Friday, April 30, 2010

Arsenic Removal Presentation

Garver Water Team Leader Michael Graves and Project Engineer Mary Elizabeth Mach will advance an arsenic-removal system case study as guest speakers at an international conference. Graves and Mach will present "Reclaiming Water and Revenue through Wellhead Arsenic Removal" on August 16 at the 2010 APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition in Boston, Massachusetts.

The two will examine the pilot demonstration project undertaken by the City of Norman, Oklahoma for a turnkey arsenic-removal system. The demonstration tested an adsorbent iron oxide media that had never been used in Oklahoma. Results indicate that this technology is a very cost-effective solution to reclaim existing well infrastructure and the lost revenue associated with groundwater containing high levels of arsenic. The session will examine:

  1. The system's ability to effectively remove arsenic.
  2. Evaluate the operability of system and various operational parameters.
  3. Discuss options for system-wide implementation to reclaim lost infrastructure and revenue.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Professional Traffic Operations Engineer

Mike Spayd, PE, PTOE, a project manager in Garver's Transportation Group, has been nationally certified as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer. The certification is sponsored by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. The designation identifies Mike as an engineer with specialized knowledge and skill in the operation of traffic systems.

    Wednesday, April 21, 2010

    Green Tour

    Approximately 70 members of the U.S. Green Building Council - Arkansas Chapter, Central Branch visited Garver's corporate offices last Thursday. The group met at Garver for its monthly education meeting to tour our soon-to-be-certified LEED building. Council members were interested in taking a first-hand look at one of the few green buildings in central Arkansas. Our corporate office incorporates social, economic, and sustainable design considerations that result in energy and water reduction and savings. Among other points of interest, our guests discovered that:

    • LED lighting and a light-harvesting system help Garver beat the Arkansas energy code by nearly 40 percent.

    • Our modular furniture was purchased from a shuttered office building in New Jersey. Garver paid 7 1/2 cents on the dollar to outfit the campus.

    • Our fitness equipment came from a bankrupt fitness facility. Garver paid about 13 cents on the dollar for the equipment.

    • Aggressive recycling practices during construction are estimated to have reduced construction waste sent to landfills by 75 percent.

    The U.S. Green Building Council - Arkansas Chapter seeks to create a legacy for future generations based on responsible planning, design, construction, and operation of the state's buildings, landscapes, cityscapes, and neighborhoods.

    Friday, April 16, 2010

    Inspiring Young Engineers

    Garver engineer Fred Harper, central chapter president of the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers, served as a judge for the 10th Annual Arkansas FIRST LEGO League Championship tournament in Mountain Home. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League is an international program created to inspire youth interest and participation in science and technology. Using LEGO MINDSTORMS bricks, motors, gears, and software, children 9-14 design, build, and program robots to solve real-world challenges.

    "I think the program is particularly effective at targeting future engineers because it focuses on the practical application of math and science," Harper told Arkansas Professional Engineer magazine. "I was impressed with how these middle school students performed."
    Schools across the United States are participating in similar events. To find out how to participate or if a local school has a team, visit the map on FIRST's Website.

    (Photos contributed by Meredith Novak)

    Tuesday, April 13, 2010

    Aviation Pavement Award

    Garver received the Unique 'Non-Highway' Asphalt Paving Award from the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association for airfield pavement work at South Arkansas Regional Airport in El Dorado, Arkansas. The project consisted of a an asphalt taxiway pavement rehabilitation and overlay for taxiways north of Runway 13/31. This included a 2-inch asphalt overlay, cold milling, pavement marking, and edge grading. Garver's services included design, construction support, and grant preparation.

    Friday, April 9, 2010

    Air Force Base Wins Prestigious Trophy

    The Little Rock Air Force Base and its Community Council have won the prestigious 2009 Abilene Trophy, the Air Mobility Command's Community Support Award. The trophy is annually presented to a civilian community for outstanding support to an Air Mobility Command base. The winner is selected by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee in Texas.

    One of the examples that exemplifies the community's support for the Little Rock Air Force Base includes a current Garver project. In 2009, the base broke ground on a new Joint Education Center, a higher-learning institution open to military members and civilians. The City of Jacksonville voted to support the center through a sales tax that raises $5 million dollars, and the Department of Defense has committed $10 million. Garver is providing project management and civil and structural design services.

    Garver congratulates the Little Rock Air Force Base and the Community Council on winning this award.

    Wednesday, April 7, 2010

    Surveyors Hard at Work

    The St. Clair News-Aegis recently ran an article about St. Clair County Airport receiving a federal grant for drainage improvements. Garver surveyors Bob Hood and Stephen Few were photographed for the article as they performed a topographic survey at the airport in Pell City, Alabama.

    Over the years, Garver has provided numerous services to update and improve St. Clair County Airport, including the installation of Precision Approach Path Indicator systems, runway rehabilitation, new Medium Intensity Taxiway Edge Lights, access road and parking lot pavement, new apron, and land acquisition.

    (Photo taken by Michael Mee with the St. Clair News-Aegis)

    Thursday, April 1, 2010

    Outstanding Young Alumni Award

    The University of Arkansas has recognized Garver engineer Natalie Becknell, PE for her exceptional professional and personal achievements. The university selected Natalie as a 2010 College of Engineering Outstanding Young Alumni.

    The award honors engineering graduates who achieve distinction in engineering and provide leadership and service to the university's College of Engineering. Natalie is a project manager in our transportation group, and during her five years with Garver, has participated in the design of more than $537 million in transportation improvements.

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