PEOPLE & COMPANIES Tracy Brettmann, P.E., D.GE, joined A.H. Beck Foundation Company as vice president of engineer- ing working from Houston, Texas. In this capacity, Brettmann is responsible for engineering oversight of all specialty deep foundation, soil improvement and earth retention projects. His expertise in the geotechnical engineering and specialty deep foundation industry will provide additional leadership to increase Beck’s design-build oppor- tunities as the company enters its 82nd year in business. Brettmann has 25 years of experience, is a past president of DFI, and a former chair of the Augered Cast-in-Place Pile Committee. He currently serves on the board of the DFI Educational Trust. Nicholson Construction was awarded a $72.1 million design-build contract to replace an existing force main from the Virginia Key Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant under Biscayne Bay Norris Cut to Fisher Island. The project, which involves changing out the current 54 in (1.37 m) sewer force main for a 60 in (1.52 m) replacement, should last approximately 26 months. The main scope includes the installation of a precast concrete segmental tunnel, which will stretch more than a mile from the treatment plant on Virginia Key to Fisher Island. The design-build contract includes planning, engineering, design, permitting, procurement, construction/ installation, testing and the start-up of the replacement force main. Nicholson will act as the general contractor for the project, with subcontractors including Arup and various local sub-consultants and subcontractors. The project was slated to start in early 2014. Schnabel Engineering, Inc., Glen Allen, Va., announced an addition to the Schnabel family of companies with the acquisition of Geo/Environmental Associates, Inc. (GA), Knoxville, Tenn. GA specializes in the design of dams, waste disposal impound- ments, landslide repairs, retaining structures, ground improvements, environmental assessments, environmental remediation and foundation design. Schnabel specializes in geotechnical, geostructural, dam and tunnel engineering, as well as environmental, geosciences, construction monitoring and resident engineering services. The merging of Schnabel and GA provides an opportunity for both firms to expand and enhance the services they both provide throughout the country and globally. Schnabel, an employee-owned company, employs nearly 300 in 18 offices nation- wide. GA, with a staff of 20 in one location in Knoxville, Tenn., will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Schnabel. Schnabel Engineering also announced that William K. Petersen, P.E., joined the firm as senior associate in the West Chester, Pa., office. Petersen has over 24 years of experience in geotechnical and geological engineering including site investigations, design recommendations, and construction monitoring for bridge, dam, tunnel, highway, railroad, commercial and residential projects. ASFE/The Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) is now offering DFI members a free subscription to NewsLog - the electronic newsletter of the association, issued every two weeks. GBA is a not-for- profit organization that specializes in helping its 300 member firms and their clients con- front risk and optimize performance in order to maximize geoprofessionals’ importance and value to the marketplace. To sign-up for the newsletter go to www.asfe.com. Kevin Cargill, P.E., was promoted to president and CEO of Schnabel Foundation Company in Sterling, Va. Cargill was previously the vice president and regional manager of Schnabel’s Southeast Regional Office since 2003. Cargi l l replaces Hubert Deaton III, P.E., who served as Schnabel’s president since 1988 and will continue on as a director. Scott Ballenger, P.E., has been named to replace Cargill as Schnabel’s southeast regional manager. Ballenger joined Schnabel in 2003 as a construction manager. Schnabel Foundation Company is a nationwide contractor specializing in earth retaining structures, micropiles and ground improvement since 1959. Ronald J. Ebelhar, P.E., D.GE, a senior principal at Terracon in Cincinnati, Ohio, was elected to serve a one-year term as vice chairman of the ASTM International board of directors. Ebelhar, who joined ASTM International in 1980, is chairman of Committee D18 on Soil and Rock. An ASTM fellow and 2003 Award of Merit recipient, Ebelhar has received several awards from D18, including R.S. Ladd Standards Development Awards, the Woodland G. Shockley Award, the A. Ivan Johnson Outstanding Achievement Award, two Special Service Awards and the Committee D18 Technical Editor’s Award. He also received a Service Award from the ASTM Committee on Technical Committee Operations, on which he served a two-year term. He has served on the ASTM board of directors since 2010. 92 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAR/APR 2014
