DSA Awarded to Thomas D. Richards, Jr., P.E., D.GE Thomas D. Richards, Jr., P.E., D.GE, former chief engineer for Nicholson Construction Company, is this year’s recipient of DFI’s highest award bestowed to an individual, the Distinguished Service Award (DSA). With a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years, he is widely known and highly respected for his steadfast professionalism, character and integrity. Anyone who has known and worked with and/or alongside Richards knows that he truly embodies the essence of the DSA — “Consideration is given to duration of career in industry, industry leadership, technological leadership, technological innovation, strength of curriculum vitae, character, DFI contributions and accomplishments, and contributions to the advancement of the deep foundations industry.” Soon after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering, Richards began his career at GAI Consultants. In 1988, he joined Nicholson Construction Company, and had been with Nicholson ever since, ultimately retiring as chief engineer. He is widely recognized as a subject matter expert in micropiling, ground anchors, load testing and various grouting methods. He participated in the design, construction and testing of hundreds of technically challenging and innovative geotechnical projects throughout the U.S., including multiple projects for the recovery and reconstruction of the World Trade Center, the Capitol Visitor Center, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, and large dams like Gilboa Dam and Lake Lynn Dam. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. Through his involvement with various professional organizations, including DFI, ADSC and Post Tensioning Institute (PTI), he generously lent his expertise to the improvement of guidelines and standards for quality in deep foundation construction and to a wide variety of important industry research projects conducted by DFI, ADSC and FHWA (Federal Highway Administration). In addition, Richards has published numerous technical papers and has been a frequent presenter at industry seminars and conferences and technical workshops. He has been an active member in DFI for many years, currently serving on the DFI Board of Trustees and is a past chair of DFI’s Micropile Committee and the Anchored Earth Retention Committee. He is a past chair of the ADSC Advancement Fund Task Force for Micropiles and its Geo-Support Committee and served on PTI’s Rock and Anchor Committee and the ASCE Grouting Committee. Richards’s extensive list of engagement in industry affairs provides irrefutable testimony as to how his commitment to advancing the state of the deep foundation’s industry is defined. As an acknowledgement of Richards’ contributions, he has been bestowed various industry accolades, including receiving the ASCE/Geo-Institute’s Academy of Geo-Professionals Diplomate of DEEP FOUNDATIONS • SEPT/OCT 2019 • 29 Geotechnical Engineering, Emeritus designation, in 2010, and being inducted as a member of The Moles in 2013. Richards is married to his wife, Carrie, and has two sons, Russell and Wesley. He seemingly effortlessly intertwines the different aspects of his life, family, work, play and volunteering. As an example of how he embraces enjoyment and volunteerism, he has been a ski patrolman for 30 years, which has allowed him to express his passion for skiing as well as provide a needed service to that community. “Tom is a consummate volunteer,” extolls Theresa Engler, executive director of DFI. “He has generously lent his expertise to advance the deep foundations industry and dedicated his time and efforts to the education of future generations of civil engineers and the improvement of guidelines and standards for quality in deep foundation construction. On behalf of DFI, I am pleased to see Tom receive this honor.” The Distinguished Service Award is being presented at the DFI’s 44 Annual Conference on Deep Foundations in Chicago, October 14-18, 2019. Awards Banquet on the evening of Thursday, October 17, during th
