We held our 2021 Fall Conference on Friday, October 15, 2021, with three presentations:
Pegah Ghasemi - Microbially-induced Carbonate Precipitation
Joe Milazzo - Triangle Transportation Updates
Tripp Ford - Aggregate Pier History, Design, and Applications
Speaker: Joseph Little, PE
Date: Thursday, August 19, 2021
Topic: The Kuhio Beach Stub Groin Installation - The Installation and Philosophy for Managing Coastlines with Engineering Tools
Presentation: Video
Summary: As Part of the Waikiki Beach Improvement Plan, Little Environments, PLLC, supported the Contractor, JS International, by overseeing the installation of a High Durability geosynthetic Stub Groin in November, 2019. To date, the groin has maintained a sand cover over the old Waikiki Beach tavern foundation. Unrealized benefits have been observed such as safety for beach goers and a location where children launch hydrofoils. Joseph will talk about the installation, challenges, opportunities for optimized installation, similar projects, and potential for applications elsewhere.
Speaker: Mr. Little has a passion for nature and especially where water meets land, intrigued by the vast range of principles and perspectives that predominate in this area. Joseph has a vast experience managing and engineering coastlines of all different types. Joseph embraces the application of new technologies that improve coastal management but also embraces the truth and analyzing or accepting variables amongst coastline that are unknown or not deterministically known. Joseph has experience on coastlines from Cape Cod to the Caribbean to the South Pacific. Joseph is the Principal of Little Environments PLLC, Is registered in 6 States, and lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Speaker: Wayne Miles with Raleigh Stormwater
Date: Thursday, July 15, 2021
Topic: Raleigh Stormwater Updates
Summary: Wayne will speak about how the City of Raleigh is working to achieve its vision of implementing the smartest Stormwater program possible to protect public health and the environment in a way that is cost-effective, equitable, and sustainable.
Speaker: Wayne Miles is the Program Manager for the City of Raleigh Stormwater Management Division where he has been for three years. He has over 33 years of water, wastewater, and stormwater engineering and utility management experience. As a consultant, he worked across the country assisting over 100 communities to develop and implement complex programs to address challenges including aging infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and utility funding.
He has co-authored three Water Environment Federation Manuals of Practice on sewer and storm system operation and maintenance, asset management, and funding. He has served on national committees to help set policies and provide guidance related to compliance with the Clean Water Act. He is a Professional Engineer, and he has both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida.
Speaker: Joe Angell & Sue Kranes
Date: Thursday, May 13, 2021
Topic: Federal Opportunities, Collaboration, and Political Engagement
Presentation: Joe Angell, Sue Kranes
Summary:
Opportunities: NC Military Business Center
Federal programs, solicitations, current opportunities and resources
Collaboration:
NCMBC - Web Conferences, In-person and other Calendar events
SAME – NC Post events with local Installations
Political Engagement:
Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC):
Establishing Facilities and Infrastructure Committee to assist in preparing position papers to share with state and federal elected officials regarding local installation issues
Established Government Relations Forum to conduct discussions with state and federal officials in areas of interest to our members regarding state and federal issues
American Council of Engineering Companies – North Carolina (ACEC-NC):
Established Legislative Committee committed to the dialogue with elected officials for areas of interest to our members
Carolinas Association of General Contractors (CAGC):
Full time Government Relations Director
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME):
Focused on education and partnering – not engagement and lobbying.
About the Speakers:
Joe Angell is a Professional Engineer with over 38 years (including 20+ years of active duty naval service) of hands-on and leadership experience in infrastructure and facilities management from budgeting and resourcing, through planning, design and construction, to operation, maintenance and demolition. Tested Business Developer able to establish Strategic Partnerships and strong proposals to win Federal and DOD contracts for design and design-build services through the implementation of a personally created process known as the 30-30-30. Construction, Facilities Management and Leadership experience in areas of Construction Management, Facilities Planning, Design & Acquisition, Business Development and Contract Management & Administration. A muscle car enthusiast, Joe recently got his first car, a 1971 Chevrolet SS-350 Camaro back on the road.
Sue Kranes joined the North Carolina Military Business Center in October 2008 to support NC Business as Federal and Military Construction Specialist. In this capacity, she helps existing businesses to identify, bid on and compete for architectural, engineering, construction, and maintenance contracts. Prior to joining the NCMBC, Ms. Kranes was Chief of Acquisitions with Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic in Norfolk Virginia. She retired from the federal government with 30 years of civilian service, experience in purchasing and contracting with the Department of the Navy, Department of Army and Department of Energy as a Contracting Specialist. Ms Kranes is located centrally located in Greensboro North Carolina to provide support for business from all over the state of North Carolina.
Speaker: Stephen J. Geiger, P.E.
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2021
Topic: Big Slow Creepers
Presentation: Video
Summary: Mr. Geiger focuses on a case history of a unique situation involving recurrent, large scale slope movements along Lake Keowee in Upstate South Carolina. He reviews the history of the project, misinterpretations of the geotechnical concerns and stability mechanisms by other consultants, ECS’s analyses and conclusions, and a summary of the repair strategies being undertaken.
About the Speaker: Mr. Geiger graduated from NC State in 1988. He has nearly 35 years experiences as a practicing geotechnical engineer in the southeastern US and he has been with ECS for 23 years. He is currently the Chief Engineer for ECS Southeast and focuses on forensic and expert consulting. He also serves as a voting member on the Technical Committee drafting the new Segmental Retaining Standards by the NCMA/TMS.
Speaker: Thomas C. Schoendorf
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021
Topic: Wastewater Treatment Systems
Presentation: (video embedded above)
Summary: Stormwater discharges at industrial facilities, such as transportation and petroleum marketing, may be affected by the NPDES Regulations and require an SPCC plan. This seminar addresses how oil/water separators help these industrial sites meet the established oil discharge limitations under federal laws, highlighting the latest advancements in oil separation and waste water treatment technology.
About the Speaker: Thomas C. Schoendorf is the Division Manager of the Wastewater Treatment Systems for Highland Tank & Mfg. Company, the largest producer of Aboveground and Belowground Storage and Waste Water Treatment Tanks in the United States. Mr. Schoendorf manages the Division for Highland Tank which includes such products as their patented Oil/Water Separators, Oil & Sand Interceptors, and Advanced Secondary Treatment Systems. He has worked for Highland Tank for over 26 years, and has been involved in technical sales for over 30 years. Graduated from Guilford College in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He is a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineering organizations, and is an associate member of the ULC Standards Committee for Oil-Water Separators.
Speaker: Dr. Reza Jafari
Date: Thursday, February 25, 2021
Topic: How Well Civil Engineers Fit into Real Estate
Summary: Dr. Reza Jafari, an investor and active Real Estate broker with a background in Civil Engineering, will discuss whether Real Estate is worth your time, whether Civil Engineers have a better chance of success in Real Estate, and who should get involved.
About the Speaker: Dr. Jafari received a PhD from NC State, a masters degree from Northeastern University, another masters and undergrad degrees from Sharif University in Iran, and a transportation planning diploma from MIT. Dr. Jafari is a registered Professional Engineer and holds a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer certificate. His professional experience includes over fifteen years in transportation engineering with NCDOT and private firms at WSP and RSTS on projects involving safety, planning, traffic, signal design, roadway improvements, and ITS. He has been published in numerous journals and conference papers, and has presented his research in over 20 States. He served in multiple FHWA, TRB, and ASCE research panels and committees. He is now a licensed Real Estate Broker working with MOSHAVER, LLC, providing investment and Real Estate services locally.
Speaker: Keith Rines, PE, CCM, PSP
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2020
Topic: Why Are You Doing That And Is It Best For The Project Schedule?
Presentation: PDF
Summary: Schedule creation and review can be proactive or reactive, depending on the proficiency of the project team. Is it a useful tool for completing the work on time and on budget or is it just an exercise in contract compliance? This session will explore traditional methods, metric-driven alternatives, and cutting-edge technologies to enhance the project execution. Schedules should be the best plan of the likely outcome and derived through the collaboration of both parties. This session will also suggest options for making a functional schedule a reality.
About the Speaker: Keith Rines, PE, CCM, PSP, is a Project Manager at MBP in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mr. Rines has 23-years of experience in civil engineering and construction management with a wide range of project types including: education, medical, military, correctional, residential, performing arts, laboratory, petrochemical, highways, and site utility projects. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech with Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and Master’s in Construction Engineering and Management.
Speaker: Hugh Scott IV, PE
Date: Friday, November 13, 2020
Topic: When Is The Last Time You Did Something For The First Time
Presentation: Not Available
Summary: Hugh C. Scott IV is a Professional Engineer and graduate of the University of New Hampshire’s Civil Engineering (BS & MS) program. Hugh has over eighteen years of field-based technical support, sales, and management experience in forensic/design engineering, precast concrete, construction, and renewable energy industries. Hugh’s newest focus on strategic marketing, social media platform implementation, and professional coaching/training has brought him back onto the ASCE-NH Section Board as President. As an ASCE-NH Section Past-President (2012/13) Hugh is excited to be back into an ASCE leadership role and serving the Civil Engineering community.
Speaker: Taruna Tayal, PMP - VHB, WTS
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Topic: Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) Overview, Probe Data for Transportation Planning
Presentation: Recording available
Summary: Ms. Tayal plans to discuss WTS's mission, activities, and how others can get involved. She’ll also present use of probe data for Transportation Planning and Congestion Management.
Taruna is a result-driven technology service leader and planner with extensive experience in transportation planning and GIS, both as project manager and technical analyst. She has broad expertise that encompasses GIS application processes, resource planning, operations, and IT management. She has been directly involved in applied technology projects providing transportation technology solutions to the clients for streamlining the workflow, automating the processes, data analytics, and providing project management. After retirement, she wants to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional landscape photographer or painter, or perhaps both. Taruna serves as the President of WTS NC-Triangle Chapter and has served as Fundraising Chair and Treasurer in the past where she helped get the accounts in order and improve the financial stability of the Chapter.
Speaker: Dean Goodison, PE, CFM; Atkins
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2020
Topic: Getting Ahead of the Storm
Presentation: N.A.
Summary: Mr. Goodison is a Division Manager for Atkins, serving out of Raleigh. His technical background is diverse, including experience in water resources, transportation, and other civil engineering disciplines. Five years ago, Mr. Goodison moved from New York to build Atkins' water resources practice in North Carolina. Now as the Mid-Atlantic Division Manager, he oversees operational performance of contracts as well as the business development strategy throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Mr. Goodison serves as Principal-in-Charge on all contracts for the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program (NCFMP).
Speaker: Nicolai Oden, PE - Ethos Engineering, EngineeringYOU
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2020
Topic: How to Increase Performance as a Team
Presentation: Watch recording
Summary: Nicolai Oliden is a Roadway Project Engineer and Office Manager at Ethos Engineering in Tempe, Arizona. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2008. In addition to his work at Ethos, Nicolai started his own leadership development company, EngineeringYOU, where he helps young professionals grow their self-leadership in order to thrive at work and home. He teaches various leadership topics, leads personal development group discussions, and is also a financial coach. He has volunteered with ASCE since 2010 including his time as President of Phoenix YMF in 2017. He co-founded the ASCE Mentor Program at ASU helping seniors connect with young professionals and now serves on the PBYMF Foundation board.
Speaker: Kord Wissman
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2020
Topic: Civil (Geo)-Value in a Commoditized World
Presentation: Watch online
Summary: Kord J. Wissmann, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE is the president and chief engineer of Geopier Foundations. Dr. Wissmann has more than 30 years of geotechnical-engineering experience and has led Geopier since 2002 in the development and implementation of Geopier’s multiple innovative ground improvement technologies now deployed worldwide. Dr. Wissmann earned Bachelor of Science and Doctorate degrees in civil engineering from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley where he studied under the auspices of the late Professor Harry Seed and Professor Jim Mitchell. Over the course of Kord’s leadership at Geopier, he has transformed the company from a niche specialized aggregate pier provider into one of the top three global ground improvement companies. Geopier works in over 33 countries spanning four continents serving small to large projects with applications ranging from building support to highway construction to liquefaction abatement. Prior to Geopier Foundations, Kord held positions with Harding Lawson Associates, Fluor Daniel, and Shannon & Wilson, Inc., where he specialized in marine structures, seismic response analyses, and ground improvement. Kord holds 23 U.S. patents including patents for the Impact Pier, Rampact Pier, GP3, Armorpact, Densipact, GCC, Ductile Pier, and GeoSpike systems. Dr. Wissmann has authored more than 35 papers, is the past chair of ASCE’s Soil Improvement Committee, and is a past President of the Geo-Institute. Kord is a registered Professional Engineer in eight US states, including California. Kord was inducted as a Diplomate into the Academy of Geo Professionals, is the recipient of the Outstanding Civil Engineering Alumnus Award at Virginia Tech, and is the recipient of the 2018 ASCE WH Baker Award. Kord has lectured extensively as an adjunct professor and has conducted more than 100 short courses and workshops.
Speaker: Representative Dean Arp, North Carolina General Assembly
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2020
Topic: Civil Engineering Perspective in the NC General Assembly
Presentation: Not available
Summary: Representative Arp is with the North Carolina General Assembly representing Union County which is near Charlotte. Representative Arp earned a civil engineering degree from The Citadel. He also received his Master of Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Representative Arp is a small business owner and president of Arp Engineering in Monroe. Representative Arp is a licensed engineer in forty different states. He also serves on the Advisory Board for William States Lee College of Engineering. In 2014 Representative Arp was presented with the 2013 Legislator of the Year Award by the Professional Engineers of North Carolina. Representative Arp serves on six committees. He is the Vice Chair of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee.
Speaker: Andy Padiak, PE, McAdams
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2020
Topic: West Cabarrus Street Redevelopment Project
Presentation: Watch online
Summary: Andy Padiak has been working at McAdams for over 15 years on commercial projects throughout the Triangle. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. He moved to Raleigh to start his career and obtain his master’s degree in civil engineering from NC State University. Andy and his team served many clients on notable projects such as the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Cathedral, the new Wegmans Retail Center at Midtown East, and student housing projects such as Stanhope and The Standard on Hillsborough Street.
Andy and his team have been hired by the Kane Realty Corporation. Kane Realty has been busy over the last 15 years developing many projects at North Hills East. McAdams has been very fortunate to provide civil engineering, land planning, and surveying services for every project at North Hills and North Hills East. Some prominent projects that have been built are the Captrust Tower, Bank of America Tower, Hyatt House Hotel, AC Marriott Hotel, Park & Market Building that includes a two-story Harris Teeter, Park Central, The Cardinal Senior Living Center, and many more. Kane Realty is planning the development for the West Cabarrus Street project.
Speaker: Joe Milazzo II, PE, Regional Transportation Alliance
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2020
Topic: Triangle Mobility Update
Presentation: (see above video)
Summary: Joe Milazzo serves as the executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance and he is the voice of the regional business community on transportation. RTA’s mission is to deliver business leadership to get our region moving faster. Joe will provide an overview of the regional business community’s engagement on key mobility issues in the Triangle market, including freeways, intersections, regional transit, and air service.
Location: Joe gave this presentation using remote viewing software.
Speaker: James Niehoff, PE, Nova Engineering
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020
Topic: Geotechnical Failures – Lessons Learned
Presentation: PDF
Summary: Jim Niehoff is a Senior Geotechnical Engineer with NOVA Engineering & Environmental. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering from Georgia Tech and is a registered professional engineer in 12 states. He has served as a geotechnical consultant on over 4,000 projects covering all 50 states as well as in 10 foreign countries during his 42-year career. Some of his notable projects include the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, the Wynn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the Ritz Carlton Residences in Honolulu, and the Omni Convention Center Hotel in Louisville. While he primarily works on projects involving new construction, he has served as an expert witness on over 40 projects involving geotechnical failures. He is the author of over a dozen technical papers and articles relating to geotechnical engineering. He served on the Board of Editors of the Journal of Geotechnical and GeoEnvironmental Engineering of the ASCE for 10 years and is a Life Member of the ASCE. He currently serves on both the Shallow and Deep Foundation Committees of the Geo-Institute.
Speaker: Kevin Boyer with the City of Raleigh
Date: Thursday, January 16, 2020
Topic: Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Presentation: PDF
Summary: Forthcoming…
Speaker: Fleming Herring with Clancy & Theys
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Topic: Overview and Update on the Smoky Hollow Project in Raleigh
Presentation: Not available
Summary: Approach and process for the overall Smoky Hollow project which consists of 2 phases. Phase 1 is the Peace and West project along Peace Street, which includes construction of a new Publix grocery store. Phase 2 is the office building and residential/parking project between Harrington and West Streets just south of the Peace project.
Fleming Herring, PE, is a Project Executive at Clancy & Theys, where he has worked for over 12 years. He is a resident of Raleigh, NC, graduated from NC State's Civil Engineering program in 2005, and has a wife with 2 young children.
Speaker: Jacob D’Albora, Associate Vice-President at McVeigh & Mangum Engineering, Inc.
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2019
Topic: Modular Construction
Presentation: PDF
Summary: Off-site and modular construction. The process of planning, designing and fabricating building elements at a site other than the final location, creating a more rapid and efficient construction of a permanent structure.
