BCI Engineers and Scientists

Lakeland, FL - February 25, 2010

BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc. is pleased to announce that Justin Chamberlain has passed the exam for Professional Geologist (PG) certification in the State of Florida. Justin joined BCI in June 2009. In his current capacity, Justin is a project manager involved with subsidence and sinkhole damage investigations of residential properties for the insurance industry. Justin has 11 years experience as a geologist with various companies throughout Florida, where his primary responsibilities were project management of hydrogeological and geotechnical investigations. Justin holds a Bachelors in Geology from the University of Florida, and holds membership in the American Institute for Professional Geologists, The Geological Society of America and the Everglades Geological Society.

Lakeland, FL - February 25, 2010

BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc. is proud to announce that one of its recent projects received an award from the Heart of Florida Planning Chapter for its planning excellence on Common Ground Park. The Heart of Florida Planning Chapter of the Florida American Planning Association presented the award for the City of Lakeland’s Common Ground Park. The City was presented with the award on January 27, 2010. BCI was in attendance with the City at the presentation.

BCI’s Timothy Kelly, PE, CPSWQ served as the project civil engineer and Gary Warner, RLA, ASLA, AICP was the project manager/landscape architect of the park. The City of Lakeland is a long-standing client for BCI, which serves as one of the City’s park planning consultants.Submissions were judged in the categories of innovative design, contribution to the community, and the impact on neighborhood revitalization.

Common Ground Park managed to be the stand-out among the competition due to its popularity with the citizens of Lakeland, its success in fulfilling the planning and design objectives, and the number of visitors from outside of Lakeland into the region. The original intent was a modification to an existing playground area. However, this slowly grew into a complete park redevelopment. The park is designed as a recreational area that can be easily enjoyed by everyone of every ability. Its purpose is to provide recreation opportunities for children with a disability to play alongside able-body children and adults. The success of the design removes some of the stigma of recreation for people with disabilities.  The work required thorough knowledge of inclusive play as well as the need to a provide stormwater management systems that fit the park’s landscaping and primary recreational uses.

Butterflies are a common fixture within the design of the park, so much that a portion of the playground area was designed in the shape of a butterfly.  “The butterfly theme seemed appropriate for a park designed for kids. Just like our kids, no two butterflies are exactly alike. We used this concept as a selling point to raise money, generate interest, and keep a story behind the park’s purpose,” Warner said. Aside from its aesthetically-pleasing design, the park is also innovative by its treatment of stormwater that is generated from the park area. The drainage of the stormwater is designed to keep the elements of the park safe and to maintain its aesthetically-pleasing appearance.

The stormwater is directed out of the park to the far corner of the property at the edge of an open playing field. Therefore, all but a corner of the playing field can still be used for recreation, except right after it rains and the stormwater filters into the ground. The design maximizes use of the park’s land while maintaining its aesthetics and function for recreation.  “The park was designed to accommodate the stormwater in a way to where it wasn’t an eyesore,” Kelly said. “BCI worked seamlessly with the architect, the City, and park patrons to ensure that we could provide the best facility possible.” Common Ground Park is accessible to anyone from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. The park’s location is 1000 East Edgewood Drive in Lakeland.

Lakeland, FL - February 25, 2010

BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc. extends its congratulations to Terry Dykehouse, PE, for five years service to the firm.  Ms. Dykehouse joined the Lakeland-based firm on January 31, 2005 as a senior civil engineer. She specializes in water resources engineering, roadways, and civil site design and has extensive experience in Florida.

Ms. Dykehouse has experience managing a variety of civil engineering projects. She has successfully designed and permitted dozens of stormwater management systems for residential, industrial, and municipal projects, and employs her extensive background in water resources and stormwater design for preparation of construction plans and specifications of designs with practical, easily maintained components.  Ms. Dykehouse has completed numerous site development projects within Lake County through construction and certification, and employs her understanding of local land development regulations to design for parking areas, access roads and driveways, utilities, and emergency access.

Her resume of projects includes Lake Saunders Flood Study in Lake County, Florida; Lake David Stormwater Improvement and Stormwater Master Plan in Groveland, Florida; Pratt Street Stormwater & Sanitary Sewer Improvements in Starke, Florida, and Halls River Road Intersection Improvements in Homosassa, Florida.  Ms. Dykehouse holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a concentration in water resources and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, both from the University of Florida. In addition, Ms. Dykehouse has three years experience teaching a civil engineering course at the University of Florida.  She is a Registered Professional Engineer in Florida and a member of the Florida Stormwater Association.

Lakeland, FL – February 15, 2010

BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc. welcomes Gary E. Warner, RLA, ASLA, AICP, to our Lakeland, Florida office. Mr. Warner is a registered landscape architect and certified planner with more than 18 years of professional experience creating resourceful master plans and design development documents.  Mr. Warner’s extensive knowledge ranges from urban design and streetscape plans to community parks, resource-based natural areas and trails. He is recognized as an expert in inclusive play with an understanding of the benefits of play and challenges for people with disabilities.

As a skilled designer on a wide variety of landscape architecture projects, Mr. Warner brings an understanding of the interaction between man and the environment and is able to develop designs that integrate architecture, engineering, planning and design aesthetics.

As an experienced project manager, having a full understanding of contract issues and man-hour estimates, he has continually demonstrated the ability to lead a successful multidiscipline design team, ensuring completion of projects on schedule and within budget. His focus is always on the implementation of the final design and the necessary construction documents required to ensure a successful project.  He has served as a landscape architect for award-winning projects such as Hollis Garden and Common Ground Park in Lakeland Florida; along with Sumica Natural Lands in Polk County, Florida; and Belmont Heights in Tampa, Florida.

During Mr. Warner’s career, he has been the author of numerous publications and presentations on a variety of design and planning issues. His dynamic presentation and public speaking skills are valuable assets during public meetings and workshops with the general public or agency officials.  Mr. Warner holds a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in horticulture, both from Virginia Tech. He is a Registered Landscape Architect in both Florida and Texas and is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards.

Lakeland, FL  –  February 12, 2010

BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc. extends its congratulations to Timothy Howard for five years service to the firm.  Mr. Howard joined the Lakeland-based firm on December 20, 2004 as construction inspector; he currently provides construction and administration oversight for BCI’s Civil and Water Resources departments.  He has a variety of construction administration project experience and specializes in site development, specifically drainage and stormwater projects.

Mr. Howard has served as construction inspector on projects for the Florida Department of Transportation District 7, Lake County Water Authority, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. In addition, he has served as project manager for a neighborhood revitalization project in St. Cloud, Florida.  Mr. Howard has eight years with the U.S. Navy Seabees providing drafting and surveying services. He has also managed commercial and retail construction projects where his responsibilities included estimation, bidding, and project management.  Mr. Howard holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering (construction) and a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology management (building construction management), both from the University of Wisconsin. He is certified by the Mine Safety & Health Administration.

Lakeland, FL – January 21, 2010

BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc. announces that James Moore has passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn his Engineering Intern license. Mr. Moore is currently completing his last semester at the University of South Florida and is scheduled to graduate in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in engineering. He currently holds an Associate of Arts degree from Hillsborough Community College.

Mr. Moore joined the Lakeland, Florida-based consulting firm in April 2009 as a technical assistant to its Civil Engineering group. In his current capacity, he assists the engineering and CAD staff with project work ranging from construction drawings to work associated with stormwater design.

Mr. Moore has seven years experience as a senior technician with various companies, including Ricoh Business Systems and Southeast Office Equipment, where he was responsible for servicing and maintaining office products. Additionally, he has worked as a computer programmer at Fort Huachuca in Arizona for the United States Army. He has experience in computer programming with COBOL and C++ and is NET+ Certified.

Lakeland, FL – January 14, 2010

BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc. is pleased to announce the employment of E. Thomas Cavanaugh, PG, CPG, as the Rocky Mountain Regional Manager for the company’s new office in Denver, Colorado.  Mr. Cavanaugh joined BCI in November 2009 to oversee the day-to-day operations of the company’s new Energy & Natural Resources division.

Mr. Cavanaugh has more than 35 years experience as a geologist. His expertise spans the realm of natural resources including hydrogeological evaluation, design, drilling and construction of municipal water supply wells and investigative drilling programs; geomorphology, environmental investigations, stratigraphy, subsurface investigation, mapping research, and natural resource exploration and exploitation.  Mr. Cavanaugh contributes extensive experience in geological project initiation and management, including contract negotiations, technical evaluation, compliance, environmental site assessments, construction dewatering, pipeline and construction inspection, resource evaluations, and technical marketing. Mr. Cavanaugh’s broad background allows him to help clients effectively and efficiently plan and operate projects on time and within budget. He has guided natural resource companies through the permitting and compliance processes on a federal, state, and local level, including NEPA and reclamation requirements in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.

He has worked on municipal water projects for the town of Aspen, Mount Werner Water District, and Jefferson County, Colorado; regional groundwater studies for the Southern High Plains and Upper Big Sandy groundwater management districts, Colorado; and many smaller studies for towns, subdivisions, and landfills in Colorado and Wyoming.  Mr. Cavanaugh is a Certified Professional Geologist, a Registered Professional Geologist in Wyoming, and has OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER and MSHA training. He has a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering and a master’s degree in geology, both from the Colorado School of Mines. Mr. Cavanaugh is a member of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, the American Institute of Professional Geologists, Wyoming Geological Society, the Colorado Mining Association, the Denver Region Exploration Geologists Society, Grand Junction Geological Society, and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration.

Lakeland, FL – January 4, 2010

BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc. announces the grand opening of its Denver, Colorado office. The location also marks the debut of the firm’s new Energy & Natural Resources division, making it the sixth service area for BCI.  Situated in Arvada, Colorado, the office location will serve Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and surrounding areas in the fields of Environmental Impact Assessment, Geology & Soil Resources, Site Assessments, Mining Exploration & Development Services, Water Quality & Hydrology, and Water Treatment & Management.  The Energy & Natural Resource team will focus on permitting and compliance for the natural resources, energy, and oil and gas industries.

“Expansion of BCI into the Rocky Mountain Region will provide us with greater flexibility to serve the increasing service demands of our national and mining clients. Our Denver office will also provide us with a strategic opportunity to expand our services within the oil and gas industry,” said Richard Powers, PG, CPG, President and CEO of BCI.

The Lakeland-based company hired E. Thomas Cavanaugh, PG, CPG, in November 2009 as the Rocky Mountain Regional Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the division.  Tom is a Certified Professional Geologist and has a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering and a master’s degree in geology, both from the Colorado School of Mines.  With more than 30 years of project management, geological, and field experience, Tom has a strong working knowledge of oil and gas and water resources industry practices. This broad background allows him to help clients effectively and efficiently plan and operate projects, on schedule and within budget.

Lakeland, FL – December 9, 2009
BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc. welcomes Brian McKay as a GIS Analyst III to their Palatka, Florida location, which serves the St. Johns River Water Management District.  Mr. McKay has 10 years experience implementing and supporting complex, multi-phase, multi-year GIS projects and initiatives. He possesses a diversified technical background with GIS desktop and enterprise applications.  Mr. McKay is most resourceful with his ability to implement and utilize proven technologies that decrease costs, increase performance, and positively affect the bottom line.

BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc., a Lakeland-based engineering firm, announces the award of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Assessment Program by the Central Florida Regional Planning Council to the Cardno TBE/BCI team to redevelop mine-scarred land in Polk County, Florida. Cardno TBE is an environmental engineering firm headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, which specializes in turnkey Brownfield redevelopment services including program planning, funding, and design. Cardno TBE invited BCI to join the team to provide specific and unique expertise relating to the characterization, reclamation, and stabilization of phosphate mined and disturbed land.

Cardno TBE and BCI will be completing an inventory of several parcels of land throughout Polk County in order to identify which properties can be redeveloped for future use under the “Brownfield” designation.  “Brownfield,” a term coined by the Environmental Protection Agency, refers to abandoned or underutilized industrial and commercial facilities or property available for reuse or redevelopment which may be complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.  The target area for potential redevelopment will cover most of Polk County; however, the main focus will be the cities of Fort Meade, Mulberry, and an area of reclaimed land south of Bartow.