What’s better than having your name listed in Forbes Magazine once in 2021? Two times – that’s what! Forbes recognized Project Development Director Eric Farny (Indianapolis Design Center) twice this year for his fundraising ability in achieving Man of the Year honors in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 2021 annual philanthropic campaign supporting cures for blood cancer.
Eric’s name and American Structurepoint as his employer appeared in a special issue of Forbes magazine on stands throughout November. A two-page spread in the magazine honored each man and woman from every LLS chapter who raised the most funds toward finding cures for blood cancer. Eric’s name first appeared in Forbes in April when he was recognized as one of a dozen Indiana men and women participating in the campaign. Way to go, Eric!
December 14, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on PointUP Workshop Explores Psychological Safety
PointUP sponsored an informative, interactive November 10 workshop regarding the importance of psychological safety in the workplace and shared simple ways to build trust among coworkers so that we are all valued and understood. The Zoom meeting had over 85 participants, including many members of leadership.
What is Psychological Safety? Psychological safety is the belief that you won’t be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. Workshop presenter Elise Gelwicks shared research showing the benefits of workplace psychological safety include increased innovation, workplace frustrations are reduced, team members are more motivated, and companies are actually more productive and profitable!
How to Build It Building trust takes time, is hard work, and occurs with lots of micro steps, Elise says. Simple ways to take action include:
Align on a common goal
Be vulnerable and open – talk about your mistakes and your weaknesses.
Exhibit active listening – nod your head when someone is talking or tilt your head to show interest.
Take a real interest in team members – initiate conversations and ask about their interests
Bottom line – psychological safety is key to building a healthy company culture where employees feel valued and engaged.
December 14, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Leadership Training Roundup
Two employees recently graduated from a trueU leadership program while two other employees are beginning a leadership journey with ACEC. Read on for the details.
trueU Graduates
Project Manager Jess Pounds and Project Manager Brad Curts are November graduates of trueU’s virtual Practical Advanced Leadership (PAL) program. The program covered topics such as manager-to-leadership transition, strategic thinking, adaptive leadership, decision-making, and a capstone presentation. Congrats to Jess and Brad.
ACEC Indiana Engineering Leadership Class of 2021-22
Field Manager Joe Dubyel and Environmental Services Director Briana Hope are among the 24 members of the ACEC Indiana Engineering Leadership Class of 2021-2022. The intensive program covers leadership, people, and project skills while preparing employees for management, firm partnerships, and potential succession ownership opportunities. The program runs from November through June.
December 14, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Round of Applause – Roll Call for November
Here’s a salute to the 27 employees receiving Round of Applause recognition in November. Remember, it’s as easy as 1, 2 ,3. to thank an employee for going the extra mile.
Important benefits news in December. It’s easy as 1, 2, 3, 4!
Check your balances – Check for balances in your flexible spending and/or dependent care accounts. You have until December 31 to use the money in those accounts; any money left over will be forfeited. The deadline to use these funds is December 31. You have until March 31, 2022 to file claims.
Open your HSA – If you are new to the high deductible plan for 2022, be sure to open your health savings account. Click here to get started.
Life insurance changes – Did you increase your life insurance during open enrollment? If so be sure to turn in your health application. Contact Liza Trant for any questions.
Deadline ahead – Friday, December 17 is the final day to submit any physician or LabCorp forms for your 2022 wellness incentive credits.
December 14, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on DREAM Alive Christmas Events Return
Indianapolis staffers renewed their support of DREAM Alive Christmas activities by shopping with scholars to buy presents for children in need and later helping scholars wrap the presents. COVID-19 pandemic protocols put a holiday damper on in-person activities in 2020, so our volunteers eagerly engaged with scholars to help provide Christmas cheer to students in need. The wrapping party took place November 30 at the Indianapolis Design Center. Ten scholars from Harshman Middle School looked like gift wrapping pros, thanks to (Santa’s) helpers Dyanne Allen, Darwin Acord, Anitra Lewis, Anna Menchaca, Liza Trant, and Maureen Walker. Scholars also enjoyed a sack lunch, snacks, and a drink courtesy of American Structurepoint. The wrapped gifts were delivered to Indianapolis families on Saturday, December 11. Thanks to all volunteers who either shopped, wrapped, or helped in distributing gifts this holiday season – we couldn’t do any of this without your participation.
Darwin Acord helps a scholar with wrapping duties
Adult shoppers getting instructions at Dream Alive shopping event
December 14, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Community Service News
The community service fund exists to make a difference in our communities. Donations are made to employee-nominated organizations and families. Submit your suggestion today!
Recent Donations
Thirst Project received a $12,000 donation from our community service fund. Currently active in eSwatini, Uganda, El Salvador, and Kenya, Thirst Project’s mission is to end the global water crisis by building freshwater wells in developing communities. The local wells improve the health of community members by reducing the occurrences of waterborne illnesses and by reducing the physical burden of hauling water from distant locations. American Structurepoint has provided financial donations to Thirst Project for the past 10 years, and more information about the impact of our donation can found by viewing the videos at https://www.structurepoint.com/company/responsibility.
Is your team, group, or design center planning a volunteer activity? Please send an email to “CommunityService” prior to the event. Funds may be available to complement your project!
December 14, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on American Structurepoint in the News
American Structurepoint projects and people appeared in the news media 22 times in November. Here’s a recap.
Utility Infrastructure Technical Director Mike Massonne was quoted extensively in an Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) detailing the City of Indianapolis’ plan to invest $10.1 million in flood-control projects to remove more than 650 land parcels from the federal 100-year floodplain. We provide stormwater program management services for the city.
Several of our Carmel, Indiana roundabout projects were mentioned in a front-page Sunday New York Times article publicizing the safety and climate benefits of roundabouts in the city with the most roundabouts in the country. (Please see the article appearing elsewhere in the newsletter).
American Structurepoint, as a key member of the Stantec consultant team working on the City of South Bend’s Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan, developed a solution to help save the city $437 million in projected costs. Building Indiana Magazine shared this news with its readers.
The Naples News published an article about the design work American Structurepoint is doing to address stormwater flooding issues in the Quinn Street and Imperial Bonita Estates neighborhoods of Bonita Springs, Florida.
Building Excellence in Design and Construction saluted the winners of the 2021 AIA Indiana Design and Service Awards, including Matt Jennings, who receive the Tony Costello Young Architect Award.
The topping-off ceremony at the Lafayette Public Building made news in The Lafayette Journal & Courier, Lafayette Leader, and Yahoo Finance. We are providing civil engineering, structural engineering, and architectural design services for the 70,000-sft foot building. (Please see the article appearing elsewhere in the newsletter.)
American Structurepoint provided civil engineering, land survey, and road design services for the Adelphi Quarter mixed-used project in Columbus, Ohio that may include a black-owned bank. The Columbus Dispatch reported on the development.
The Hamilton County Reporter reported that veterans attending the City of Carmel annual Veterans Day Ceremony received a gift thanks to donations from American Structurepoint and another business.
We are providing civil engineering services for a trio of speculative industrial buildings planned for 45 acres in Noblesville, Indiana to be known as Saxony Industrial Center. News of the projects appeared in the IBJ, Inside Indiana Business, Hamilton County Reporter, and News.com.
An affordable housing project in the Columbus, Ohio Northland neighborhood for which we provided civil engineering, land surveying, and road services received coverage in The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Jewish News, and Columbus Underground. (Please see the article appearing elsewhere in the newsletter.)
The Columbus Underground reported on plans for a mixed-use development of apartments, restaurant space, and a parking garage at East Fifth Street and North Fourth Street in Columbus, Ohio for which we have provided civil engineering and land surveying services.
The IBJ updated its readers about design and construction plans for the Purple and Blue rapid transit lines in Indianapolis, for which we are providing comprehensive program management services as the owner’s technical representative for the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. Construction contracts for the Purple Line are to be awarded this month, with construction to begin in early 2022. Blue Line designs are to be done in summer 2023, with construction beginning in 2024.
A planned unit development (PUD) near Championship Park in Kokomo for which we provided civil engineering and land surveying services received a fast-tracked approval from the City Council. The Kokomo Tribune reported that 40% percent of the 35-acre property will be developed for residential use.
November 8, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Protected: President’s Column
Our very own Karen Saavedra presented vital information to an Indiana task force charged with developing a long-term plan for the state’s wastewater needs.
Karen represented the utility infrastructure engineering industry when testifying October 13 to the Indiana Task Force on Wastewater Infrastructure Investment and Service to Underserved Areas. Her presentation, livestreamed to the general public, covered the topic “Are Wastewater Management Systems in Indiana Achieving Recommended Standards?” Karen did a great job converting “techy” info into easy-to-understand nuggets while sharing case studies about the challenges three client communities face in serving their residents. Slides from her presentation are available at this link: http://iga.in.gov/documents/5b76ce33
Karen had this to say about her experience. “I was honored to have this opportunity to speak to the task force about the importance of adequate funding, training, and education of the public in regards to our state’s wastewater systems. It was a great learning and growth experience for me. The task force is gathering information about how to help the wastewater systems in Indiana be able to adequately operate, maintain, and grow their systems to protect public health and help drive economic development in our state. I was proud to represent American Structurepoint at the state level!”
The 18-member task force will make funding and service recommendations in a report to Gov. Eric Holcomb by December 1, 2021.
November 8, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Social Media Campaign Touts I-69 Project
A social media campaign making its debut in October will spread the word about American Structurepoint’s role as lead designer of the sixth and final section of the I-69 Design-Build project linking Evansville to Indianapolis. We are part of the Walsh/Milestone Joint Venture designing and building the $730 million section stretching 26 miles from Martinsville in Morgan County to Indianapolis’ southside in Marion County. The campaign’s first post appeared October 22 on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn platforms. Follow our social media pages for regular updates throughout the project’s duration. This leg is scheduled to open to traffic by the end of 2024.
November 8, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Greensburg Celebrates Opening of Veterans Way Phase II
American Structurepoint engineers joined with Greensburg city officials for the October 20 ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of Veterans Way Phase II. We designed this project, as well as Veterans Way Phase I, to improve traffic flow and enhance economic development opportunities for the city. This phase begins at the intersection of West Smith Road and goes east to the SR 3 intersection. We also provided construction inspection services for Phase II. Both phases join North Michigan Avenue with the North Lincoln Street business district, extending from the already constructed roundabout at North Memorial Drive from Phase I. This newest segment delivers the following benefits:
Incorporation of safe pedestrian facilities
Improved connectivity between US 421 and SR 3
Expansion of sanitary and water services for new development
Over $3 million in savings versus initial estimates
Ribbon-cutting at Phase II
November 8, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Promotions In The News
Continued growth at American Structurepoint and strong professional performance add up to promotion opportunities for 11 employees. Read on for the details.
Alice Aldis – Project Engineer, Ohio Civil Engineering Group
Alice joined American Structurepoint in January 2020 and has played an important role in the Ohio Civil Engineering Group’s success since her arrival. She has used her strong technical skills in order to complete complex site designs, manage multiple tasks and tight deadlines, all while maintaining a great attitude.
Garrett Baker – Project Manager, Ohio Civil Engineering Group
Garrett joined American Structurepoint in March 2021 as a strategic hire and plays a key role in the group. In his new role, Garrett will take on more responsibility for the managing and delivery of projects. He will continue to be involved in the day-to-day design and will also be in charge of revenue, billing, developing proposals, and managing Arbor Homes in Ohio.
Kaitlyn Currie – Team Leader, Utility Infrastructure Group
Kaitlyn started as a summer intern with American Structurepoint in 2013 while a Purdue University student and has made this her professional home ever since. Not every engineer thrives in environments with many moving parts and competing stakeholders, but as our resident puzzle solver, Kaitlyn ambitiously rises to the challenge of making sense of the spaghetti bowl of underground utilities that are critical to the success of some of our communities’ most transformational projects – like the Indiana University Health Medical Campus in downtown Indianapolis. Building on her strong foundation in hydraulics and innate leadership skills, Kaitlyn is both taking on more prominent roles in complex projects and has begun passing on technical and professional knowledge to the next wave of engineers.
Karen Gillmore – Marketing Director
In her new role in the Marketing Services Group, Karen has primary responsibility for graphic design, multimedia and social media content, marketing materials, prequalifications, and office administration. She will work with our executive team, sales professionals, and group leaders to enhance our presence in the marketplace and continue ensuring our marketing materials are the best in the industry. Karen has over 20 years with our company, most recently serving as manager of our talented graphic design group. She has been involved in over 3,000 proposals and over 350 shortlists and presentations during her 20-year career.
Dave Haas – Team Leader, Utility Infrastructure Group
Dave joined American Structurepoint in 2018 bringing specialized stormwater and flood control experience to the team. Dave will now be assuming the operation management responsibilities and leading the production of our stormwater team at the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. Dave also will support companywide stormwater pursuits as well as engaging in select projects – like our recent win of the IBE/Quinn/Downs/Dean West of Imperial Parkway Infrastructure Project in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Zack Held – Team Leader, Utility Infrastructure Group Cleveland
Zack has been integral to advancing the strategic growth of our overall Ohio market sector since joining the company in 2019. Specifically, he’s contributed to utility infrastructure sales increasing from $500,000 in 2019, to $1 million in 2020, to over $1.7 million in 2021 to date. He has helped secure work with several new clients, including large wastewater treatment plant projects with Norwalk and Mahoning County. Part of that success is due to Zack’s ability to achieve an important balance between technical knowledge and effective interaction with people. His experience in the water and wastewater treatment process and design is a valuable asset to our whole group.
Eric Hoffman – Project Engineer, Ohio Civil Engineering Group
Eric has specialized experience working with the City of Columbus and on complex urban infill projects, such as Vera on Broad, Green House, and Verve Columbus. Eric is a diligent engineer and has shown proficiency amid aggressive deadlines for multiple projects, taking the design lead on many of them. He has grown significantly since joining the firm in 2019, both in his knowledge of site engineering and his CAD skills.
Adam Hunley – Proposal Director
Adam has responsibility over proposal development and management, presentation development and coaching, and copywriting and editing for internal and external communications in our Marketing Services Group. Since joining American Structurepoint in 2010, Adam has helped our firm secure multi-million dollar A/E opportunities and design-build contracts in nearly every market sector and type. He’s personally produced over 550 proposals and SOQ. Adam will work closely with Karen Gillmore, the executive team, group leaders, and sales professionals to develop cutting-edge proposals and highly innovative content, as well as develop and maintain a strong bench of proposal coordinators and content developers.
Mike Massonne – Technical Director, Utility Infrastructure Group
Mike will serve as our resident expert in all things stormwater for the Indianapolis Department of Public Works team. As the chief technical resource, Mike will mentor staff while managing the new Flood Control Improvement Districts he helped create, and overseeing the design and construction of the City’s largest stormwater project in history – the $80 million Rocky Ripple levee.
Mike Roche – Project Engineer, Ohio Civil Engineering Group
Mike joined American Structurepoint as a co-op in the summer of 2019, later joining as a full-time team member in 2020 after graduating from the Ohio State University. Mike has played a key role in production and understands the importance of working in an efficient manner while maintaining a positive attitude.
Eric Wolverton – Team Leader
Eric is the new team leader for the Northwest Indiana Design Center. He is now responsible for leading the northwest Indiana Road Team production and will mentor the continued growth and development of our regional staff. He also will continue to design and deliver infrastructure projects for clients in the region and collaborate with John Kennedy and Chris Murphy to secure new work. Eric joined the company in 2010 as a project manager and has excelled in developing relationships and securing transportation design work.
November 8, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Tampa Staffers Clean Up Beach Litter
From left to right: Patrick O’Connor, Matt Poppell, Sam Faraj, Andrew Stastny, Patrick Beliveau, Jose Jarquin, and Stefy Stand Stracuzzi
October 28, 2021: A day that will go down in infamy in the Tampa design center. It was a stormy and treacherous day near the sea, but seven hearty adventurers from the burgeoning Tampa design center braved the elements to clean-up nearly 20 pounds of litter at Upham Beach Park in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Fortunately, the storms dissipated as they approached the shore and our brave group was able to volunteer four full hours. They covered approximately 1 mile of beach, dunes, and park areas.
The most common litter was cigarette butts, but they also picked up plastic bags, cardboard plates, cups, containers, plastic, glass, bottle caps, and string. The oddest thing discovered was an RPM, yes, a raised pavement marker on a rock!? Adding some intrigue to this litter clean-up event, the beachcombers had to classify the types of items collected and weigh their collections before disposing of them as part of the October Ocean Conservancy month around the world!
Needless to say, countless families, children, adults, turtles, tourists, and locals are safer because of the effort our group made. Keep Pinellas Beautiful, the organization we worked through to organize this event, was very thankful for the team’s hard efforts to make the beach, dunes and park, public areas more beautiful, natural, and safe! The volunteers expressed great appreciation for the Community Service Board’s support of this event.
November 8, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Protected: October Project Wins and Shortlist
From left to right: Hardik Shah, Jose Jarquin, Andrew Stastny, Todd Ziegler, Matt Poppell, Patrick Beliveau, and Kent Moore at the ASCE Supersession
American Structurepoint sported a strong presence at the 31st Annual ASCE Tampa Bay Transportation Supersession, one of the transportation industry’s premier educational and networking events in Florida. The event presents an opportunity to hear from industry leaders about upcoming transportation projects and hot topics relevant to the industry, such as autonomous vehicles and potential stimulus funding. Hundreds of staff from Tampa Bay area transportation consulting firms attend each year. Tampa Senior Project Engineer Todd Ziegler served on this year’s planning committee. “The supersession is a high-impact industry event in the Tampa Bay area, and we accomplished our goal of enhancing the firm’s reputation out in the region,” said Vice President Kent Moore. Way to go, Florida team!
November 8, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Benefits Buzz – Open Enrollment, Wellness Screenings, and Wellness Challenge
November is a busy benefits month. Check out the news below!
Open Enrollment Is Here – Open enrollment is your once-a-year opportunity to sign up for benefits. Open enrollment is underway now and runs through Friday, November 19. An information session will be available on the intranet to view at your convenience.
Wellness Screenings – To take advantage of the wellness incentive credits for next year, you must complete a wellness screening. You have until Friday, December 17, to visit your physician or LabCorp. Log on to your WellRight portal to download the forms.
Fourth Quarter Wellness Challenge – Do you struggle with maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holidays? Join us for the six-week Maintain Don’t Gain Challenge starting Monday, November 22. Watch your email for details.
November 8, 2021
by Marketing Services Comments Off on Round of Applause – Roll Call for October
Here’s a salute to the 21 employees receiving Round of Applause recognition in October. Remember, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 to thank an employee for going the extra mile.
The inaugural American Structurepoint Women’s Golf Outing teed off without a hitch on October 12, after a rainout stalled the tournament in September. Thirty-two employees participated in the nine-hole scramble. We are looking forward to continuing this event and loads more fun for years to come! Winners are listed below.
