Kevin Hoffman earns Surveyor In Technology Certification
Mr. Hoffman is a 2016 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology with an A.A.S. in Surveying Technologies. He is responsible for conducting field topographical and property surveys, engineering surveys, records research, preparing plots, calculations and legal descriptions for properties; establishing field control; construction stakeout; and monumentation. He is trained in using Trimble GPS equipment, Trimble robotic instruments, Leica ScanStation, AutoCAD and Cyclone.
Why did he choose SSM?
After the experiences I had at SSM as a summer intern, I decided to return for full time employment after graduation. The combination of a diverse work experience, up to date technology and the people I work with all were key factors in my decision. The fact that almost every day I get to be in a different environment is incredible, not to mention getting to use the latest technologies in my line of work to their full potential to produce high quality data efficiently and accurately.
SSM Welcomes Survey Crew Chief, Matt Smith
Our Surveying and Data Capture Department is pleased to welcome Matthew Smith as a Survey Crew Chief.
MATT SMITH
Our Surveying and Data Capture Department is pleased to welcome Matthew Smith as a Survey Crew Chief.
Smith, a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology, Associate of Applied Science and Forest Technology, brings over 15 years of surveying and data capture experience to the firm. Matt will be a huge asset to our field crews as we serve the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Easement program as well as being a strong addition to our HDS scanning team. His solid work history will strongly support the Field-to-Finish work plan at SSM.
Sam Zook, SIT Receives Certification as Drone Pilot
Sam Zook, SIT is the third surveyor at SSM to receive certification as a Drone Pilot.
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.
Spottlight on Resolutions for the New Year
New Year’s is the perfect time of year to reflect on areas where you’d like to see a change in your organization and to take steps to achieve those improvements.
The Tradition of Resolutions
From losing weight to saving more money, from learning to knit to running a marathon, from spending more time with family to quitting smoking . . . the practice of making New Year’s resolutions is a worldwide tradition that’s steeped in history. Four thousand years ago in ancient Babylonia the people held celebrations in honor of the new year. They affirmed their loyalty to their king and made promises to the gods to pay their debts and returned borrowed objects. In return for keeping these promises, the gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. In ancient Rome, the new year was a symbolic time to look at the previous year and ahead to the future. Friends settled differences and people exchanged gifts like pears or sweets as wishes for a sweet new year. We’d like to wish you a Sweet New Year and invite you to take advantage of our business relationships and enjoy an assortment of treats representing some of our clients.
Click here to request a free Taste of SSM.
Business Resolutions
New Year’s is the perfect time of year to reflect on areas where you’d like to see a change in your organization and to take steps to achieve those improvements. Let’s face it – a resolution looks a lot like a goal. You set an objective, outline a plan, and take action. So why not resolve to make some changes in your organization?
- Think about what you want to achieve.
- Say it out loud.
- Ask for help.
Resolution: Focus on the Core
It takes a lot to make and market a product. It also takes a lot to assure regulatory compliance as well as address needs such as increased capacity, routine maintenance and facility expansion. That's why manufacturers of everything from chocolate to steel turn to SSM when it comes time to secure prime locations, plan more efficient warehouses and distribution centers, conduct feasibility studies, upgrade utilities and building systems, improve traffic flow and expand operations. By taking the lead on the facilities engineering side, we enable manufacturers to focus more on their core business.
Resolution: Stop Wasting Energy
Are you faced with hot spots, cold spots, and a basic mismatch of providing more nominal cooling than necessary? Whether you use underfloor air distribution or “in the space” cooling, getting the air to the load has been a trial and error undertaking usually resulting in oversized cooling capacity and less floor space. The overlooked fundamental issue is air distribution.
We utilize CFD analysis to optimize the cooling system and layout. The data power load and the cooling system are matched and arranged to achieve maximum energy efficiency. This keeps the cost of cooling both in equipment and operation down while maximizing the data load capability. We create a model that replicates the physical data center layout including power densities and cooling equipment locations and capabilities and the analysis is run to determine the resulting temperatures and airflows in the space. Using programs specifically designed for use in analyzing air movement and heat transfer, we can create a virtual simulation of the conditions within the data center. The CFD analysis is a valuable tool for data center design that can save time and money by taking the guess work out of rack layout and cooling airflow design.
Spottlight on Historic Preservation - November 2016
Spottlight on Historic Preservation | Protecting our History for Future Generations
Protecting our History for Future Generations
Historical preservation frames a community's past and defines its heritage. Preservation initiatives have a positive impact on economic growth for a community in the form of higher property values, increased revenue, and job creation. Rehabilitated and renovated historic buildings are core components in revitalized downtowns and cultural venues. From an environmental perspective, renovations and rehabilitation of existing properties results in less construction, demolition, and hazardous material debris. Additionally, the cost of rehabilitation is often less than new construction with the energy savings being considerable since there is no energy used for demolition, new construction or the manufacture of new materials.
Preserving Historical Structures Exploring Technology Applications
High-Definition Laser Surveying(HDS) offers a non-intrusive, non-contact method to obtain three dimensional geometry measurements and models of existing structures and sites for both large and small-scale projects. SSM uses HDS for historic building preservationto acquires as-built information inside and outside of any structure quickly and efficiently.
Heating Historical Structures Exploring Alternative Technologies
From materials to system capabilities, it’s true, ‘they don’t build them like the used to.’ Retrofits, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects present some challenges in terms of the systems in the buildings.
Drone Technology: Capturing the Coordinates from the Air
We know data. Since 1932, information management has been a core component of SSM's services; improving efficiency in operations, decision-making, environmental management, and engineering design. The combination of our intimate knowledge of the industry, our extensive background in information management, and our continuous commitment to leveraging technology to improve operations allows SSM to bring engineering services to life.
SSM at forefront in use of drones
Drone Technology. Pilots Earn Certification: Two members of the SSM Survey team: Chris Snyder, PLSand Steve Smith have received their certification as Drone Pilots.
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
PEDA 2016 Spring Legislative Conference
One third of the 1,200 US enclosed shopping malls are dead or endangered.
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
SSM Group, Inc. Announces Management Changes - Brian Kelly named President and CEO
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
Celebrating National Parks Week
Structural Design for Gun Display
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.