Ground Water Investigative Techniques and Technologies Training in Pittsburgh

 

Two days of training on the topic of ground water investigative techniques and technologies is a ground breaking and earth shattering topic when it comes to bedrock.

Each year, new emerging technologies surface in our environmental and engineering industry.  And these new technologies present opportunities for new services, new specializations, and new skills.  

The participants for this recent training event in Pittsburgh were exceptionally sharp.  It might be their past experiences, their general project locations, or their ambition to learn and excel, but no matter what it is, the instructors and I were aware of the high level of expertise in the room.

MidwestGeo would like to thank our friends at Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. for sharing their training room for this course.  Specific thanks goes to Sean Paulsen, Sue Nagel, and Sandra Villao.  You Rock!

On behalf of Maureen Muldoon and David Hart, thank you to the participants for sharing your stories, engaging in discussions, and coming forth to lead conversations about your Conceptual Site Models.  We learned from you too.  

-Dan

One reason I appreciate LaGuardia Airport

 I sit at a window seat on the left side of each flight between Indianapolis (IND) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) whenever I can.   

The view allows me to follow along I-70 until about Dayton, Ohio so I can see the glacial landscape looking northward (easy to see when the sun is behind me).  Then from eastern Ohio it's easy to recognize the eastern edge of the Appalachian Plateau Province. Spot Pittsburgh and eventually fly over the Allegany Mountains.  

But the descent into New York City is my favorite part of the flight.  The landing pattern is generally the same each time I fly this route, flying along the eastern edge of the Hudson River watching the shipping docks pass, and then seeing Manhattan up close and personal, finishing with the large circular path back around to LaGuardia Airport landing on Runway 22 (224 degrees N).  I still don't understand how it's named Runway 22 when they're only 2 runways at LaGuardia.  :-)

PLUS, ONE OF MY FAVORITE BREWERIES ANYWHERE!

(Thank you, Manny!)

East Coast GeoServices, LLC and Nelson + Pope, LLP Expertise

Mastery of soil, geology, and the subsurface of Long Island, New York came shining through in July during the classroom intensive, TAKING THE MYSTERY OUT OF THE SUBSURFACE.  

The team from East Coast GeoServices, LLC and their collaborative business partner, Nelson + Pope, LLP exhibited not only their technical mastery, but their positive corporate culture making the training a fun and fruitful experience.

Among my favorite moments of the training was the discussion about local geology of Long Island.  Staff were exceptionally aware of the subtle variabilities of landforms and subsurface conditions along with the drilling and sampling conditions of the areas.   It was a learning experience for me since my limited experience with sampling on Long Island is only in the middle of the island.  

Thank you to the entire team who participated that day.   Thank you too for your generous lunch and especially for the welcome to their "ice cream afternoon extravaganza".  Five stars!

What a day in Delaware! Peaks and Valleys of every kind on the flat coast plains :-)

The staff from the DELAWARE NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL exhibited not only kind professionalism, but a technical mastery of subsurface characterization and the geology of Delaware during the recent training, Taking the Mystery Out of the Subsurface in July.

There are some very special people that work for the DNREC and I can relate to their regulatory work that mixes environmental stewardship of the precious State of Delaware.  

Their engagement and discussions throughout the day demonstrated the pride and mastery in their work, which is personally inspiring to me.  The questions asked, the discussions led, and the examples illustrated by DNREC staff show without a doubt are both willing and capable professionals.  I tip my hat to each person at the training.

On another personal note, I'm also grateful for the compassion shown to me during the moments where I wasn't feeling well.   Your kindness and concern was obvious; and it helped me get through the day.  A special thank you to Amber who visited me the following day and conveyed each person's care.  It became a memorable visit to Dover for that reason too.

I look forward to visiting New Castle later this year.  Until then, keep rockin and keep up the great work!