News

Building the Bridge to the Future with Innovations and Talent

Our present is the future that was once envisioned. While we can sometimes anticipate the future with some precision, other times important innovations have not been anticipated at all. The accuracy of predictions can vary as much as individual opinions, but we know for sure that what engineers do today directly impacts what actualizes tomorrow.

So which ideas and practices will be the ones that determine the direction of the future? It’s the ideas and innovations that surface now that will bridge the gap into what’s next and to the next generation.

We can confidently anticipate that tech solutions for exploration will continue to evolve and multiply. At Terracon, we are continually looking for new ways to solve the issues impacting current projects, while anticipating future challenges. These innovations include pavement technology solutions and a new family of wind turbine foundations using earth-friendly design.

Pavement Technology Solutions

Pavement repairs can exhaust maintenance and capital budgets and drain resources. This is why we leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create pavement management solutions that allow us to dramatically improve our understanding of pavement conditions. We can more efficiently plan for maintenance and rehabilitation strategies to proactively meet clients’ short- and long-term goals. Timely, accurate, and sufficient data is integral to our pavement solutions. Terracon utilizes digital data collection and AI to create a customized data-driven pavement management strategy that helps clients optimize their budgets and mitigate future risks.

Answering Wind Power Demand Sustainably

Wind energy is a growing renewable alternative for power generation and transmission Terracon’s approach helps clients optimize wind energy project design and minimize risk, saving time and money. In the past five years, Terracon has supported more than 1,800 wind projects across 38 states.

Terracon’s GripTerra^SM family of wind turbine foundations are designed specifically to address today’s 3 to 6 MW land-based turbines, utilizing earth-friendly designs which reduce both materials and construction time, offer re-powering and design life extension solutions, and reduce the overall carbon footprint of projects.

Building our Workforce

One way we get to the future is through experienced people in the engineering ecosystem mentoring the next generation. This includes engineers as well as those working in design, construction, technology, field work, scientific discovery, laboratory science, and more, all taking the time to share their knowledge. Every year Terracon seeks promising talent from colleges across the U.S. for internships in their fields of interest.

While outreach to today’s younger students will remain important in the future, the rate of population growth in the U.S. and other countries is projected to decline sharply. This will translate into major labor shortages in A/E/C, as well as entire economies.

At Terracon, we’re continually investing in the next generation of engineering by supporting events and programs that engage young people early to the wide array of career possibilities that engineering can offer. For several years, we’ve been executing an annual event with nearly 200 Girl Scouts in the Kansas City area that provides hands-on opportunities to explore the world of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Every year Terracon’s internship program attracts dozens of promising university and college students for 12-week periods of paid training with some of our brightest minds. Internships are available at our offices in most states, and offer benefits including a dedicated mentor, company-paid training for industry certifications, hands-on lab and field experience, and the opportunity to build skills in project and business management.

This is an exciting time to be in the A/E/C industry, and engineering is at the forefront. Every innovation is taking us forward one day at a time.

Terracon Foundation Awards Over $90,000 in Grants

Grants and scholarships made to universities and organizations throughout U.S.

OLATHE, Kan. — The Terracon Foundation announced today the award of more than $90,000 in grants and scholarships to 19 nonprofit organizations and 10 universities throughout the U.S. Established as the community investment arm of Terracon, the foundation has granted nearly $4 million to community organizations, universities, and dependents of employees, as well as disaster relief efforts.

“The Terracon Foundation works continuously to support higher education in the form of grants for scholarships, fellowships and programs in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Scott Kolodziej, P.G., chair of the Terracon Foundation and environmental manager in the Terracon Dallas office. “It’s our goal that grants like these will help students finish their studies, engage in research and advance their professional development.”

The Terracon Foundation awarded $54,000 in grants to 10 universities:

• Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
• Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
• Mercer University, Macon, Ga.
• Midlands Technical College, Columbia, S.C.
• Shippensburg University – Center for Land Use and Sustainability, Shippensburg, Pa.
• Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tenn.
• Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
• University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
• Virginia Tech Foundation, Blacksburg, Va.
• Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, N.C.

“We invite our employees to submit grant requests each year and many do so in support of community organizations doing vital work serving children’s education and health,” Kolodziej added. “Each grant awarded was championed by a Terracon employee who is actively involved in the work of the nonprofit organization.”

The Terracon Foundation awarded nearly $37,000 in community grants to 19 nonprofit organizations:

• ANUJA SA, San Antonio, Texas
• Bastrop High School Robotics Team BearTecs 4610, Bastrop, Texas
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley, Columbus, Ga.
• Community Culinary School of Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C.
• Engineers in Action, Tulsa, Okla.
• Gather 1, Stoughton, Wis.
• Georgia Pick and Bow Traditional Music School, Inc., Dahlonega, Ga.
• Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, Des Moines, Iowa
• His Hands Free Clinic, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Holy Cross Catholic School, Overland Park, Kan.
• Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City, Mo.
• Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, Kansas City, Mo.
• Pathways High, Milwaukee, Wis.
• Shadow Buddies Foundation, Lenexa, Kan.
• Southern Arizona Environmental Management Society, Inc. (SAEMS), Tucson, Ariz.
• STEM NOLA, New Orleans, La.
• Stepping Stones Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Terrace Elementary PTA, Houston, Texas

The Terracon Foundation was established with a goal of becoming a real part of the lives of Terracon employees and the communities where they live and work.

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 5,500 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 175 locations with services in all 50 states. Terracon consistently ranks as a top 25 design firm by Engineering News-Record.

Environmental Services Training Firm Embraces Terracon Name

Argus Pacific adoptsnew identity as part of expansion

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. – Argus Pacific, a leading certified provider of environmental health and safety (EH&S) training and industrial hygiene consulting services since 1997, announced it transitioned its name to align with the Terracon brand. The successful EH&S training services offered by Argus Pacific allow Terracon to expand to better serve a national client base and further focus on offering customized EH&S training.

“With the expanded resources that being part of Terracon offers, our workplace health and safety training professionals can provide more flexibility to serve the increasing number of clients requesting customized, online and in-person training services,” said Eric Kunz, P.E., office manager.

Since joining Terracon in 2015, the EH&S training team has continued to provide OSHA, EPA, and State-level regulated training in coordination with Terracon’s environmental service line and complements the company’s materials testing, facilities, and geotechnical capabilities. The 60-person office will continue at its present location at 21905 64^th Ave. W., Suite 100, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043, and will continue to offer a robust schedule of in-person and online open-enrollment training classes. The EH&S training team serves more than 4,000 students annually, including several hundred different types of public and private sector clients.

Recently, Sue Maas, CHMM, was named Terracon’s National Leader for Environmental Health and Safety Training. Her team in Mountlake Terrace and the Seattle area delivers critical training and provides EH&S training leadership for a wide variety of clients and Terracon offices across nine divisions.

About Terracon’s EH&S Team Formerly Known as Argus Pacific

Argus Pacific will now be a part of Terracon’s Seattle office and offers open enrollment and custom classes in asbestos, lead, mold, hazardous waste, emergency response, and numerous other occupational health and safety topics. For more information, visit our training class schedule.

About Terracon

Terracon is an employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 5,500 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide. Explore with us by visiting terracon.com.

Terracon Names Stephanie Price Chief People Officer

Olathe, Kan. — Terracon, an employee-owned firm with a long history of providing excellence in engineering consulting services, has named Stephanie Price as chief people officer. Price now serves as head of Terracon’s human resources team, as well as a member of Terracon’s executive leadership team.

“Terracon is an amazing organization. I am proud to have the opportunity to work with more than 5,000 employee-owners to help achieve our vision to be best at people,” Price said.

After joining Terracon in 2015, Price served as principal and director, and senior principal and director of human resources before assuming the role of chief people officer. She succeeds John Prutsman, who is now an executive coach with the firm. Price earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from the University of Kansas, and resides in Overland Park, Kan.

Terracon is an employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 5,500 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide. Explore with us by visiting terracon.com.

Terracon Foundation Awards $10,000 Grant to Heart to Heart International for Hurricane Ian Relief

OLATHE, Kan. — The Terracon Foundation has made a $10,000 grant to Heart to Heart International (HHI) to provide emergency health care in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, a large and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that caused widespread damage across the southeastern U.S. in late September. Ian was the deadliest hurricane to hit Florida since 1935.

“Terracon is pleased to support Heart to Heart International in its efforts to bring medical care to those still recovering from Hurricane Ian’s effects,” said Gayle Packer, Terracon chair, president, and CEO. “We are again honored to partner with this incredible organization to provide urgently needed care.”

“Support from the Terracon Foundation and other partners ensures we are able to rapidly deploy experienced, dedicated medical teams in the aftermath of a disaster,” said Kim Carroll, Heart to Heart International CEO. “People affected by disasters have a wide range of medical needs, from critical injuries to loss of essential medications, so we are grateful to the generous supporters and partners who enable us to provide vital care so quickly.”

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 $2.5 billion to more than 131 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 was established with a goal to reach out and become a real part of the lives of Terracon employees and the communities where they live and work. Established as the community investment arm of Terracon, the foundation has granted more than $3.7 million to community organizations, universities, dependents of employees, and disaster relief efforts.

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 5,500 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical and materials services from more than 175 locations with services in all 50 states. Terracon consistently ranks as a top 25 design firm by Engineering News-Record.