Thompson Engineering has announced its schedule of ADEM Qualified Credentialed Inspector (QCI) Initial Training classes for March-April 2012. Classes will be held in Auburn on March 8, 2012; in Mobile on March 29, 2012; and in Birmingham on April 24, 2012. This training course provides the tools and techniques needed to prevent stormwater pollution on construction sites. Our students will learn the most current regulatory requirements, inspection strategies, and best management practices needed for controlling erosion and sedimentation from experienced, knowledgeable instructors in a relaxed, fun environment. This course will cover the requirements for monitoring turbidity on certain construction sites, as specified in ADEM Construction Stormwater General Permit ALR100000.Also, we will teach our students basic techniques for turbidity sampling and testing. Click on the “Stormwater Training” link or call us at 251-666-2443 for more information.
Watermark Design Group, a Mobile-based architectural firm, has completed the design of a new administrative complex that will soon house ThyssenKrupp Steel USA’s management team. The design of the 78,000-square-foot complex features Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) elements, and, of course, uses steel as the signature building material.
“Our design reflects ThyssenKrupp’s respect to the environment and its pride in the plant,” said Jim Clarke, lead architect for Watermark Design. “Exposed steel framing is incorporated into the design of the building’s conference rooms, and prominent patio areas encourage employees to meet outdoors.” The building’s most striking design element is a 440-foot segmented glass wall on the building’s east side. “ThyssenKrupp built one of the most technologically advanced steel processing facilities in the world,” said Clarke. “Our design allows almost every employee with an office in this new building to view it.” Some of the building’s green design features include a reclaimed water system for irrigation, natural lighting, lighting and thermal inhabitant controls and reflective and light colored materials for the minimization of heat island effects.
Watermark’s sister company, Thompson Engineering, provided geotechnical, structural, and civil engineering services for the new facility. “Because we have direct access to engineering consultants, we can facilitate a quick response – many times a 24-hour turnaround – on design changes, which is critical for a fast-track project,” said Clarke. Construction of the administration building is already underway; about 400 employees will begin working from the new complex in the fall of 2012.
For the second year in a row, Thompson Engineering has been honored with the coveted Eagle Award for its commitment to safety. The Alabama chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) awards businesses that support a corporate culture of safety. “Thompson Engineering trains all of its employees to recognize both unsafe and safe behaviors,” said Safety Director Alex Napier. “Safety is a core value and a key to our success.”
In addition to the award, Thompson is one of four Eagle Award winners profiled in the cover article, “A Standard of Safety,” in the June/July issue of Alabama Construction News, a publication of the ABC. The winner of an Eagle Award must meet specific safety criteria to be eligible to win including:
Formal safety plan developed specifically by the company
Top management support for safety, both emotional and financial
No-fault work stoppages to prevent/correct a potentially unsafe condition
Recognition of employees to practice and intervene on behalf of safety
Company culture that recognizes that safety promotes, not impedes, productivity
Safety training for employees of all levels
Other safety honors include the 2010 Associated General Contractors (AGC) Construction Safety Excellence Award and the AGC Safety Leader of the Year Award, which was presented to Lamar Stokes. Stokes helped lead Thompson Engineering to a zero OSHA recordable injury record for 2009 and 2010.
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) recently selected retired U.S. Air Force Captain Paul Klotz along with other SAME members into its Academy of Fellows for 2010. Since 1972, SAME has bestowed the designation of Fellow on SAME members who have rendered dedicated service to SAME and to military engineering.
As a member for more that 25 years Paul has distinguished himself with outstanding service to the Society of American Military Engineers. During his association with SAME, he has been enthusiastically involved with the Mobile Post, serving 11 years as a Post Officer and over 25 years on the Board of Directors. He has actively participated in Post monthly meetings, educational field trips, Board meetings, served on multiple planning committees. Paul’s most noticeable contribution, however, has been his drive to build and support a sustainable scholarship and mentoring program within the Post. Concurrently, he has pushed the Post to engage the University of South Alabama’s (USA) Engineering Department with the ultimate goal of establishing a Student Chapter at USA. To this end, Paul was personally responsible for convincing the University to join as a Sustaining Member.
In a continuing career that spans more than 40 years Paul has been committed to making a difference in his profession and his community. His professional career began in the United States Air Force as a Project Engineer while stationed at Eglin AFB in Florida. Leaving the military he joined the public sector where he has established himself as a leader in the business community in industrial and environmental services. However, it has been his experience in the AEC industry where Paul has made his greatest impacts. A master at building relationships, Paul has established himself as a skilled and trusted voice at all level of local & state government. These relationships have served as the platform for the equally impressive career in giving back to his community. Here are a few examples of Paul’s efforts:
SAME Mobile Post Program Chairman 1985-1987
SAME Post Vice President 1985-1987 and 1994-1997
SAME Post President 1988 and 1997-1998
SAME Post Board Member 1985-2010University of South Alabama Industrial Advisory board 1994-2010
Speaker and author of professional publications since 1981 to the present time totaling over 50 presentations and papers on various scientific subjects.
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) Foundation Board 2001-2010
America's Junior Miss (AJM) Board of Directors 1978-2010
Mobile Association of the Blind Board 1978-2010, President 1983 & 1984
Congratulations to Paul Klotz. Keep up the good work.
The Baldwin County Commission of Alabama recently awarded Thompson Engineering the 2010 Environmental Achievement Award for our work on Comprehensive Management Plan for the D'Olive Creek Watershed. The award presented by the Commission stated:
Thompson Engineering and its sub-consultant Team, including Hand Arendall, Vittor & Associates, Alabama Coastal Foundation, and Tetra Tech, are being recognized for preparing a Comprehensive Management Plan for the D’Olive Creek Watershed, which has long been cited as a “poster child” example of environmental degradation from erosion and sedimentation caused by urban development. The work was guided by a diverse stakeholder group comprised of Baldwin County and the Cities of Daphne and Spanish Fort; federal, state and local agencies; property owners; and private interests. Based on a thorough examination of the watershed conditions and identification of critical issues and areas of concern, the plan describes the various management measures (such as green infrastructure and low-impact development techniques) that can be utilized to restore degraded areas and minimize impacts from future development. The plan also discusses the many factors (such as costs, regulatory framework, financing alternatives, and community outreach) that will affect the implementation of the recommended management measures.
During the year-long effort that was needed to prepare the D’Olive Creek Watershed Management Plan, the community-spirited Thompson Engineering Team dedicated countless hours beyond what was budgeted in order to provide a comprehensive and meaningful “path forward” to help solve the long-standing watershed problems. Thompson Engineering and the entire Team are to be thanked for their individual and collective efforts, going above and beyond contract requirements, and congratulated on producing a document that has been referred to as one of the premier Watershed Management Plans in Alabama.
Jay Morgan and Patrick Dawkins presented our Virtual Construction work on the new Shelby Hall Engineering and Computer Sciences building at the University of South Alabama to the student chapter of the Society of American Military Engineers last Tuesday. Following the lunch presentation the students were led on a tour of the currently under construction building by Pat Dawkins and David Birkelbach , Elkins Construction Project Manager.
The presentation illustrated some of the constructability issues identified by Thompson Engineering and the tour allowed the students to see how those issues were resolved. David told the participants that Thompson efforts resulted in significant savings since the air handling units that were specified would have been too tall to fit in the available penthouse space. Our identification of this issue allowed Elkins to revise the submittal and order an air handler that fit, avoiding a potentially huge expense and delay.
Here's an email we received from one of the student chapter officers.
The meeting and tour was amazing! We really enjoyed the presentation of Shelby Hall. The software they used during the presentation was very impressive. It became more impressive when we took the tour and everything in the building looked exactly the same as the drawings. The students were able to enjoy themselves, ask questions, and catch a glimpse of what it would be to be an engineer. That's exactly what I wanted to get out of this presentation and tour. Could you please tell Pat Dawkins and Jay Morgan we said thanks. ~ Patrick Gay | E&I Engineering Intern
For more information on the Virtual Design & Construction services provided by Thompson Engineering contact Jay Morgan.
The Associated Builders and Contractors Mid Gulf Chapter held its 2010 Safety Awards of Excellence, Excellence in Construction Awards and Safety Director of the Year dinner on May 27, 2010. The ABC Awards of Excellence Program has become the premiere competition within the construction industry. Each year the ABC Mid Gulf Chapter sponsors a special awards competition for commercial and industrial contractors. Entries, in a variety of categories, include a selection of the most outstanding construction projects built by Alabama Gulf Coast ABC member contractors. The ABC Safety Awards of Excellence Program recognizes companies whose safety performance and programs are judged to be exemplary and exhibit a lasting commitment to jobsite safety. Safety Excellence Awards are based on data submitted by company Safety Directors. Award categories are based on a company’s total work-hours per calendar year. A company must have zero lost time incidents to be considered for the highest level awards, the Eagle Award and the Safety Director of the Year Award.
Thompson Engineering received 6 awards
2010 Eagle Award – Gulf Coast Safest Company (Highest award given)
2010 Safety Director of the Year, Alex Napier
2009 Zero Lost Time Award
2010 Safety Award, Platinum Level
2010 Excellence in Construction Award, Excellence Level, ADCNR Gulf State Park New Concrete Fishing Pier
2010 Excellence in Construction Award, Excellence Level, ThyssenKrupp US 43 New Interchange and Access Road
Thompson Engineering recently won the 2009 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Alabama "Engineering Excellence State Award" and the 2009 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) "Excellence in Construction Award" for their accomplishment on the Gulf State Park Pier located in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Working with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Thompson Engineering provided design services for the new concrete pier which celebrated its grand opening on July 23, 2009.
Thompson Engineering weathered two Hurricanes (Gustav and Ike) and rough waters for the $16.3 Million project. The completed pier features a concession area (8,079 sf), restroom facilities, roadway and parking area, and a seawater intake system which includes a pumping station and pipeline that pumps saltwater several miles to 35 ponds at a fish hatchery. The Thompson Engineering team provided: surveying; permitting; architecture; geotechnical engineering; storm surge and wave analysis; site/civil design structural engineering; electrical/ mechanical engineering; plans/specifications; erosion and sediment control; fish and wildlife service coordination; construction materials/QA testing; and served as the resident project representative during construction.
The Gulf State Park Pier attracts nearly 250,000 anglers and sightseers each year. It serves as a critical component to the welfare of Gulf Shores and the State of Alabama.
The Henley Community Center opened its doors on September 21. It's located at 220 East Blount Avenue, directly across from the south side of Henley Bridge. The office is staffed by personnel from Thompson Engineering for community access to the information center about the closing and reconstruction of the Henley Bridge.
"This community center will be a valuable resource for the many people who live, work and travel in this area," said TDOT Region 1 Director Steve Borden. "Representatives from TDOT and the Henley Bridge project consultant working with the state, Thompson Engineering, will be on hand at the center to assist visitors with information." For more information on the project details and progress Click Here.
Watermark’s sister company, Thompson Engineering, provided geotechnical, structural, and civil engineering services for the new facility. “Because we have direct access to engineering consultants, we can facilitate a quick response – many times a 24-hour turnaround – on design changes, which is critical for a fast-track project,” said Clarke. Construction of the administration building is already underway; about 400 employees will begin working from the new complex in the fall of 2012. 
In addition to the award, Thompson is one of four Eagle Award winners profiled in the cover article, “A Standard of Safety,” in the June/July issue of Alabama Construction News, a publication of the ABC. The winner of an Eagle Award must meet specific safety criteria to be eligible to win including:
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) recently selected retired U.S. Air Force Captain Paul Klotz along with other SAME members into its Academy of Fellows for 2010. Since 1972, SAME has bestowed the designation of Fellow on SAME members who have rendered dedicated service to SAME and to military engineering.
The Baldwin County Commission of Alabama recently awarded Thompson Engineering the 2010 Environmental Achievement Award for our work on Comprehensive Management Plan for the D'Olive Creek Watershed. The award presented by the Commission stated:
Gulf State Park Pier Recognized with Two Awards