Agustin Conesa, PE, BCEE Joins SSM as Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer

Agustin Conesa, PE, BCEE

SSM celebrates another member of our Boomerang Club as we welcome Agustin Conesa, PE, BCEE as a Senior Water and Wastewater Engineer. Mr. Conesa will be a key component in the firm’s water, wastewater and industrial process engineering and design efforts and will provide quality control/quality assurance oversight on all project initiatives. He has more than 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and water/wastewater consulting engineering market.

His experience includes project management, process and project design of the following:

• Biological and enhanced nutrient removal (BNR/ENR) systems
• Pump stations
• Raw influent wastewater screening and de-gritting systems
• Aeration systems
• Disinfection and chemical feed systems
• Modeling of activated sludge processes
• Solid waste stabilization processes including biosolids dewatering and drying systems
• Energy cogeneration systems
• Process and instrumentation control systems

Based on the most recognizable type of boomerang, the Returning Boomerang; a special kind, that when thrown correctly, travels in a curved path and returns to its point of origin, the club was created as a means of celebrating those employees that had traveled their career path and returned to their point of origin, SSM.

Our company’s spirit, professional opportunities and working environment are certainly part of the power that draws our Boomerangers back.

Groundhog Day: Pipe Condition Assessment

Pipe Conditions Assessment

For more than 50 years, SSM's water and wastewater engineers have been addressing capacity and blockage issues in stormwater pipes, sanitary sewer mains and assessing the conditions of underground pipes.

We can help remedy even your largest sewer problems and nuisances!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Scott Carl, Sr. | Division Vice President | Water and Wastewater Engineering and Operations

Sam Zook, SIT Receives Certification as Drone Pilot

SAM ZOOK, SIT, Surveyor

Sam Zook, SIT, Surveyor has received his certification as a FAA Certified Remote Pilot. Zook is one of three certified pilots at SSM. He is a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology.

On June 21st, 2016 the FAA finalized a new regulatory framework for small, unmanned aerial systems. Titled Part 107, these new regulations created a new drone certification process that covers the majority of low-risk, commercial UAS flight operations for all commercially operated drones. Commercial refers to any kind of flight operation that can be tied to economic benefit. These new regulations were implemented on August 29, 2016.

SSM at forefront in use of drones

Lehigh Valley Business Journal

November 15, 2016

It took a while to get off the ground, but flight is might for SSM Group, Inc. of Wyomissing. The engineering firm last December acquired its long-awaited drone, a DJI Inspire 1 Pro model. And just last month, SSM began using the unmanned aircraft unit to benefit its clients. Read the full article

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Steve Smith, PLS
 

Source Water Plan Updates

DOWNLOAD

Over the last 10 years, many community water systems participated in various source water protection programs offered by the PA Department of Environmental Protection. 

These programs provided free technical assistance for a rigorous delineation of multiple water sources, identification of potential sources of contamination, and the development of a professional plan to address water quality issues.  As these plans become older, many aspects of the plan become outdated or not applicable to current practices. If your plan was developed four or more years ago, new tools and technology can improve your plan and make a positive impact on source water protection.

SSM offers a menu of services that keeps your Source Water Protection Plan relevant to your system’s present needs.  By using technology advances such as improved Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capability and new publicly-available information, your plan can be on the cutting edge of protection strategies.

• Enhanced groundwater and surface water computer modeling.  Is there a particular concern in your area?  SSM can use your plan delineation to model flow from a particular operation, or use a more rigorous computer model to track specific contaminants to your water sources.
• Review and update potential sources of contamination (PSOC) inventory.  PSOCs can change quickly. Using updated databases, we will help you identify and analyze important changes in PSOCs that may affect your water sources. 
• Resource extraction mapping for oil & gas wells and mining areas.  SSM can research unconventional well development in your area for the best protection of your groundwater sources.
• Land-use analysis.  Current sources of information can help map existing non-point source activities in your protection zones, such as residential, agriculture, and industrial areas.
• Review and add management options that update your system’s strategies for protecting your water sources.  Management strategies should be evaluated regularly to ensure they are effective in protecting your water sources.
• Reinvigorate your steering committee.  SSM can assist with organizing and conducting strategy meetings that brings new ideas and partners together to improve your plan.
• Contingency planning.  After the January 2014 contamination incident in the Elk River and other events , Disaster Planning is the new hot topic.  SSM staff can help develop partnerships with emergency responders and early warning networks through training and GIS assistance.
• Update your plan components.  SSM can write an addendum to your existing plan, bringing all of your priorities and updates together in one, concise report.

Daniel R. Connolly, PE Joins SSM Group

DANIEL R. CONNOLY, PE, Senior Water and Wastewater ENGINEER

SSM welcomes Daniel R. Connolly, PE as a Senior Water and Wastewater Engineer in the Water and Wastewater Engineering Department. Mr. Connolly will direct the firm’s water, wastewater and industrial process engineering and design efforts and will provide overall quality control/quality assurance oversight on all project initiatives. He has more than 25 years in the water and wastewater industry, serving a multitude of municipal clients on a wide variety of challenging and multi-faceted projects including both upgrades to existing systems and new facilities. His design experience includes process and engineering calculations, review of process equipment alternatives, selection of equipment and materials, preparation of sketches and schematics, process control concepts and instrumentation, development of specifications, coordination of work with other disciplines, preparation of construction cost estimates, and preparation of permitting applications to regulatory agencies. Bid and Construction phase experience includes response to bidder questions, review of bids, preparation of bid tabulation, review of submittals, response to contractor field questions, and construction progress meetings.

SSM Group, Inc. serves government, education, healthcare, industrial, and commercial clients in Pennsylvania, across the United States and in the Caribbean. SSM offers extraordinary experience in the planning, design, and construction management of wastewater and water systems, piping systems, pumping stations, and treatment plants. We offer solutions for tomorrow through far-sighted water and sewer infrastructure and environmental planning.

Carl D. Kline, Jr., LO Joins SSM Group

CARL KLINE, JR., LO, Senior Operations Specialist

SSM welcomes Carl D. Kline, Jr., LO as Senior Operations Specialist in the Water and Wastewater Engineering Services group.

Mr. Kline will lead the firm’s water, wastewater and industrial treatment plant operations support efforts and will provide new equipment startup, process startup and training on all treatment plant related project initiatives. In addition, his responsibilities will include maintaining client contact and providing ongoing operational support services, advice, training, and troubleshooting, as may be required to assist client operations staff in maintaining treatment process efficiency, effectiveness and DEP compliance.

He has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of water, wastewater, and public works. That experience includes responsible management of contracts, budgets, and personnel and associated operations, maintenance and safety programs. He has developed and maintains excellent relationships with clients, as well as federal, state, county, and local officials in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

SSM Group, Inc. serves government, education, healthcare, industrial, and commercial clients in Pennsylvania, across the United States and in the Caribbean. SSM offers extraordinary experience in the planning, design, and construction management of wastewater and water systems, piping systems, pumping stations, and treatment plants. We offer solutions for tomorrow through far-sighted water and sewer infrastructure and environmental planning.

Building Safety Month

PART1: ELECTRICAL SAFETY

PART 2: VENTILATION SYSTEM DESIGN

PART 3: STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS

A three-part series exploring engineering and environmental issues supporting Building Safety. Topics include Electrical Safety, Poor Ventilation: Impact and Solutions, and Crane Structural Safety.

Building Safety

Safety in building construction traces to the Code of Hammurabi around 1750 BC, offering rather straightforward dis-incentives of re-work or death. A mere six rules pertained to damages due a builder for his failure to properly construct a home. Building and natural catastrophes like the Great Fire of London (1666), the Great Fire of Chicago (1871), 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and more recent Hurricane Sandy led to voluminous developments to identify risks, create consistent standards, and changes to reflect new materials and methods.

The International Code Council’s (ICC) 2015 International Building Code contains slightly less than 700 pages; 35 chapters and 13 appendices, with the singular focus of providing a model for minimum acceptable safety standards to protect public health and welfare for every type of building occupancy. Modern codes go one step further and also provided minimum standards for sustainability related to energy consumption. And the IBC is just one of many standards and guidelines we work with in industrial, commercial, municipal projects.

Part 1: Electrical Safety

Opportunities for electrical faults and associated health risks to workers exist throughout industrial, municipal, and institutional facilities, with electrical distribution equipment and large equipment associated with manufacturing, process systems, research, HVAC, and central utility plants. The IBC by reference to the NEC (National Electrical Code) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) dictates that an electrical system be evaluated for Arc Flash hazards and that equipment be appropriately labeled according to the protection required. Hazards associated with electricity is a serious workplace hazard; The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI http://www.epri.com/Pages/Default.aspx ) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/)   have very good videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZP47mlELSc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RkbMdaeq0o ) describing research into arc flash and stories by those affected by incidents.

Consider your building. Have you completed an ArcFlash Hazard Analysis for the facility? Do you have a defined electrical safety program and proper training and PPE for your employees? Does your electrical equipment have warning labels that comply with NFPA 70E, OSHA, or ANSI Z 535?

We can help. SSM supports numerous clients by performing comprehensive electrical distribution and equipment assessments; conducting short circuit analysis, time current coordination studies and identifying Hazards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Emerick Martin, PE, Senior Electrical Engineer

Part 2: Ventilation Design

Since man began using indoor fires for heating, ventilation of indoor air has existed, and still today the primary source of indoor air quality issues result from inadequate ventilation. Contemporary building contaminants, including VOC’s and synthetic fibers from building and furnishing materials; microbials, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, radon, asbestos, etc. can trigger discomfort, illness, allergic reactions,  and temperature and humidity both impact concentrations of certain contaminants. In broad terms, ventilation design involves natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, or local exhaust.

Well designed and maintained HVAC systems provide thermal comfort while using outdoor air to ventilate, dilute, isolate, and exhaust odors and contaminants. The ICC, through The International Building Code (IBC), by reference to ASHRAE 55-2010, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy and; 62.1-2010, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality dictates comfort (temperature, humidity, air movement) and ventilation parameters. Comfort and ventilation standards have significantly evolved since the very early part of the 20th century when the first standards for thermal comfort and ventilation became requirements, to reflect changing patterns in building space use, outdoor pollutants, complex variety of chemicals and components in building and furnishing materials, energy conservation goals, to name a few. 

Building Standards will continue to transform especially in regards to ventilation, to resolve the seemingly disparate design goals for more ventilation and lower energy consumption. Particularly interesting developments for design integration of energy simulation and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) in the design process, and occupant-specific, dynamic systems, are promising.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Bruce Bell, PE, Senior Technical Director, Mechanical and Plumbing Engineering

Part 3: Structural Alterations and Additions

The average building life cycle of non-residential structures extends many, many years. In fact, according to the US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2012 report, Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, “commercial buildings remain in use for many decades. Although about 12% of commercial buildings (comprising 14% of commercial floorspace) were built since 2003, the commercial building stock is still fairly old, with about half of all buildings constructed before 1980; the median age of buildings in 2012 was 32 years.” It’s also true that within a short period of time, buildings become functionally unsuitable, or that facilities constructed for one product or purpose evolves to serve another.

So, distinct from normal operations and maintenance activities, continuous investment in research and development, production and logistics requires that alterations, additions, reuse, reallocation of space be permitted to comply with building safety standards, including structural codes. Like the applicable zoning, electrical, mechanical, plumbing codes, the structural codes are also updated to reflect new or better understood threats to building safety. For instance, it is important that new equipment installation for research or manufacturing tools be evaluated for foundation or floor structural capacity. Similarly, a comprehensive building structural analysis may be necessary with the installation of new overhead cranes or conveying equipment installation where there exists multiple generations of similar equipment; it’s not atypical to discover that over time and staff turnover, historical knowledge of the building changes are lost.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Patrick McCoy, PE

ARC FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS

DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEET

The Arc Flash Hazard Analysis identifies the levels of incident energy throughout the system.

An arc flash is the result of a rapid release of energy (light and heat) due to an arcing fault between electrical conductor(s) and another electrical conductor(s) or ground with enough electrical energy to cause damage or fire, and injury. During an arc fault air becomes the conductor. A massive amount of energy discharges during the arc flash or blast. This energy burns the conductors, vaporizing the copper and thus causing an explosive volumetric increase, the arc blast. This explosion propels deadly shrapnel and molten metal as it dissipates. This rapid release of energy can cause debilitating burns, other injuries and even death. Without an Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis, employers cannot properly protect their personnel from arc-flash.

Elements of the Hazard Analysis

• Short Circuit Study- The short circuit study calculates the maximum short circuit current the electrical power system may be subjected to at each equipment location through out the distribution network from the sources such as utilities, generators, and motors. The equipment includes substations, switchgear, motor control centers, and panels with their respective over current protective devices; generators; transforms; motors; and UPS equipment. The short circuit results determine the required ratings for electrical equipmen6t to adequately sustain the fault current capacity of the system. If a short circuit occurs, the electrical power system’s available energy is directed to the point of the fault in amounts that greatly exceed the normal operating currents, and the equipment must have the ability tow withstand and interrupt these large currents until the protective device opens to clear the faulted portion of the circuit.
• Protective Device Evaluation - The protective device evaluation study determines if the equipment ratings needed to sustain the fault currents calculated by the Short Circuit Study are adequate. Each circuit breaker, bus, etc., is reviewed in regards to the available short circuit to determine that the equipment can adequately withstand the fault current.
• The Protective Device Time Current Coordination - The protective device time current coordination study reviews the relay and circuit breaker trip settings, fuses, and their operating time and current characteristics in order to properly coordinate these settings with upstream and downstream devices so that any faults are isolated to the location of the fault; hence, limiting the impact to the remaining portions of the system. The coordination study is used in an Arc Flash study to determine the length of time an arc would occur which is directly related to the incident energy associated with an arc flash event.

What the Analysis Reveals

The Hazard Analysis will identify the locations which require PPE greater than Category 0. The review determines if there are possible arc flash mitigation recommendations that can be implemented to reduce the incident energy levels. Such recommendations might include device setting changes, replacement of molded case type circuit breakers with static trip type circuit breakers, changing fuse types, or installation of additional fused disconnects or circuit breakers. As a result of reducing the incident energy levels the corresponding Category of PPE required to work on the equipment while energized is reduced.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Emerick Martin, PE, Senior Electrical Engineer

Sinkholes and Why They Matter

Sinkholes can be dangerous in many ways.

MEASURING SINKHOLE POTENTIAL RISK

Karst is defined as “a terrain, generally underlain by limestone, in which the topography is chiefly formed by the dissolving of rock, and which is commonly characterized by Karren, closed depressions, subterranean drainage, and caves” by the Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1899. Each component listed above (Karren, closed depressions, subterranean drainage, and caves) are considered karst features, but most importantly, sinkholes are considered karst features.

Sinkholes can be dangerous in many ways. They can cause damage to the foundation of a building, they serve as conduits for surficial contaminants to reach groundwater, and they can cause damage to buried services like water lines and electrical conduits according to Conserve Energy Future. Knowing the risk of sinkhole formation is key to minimizing possible damages.

Since the amount of karst features in an area can be related to the occurrence of sinkholes, an interactive sinkhole risk map was created using the density of karst features within a geologic formation.

Interactive Sinkhole Risk Map

The Interactive Sinkhole Risk Map provides access to searchable and interactive information such as karst density and geologic formations which contain carbonate rocks within Pennsylvania. The map displays only geologic formations in which the geologic unit contains carbonate rocks. There is the possibility of sinkholes forming in non-carbonate environments, but those situations were not considered in the making of this map. Explore the Interactive Sinkhole Risk Map to view the Sinkhole Risk for any location.

If a sinkhole evaluation of a location is desired, SSM Group, Inc. has multiple professionals on staff with years of experience in sinkhole risk evaluations. Feel free to contact SSM Group, Inc. to learn more.

Interactive sinkhole map provides access to searchable and interactive information

PEDA 2016 Spring Legislative Conference

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION HANDOUTS

The Dying Mall: Reinventing Shopping Malls to Revitalize the Community

What’s to become of the shell of America’s shopping mall history?

Malls with high vacancy rates, low consumer traffic, no anchor store, or dated and deteriorating structures are considered ‘dead.’ Green Street Advisors report there are approximately 1,200 enclosed malls across the country and 15% of those malls will fail or be converted into non-retail space within the next 10 years. Online shopping, the recession, and demographic shifts are the key factors leading to this death toll. A change to the way we shop has led some mall owners to change the set-up of their mall, re-arranging like stores together, adding new anchors (like Apple stores) or new features (like daycare or children’s play areas) and changing the food court to a dining terrace with upgrades from fast food to sushi bars. While these approaches may save some shopping malls, the hard truth remains that many of these malls will not return to the glory of their past; but will instead close leaving behind a gigantic concrete shell on an island of macadam.

We'll be talking about the revitalization efforts at the PEDA 2016 Spring Conference!

For more information:
Terry Reed, Vice President Business Development

A great time to explore Solar opportunities in PA

REGISTRATION FORM

WHY NOW?
Prices for solar systems have fallen by nearly 60% over the past five years. The lowered prices combined with incentives currently available make solar particularly attractive

SSM Group, Inc and RER Energy Group, LLC are offering a seminar on solar photovoltaic energy for commercial, industrial, and municipal enterprises to explore the current opportunities in Pennsylvania.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? The seminar will benefitbusiness owners, municipal officials, and all personnel who are responsible for managing electrical energy systems and associated costs.

ON THE AGENDA

Financial Incentives and Options
Federal Tax Credit: 30% of project costs
Accelerated Depreciation: 5 years (50% in the first two years)
Financing Options and PPA’s (Purchase Power Agreements)
Effective cost of energy for businesses: $0.03–$0.05 per kWh for next 25–35 years!

Technology Best Practices and Case Studies
Equipment and Installation Options
Utility Interconnection and Net Metering Considerations
Case Study Examples

SSM Group, Inc. Announces Management Changes - Brian Kelly named President and CEO

BRIAN KELLY
President & CEO

PATRICK McCOY, PE
Executive Vice President

CATHERINE BELL
Divisional Vice President Facilities and Site Engineering

SSM Group, Inc. recently announced a corporate management restructure. Brian R. Kelly has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the firm. Kelly, who formerly served as the company’s Executive Vice President with responsibility of running the firm’s operations, replaces J. Carlton Godlove, II, who has left the company to pursue other interests.

Kelly is one of four McCoy family members who assumed control and management of the firm in 1996.  Kelly has an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from The Pennsylvania State University. Prior to joining the SSM management team, Kelly was employed at AT&T for more than 17 years in various roles. Kelly resides in Reading with his wife, Kay McCoy Kelly, who is a daughter of the company’s founder, Lewis J. McCoy, Sr. In a prepared statement, Kelly said, “I look forward to leading the company as we embark upon strategic growth and expansion.  I am very proud of our exceptionally talented senior leadership team and all of our employees, and I am confident that, with their help and support, we will continue to grow the company and succeed at fulfilling our corporate mission – ‘Enhancing the quality of life for our clients, our employees, and all of the people touched by our work.’  Our work is so important because it touches this generation and future generations with a scope broader than we can imagine – and it leaves a legacy that will live far beyond us.”

“Approximately six months ago we appointed a team of independent professionals to work with us as members of an Advisory Board:  Thomas A. Beaver, CPA, former managing partner at RKL; Patricia L. Langiotti, President of Creative Management Concepts; and Mike Shor, former executive with Carpenter.  These Advisory Board members have played a key role in helping us plan for our future,” Kelly said.

Kelly also announced that shareholder, Patrick M. McCoy, PE, has been promoted to Executive Vice President.  “Patrick will lead the company’s business development and sales and marketing efforts and he will be a strong right-hand man,” Kelly said.  Patrick McCoy has been with the firm since 1996.  He graduated from Drexel University, like his father, and holds Bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Architectural Engineering. McCoy formerly led the company’s Facilities and Site Engineering Division which provides services to worldwide companies such as IBM. Prior to joining SSM, he was with Ortega Consulting, Media, PA, and Gredell & Associates, Wilmington, DE. 

Shareholder Lewis J. (Lou) McCoy, Jr. of Reading, who joined the firm in 1985, will continue in his role as Director of Human Resources.

Catherine (Kitty) Bell, who joined the firm in 2004, is being promoted to Divisional Vice President. Formerly the firm’s Vice President of Facility Engineering, she assumes an expanded role, with additional management responsibility for Site Engineering and Survey and Data Capture disciplines (formerly managed by Patrick McCoy). Bell resides in Reading, PA.

SSM Group, Inc. is an engineering and consulting firm founded by Lewis J. McCoy, Sr. in 1967.  The company continues to be family owned and operated.  Headquartered at 1047 North Park Road in Wyomissing with satellite offices in Harrisburg and the Lehigh Valley,  SSM has just under 100 employees and provides services to various types of local, regional and national businesses that include commercial, industrial, manufacturing and telecommunications as well as healthcare and higher education institutions.  The company also provides services to numerous local, regional, and county government entities.  While the company’s primary market is a regional footprint including Berks County and the Lehigh Valley, SSM serves clients throughout PA and the Northeastern United States as well as to some international clients. 
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Brian Kelly, President and CEO
brian.kelly@ssmgroup.com | P: 610-621-2000

Tim East joins SSM Group

TIM EAST | Graduate Mechanical Engineer

SSM welcomes Timothy East as Graduate Engineer in our Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineering Department. Tim is responsible for mechanical design and preparation of scope, plans, and specifications for industrial, commercial and institutional building projects. He received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Wilkes University.

Aaron Pysher, GIT Joins SSM Group

Aaron Pysher | Graduate Geologist

SSM welcomes Aaron Pysher, GIT as Graduate Geologist. Aaron is a Geologist-In-Training (GIT) responsible for field and technical support of various water resources projects including public water supply development, infiltration testing, sinkhole investigations, and groundwater modeling and analysis. He received his BS in Professional Geology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Katie Baltzley joins SSM Group, Inc.

KATIE BALTZLEY | GIS TECHNICIAN

SSM Group, Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering and consulting firm based in Reading PA, welcomes Katie Baltzley as a GIS Technician in the Water Resources Department.  Baltzley will be responsible for creating and managing GIS data in support of a variety of environmental, municipal, and industrial projects including producing maps and customized GIS applications for our Water Resources, Source Water Protection, and Comprehensive Planning projects.  She received her BA degree in Geography from Millersville University.

Celebrating National Parks Week

Pennsylvania Military Museum

Pennsylvania Military Museum

Structural Design for Gun Display

• Provided engineering services to support the installation of two, 14-inch diameter, 53-foot-long gun barrels from the Battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) on a concrete pedestal.
• Oversaw a geotechnical investigation and prepared structural designs to design pedestal that would approximate the manner in which the guns appeared on the ship, including a 28’diameter disc that replaces the ship’s turret.
   

LINKS

• News
• Publications, Presentations
• Resources
• Upcoming Events

Celebrating National Parks Week

Daniel Boone Homestead

Daniel Boone Homestead

Wastewater Treatment Plant Emergency Assessment

• Conducted site investigations and evaluated appropriate technology and the feasibility of planned improvements to method of proceeding to develop an environmentally sound and technically feasible solution for wastewater collection and treatment.
• Developed preliminary sizing, design requirements, costs, permitting, and regulatory requirements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Patrick McCoy, PE, LEED AP, Division Vice President, Facilities and Site Engineering

LINKS

• News
• Publications, Presentations
• Resources
• Upcoming Events

David Morgan, RLA Named Chair PA State Board of Landscape Architects

 David Morgan, RLA - Regional Vice President, Central PA

“The balance of beautiful outdoor spaces and technically-sound designs depends on the expertise of Landscape Architects and the work of the licensing board is essential in maintaining the high quality of professionally-licensed Landscape Architects in the Commonwealth.”

— David Morgan, RLA

David Morgan, RLA, Regional Vice President for SSM Group, Inc. has been appointed chair of the Pennsylvania State Board of Landscape Architects.

As a professional member of the State Board of Landscape Architects, Mr. Morgan will participate in regulating the licensure and registration of landscape architects in order to promote the general welfare and safeguard the life, health and property of citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mr. Morgan was appointed to the board in 2012 by Tom Corbett, former Governor of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Morgan has over 26 years of landscape architecture and land development planning experience. In his current role, he serves as the Central Pennsylvania Regional Vice President for SSM Group, Inc., a multidiscipline consulting engineering and planning firm, headquartered in Reading, PA.

Mr. Morgan is responsible for the day-to-day business operations of the firm’s Harrisburg office along with managing all phases of landscape architecture and site design for the firm from conceptual design and master planning through production of construction documents and presentations to governmental agencies. His experience includes subdivision planning, storm water management, and land development planning; recreation facility planning; site design; grading; landscaping; soil erosion and sediment control; site construction inspections; NPDES/NOI permit preparation; review and commentary of engineering plans for local government agencies and municipalities; PENNDOT Highway Occupancy Permits; feasibility studies, cost estimates, and securing project approvals.

He holds an A.S. in Commercial Arts & Design from Antonelli Institute of Art & Design and is a Registered Landscape Architect in Pennsylvania. 

LINKS

• News
• Publications, Presentations
• Resources
• Upcoming Events

Scott Carl, Sr., joins SSM Group

SCOTT CARL, Vice President Water and Wastewater Services

SSM Group, Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering and consulting firm welcomed Scott Carl, Sr. as the Vice President Water and Wastewater Services.  Mr. Carl will direct the water and wastewater services for the firm including all aspects of water and wastewater engineering services, municipality and authority representation, water and wastewater treatment operations, treatment plant design, construction phase engineering, and regulatory compliance assistance.

Mr. Carl has more than 28 years of experience in the engineering and consulting industry; his experience includes project management and construction management for water and wastewater systems including treatment plants, pre-treatment facilities, source water facilities, pumping stations, residuals handling, water storage, transmission, distribution, and collection systems, SCADA and telemetry systems, automatic metering systems and operation and maintenance programs. 

SSM Group, Inc. serves government, education, healthcare, industrial, and commercial clients in Pennsylvania, across the United States and in the Caribbean. SSM offers extraordinary experience in the planning, design, and construction management of wastewater and water systems, piping systems, pumping stations, and treatment plants. We offer solutions for tomorrow through far-sighted water and sewer infrastructure and environmental planning. When it comes to managing and protecting water resources, SSM is the authority that everyone turns to.

LINKS

• News
• Publications, Presentations
• Resources
• Upcoming Events