Story #60 - Then and Now: Drafting
Story #60 is a look at drafting years ago, versus today.
Story #60 is a look at drafting years ago, versus today.
Then and Now.
It’s safe to say over 90 years we’ve seen a few upgrades. For story #60 we’re reflecting on when drafting & design was all done by hand and the progressions we’ve made since then.
Story #59 - First GIS Project
Story #59 is a look back on the announcement of our first major GIS project.
Story #59 is a look back on the announcement of our first major GIS project.
Excerpt from SSM’s November 1989 Internal Newsletter Newsbeat, announcing the first major GIS contract for the firm.
Last month SSM won its first major Geographic Information System (GIS) contract — with Lawrence Township, NJ. The primary purpose of the project is to prepare updated tax maps which will assist in the Township’s property revaluation. The tax maps will be produced in an electronic format compatible with SSM GIS, in which tax lot information will be added. SSM will provide the township a faster and better way of organizing and maintaining vital tax and property information through the GIS. The project will take approximately nine months to complete.
The use of GIS has grown dramatically in the 1980’s and is now used in many businesses, universities, and governments. It has an amazingly wide range of applications. It is a computer system that ties data to specific locations and can solve complex planning and management problems.
GIS offers municipal officials and private institutions, as well as utility companies, the ability to manage their operations with a data base of spatial information. One of the valuable roles of a GIS is to integrate information across an organization so that it can be shared, interrelated, and used in common among different departments or groups. For example, if a township had to quickly locate all the gas mains and shut off valves in the event of earthquake, they could instantly do so through GIS.
When the GIS is in place, Lawrence Township will, among other benefits, be able to more efficiently and effectively perform tax assessments and planning. In the future, the Township will be able to add more information such as utility locations, at a relatively low cost.
Since this first major contract, SSM has aided our clients with GIS Management for more than twenty years.
Read more about GIS Data Management. Or, check out our GIS Services List.
Story #58 - Lancaster Office
Story #58 is the story of expanding SSM’s geographic footprint to Lancaster County, Pa.
Story #58 is the story of expanding SSM’s geographic footprint to Lancaster County, Pa.
In August of 2018, SSM expanded its geographic footprint to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The regional office opened on August 27, 2018. The office is located in the Newport Commons community at 701 Creekside Lane in Lititz, Pa.
The Lancaster office continues to be one of SSM’s 4 offices in Pennsylvania: Reading, Lehigh Valley, Lancaster, and West Chester. Expansion of the SSM footprint in 2018 was a celebration of our investment in a diverse and mobile workforce, fostering future growth. The Lancaster office opened the door for additional opportunities to serve the Lancaster community with our full range of engineering, surveying, and environmental services.
To celebrate the grand opening of the new office, SSM and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting ceremony, featuring a local food truck and dessert.
Story #57 - Internship Program
Story #57 looks back on our past, and current, internship program.
Story #57 looks back on our past, and current, internship program.
SSM has employed more than 40 interns/summer/co-ops. We’re proud of the programs we host that support current students in their pursuit of future careers. We’ve also had the pleasure of hosting shadow day programs for students interested in learning more about the engineering field.
Here’s some interesting facts about the internship students we’ve hosted over the years:
They’ve worked in a variety of groups:
Indoor Environmental Quality
Marketing
Human Resources
Surveying
Information Technology
Field Services/Construction Inspection
Water & Wastewater Engineering
Civil Engineering
Facilities Engineering
They were pursuing a variety of degrees:
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Environmental Science/Geology
Environmental Studies
Surveying Technologies
Information Technology
Energy and Sustainability Policy
Civil and Construction Technology
Nursing
Secondary Biology Education
Communications
Social Work
They attended a variety of schools:
Elizabethtown College
Alvernia University
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Temple University
Ursinus College
York College of Pennsylvania
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania College of Technology
University of Vermont
Drexel University
Berks Technical Institute
Story #56 - Co-Op Program
Story #56 celebrates team members that came to us through a co-op program as high school students.
Story #56 celebrates team members that came to us through a co-op program as high school students.
SSM worked with VoTech for a Co-op program. The program was two-fold in that it helped build student’s skills, provided them work experience, and aided in filling positions for entry-level drafters on our team.
Students involved in the program were learning drafting as a part of their high school curriculum. When they were “job ready”, they were placed in companies hiring for those positions. As a part of the co-op program, students worked with SSM for a period of time, and then once graduated SSM had the option of offering a full-time position.
At SSM we have two current employees that came to us first as a part of this co-op program!
Karen Sandman is a senior designer in our Land Development team. Karen was a part of the program in the early eighties, later accepting a full time position with SSM. Karen is also one of several boomerangs at SSM!
Heather Meyers, Site and Survey CAD Manager with our Survey team was also a part of the co-op program in the early nineties. This led to her full-time hire. Heather is a part of our boomerang team as well, continuing to bring us expertise and passion for the work she does!
Story #55 - Supporting Education in the Community
Story #55 is a look back on SSM’s support of STEM/STEAM education in the community.
Story #55 is a look back on SSM’s support of STEM/STEAM education in the community.
Over the years, SSM has participated in various programs that assist educators from elementary schools, technical schools, and colleges/universities to develop support the engineers, surveyors, geologists, and problem-solvers of the future.
We were part of a Berks Intermediate Unit program that provided teachers a 6-week summer internship program, allowing them a glimpse into careers at SSM, and preparing them for mentorship of their students. Recently, we’ve hosted teachers as a part of the Inside Berks Business Program. This program invites STEM educators to learn about careers at our firm, skills that go with them, and concepts to incorporate in the classroom.
Community Involvement
Our team has also been a part of many community-based STEM/STEAM programs. We’ve been technical experts and judges for science fairs, career fairs, and more. We facilitates/proctored MATHCOUNTS events in Berks and Lehigh County, and even led project teams for summer engineering camps.
Throughout 90 years in business, we’ve consistently welcomed new opportunities to support our community in developing and fostering the love for STEM/STEAM.
Education Programs
In addition to our community support, we are proud to provide curriculum resources and opportunities to school districts through our Energy and Sustainability services. Our Energy team has worked with several schools in providing energy audit experience and education. The service includes a full-scale curriculum for teachers and experiential learning for students. Students participate in an energy audit of their school building and receive the opportunity to learn more about energy efficiency and building operations. Likewise, the school receives the prized data collected during the audit as opportunities for improving their efficiency and energy use.
Story #54 - Celebrating Families
Story #54 celebrates SSM as a family-oriented firm.
Story #54 celebrates SSM as a family-oriented firm.
At SSM, we believe in a lot of things. We believe in making the world a better place. We believe in quality work with meaningful purpose. We believe in doing the best we can to be the best we can. We believe in professional integrity, cutting-edge technology, and environmental responsibility.
There’s another thing we believe in at SSM. We believe in family. SSM is not just a family owned and operated firm. We’re a family-oriented firm as well. We’re a firm that pays attention to our team members, and also pays attention to the ones they love most.
Over the years we’ve sent college care packages, held gingerbread competitions, enjoyed special guests on virtual calls, celebrated holidays, bought girl scout cookies, held picnics, hunted for easter eggs, hosted baseball games… you name it. But what makes us unique is we don’t do it because we should. We do it because we care. We do it because it matters.
When we talk about our 90th Anniversary celebration, we talk about the things that make SSM unique. We know that SSM is a better place to work because we invest in the whole person - the person you are when you’re at work, and the person you are when you’re away from work. Our 90 stories series is a celebration of stories that define who we are and how we got here. This series simply wouldn’t be complete without a story about family.
We’re grateful for 90 years of celebrating family with our team - the milestones, the memories, and so much more.
Story #53 - Families that Work Together
Story #53 is about our family teams that work together at SSM.
Story #53 is about our family teams that work together at SSM.
We’re proud to be a family-owned and operated firm. From the roots down we celebrate the SSM family and the families that make up our SSM team. But when we say family-operated, we don’t just mean our ownership. Over the years we’ve celebrated many family duo’s within our SSM team. Check out some of our parent-child, husband-wife, and even in-law duos that are currently a part of the SSM team!
Story #52 - Then and Now Indoor Environmental Quality
Story #52 is a “then and now” of our environmental services team in the field.
Story #51 is a “then and now” of our environmental services team in the field.
Then and Now!
When Charles Stevens left private industry to become a partner in the firm, he brought over 24 years of environmental engineering, air pollution and industrial hygiene experience with him. Today, we still offer many services in that same arena.
Our environmental field services group supports our teams and clients with services such as:
Hazardous Materials Surveys for Buildings
Indoor Environmental Quality
Geologic Services
Environmental Sampling
Permitting and Regulatory Compliance
Financial and Grant Development and Administration
Story #51 - Godiva
Story #51 is a second “sweet” project profile
Story #51 is a second “sweet” project profile
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.
Production lines, filling lines, blending and mixing operations, conveyor systems, drying ovens and other equipment related to the food industry often require engineering solutions to hygienic handling problems, air contamination, and waste treatment and disposal. SSM has designed product conveying systems; exhaust systems to handle nuisance dust, toxic fumes, and fugitive particulates; and other processes and equipment.
2002 | Godiva Chocolatier Inc.
SSM completed an air permit application for installation of a new coating process in the Reading facility.
SSM prepared SPCC plan and record drawing preparation for storm and sanitary lines.
SSM provided engineering services to design a CO2 reduction system for the packing and cold storage operation to reduce the CO2 levels to within the acceptable range, while still providing the temperature conditions required for the space without sacrificing operational efficiencies.
Looking for another sweet bite? Read about a project we did with the Hershey Company! Read about it here.
Story #50 - Hershey's
Story #50 is a “sweet” project profile.
Story #50 is a “sweet” project profile.
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.
Production lines, filling lines, blending and mixing operations, conveyor systems, drying ovens and other equipment related to the food industry often require engineering solutions to hygienic handling problems, air contamination, and waste treatment and disposal. SSM has designed product conveying systems; exhaust systems to handle nuisance dust, toxic fumes, and fugitive particulates; and other processes and equipment.
1994 | Hershey Chocolate U.S.A. - Luden's Plant
Underground Storage Tank Services at Industrial Complex | SSM provided services to include preparation of specifications for closure activities, bid phase services on site inspection soil sampling, soil remediation and closure report preparation regarding the closure of one regulated diesel fuel UST and one regulated gasoline UST.
Looking for another “sweet” bite? Read our project profile about Godiva Chocolatier! Read about it here.
Story #49 - Huddles through the Years
Story #49 is a collection of memories of Company Huddles through the years.
Story #49 is a collection of memories of Company Huddles through the years.
Once a month our team gathers together for a company-wide huddle. Because we are a multi-discipline firm and we operate out of four office locations and remote work, we think that creating opportunities to be together and build community with one another is important.
We utilize company huddles as an opportunity to check-in, talk about some projects, provide company updates, share what we’re all working on, identify new opportunities, and a whole lot more.
Throughout the years our huddle has taken many new turns. We’ve embraced competitions, hosted award ceremonies, enjoyed many laughs, done a few presentations, and even learned some new technology. Recently, we’ve transitioned our huddles to a virtual format, ensuring that our togetherness can continue to happen anywhere. Our virtual huddles have allowed for all of our employees to stay in the loop, and to share news. The best part is, that going virtual hasn’t taken away from our goal to be together. Instead, we’ve prioritized finding new ways to make community building happen, not matter the format.
Story #48 - Workwear News
Story #48 is an early example of SSM’s approach to the work environment.
Story #48 is an early example of SSM’s approach to the work environment.
In October of 1998, Patrick McCoy and Ed Hostetter, were photographed at work for a Reading Eagle article about workplace attire.
The article focused on the changes in workplace attire including moving from neckties into a more casual approach to workwear.
The article references SSM’s full-time casual-dress policy. We were proud to be one of the early organizations in our region to adopt this approach to employee dress. We’ve always been about thinking outside the box, and making work a place where employees are comfortable and happy to do the things they do best.
Story #47 - Telford Wellhead Protection
Story #47 is about SSM’s development of one of the first recognized Wellhead Protection Programs.
Story #47 is about SSM’s development of one of the first recognized Wellhead Protection Programs.
1994 | Wellhead Protection Program
SSM’s water resources group worked with Telford Borough Authority to develop a Wellhead Protection Program. This program was one of the first group of three projects to be recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as being in full compliance with Pennsylvania Wellhead Protection Program requirements.
The program received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for a Regional Wellhead Protection Program in Berks County.
SSM assisted with creating the steering committee, making public presentations, technical input, and program management. The refinements include a water-level and water quality network. A series of water-level data loggers were installed and as an early warning system for drought management. A wellhead protection GIS tool was also developed to track and manage data associated with the groundwater protection zones.
Story #46 - Egg Shaped Digester
Story #46 is about SSM’s design of the first cylindrical-shaped digester in Pennsylvania.
Story #46 is about SSM’s design of the first cylindrical-shaped digester in Pennsylvania.
1996 | Egg-Shaped Digester
SSM was responsible for the planning, engineering design, and construction management of a 1.5 mgd wastewater treatment system in the Borough of Kutztown utilizing an innovative treatment technology called the egg-shaped digester system. The digester’s unique egg-like shape allows for sludge to be mixed more completely and with less energy than a conventional cylindrical-shaped digester. The digester was the first such unit in Pennsylvania. It received an Engineering Excellence Award from the Pennsylvania Consulting Engineers Council.
Story #45 - Fleur De Lait
Story #45 is a historical project profile in which SSM provided wastewater consulting services.
Story #45 is a historical project profile in which SSM provided wastewater consulting services.
1997 | Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permitting
SSM environmental engineers provided wastewater consulting services to Fleur De Lait Ltd. related to developing a strategy to meet the discharge criteria set forth in the industrial discharge permit, taking into account 12 existing Rotating Biological Contactors approaching end of life. We utilized a design-build approach to allow design to keep pace with construction and allowing the project to be completed in a fast, economical manner.
Story #44 - Clean Water Act
Story #44 includes some of SSM’s contributions to clean water in honor of the anniversary of the Clean Water Act.
Story #44 includes some of SSM’s contributions to clean water in honor of the anniversary of the Clean Water Act.
In 1967, Lewis J. McCoy, PE opened an individual engineering practice in Wyomissing, PA after 10 years of experience in sanitary engineering. The story goes that he started the firm because, “everyone deserves clean water” and he focused the firm on water and wastewater services to local governments. 5 years later, the Clean Water Act was amended into law- establishing the basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges. We were ready.
From helping to limit point sources of pollution by assisting industrial and manufacturing clients in minimizing point source pollution to design of new sewage treatment plants to protecting watersheds and reducing stormwater runoff - we are proud of the contributions we’ve made to assist our clients to improve the health of our waters.
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, we’re sharing the story of some of our historical work supporting clean water, and clean communities. Check out some of the projects that stick out to us over our 90 years in business.
1997 | Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permitting SSM environmental engineers provided wastewater consulting services to Fleur De Lait Ltd. Read more about it here.
1996 | Egg-Shaped Digester SSM was responsible for the planning, engineering design, and construction management of an innovative treatment technology. Read more about it here.
1994 | Wellhead Protection Program SSM’s water resources group worked with Telford Borough Authority to develop one of the first recognized Wellhead Protection Programs. Read more about it here.
2001 | Pa DEP Source Water Protection SSM spent more than 20 years as the technical partner for PaDEP’s Source Water Protection Program. Read more about it here.
2018 | Improving Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance SSM performed a High Strength Wastes Review of the Lincoln University facilities and its Wastewater Treatment Plant. Read more about it here.
2019 | NPDES Permitting and Erosion Control Plans SSM assisted with the planning and design including landscape architectural and engineering services, of a new concrete skatepark including stormwater management. Read more about it here.
Story #43 - Desserts at the Office
Story #43 are some of our favorite memories of when dessert came to the office.
Story #43 are some of our favorite memories of when dessert came to the office.
Over the years we’ve always looked for fun (and tasty) ways to make our employees happy. Here is a collection of some of the best excuses we made to bring dessert to the office.
Story #42 - Logo Evolution
Story #42 is the evolution of the SSM logo.
Story #42 is the evolution of the SSM logo
Over the course of 90 years, our logo received a few well-deserved facelifts. But with each change, we've expanded on the story of SSM - who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Today, we're proud of our logo because it defines us. It displays our value, and it reinforces our purpose.
The original SSM logo. Our civil/surveying capabilities represented by the tripod, and our engineering services for air, water and buildings represented in the other three symbols.
The logo design was modified in 1985 to remove the symbols, as well as to revise the oval shape.
SSM acquired an environmental laboratory and other engineering firms in various regions. In July 1991 a new logo was developed for use by The SSM Group, Inc., SSM’s parent company.
New logo and colors are introduced in 1997. The white space creates a sigma, the symbol for “sum of.” For SSM, it represents the sum of our deep and diverse technical expertise and synergistic services as well as our commitment to quality and responsiveness. The sum of all of these things is that value that SSM brings.
The logo is updated in 2004. Maintaining the sigma, the arrow is extended. The arrow sits not only ahead; it is also intentionally offset. This represents forward motion. It showcases the driving force that began all the way back in 1932 and continues to drive us toward the future.
Our current logo, updated in 2016, maintains our forward-thinking arrow, as well as our sigma to represent the sum of all things. SSM returned our colors to include Lou’s Blue as a representation of our founders.
Story #41 - Serena DiMagno Recognized to Hall of Fame
Story #41 is the story of Serena DiMagno’s induction into the WWOAP Hall of Fame in 2022.
Story #41 is the story of Serena DiMagno’s induction into the WWOAP Hall of Fame in 2022.
In October of 2022 Serena DiMagno was inducted into the WWOAP’s prestigious Hall of Fame. The Water Works Operators' Association of Pennsylvania recognized Serena A. DiMagno during their Annual Conference for her contributions to the water industry and her immeasurable value as an industry leader, instructor, mentor, and colleague.
The Hall of Fame designation honors very select individuals who the organization deems worthy based upon their dedication & contributions to the drinking water industry. DiMagno is only the 16th industry professional to receive Hall of Fame status since the WWOAP's inception 95 years ago.
Serena joined SSM in 2014 and serves our clients as a Senior Environmental Consultant. Since joining the team she has consistently demonstrated her expertise both within our staff and for the public year after year.
October 4, 2022 - Today, we are very proud and honored to induct an extremely deserving individual into the Water Works Operators' Association of Pennsylvania's prestigious Hall of Fame. Serena earned a B.S in Biology/Chemistry from Chatham University before embarking on a more than 45-year career in water and wastewater system investigation, design, operations and treatment, management, regulatory negotiation, permitting and compliance. She has held leadership positions in both the private and public sectors including business development, client relationship management and marketing, in addition to having owned her own consulting firm, which she managed for 20 years. Although semi-retired, she is currently a Special Consultant for Spotts, Stevens and McCoy.
Serena is a Pennsylvania certified water and wastewater treatment plant operator. She has continued to serve the water industry, and representing WWOAP, as the Chair of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Agency’s Small Systems Technical Advisory Committee (TAC Board).
In addition to her extensive service to WWOAP, she has served in several leadership roles in AWWA, is an active member of the Pennsylvania Water Utility Council and has chaired the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee for the Water Works Operator’s Association of Pennsylvania since 1990.
Just as she has served in many roles for water industry associations, Serena has held many positions at several companies, including one of her own, over her illustrious career. She was the Service Area Director for Environmental Engineering and Air Quality with Rettew, Inc., which encompassed 11 offices in 4 states. She was also the Vice President of Environmental Regulatory Compliance and Assistant Vice President of Water and Wastewater Services with Spotts, Stevens McCoy, a multi-disciplinary engineering firm with 2 offices in PA. She was responsible for the technical and business functions of the Service Area Groups for both firms and lead their department’s efforts in business development, client relationship management and marketing.
She was President and owner of DiMagno Associates, Inc. At DA inc, Serena was responsible for project management encompassing a wide range of diverse environmental and engineering projects; permit preparation; design, operations, and maintenance evaluations; water quality evaluations; water quality investigations and laboratory studies, including process pilot plant studies; water treatment plant residual land application (both agricultural utilization and beneficial use) site evaluations, permit applications and permit management; and expert witness testimony for court proceedings and before public utility commissions, including document and exhibit preparations. She also prepared environmental and community impact statements and conducted feasibility studies.
Prior to establishing DAI, she was Superintendent of Production for Dauphin Consolidated Water Supply Company, General Waterworks Company in Harrisburg. She supervised all supply, pumping, and production operations including a 7.2 Million Gallon per day filter plant, a 2 MGD filter plant, a 1 MGD Zeolite Softening plant, a 1 MGD standby filter plant, three well systems, eight booster stations, and a 6.3 Million Gallon storage system of 10 standpipes and two reservoirs supplying three multi-municipal distribution systems serving 20,000 domestic, commercial, and industrial customers. She also participated in engineering studies, surveys, and designed statistical analyses, as well as supervised construction projects utilizing outside contractors.
She was Director of Water Quality for the City of Harrisburg, Public Works Department. She was responsible for quality control and regulatory compliance for the municipal wastewater treatment plant, and the water treatment plant and distribution system. These systems included a 30 MGD pure-oxygen activated sludge plant with on-site cryogenic oxygen generation, incorporating a residuals management facility with mechanical dewatering, drying and incineration capabilities. The water system included a 6 billion gallon impoundment reservoir and dam supplying 13 MGD. She directly supervised two laboratory operations that performed bacteriological, chemical and physical analyses of potable water, wastewater and industrial waste samples.
She has authored and presented numerous technical papers for various professional conferences, meetings, and workshops.
Serena is a Past President of the Water Works Operators Association of Pennsylvania and the recipient of the organization’s Harry J. Krum Award, the Ivan M. Glace Award, the Fred G. Eckardt Award, and the Elton D. Walker Award. She has also been recognized by PA-AWWA with the Special Recognition Award, the George Warren Fuller Award, and the Samuel S. Baxter Award.