June 2008 - ASCE Sacramento Section Construction and Geo Institute Kickoff Dinner
posted by Larry J Smith
By: Larry J. Smith, P.E., CCM, F.ASCE
SSCI, Chair
Kickoff Event
The ASCE Sacramento Section Construction and Geo Institute Kickoff Dinner event was held in Sacramento on May 28, 2008. The event held at the Holiday Inn, Capitol Plaza brought together design and construction professionals along with many Federal, State and Local Government Officials to explore flood risk reduction efforts underway in the Sacramento Valley. Recognizing the need for continued collaboration between industry and Government the event focused on construction projects planned over the next three to five years and invited attendees to consider the cumulative impact of some $2B of design and construction work currently scheduled in our local area.
Jeremy Zorne, Sacramento Geo-Institute Chair and Larry Smith, Sacramento Construction Institute Chair welcomed the audience of 183 professionals. Each introduced their respective board members giving thanks for their efforts in planning and conducting this startup event. Both gave special thanks to ARCADIS and Envirocon for sponsoring the kickoff dinner.
ASCE Construction Institute Director Dr. Marvin Oey welcomed guests announcing that in March 2008, the CI Board of Governors formally approved the Sacramento Section Construction Institute chapter (SSCI). The Sacramento chapter is only the second local chapter of CI. Dr. Oey informed attendees that the Construction Institute Mission was to “bring together all stakeholders to advance and improve the construction industry.” Dr. Oey further conveyed to the audience our goals as follows:
• Become the relationship “hub” within the engineering and construction industry.
• Improve the state of construction practice through both the development of knowledge and technology transfer throughout the industry.
• Improve the image of the construction industry to attract talent to the industry.
“This kickoff event and this group is a true reflection of Construction Institute mission and goals, I applaud your outstanding efforts to date.”
Dr. Oey concluded his remarks with a reminder of the San Francisco Construction Institute Chapter’s student days September 26 – 28, 2008 in Burlingame, CA. This event will focus on students and will be a great opportunity to get involved.
Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation
Dr. Oey recognized six local firms who each made $1,000 contributions to the SSCI Scholarship Fund and for their efforts in supporting ASCE. SSCI Co-Chairs Melissa Woodruff of VSCE and Greg Zeiss of HDR assisted Dr. Oey in recognizing and presenting certificates of appreciation to the following firms:
• ARCADIS
• DD-M Crane & Rigging
• Envirocon
• JAG Construction
• RDA Contracting
• The Dutra Group
Flood Damage Reduction
SSCI Advisor Mr. Louay Owaidat of Envirocon introduced the evening’s speakers.
Mr. Howard Gonzales, Program Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District spoke of the Army Corps of Engineers strategic vision serving partners, customers and the Nation. Howard added a personal touch showing his home town of Chalmette, Louisiana under 13’ of water following Hurricane Katrina. All that he knew growing up in Louisiana including his mother’s home was destroyed by flooding. His experience became his background for the passion he brings to work each day in executing the Corps Civil Works program. Howard detailed seven significant civil works projects planned over the next five years totaling over $1B in estimated construction costs.
Mr. Ric Reinhardt, P.E, Principal, MBK Engineers detailed upcoming Levee Construction in the Central Valley (Non Corps and Non Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency). Numerous agencies including the City of Wheatland, Atlas Tract, West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, Three Rivers Levee Improvement Agency, and others such as Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency, Reclamation District 17, Levee District 1 and the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency have work with an estimated construction cost of $350M over the next several years.
Mr. John Bassett, P.E., Director of Engineering, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) spoke about the Natomas Levee Improvement Program and Construction Phasing Plan. SAFCA has identified flood risks including inadequate freeboard, underseepage, levee encroachments and channel erosion to be its main improvement effort though 2011. The agency has work with an estimated construction cost of $300M.
Scholarship Raffle
The evening ended when SSCI advisors Jon Balzer and John Campbell, Granite Construction conducted the drawing of winners for dozens of outstanding prizes donated by sponsors and advisory firms.
Attendees were thanked for attending and asked to “Save-The-Date of August 28, 2008 for the next SSCI event featuring the Folsom Bridge Post Tensioning and Project Tour. This event is co-hosted with CMAA and SAME and sponsored by ARCADIS and Diamond D Construction.