jason Stanton, P.E., longtime Principals and owners in the firm. In addition to each having 1/3 ownership of LSSE, they will assume the following management and corporate officer roles; Chief Executive Officer & President: Ned Mitrovich; Chief Operating Officer & Treasurer: Kevin A. Brett; and Chief Financial Officer & Secretary: Jason E. Stanton. Kevin Brett and Ned Mitrovich have accepted Directors positions formally held by Larry Lennon and Dan Gilligan, and will join Jason Stanton on the Board. Larry Lennon and Dan Gilligan will assume the role of “Principal Consultant”, while maintaining employment with LSSE.
ESWP Member News!
Pittsburgh-based geotechnical general contractor Nicholson Construction was recently awarded a $20 million contract as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT’s) massive Interstate 95 improvement project. The I-95 project is a long-term, multiphase initiative to rebuild, improve and widen sections of the roadway, which is a vital link for millions of residents and businesses in the area. I-95 currently supports approximately 102,000 motorists, including trucks, per day.
Nicholson will be installing 1,759 micropiles as part of the replacement of a three-mile elevated section of I-95. The company has worked on a number of projects with PennDOT, including their current micropile project for the Walsh/Granite JV bridge replacement on SR23 in Columbia, PA. “We have a long history of working all over the state with PennDOT,” said Mark Rothbauer, Regional Manager, Nicholson Construction. “We’re really happy to bring our expertise to the I-95 project, which is going to have a positive impact on so many residents and drivers in the Philadelphia area.”
ESWP Members: if you have company or people news, please send it to us!
ESWP Members Scholarship
We are now accepting applications for the ESWP Members Scholarship. Applicants must be the spouse, child, or grandchild (natural, step, adopted or ward) of a member in good standing for one or more previous, continuous years of the ESWP. Scholarship applicants should be current high school seniors, or currently enrolled full-time undergraduate students in engineering, architecture or applied sciences at an accredited college or university. The application deadline is July 31, 2018 for the 2018-19 academic year. Please contact the ESWP offices to request an application.
Future City Update
Congratulations to The Ellis School, for placing 15th in the National Future City Competition! The Ellis School was the winning team from the Pittsburgh Regional Competition, and represented Pittsburgh in the Nationals, held in Washington, D.C., over National Engineers Week. Overall, 44 teams competed in the national competition. For more information on Future City, click here: https://futurecity.org/pennsylvania-pittsburgh