News

Terracon Foundation Awards $10,000 in Grants for Hurricane Ida Relief

OLATHE, Kan. — The Terracon Foundation announced two $5,000 grants to food banks in Louisiana for food and supplies following Hurricane Ida’s landfall on Aug. 29. The storm left over one million people without power in what is being reported as one of the strongest hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland.

The grants include a $5,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank in New Orleans and a $5,000 donation to Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank in Baton Rouge.

“Terracon is proud to support local food banks in Louisiana serving people in the communities severely impacted by the devastating hurricane,” said Gayle Packer, Terracon chair, president, and CEO.

The Terracon Foundation strives to become a real part of the lives of Terracon employees and the communities we serve. To date, the Terracon Foundation has granted more than $3 million to community organizations, universities, dependents of employees, and for disaster relief efforts. For more information about the Terracon Foundation and other organizations it has supported, visit terracon.com/foundation.

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 5,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon ranks 24th on Engineering News-Record’s 2021 list of Top 500 Design Firms. For additional information about Terracon, visit terracon.com.

Terracon Foundation Awards $5,000 Grant to Heart to Heart International for Haiti Earthquake Relief

OLATHE, Kan. — The Terracon Foundation announced a $5,000 grant to Heart to Heart International (HHI) to provide emergency healthcare in the aftermath of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that occurred Aug. 14 in Haiti.

“Terracon is pleased to support Heart to Heart International in its efforts to provide urgently needed medical care to those impacted by the devastating earthquake,” said Gayle Packer, Terracon chair, president and CEO. “We value the opportunity to partner with this incredible organization serving the critical needs of the people of Haiti.”

“The support from the Terracon Foundation and other partners enables us to rapidly deploy experienced, dedicated medical teams to disaster-affected areas. Medical needs are vast following a disaster. We are so grateful to the supporters and partners who enable us to provide vital care so quickly,” said Kim Carroll,  CEO, Heart to Heart International.

Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, Heart to Heart International is a global humanitarian organization focused on improving access to health. Since its inception in 1992, HHI has delivered medical aid and supplies worth $2.2 billion to more than 130 countries, including within the United States. HHI responds to natural disasters both domestically and internationally by supplying medical relief and mobilizing volunteers. The organization is a four-star Charity Navigator charity and is on the "Philanthropy 400." To learn more, visit hearttoheart.org.

The Terracon Foundation strives to become a real part of the lives of Terracon employees and the communities we serve. To date, the Terracon Foundation has granted more than $3 million to community organizations, universities, dependents of employees, and for disaster relief efforts. For more information about the Terracon Foundation and other organizations it has supported, visit terracon.com/foundation.

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 5,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon ranks 24th on Engineering News-Record’s 2021 list of Top 500 Design Firms. For additional information about Terracon, visit terracon.com.

Terracon Names Brad Urhahn, P.E. Director of Major Accounts for Logistics

ROGERS, Ark. — Terracon, a leading provider of environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services, has named Brad Urhahn, P.E., director of major accounts, Logistics. Urhahn will contribute to the growth and development of the logistics sector by identifying, assessing, and closing project opportunities with current and new clients.

Urhahn joins Terracon with more than 30 years’ experience in commercial and industrial development experience in design and construction management mostly related to big box retail, distribution centers, and transmission and distribution of power.

“I enthusiastically embrace this next chapter in my career, joining an employee-owned company with strong past success and forward thinking growth potential. Terracon’s focus on developing business with a culture built around guiding behaviors aligns with my personal values,” Urhahn said. “I look forward to contributing to this great team, and utilizing past experience and relationships to expand visibility to Terracon’s capabilities while building long-lasting relationships for the company.”

Prior to joining Terracon, Urhahn served in several roles for Walmart, Inc., most recently as director of civil engineering and quality assurance. Before joining Walmart, he was a civil/structural engineer for Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and is a licensed professional engineer. Urhahn is currently based in Northwest Arkansas.

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 5,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon ranks 24th on Engineering News-Record’s 2021 list of Top 500 Design Firms. For additional information about Terracon, visit terracon.com.

Vic Donald Selected for Professional Practice Ethics and Leadership Award

Geoprofessional Business Association and American Society of Civil Engineers Bestow Joint Award 

RESTON, Va. — The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is pleased to announce Victor “Vic” Donald, P.E., M. ASCE, has been selected as the 2021 winner of the Professional Practice Ethics and Leadership Award for “his superior ethics, innovative spirit, and love of learning and leadership that has shaped and forever changed the engineering profession.” This annual award is bestowed on one professional engineer annually through a joint award between the Geoprofessional Business
Association (GBA) and ASCE.

As national director of the Geotechnical service line and a senior principal with Terracon, Donald has a long history as leader and ambassador for ethics in professional practice in the AEC industry, and has regularly shared his experience and insights through professional association programs.

“Vic Donald’s engineering career has been distinguished not only by his technical excellence, but by his personal and professional integrity. He embodies our company’s principles of business conduct and ethics, bringing a strong ethical commitment to his role as a Terracon leader, his work with our clients, and as a mentor to our young engineers and emerging leaders,” said Gayle Packer, Terracon chair, president, and CEO.

In 2005, GBA and the ASCE instituted the Professional Practice Ethics and Leadership Award to promote and recognize civil engineering leadership in professional practice and ethics. The Foundation for Professional Practice, also established by GBA and ASCE, donated the funds to support this annual award, which recognizes an engineer-leader for a specific accomplishment or for lifetime achievements that demonstrate superior ethics and leadership while participating in professional practice or service to the public.

Donald will be presented with an award and honorarium, and he will be recognized at GBA’s 2021 Fall Conference to be held October 21-23 at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. He will also be recognized at a future ASCE event.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 150,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE works to raise awareness of the need to maintain and modernize the nation’s infrastructure using sustainable and resilient practices, advocates for increasing and optimizing investment in infrastructure, and improve engineering knowledge and competency. For more information, visit asce.org and follow us on Twitter, @ASCETweets and @ASCEGovRel.

ABOUT TERRACON

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 5,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon ranks 24th on Engineering News-Record’s 2021 list of Top 500 Design Firms. For additional information about Terracon, visit terracon.com.

Terracon Foundation Awards $70,950 in University and Community Grants

OLATHE, Kan. — The Terracon Foundation is pleased to announce the awarding of $70,950 in grants and scholarships. The Terracon Foundation was established as the community investment arm of Terracon with a goal to reach out and become a real part of the lives of company employees and the communities where we live and work.

“Terracon is pleased to support the next generation of students at six universities as they pursue research and develop professional relationships,” said Scott Kolodziej, P.G., chair of the Terracon Foundation and environmental department manager in the company’s Dallas office. “We are also supporting communities throughout the country where our clients and employee-owners live and work. Each grant was championed by a Terracon employee who is actively involved in the organization or university.”

As part of an ongoing effort to support higher education, the Terracon Foundation presents university grants for scholarships, fellowships, and programs in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

University grants

The Terracon Foundation has presented a total of $40,000 to six universities:

• Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, Ga. $4,000
• Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. $10,000
• Columbus State University, Columbus, Ga. $6,000
• Northeast Lakeview College, Universal City, Texas $5,000
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, Texas $5,000
• The University of Arizona College of Engineering, Tucson, Ariz. $10,000

Community grants

The Terracon Foundation has awarded $30,950 in community grants to 11 nonprofit organizations:

• American Huey 369, Peru, Ind. $2,500
• Band of Angels, Overland Park, Kan. $2,500
• Boys & Girls  Club of Pharr, Inc., Pharr, Texas $2,500
• Moody Clinic, Brownsville, Texas $2,750
• CrossRoads Missions, Louisville, Ky. $3,500
• Girls Scouts of Northeast Kansas & Northwest Missouri, Kansas City, Mo. $2,500
• Prelude Clubhouse, Plano, Texas $3,200
• Survive & Thrive, Raytown, Mo. $3,000
• Tucson Clean & Beautiful, Tucson, Ariz. $3,500
• Wild Utah Project, Salt Lake City, Utah $2,500
• YPAL Foundation, Louisville, Ky. $2,500

For more information about the Terracon Foundation, visit terracon.com/foundation.

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 5,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon ranks 24th on Engineering News-Record’s 2021 list of Top 500 Design Firms.