Speaker: Dr. Albert Rubin

Date: Thursday, August 25, 2022

Topic:  One Water - Some perspectives on the future of water management

Presentation: Video

Summary: Dr. Albert Robert Rubin is an Emeritus Professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University and is currently a Senior Environmental Consultant and principal with his firm, A. R. Rubin and Associates. From 1999 through 2005 he was a visiting scientist with the USEPA in Washington, D.C., where he assisted with development of the onsite and decentralized wastewater management program. For that effort, the USEPA awarded a Bronze Medal to Dr. Rubin and the decentralized project. From 2005 through 2009 he was employed as a senior technical consultant with a private firm and in 2009 he formed a consulting firm. In 2013 he was appointed to the Environmental Management Commission for the State of North Carolina.

He has assisted with development of guidelines and rules addressing wastewater reuse and biosolids management throughout the country and internationally, solid waste compost and a variety of biosolids management options. In 2012 he was instrumental in development of the NSF 350 Standard for non-potable water use and reuse. This standard promotes widespread application of reclaimed and non-potable water. This standard was recently adopted in the IgCC International Green Construction Code (2012). Building code enforcement officials in New York City have applied this standard to several reuse efforts developed by Natural Systems Utilities, Inc. in collaboration with Dr. Rubin. In 2013, Dr. Rubin was appointed to the NC EMC and the USEPA Infrastructure review committee on nutrient recovery from wastewater. He has been active in development of training and certification efforts for wastewater system operators utilizing the plant/soil system as the beneficial receiver for a variety of recovered resources. He remains active in teaching and research to address a variety of water, wastewater, stormwater, treatment residuals, and solid waste management efforts in North Carolina and Florida.

Speaker: Annette M. Lucas

Date: Thursday, July 21, 2022

Topic:  Don't Let Stormwater Be Dry

Presentation: Video

Summary: Over 100 communities across North Carolina implement local stormwater programs to comply with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS) Program. However, complying with a federal stormwater requirement does not have to be boring! Fortunately, the MS4 Program allows communities leeway to create a local stormwater program that is fun, creative and responsive to the unique needs of their citizens, businesses, and visitors. This presentation will describe the resourcefulness and innovation of a variety of North Carolina communities in inspiring their own teams, engaging their citizens, increasing their program’s efficiencies, and most of all, protecting and improving water quality.

Speakers:

Annette Lucas, PE is the Stormwater Program Practice Lead at McAdams in Durham, NC. Prior to joining the McAdams team, she served as the supervisor of the NC DEQ Stormwater Program, where she managed a large team and a diverse array of stormwater programs, including the MS4 Program, the Post-Construction Program and the NPDES Industrial Stormwater Program. Annette successfully completed numerous high profile stormwater projects during her tenure at the NC DEQ. She led the Minimum Design Criteria (MDC) stakeholder team and authored updates to the state’s stormwater rules that went into effect in 2017. Her contributions have expanded the use of green infrastructure practices such as permeable pavement and bioretention cells. Annette has extensive experience working with the NC General Assembly, communities, developers, and citizens. Annette has a Master’s in Civil Engineering from NC State University and a Bachelor’s in Public Policy Studies from Duke University.

Speaker: Amit Sachan, Matt Laufer, and Steve Bourne

Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Topic:  The Future of Transportation Resilience in North Carolina

Presentation: Video

Summary: A holistic assessment of the transportation corridors and various interacting systems is required to understand the potential vulnerabilities that will be exposed by continued growth along with future weather challenges. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is studying the impact to people and infrastructure along transportation corridors which include impacts from increasing temperatures, such as from intensifying storms and rising sea levels. The presentation will offer an insight into NCDOT’s programs and tools with a case study focusing on a resiliency study on the US74 corridor from Charlotte to Wilmington.

Due to increasing global temperatures, the 190-mile stretch of US74 from Wilmington to Charlotte NC is facing more-intensive storms and rising sea levels. Given its role as an important path for people and goods connecting I-95 and major urban centers, the NCDOT recently teamed with Atkins to assess its vulnerabilities using Atkins’ City Simulator tool. Following a baseline analysis of existing conditions, City Simulator is simulating alternatives for improvements along the corridor. Results from the study will help prioritize improvements along the corridor. Study progress and findings will be presented along with a description the simulator’s configuration and animations of the simulator.

Speakers:

Matt Lauffer, PE, NCDOT: Matthew (Matt) Lauffer is an Assistant State Hydraulics Engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation Hydraulics Unit and has been with the department for 22 years. The Hydraulics Unit supports design and operations and manages the department’s stormwater and floodplain management compliance. Matt manages the Hydraulic Design and Highway Floodplain Program and takes an active role in the department’s flood resilience activities. He is a member of the Transportation Research Board committee on hydrology, hydraulics, and stormwater, and is a member of the AASHTO Technical Committee on hydrology and hydraulics. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Ohio State University. Matt is a registered professional engineer in North Carolina.

Amit Sachan, PE, Atkins: Amit Sachan is a Project Director with Atkins in the Community and Intermodal Infrastructure Business Unit in Raleigh. With over 20 years in academics and private sectors, Amit has served in engineering and business development roles. His project experience includes stormwater, flood control, resiliency and transportation infrastructure projects for municipal, state, and federal clients. Originally from India, Amit received an undergrad from IIT Bombay and graduate degrees from Virginia Tech and NC State. Amit has been on the board of directors for American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC-NC) and he is the past president for the NC Association of Floodplain Managers (NCAFPM). On personal front, Amit enjoys volunteering for STEM education programs such as MATHCOUNTS and FutureCities.

Steve Bourne, PE, Atkins: Steve Bourne is a project director with 20 years of experience at Atkins, a global engineering consultancy. He is a lead resilience modeler, climate scientist, and software engineer. He is the principal developer of City Simulator, Atkins' map-based tool for simulating communities as they evolve into a climate change-influenced future.

Speaker: Ralf Leistikow P.E. and Jason Ledy P.E.

Date: Thursday, April 21, 2022

Topic:  Investigation and Testing of Existing Structures & Construction Materials

Presentation: Video

Summary: The presentation will focus on the various investigative and testing techniques available to assess existing structural and other construction materials. The speakers plan to:

• Discuss investigative and testing techniques for the evaluation of existing structures and construction materials

• Review testing techniques and equipment to evaluate these materials and/or determine potential defects: concrete, steel, masonry, stone, and wood

• Review potential advantages and limitations of each test method

• Outline general principles and reference standards for each test method

Founded in 1956, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE), is an interdisciplinary engineering, architecture, and materials scientist firm specializing in delivering practical, innovative, and technically sound solutions across all areas of new and existing construction. WJE combines state-of-the-art laboratory and testing facilities, nationwide offices, and knowledge-sharing systems to provide solutions for the built world.

Speaker: John Wolosick, PE, SE, F. ASCE

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022

Topic:  Case history of a very large design/build micropile project in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii called the International Marketplace Mall

Presentation: Video

Summary: John R. Wolosick is Senior Advisor for Keller North America Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. From this home base, he works on projects across the USA. He holds a B.S. and a M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has 40 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and contracting and is the author of more than 35 technical papers. Mr. Wolosick is the recipient of the 2008 ASCE Geo-Institute Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award. He is the Past-President of the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI – 2014-2016). John is the former Co-Chair the ADSC/DFI Micropile committee (2004-2007). Mr. Wolosick was named the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers ‘Engineer of the Year – Industry’ in 2017.

Speaker: Ayman Elfouly, PE

Date: Thursday, February 24, 2022

Topic:  High Fidelity Non-Linear Structural Analysis under Extreme Loading Conditions using Extreme Loading Technology

Presentation: Video

Summary: Extreme Loading for Structures Software or ELS, is an advanced non-linear structural analysis software tool designed specifically for structural engineers. ELS allows structural engineers to study the 3D behavior of structures through both the continuum and discrete stages of loading. This includes static and dynamic loads such as those generated by a blast, seismic events, impact, progressive collapse, and the wind. Unlike many structural analysis software tools which are based on the Finite Element Method (FEM), ELS utilizes a non-linear solver based on the Applied Element Method (AEM).

This allows ELS to automatically analyze structural behavior during elastic and inelastic modes including the automatic yielding of reinforcement, detection, and generation of plastic hinges, buckling & post-buckling, crack propagation, membrane action & P-Delta effect, and separation of elements. The resulting debris and impacts with structural elements are also automatically analyzed and stress redistribution is inherently calculated.

Speaker: Ayman is a Senior Structural Engineer at Applied Science International, LLC (ASI). During his 17+ years working for ASI, he was able to develop a strong background in structural vulnerability assessment, demolition analysis, and progressive collapse analysis where he gained a lot of experience in non-linear structural analysis. Moreover, he had managed several AT/FP projects where he gained a lot of experience in this field and allowed him to publish many technical papers on progressive collapse analysis.

Speaker: Rodney Money, PE

Date: Thursday, November 18, 2021

Topic:  NCDOT U-2827B I-40 Business Reconstruction & Green Street Pedestrian Bridge

Presentation: Video

Summary: The NCDOT I-40 Business Reconstruction project reimagined and beautified the 1.2-mile gateway into downtown Winston-Salem. The critical interstate overhaul replaced nine highway bridges, modernized interchange configurations, improved highway geometry and drainage, enhanced pedestrian movement with larger sidewalks, provided a multi-use path through downtown, and added two signature pedestrian bridges.

The project significantly improves safety, mobility, and traffic flow while incorporating aesthetic features, including brick facing on retaining walls, decorative arch facades on the highway bridges, landscaped pedestrian facilities, and decoratively lit pedestrian bridges. The Green Street Pedestrian Bridge gracefully spans the highway as a complex double tied arch structure unlike any other in North Carolina.

Speaker: Rodney has over 25 years of industry experience and currently serves as HDR’s South Atlantic Area’s Transportation Quality & Delivery Manger where he works with Project Managers and Project Teams to improve the quality and overall health of our projects. Throughout his career, he has been fortunate to be involved in the design and construction support for some of North Carolina’s most challenging bridge projects. Rodney served as HDR’s Design Manager on NCDOT’s I-40 Business Reconstruction Design-Build Project.

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

Presentation: PDF, Video

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

Presentation: PDF, Video

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.