2020 Life Member Recognition Program

The Russian Upper Slope (see photo below) to a depth of 800 meters is very steep with evidence of slope failures involving significant rock falls. The rock is flysch and it was also exposed on the beach. We undertook a detailed rock fall hazard analysis that included an evaluation of the stability of the Upper Russian Slope An interesting aspect of the field work that we were not aware of until we hit the beach was that it was a nude beach. Very interesting! The field data we collected served as input in performing probabilistic stability analyses and calculating the overall probability of failure. The results of our analysis allowed for feasible pipeline routes to be defined for this challenging area.

How has ASCE impacted your professional career?

ASCE taught me how to organize my time as I worked through the many different positions I held in both the geotechnical group and

also in the Pittsburgh Section. And I will always be grateful for the many friendships and professional relationships that have resulted from my involvement in ASCE.  And my last big involvement was chairing the committee for the ASCE 150th Anniversary Event. What a night that was! (photo below)

• Founder and President Rhea Engineers &amp; Consultants, Inc. • Registered PE in PA, OH, NY, NJ, IL, VA, WV, NC, SC, KY, IN, and GA.

Ms. Johnson is the President of Rhea Engineers &amp; Consultants, Inc.&nbsp;&nbsp;Marcy has a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. She has been a practicing Civil Engineer&nbsp;since 1977. She serves&nbsp;as project and program&nbsp;manager for geo-environmental studies, design, and construction&nbsp;management work. Ms. Johnson’s initial work experience was in the areas of geotechnical/hydrologic engineering and civil construction.&nbsp;She served as the project engineer on over 100 geotechnical / hydrologic projects. She served as the project engineer/construction manager on numerous $1M to $5M construction projects including roads, bridges, and retaining walls.&nbsp;

Beginning in the mid-1980s and through 1994, Ms. Johnson applied the expertise she had gained in the areas of investigation, design, and construction to the hazardous and solid waste construction and remediation industries.&nbsp;From 1994 through 1999, Ms. Johnson was the Team Subcontractor Program Manager for a major Remedial Action Contract for cleanup of petroleum-impacted sites at Navy facilities located in the Mid-Atlantic States and Puerto Rico.&nbsp;Later, Ms. Johnson served as the Prime Contractor Program Manager for that Contract.&nbsp;From 1999 through 2001, Ms. Johnson was the principal designer, construction manager, and Program Manager for over $10 million of remedial action work.&nbsp;

Founding Rhea Engineers &amp; Consultants, Inc. (excerpt from TribLive, February 23, 2015) "Ms. Johnson vividly remembers the one day...that changed her life.

Her bosses at the engineering firm where she had&nbsp;worked for a year summoned her to a conference room for an&nbsp;award, but instead,&nbsp;she said, she received a termination notice.&nbsp;“They said, ‘We're shutting down your office and moving all of your&nbsp;work to the main office,' ” recalled Johnson. ‘You have today to&nbsp;get everything out.' "

■ Graduated with BS in Civil Engineering from Penn State University in 1977. ■ Retired from Port Authority of Allegheny County in 2016. ■ Born and raised on a farm in a small town, Hobbie, in NE Pennsylvania. ■ Most memorable projects include:

ASCE Pittsburgh Section Presents Life Member Nancy Vandling, Retired PE

► Working on a track gang with the gandy dancers in New Orleans. ► A GAI bridge project over the Ohio River between Williamstown, WV and Marietta, OH.

• Amtrak • Richardson, Gordan &amp; Associates • GAI Consultants, Inc. • Port Authority of Allegheny County

At the time, very few females were in my engineering classes.&nbsp;Probably, I am the only engineering student told by a professor that I did not belong in his classroom and then, stared at me for a few uncomfortable minutes.&nbsp;When the class roster was read, I responded “here” signifying that I belonged in the classroom.&nbsp;Later, I proved myself to this professor by working on the covered bridge project with him as an advisor.

I was raised on a farm in a small town, Hobbie with its post office at Wapwallopen, in northeast Pennsylvania.&nbsp;On the farm, everyone participated in the work whether you were small or female or male. I was a bit sheltered from big cities and hearing that I could not achieve a certain goal. I was inspired to be an engineer by my brother, Don.&nbsp;As a young child, I was amazed at his mechanical drawings from his college classes at&nbsp;Williamsport Technical Institute. My first contact with ASCE was while attending Penn State University in my junior year at University Park. I became the treasurer of the ASCE student chapter.&nbsp;It gave me a chance to meet other civil engineering students and to participate in construction of local projects such as the covered bridge in a local park and cheering on the concrete canoe participants.&nbsp;

Times have changed and I am proud of those females who have earned their engineering degrees.

Excerpt narration by Alma Rettinger

Source: Wikipedia Commons, Wapwallopen, Pennsylvania from Council Cup 1.JPG

AMTRAK Washington, D.C. After graduating from Penn State in 1977 with a BS in Civil Engineering, I was hired by AMTRAK in Washington, D.C. as part of their management trainee program.&nbsp;I lived out of my suitcase for nine months while traveling AMTRAK’s system in eastern US and learning about all the different departments.&nbsp;Probably, the most interesting experience was working on a track gang with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandy_dancer">gandy dancers</a> in New Orleans, Louisiana.&nbsp;After that training period, I was assigned to the maintenance of way department in Washington, D.C.&nbsp;Due to reduction of staff, I volunteered for a layoff and moved to Pittsburgh back to my home state.

Subsequently, I was employed by Port Authority of Allegheny County for over 21 years in the engineering and procurement departments.&nbsp;While at Port Authority, I participated in its major capital improvement programs such as the West Busway, East Busway Extension, the Stage II LRT rehab and the LRT North Shore Connector.&nbsp;While in the procurement department, I managed the professional services and construction contracts.&nbsp;I retired in 2016.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Example of Section Track Gang, 1917 Source: The railroad problem, published by A. C. McClurg &amp; co., 1917 - 265 pages, photo from page 66

Pittsburgh, PA In Pittsburgh, I worked for two prominent consulting firms, Richardson, Gordan &amp; Associates and GAI Consultants, in both the transportation and site development departments for approximately 15 years.

I am married to Thomas Vandling, an ASCE Life Member, and I thank him for his support.&nbsp;We have traveled together to all 50 states and have a long list of vacations to do.

We volunteer at The Lighthouse Foundation food bank, which serves northern Allegheny County and all of Butler County.&nbsp;Watercolor painting is a hobby (photo below with two of my pieces).

Thank you to all my mentors, former coworkers, friends and ASCE for the guidance you provided to me.

■ Graduated with BS of Civil Engineering from University of Pittsburgh in 1968 ■ Retired as Manager of Structural Engineering from Mackin Engineering Company in 2016 ■ Born and raised in Pittsburgh ■ Favorite project he worked on:

ASCE Pittsburgh Section Presents Life Member Richard G Jones, Jr., PE

► Beaver Valley Exp. Mahoning River Bridges ► Smithfield St Bridge Rehabilitation

• Chief Structural Engineer (1987-1998) • Manager of Structural Engineering (1998-2016)

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. I attended the University of Pittsburgh to study engineering, and in 1968 graduated from Pitt with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. For my entire 48-year engineering career, I worked as a Structural/Bridge Engineer … mostly in the Pittsburgh area, and briefly in California.&nbsp;During my summers while attending Pitt, I supplemented my engineering education with several interesting “engineering internship” jobs … including working in the D’Appolonia Engineering Soils Testing Lab (1965), the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters (on-site for the construction of Moraine State Park, 1966), and with Eichleay Corporation (on-site for the construction of a cement mill building, 1967).&nbsp;After graduation from Pitt in 1968, I began my engineering career with Richardson, Gordon and Associates.

In 1973, I earned my Pennsylvania P.E. License in Structural Engineering.&nbsp; Over the years, I also worked for the Allegheny County Department of Engineering and Construction, Kozel Engineering, American Bridge Engineering, URS Consultants, and most recently with Mackin Engineering Company, where I worked for 28 years, until my retirement in October 2016.&nbsp;With Mackin Engineering Company, I served as Chief Structural Engineer for many years, and then served as Manager of Structural Engineering from 1998 to 2016. I am married, with a son and a daughter … both of whom are married.&nbsp;My wife and I are proud grandparents of six grandchildren. I enjoy sports (baseball, football, golf, bicycling), traveling, photography, music (jazz, rock, and blues), and woodworking.

What has been the top one or two most exciting/enjoyable projects you have worked on during your career?

During my engineering career, I participated in the new design and/or rehabilitation of many, many bridge structures on projects in and around Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. [A few examples below] • P.J. McArdle Roadway Bridge • South 10th Street Bridge Rehabilitation • Scott Township Veterans Bridge • Center Avenue Bridge over Turnpike (MP75) • Ewing Interchange Bridge • Settlers Cabin Interchange Bridge • I-79 Ramp D4 Bridge over I-70 • Jefferson Avenue Bridge (I-70) • I-279/I-579 North Shore Interchange • Route 22/66 SPUI Interchange, and bridges on the Amos K Hutchinson Bypass • Mon-Fayette Expressway • Southern Beltway • PTC Widening Project, and the Airport Busway [I also] participated in the design of numerous bridge structures along the Montour Trail and numerous design/build structures in partnership with local contractors.

The top one or two challenging/enjoyable projects probably were: Mahoning River Bridges (Lawrence County) 1992 ABCD Award for Outstanding New Bridge Served as the Chief Structural Design Engineer for the design of dual seven-span continuous weathering steel multi-girder bridge structures (1700 feet total length, each) on the Beaver Valley Expressway (SR60), for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.&nbsp;The project features: very tall piers, deep pile foundations, and spans over the Mahoning River, three railroads, and local roads.

Smithfield St Bridge Rehabilitation (Pittsburgh PA) 1996 AISC Award for Outstanding Bridge Rehabilitation Served as Lead Structural Design Engineer for the extensive rehabilitation design of this historic (circa 1883) seven-span truss and plate girder bridge. The bridge is a National Historical Landmark and spans over the Monongahela River.&nbsp;The rehabilitation of the two historic lenticular truss spans (360’-360’) was particularly fascinating and challenging, and included many unique, complex, and innovative rehabilitation/retrofit systems and details, including a lightweight deck and floor framing system, a seismic restraint system, a fatigue retrofit of critical truss members and connections, and a removable traffic barrier system.&nbsp;The project also included an in-depth inspection, dynamic analysis, and load testing.&nbsp;This project received numerous national and state awards.

What do you enjoy most about being a Pittsburgh civil engineer?

Pittsburgh is distinctive for its dramatic topography, major rivers, many streams, numerous railroads, and intricate highway and road systems. In turn, this requires and results in Pittsburgh’s plentiful and diverse infrastructure system.&nbsp;There is an amazing number and extensive variety of bridges, roadways, retaining walls, tunnels, inclines, and railroad structures … of both older and newer vintage. So, for a Pittsburgh Civil Engineer … there will always be an abundance of challenging, sometimes unique, and always interesting bridge, roadway, retaining wall, tunnel, incline, and railroad projects to participate in.&nbsp;The opportunity to work on engineering designs for a wide variety of new projects, or to work on rehabilitations of older existing infrastructure will make for a long and enjoyable engineering career. Being involved in the projects throughout the engineering design process, and then seeing them to completion thru the construction process is very satisfying.

"the best part of being a Pittsburgh Civil Engineer is having the opportunity to be part of creating bridge structures that will literally stand as a lasting legacy to the achievements of a personal engineering career, as well as to the civil engineering profession … for decades and generations to come "

■ Received B.S. and M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from University of Pittsburgh in 1977 and 2001, respectively. ■ Founder and President of Rhea Engineers &amp; Consultants, Inc. ■ Top two memorable projects:

ASCE Pittsburgh Section Presents Life Member Marcy Johnson, PE

► Hired as first woman in WV Department of Highways as assistant project engineer for the multi-million dollar I-40/SR 2 highway construction project in Wheeling, WV. ► Completed as rock fall hazard analysis of an Upper Russian Slope to a depth of 800-ft in Russia for a new underwater natural gas pipeline across the Black Sea.

Mike Gross was dedicated to ASCE and the civil engineering profession. He was past president of the ASCE Pittsburgh Section as well as a Lifetime Member. He was honored with a <a href="http://www.asce-pgh.org/Resources/Documents/michael_gross.pdf">Meritorious Service Award</a> in his name and of which he was the first recipient.&nbsp;

One of the amazing people I met through ASCE was Mike Gross. I knew Mike for over 20 years, and I wish I had taken the time to get to know him better.&nbsp;But one memory about Mike stands out in my mind – the degree to which he treasured the learning process. One day I was visiting him at his home, and he was showing me his artwork (Mike had taken up painting 20 years previous.).&nbsp;I was particularly enamored with one of his paintings, and asked him if I could have it.&nbsp;But Mike could not part with it.&nbsp;You see, according to Mike, that painting defined a critical point in the development of his artistic skill.&nbsp;And he liked to revisit the steps that he had taken in learning his craft.&nbsp;Sensing my disappointment, Mike informed me that in his house, he had all of his old engineering textbooks stored, and would I like to take some of them.&nbsp;I sensed that, in the past, Mike had frequently revisited the path he had taken in developing his engineering skills, and therefore had kept all of his old textbooks. And, as Mike said, “you never know when a well-used book (or frequently-viewed painting, I would guess) could unlock some new knowledge for the reader (or viewer).”

 Son, Kevin (mechanical engineer) in Banff

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from CMU • Structural Engineer and Construction Manager

I was the manager for the construction management team for the Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnel Rehabilitation and the Fort Pitt Boulevard/Parkway East Reconstruction in the early 2000's.

Steven is a native Pittsburgher. He was born, raised, educated and employed in the Pittsburgh area.&nbsp;He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1977. Steve has worked for a wide variety of companies from small mom and pop firms to large international corporations but always focusing on structural engineering, fabrication, and construction.

I'm currently working for Westinghouse on AP1000 nuclear power plant projects, [which includes] four new nuclear power plant in China and [the] construction of two new AP1000 plants in Georgia. (More about the innovation behind the AP1000 system can be found in the <a href="http://digitaleditions.nuclearplantjournal.com/JA18/22/">Nuclear Plant Journal</a>, August 2018 pages 22-24.)

He currently works for Westinghouse Electric Company as a Modules Technical Consultant. He is responsible for designing and providing construction support for the fabrication, assembly, and installation of large prefabricated steel structural support components for nuclear power plants.

AP1000 Two-Loop Pressurized Water Reactor, Source: <a href="https://www.westinghousenuclear.com/new-plants/ap1000-pwr">https://www.westinghousenuclear.com/new-plants/ap1000-pwr</a>

ASCE Pittsburgh Section Presents Life Member Kerry Frech, PE

■ Received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Cornell University in 1977 and 1978, respectively with minors in biology and agricultural engineering. ■ Joined GAI Consultants Inc. in 1978 and continues to grow with them as their Civil Technical Leader ■ Worked on multiple high-profile projects, landmarks, and public spaces in our area

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On behalf of the Programs Committee, we thank you for joining us and participating in our virtual Life Member recognition program! We hope you enjoyed it. Till next time, be safe, be kind, and happy holidays!

Videography &amp; Editing Emily McElroy, CEC, Inc. Alma Rettinger, McKim &amp; Creed, Inc. Virtual Hosts (in order of appearance) Jonathan Shimko, McKim &amp; Creed, Inc. Pat Sullivan, CEC, Inc. Virtual Program Design and Assembly Alma Rettinger, McKim &amp; Creed, Inc. Technology Coach and Support* Heidi Martin, South Side Area School District ASCE Pittsburgh Section Communications Chair Linda Kaplan, Pennoni

*Mrs. Martin spent time demonstrating the online tool used to prepare this virtual program. I also want to recognize her and all teachers and staff everywhere who have been crucial in making virtual learning successful for students this year.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting ASCE, our engineering community, and this virtual program!

Programs Committee Chairs Pat Sullivan, PE Alma Rettinger, PE

PITTSBURGH SECTION YMF &amp; INSTITUTE CHAPTERS

The ASCE Pittsburgh Younger Member Forum (YMF) provides an opportunity for young civil engineers to become familiar with the civil&nbsp;engineering community and get involved in ASCE early in their careers.&nbsp;

YMF President: Jayne Marks Email: jayne.marks347@gmail.com Website:<a href="http://www.asce-pgh.org/page-445930">http://www.asce-pgh.org/page-445930</a>

We at Mackin Engineering Company would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Richard 'Dick' Jones! Thank you Dick on your many years of dedicated service to Mackin Engineering Company, ASCE Pittsburgh, and the Civil Engineering profession as a whole!

The Environmental &amp; Water Resources Institute (EWRI) vision is to be a recognized worldwide leader within ASCE for the integration of the technical expertise and public policy into the planning, design, construction and operation of environmentally sound and sustainable infrastructure impacting air, land,

and water resources. The mission of the EWRI is to provide for the technical, educational and professional needs of its members; promotes the sustainable use, conservation, and protection of natural resources; and promotes human well-being. EWRI-Pittsburgh Chair: Jason Banguet |Email: jbaguet@scitekanswers.com | Website: <a href="http://asce-pgh.org/EWRI">http://asce-pgh.org/EWRI</a>

<a href="https://www.mackinengineering.com/">https://www.mackinengineering.com/</a>

The Geo-Institute (G-I) combines the talents and perspectives of its members to promote the geotechnical profession and enhance career development through specialty conferences, journals and practice-oriented publications, educational programs, networking and coalition building, technical committees

and task forces and leadership on emerging issues. G-I Chair: Shirley Tang, PE |Email: shirleyt@Agesinc.com | Website: <a href="http://asce-pgh.org/Geotechnical">http://asce-pgh.org/Geotechnical</a>

"I have enjoyed the opportunities to meet other engineers and contractors in the area and share experiences"

2020 Life Member James Sheahan

Our travels in Europe all began 2006 when I was 62 years old and have included 3 trips to Italy (photos shown to the left), which&nbsp;we love, a recent trip to Ireland, home of my ancestors, two trips to Brussels when my son Gregory was stationed there while in the Navy.&nbsp;We've been able to visit Paris and Germany during our trips to Brussels.

Overall, I consider myself fortunate in many ways regarding my career of more than 50 years as a Civil Engineer.&nbsp;I was&nbsp;able to meet and have enjoyed working with many good people both within those firms&nbsp;I worked for, within subcontracts and other consulting firms, within the professional organizations I was involved in, like ASCE, and with clients as well.&nbsp;Thanks to my Mom and Dad and to the professors at Clarkson and Pitt for helping me prepare for this career and life as well.

Top: Family reunion, Sorrento, Italy Center: Positano; Note the Void-Karst Terrain. Bottom: Visiting Ireland with wife, Patricia.

Left: Nancy &amp; Tom in Hawaii, 2016 (top), in Switzerland, 2018 (center), and Seward, AK Right: Nancy &amp; Tom in Mount Rushmore, 2014

Fine arts show at the 2019 Saxonburg Art Festivals. From left our friend Gwen (2nd place), husband Tom (1st place), and me (3rd place).

How are you sharing / communicating your years of experience with/to the younger engineers in your company?

Mainly through a program I developed with periodic monthly presentations by myself and others internally for those young and less experienced engineers in geotechnical aspects within and

outside of HDR who are able to attend.&nbsp;I have also developed a set of Best Practices for Geotechnical Investigations which I have presented periodically to HDR internal geotechnical staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;I have also been active in TRB activities over my career and with the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) as well with the intent of sharing my experiences and of learning for my own benefit of course. These are just a couple of methods I have engaged in for the purpose of passing on my experiences to young and even experienced engineers.

I have tried to attend ASCE monthly meetings throughout my career for the purpose of learning from the

experience of others, meeting and developing / maintaining relationships with other engineers in Pittsburgh.&nbsp;For many years I was actively engaged in the geotechnical committee as the program developer (for speakers) and other positions.&nbsp;It has served me well and I hope I have contributed as well.

Welcome to our first on-demand virtual program

2020 Life Member Recognition Introduction

Click the video and audio symbol for messages from your hosts, Pat Sullivan (top) and Alma Rettinger (left).

Ahmad Ahmadi, PE Richard Bogovich, PE James Bollibon, PE, PLS Thomas Buynak, PE Kerry Frech, PE James Hannan, PE Marcella Johnson, PE Richard Jones, PE Richard Jucha, PE Daniel Ketelaar, PE Kenneth Miller, PE Cameron Mock, PE Steven Pfeifer, PE James Sheahan, PE Thomas Slavonic, PE Nancy Vandling, PE Edward Voytko, PE

ASCE Pittsburgh Section Presents Life Member Steven Pfeifer

■ Born and raised in Pittsburgh area ■ Graduated from CMU with BS in Civil Engineering ■ Currently works as the Modules Technical Consultant at Westinghouse Electric Company ■ Memorable projects:

► Construction manager for Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnel Rehabilitation ► Westinghouse AP1000 in Georgia

The Howard Frankland Bridge, Tampa Florida. Lead Geotechnical Engineer. 1987-1990 This bridge is a 3-mile long structure connecting Tampa and Saint Petersburg, Florida which was built to parallel the existing 31-year old structure, which had one lane in each direction and was often referred to as the Howard Frankenstein Bridge because of its congestion during rush hour each day. The new bridge included more than 100 piers constructed in karst terrain, which is basically limestone subject to highly variable conditions, differential weathering, voids ad sinkholes.&nbsp;The bridge foundations were also subject to ship impact loads from ships passing beneath the bridge. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) implemented a load testing program to develop the foundation criteria for their statewide foundation design criteria.&nbsp;Based on the differing conditions the load testing was conducted at 5 locations along the bridge’s length on 24- and 30-inch square concrete piles, on 36-inch diameter concrete cylinder piles and on drilled shafts. All driven piles were dynamically tested using the Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) during driving.&nbsp;Load testing included axial compression and uplift (tension) testing and lateral load testing.&nbsp;Based on the results, I was closely involved in review and acceptance for driving of the selected 24 and 36-inch square concrete production piles on all foundations.

I helped FDOT develop an information video to explain the design methodology for driven piles based on this project.&nbsp;The project also included retaining walls along the approaches and considerations for the impacts on residents and visitors who live in and move thru the area. The project was successfully completed to FDOT's satisfaction and work from the load test program was incorporated into their design handbook. This project taught me significant lessons about design methods used for pile driving and construction for bridge crossings both over water and land which I was then able to apply at many other sites designed by HDR over my career.&nbsp;

I-275, Frankland Bridge Project Location, Tampa FL (Source: Imagery Google Maps)

• Civil Technical Leader at GAI Consultants, Inc. • Joined GAI in 1978 • Registered P.E. in PA and WV

I grew up in upstate New York, at the northern end of the Finger Lakes region (waterfalls, glacier geology, and wineries).&nbsp;Attended Cornell University, School of Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering.&nbsp;Professor Leonard Dworsky was my first CEE advisor – in water resources.&nbsp;Professor Dworsky first impressed upon me the importance of the many non-engineering disciplines that I would later work with during my career. I received both my Bachelor of Science and the Master of Engineering degrees from Cornell University, in 1977 and 1978, respectively, with minors in biology and agricultural engineering.&nbsp;The Masters program gave me a taste for the workings of an engineering firm, helping make sense of the course work.

A Career with GAI Consultants, Inc. I started working for GAI Consultants, Inc. (GAI) in July 1978, working with Mr. James Niece, Robert Houston, Robert McClaren, Tom Donovan, Gary DeJidas, and Dr. Yeasted in the early years, and many more too numerous to mention in the subsequent years. Since I expressed an early interest in working on a variety of projects, GAI has graciously accommodated me.&nbsp;Small and large projects, small and large clients, I have worked on projects ranging from pump stations to rail trails, acid mine drainage treatment to flood control, site development and permitting, and I have largely enjoyed and appreciated them all. I received my Professional Engineer’s license in the Pennsylvania, and later in West Virginia, and have worked on projects in 11 states.

I am currently a Civil Technical Leader at GAI, and one of my responsibilities is to help mentor the younger engineers in the how and why of technical analyses, and the value of looking at the answer.

Team Members &amp; Mentors

Wine and cheese tasting Chile and Argentina (top left); Coffee in Tunisia, northern Africa (top right), trying hard to resist Italian dessert (bottom left), but when in Italy you visit the ruins in Rome (bottom right).

Awarding team members ( top and center left); Steelers game bus (bottom left), greeting Pitt advisor and mentor, Dr. Lewis (top right), participating in March of Dimes with family and staff (center right), Rhea staff (bottom right)

Life Membership honors those individuals who have made a lifetime commitment to ASCE and the civil engineering profession by remaining members for the full length of their professional career.

We have over 200 Life Members in our Section. To all of you, we sincerely appreciate your contributions to the Society and profession and welcome your continued input and engagement.

• Retired 2020 as Vice President and National Director for Geotechnical Engineering from HDR • Registered PE in PA, AL, KY, MO, NC, OH, VA, and WV.

Jim received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Clarkson University, NY in 1966 and 1968, respectively. He also received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 1976. He moved to Pittsburgh in 1968 and joined Swindell Dressler, a firm that did work for the industrial and transportation industries. Around 1973, Jim went to Richardson, Gordon and Associates (RG&amp;A), a firm that primarily&nbsp;did transportation&nbsp;design work with major projects like the twin bridges at the point in Pittsburgh.&nbsp;RG&amp;A was a very well-respected bridge design&nbsp;firm in the region and in about 1985 they were purchased by HDR,&nbsp;as they were in the process of expanding nationally and were purchasing well&nbsp;known and respected firms in the transportation&nbsp;business and particularly in the bridge design field.

In 1996 Jim was granted the title Charter Senior Professional Associate. Recognizing that professionalism, superior technical development and individual accomplishments are essential to its success, HDR grants this title to extraordinary professional staff who, through their creative efforts and dedicated commitment to personal excellence, have obtained exceptional levels of technical and professional achievement. Jim was Vice President and HDR's National Director for Geotechnical Engineering before retiring in May 2020. He was responsible for the preparation and review of geotechnical investigations on a wide variety of projects including highways, bridges, transit, industrial and municipal facilities. His responsibilities include coordination with other design disciplines from a project's conception through its construction phase.

Jim has been a member of the AASHTO/TRB/FHWA-sponsored Accelerated Construction Technology Transfer Review Team for major projects in PA, TX, NC, and OH. He continues to be involved with TRB Committees including AFP30 Soil and Rock Properties, AFS10 Transportation Earthworks and AFS30, Foundations for Bridges and Other Structures. He is a Member of the Deep Foundations Institute and its Technical Advisory Committee (DFI-TAC). He has authored many professional papers and made technical presentations at national as well as regional conferences.

While I have been very fortunate to have worked on many interesting and challenging projects in many states and some other countries that I have enjoyed during my career, I would choose the following two because of their size and scope and because of what I learned during their design and construction that taught me so much about the design methods that I have since employed.

■ Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, Florida ■ US 460, Grundy, Virginia

I have told many of my associates and young engineers, some projects can be very challenging and keep you up at night during their design and construction but if you stay in there, use&nbsp;trusted design methods, verify conditions and adjust for conditions if necessary, when it is all successfully completed, you think and say,

I70 Landslide Repair,  St. Clairsville OH

Engineering @ McKim & Creed

<a href="https://www.mckimcreed.com/">https://www.mckimcreed.com/</a>

US 460, Grundy VA This was a 2-mile project in the coal mining region of western Virginia that included 4 major cuts greater than 100 feet high. Two of the cuts were 400 feet high in an area with coal seams interbedded shales and sandstone.&nbsp;&nbsp;the project included retaining walls and grading in a narrow section of roadway between the Levisa Fork River and the steep mountainous slopes (see photo below).&nbsp;The design included a very detailed evaluation of the bedrock conditions including especially the joint characteristics in the rock, which resulted in 1/4H:1V cut slopes, horizontal benches at major coal seams and a fall area at the base of the cut using the “Ritchie Ditch.” The project was constructed between 1993 and 1996 and I took many photos with views of the cuts at their completion.&nbsp;

I visited the site at approximately 5-year intervals thereafter and took photos of the same views to observe the performance of the cut slope design as well as the Ritchie Ditch and checked with the VDOT local staff about rockfalls that may have reached the roadway (see photos next page).&nbsp;I published and presented on this design method and its performance for HDR internal meetings and at external conferences for the initial construction and after each 5-year visit.&nbsp;Bottom line is that the slopes have performed well with minimal and minor rockfalls none of which have reached the roadway as of the 20-year visit.&nbsp;This project has formed the basis for design methods I have used on other projects with rock cuts for a number of projects across the country over my career.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Richard R. Jucha, P.E., M.ASCE

ASCE Pittsburgh Section Presents Life Member Richard Jucha, PE

■ Vice President, American Concrete Pavement Association, Pittsburgh Chapter ■ University of Pittsburgh Alumni

ASCE Pittsburgh Section Presents Life Member James Sheahan, PE

■ Graduated with BS and MSc of Civil Engineering from Clarkson University in 1966 and 1968 and an MBA from University of Pittsburgh in 1976 ■ Moved to Pittsburgh in 1968 ■ Retired Vice President and National Director for Geotechnical Engineering from HDR in 2020 ■ Memorable projects he worked on:

► Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, FL ► US 460, Grundy, Virginia

I am not into rating my projects, but some of the more visible projects that I have participated in locally are PNC Park (for which I also had the

My experiences with the ASCE, and particularly the Pittsburgh Section, have been enhanced by the

opportunity to give a lecture on the hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and designs through the Carnegie Science Center); the Northshore Riverfront Park; the David L. Lawrence Conventions Center; the Carnegie Science Center; the Fishing Creek Reclamation Project; and several rail-trails – the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, the Caperton and Deckers Creek Trails, and the Ghost Town Trail. These projects have all come to fruition and are thriving (well, maybe not Pirates), the trails especially given the current events.&nbsp;

active participation of my wife Martha, a former Section Past President and Board member, PE and business owner, who managed to dress me up and bring me to many annual meetings and events. These events continued to impress upon me the many disciplines, beyond engineering, that are critical in meeting the needs of our clients and society.

Kerry with wife, Martha, at the 2019 Fall Kickoff Life Member Banquet.

Trail Marker, Courtesy <a href="https://gallery.indianacountyparks.org/Trails/Ghost-Town-Trail/">Ghost Town Trail Photo Gallery</a>

Family or Group Road Trips (1996-2018)

European Tours (2006-2018)

Son, Jonathan on SharkWatch in South Africa (top, left). Daughter, Kelly, with Abby (daughter) and Bill (partner) (top, right). Son, Greg with Lisa (wife) and Julia (daughter) at graduation (bottom left), Son, Jonathan with me and Patricia (bottom, right).

Like setbacks sometimes do, it led to something positive.&nbsp;Johnson, a civil engineer, started Rhea Engineers &amp; Consultants in&nbsp;December 2001 with two female colleagues. Johnson was a single&nbsp;mother, two years away from sending her daughter to college, with&nbsp;no college money saved and a mortgage to pay.&nbsp; “I had always wanted to start a business and kind of said to myself,&nbsp;‘It's either now or never,' ”...

The other women who helped start the company have gone on to&nbsp;other opportunities, and Johnson is now president and sole owner&nbsp;of Rhea. 

Absolutely it was my first job where I was the assistant project engineer for construction of the $25 million I-470/SR 2 highway construction in Wheeling WV.

[The company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with satellite offices in the Washington, D.C. area and Wilmington, North Carolina.] The firm is named for Rhea, (pronounced REE-yah) a Titan Earth goddess in Greek mythology, fit with the&nbsp;firm's focus on sustainable environmental engineering. Johnson came across the name while helping her&nbsp;daughter with mythology homework." (<a href="http://asce-pgh.org/resources/_Committees/Program/2020%20Life%20Member/Rhea%20Engineers%20Trib%20Article%202015.pdf">TribLive February&nbsp;13, 2015</a>)

I was the first woman WV Dept of Highways hired for the Construction Division. I remember thinking how “cookbook” structures seemed in school, but building two bridges – both a land one and a river one-was fascinating and challenging – problems surfaced daily and I was expected to solve them. That is why I became an engineer! (And I wished I would have paid closer attention to structures in school.)&nbsp; Secondly was a project I worked on in Russia. A firm South Stream AC was proposing to build a new underwater pipeline across the Black Sea to supply natural gas to southern Europe.&nbsp;

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PITTSBURGH SECTION INSTITUTE CHAPTERS

Thank you, for the recognition, and to...

The Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Pittsburgh Section chapter is to support the local structural engineering profession in the region. Structural engineering spans a wide variety of project types, materials of construction and design criteria. The practicing

William Tarolli, Ralph Myers Construction Company, who hired a 15-year old boy introducing him to a great life in the heavy highway construction industry, the University of Pittsburgh for welcoming a 27-year old family man into the Civil Engineering Department, and Don Peart, Lafarge N.A. a man who exudes ethics and pride in a job well done, and accelerated my career to levels few achieve. All of you will forever have my sincere gratitude.

structural engineer faces a daunting task in developing and maintaining a working knowledge of emerging topics and fields, in addition to existing information required to solve diverse project requirements. SEI-Chair: John Kennelly, PE | Email: John.Kennelly@hdrinc.com | Website: <a href="http://asce-pgh.org/SEI">http://asce-pgh.org/SEI</a>

The Utility Engineering &amp; Surveying Institute (UESI) is the Section's newest institute. UESI offers professionals working within the utility, pipeline engineering, and surveying / geomatics communities the opportunity to network with others and shape the future of the industry by participating in technical activities, conferences,

and the development of internationally recognized standards. 2021-2022 Chair: Alma Rettinger, PE | Email: ARettinger@mckimcreed.com | Website: under development

The Transportation &amp; Development Institute (T&amp;DI) is a specialty membership organization focused on transportation and development professionals and the transportation and development industry. We invite you to join us. For more information or to get on the T&amp;DI email list, contact T&amp;DI Chair, Dave Digioia | Email: ddigioia@mcmahonassociates.com

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Establish Utility Engineering &amp; Surveying Institute Chapter.

Develop "Engineering Pittsburgh" webinar series.

Expand the Section's Diversity &amp; Inclusion Program.

2020 Life Member President's Welcome

Jonathan Shimko, ASCE Pittsburgh Section President Visit asce-pgh.org Contact jshimko@mckimcreed.com

A large part of my career was spent designing, constructing, inspecting, and rehabilitating bridges.&nbsp;You couldn't ask for a better place to be a bridge engineer.

How are you sharing your years of experience with the younger engineers in your company?

I try to mentor younger engineers by explaining to them why we do things rather than just what to do so they learn from the mistakes of others.

"It has offered me a chance to see how I play a part in the grand scheme of things."

Name

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