Hurt & Proffitt's News
|  |  |  | |  | June 15, 2008
"The Stars Come Out Tonight!" The Chamber Celebrates 125 Years of SuccessThe Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 125th Anniversary with a gala dinner/dance at Lynchburg College on May 31st. As a longtime member of the Chamber, Hurt & Proffitt supported the event as a Silver Sponsor. Our firm was represented by Doyle Allen, CEO and wife Sonja; Earl Dickerson, President; Bif Johnson, COO; Nita Holt, Marketing Director; Mike McPeake, HR Director, and his wife, Pam.
The evening's entertainment was provided by professional dancers, Elena Grinenko and Tony Dovolani from the hit television show, Dancing with the Stars, followed by music and dancing to The House Band.
Hurt & Proffitt as always is proud to be a sponsor for the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce.
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| | | | | | June 5, 2008
Ribbon Cutting Marks Official Opening for Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer CenterThe ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center, located at the corner of Atherholt and Langhorne Roads in Lynchburg, took place on June 3rd.
Hurt & Proffitt played a key role in developing the cancer center over the last few years leading up to the grand opening. Our firm was responsible for coordinating all civil, utility and site designs including landscape plans as well as surveying, environmental assessments, and geotechnical investigations.
The Cancer Center features the latest cancer-fighting technology designed to cater to the mind and the body. This 75,000 SF, $25M center offers examination rooms for radiation oncology and medical oncology and was designed to accommodate today's advanced imaging equipment. One of the biggest advantages is having radiation and chemotherapy treatments in the same building.
Hurt & Proffitt is proud to have been a part of this project. "It has been an honor and a privilege to have been an integral part of a project that will have such a profound and positive impact on healthcare for the members of the Central Virginia community," said Patrick Proffitt, PE, Vice President of Hurt & Proffitt.
Please refer to our company newsletter for more details! | | | | |
| | | | | | May 12, 2008
One of Our Best, Doyle Allen, CEO of Hurt & Proffitt, Receives National RecognitionThe National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) presented
Doyle B. Allen, LS, the Distinguished Service Award for his dedicated service to the
engineering and surveying professions. Doyle, the CEO here at Hurt & Proffitt, was presented this award at the 2008 Northeastern regional meeting, held in Boston, Massachusetts in April.
The NCEES is a national nonprofit organization composed of engineering and surveying licensing boards representing all U.S. states and territories. In service to the organization, Mr. Allen has served on the Northeast Zone Nominating Committee. He has also served on the special committee for Professional Activities and Knowledge Survey-
Land Surveying (PAKS-LS) for two years. From 2004-2005, he served on the examination for Professional Surveyors (EPS) Committee to reclassify the exam item bank to the new specification, and continued in 2006 and 2007 as chairman of the Item Writing Sub Committee. Doyle Allen receiving the Distinguished Service Award From 2004 through 2007, Allen served on the Exam Audit Committee, working to audit specific exams and develop standardized exam audit procedures.
In his service to the land surveying profession, Doyle continues to serve as Executive Director for the Colonial States Boards for Surveyor Registration. He is a lifelong member of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, representing the Virginia Board and presenting the NCEES PAKS-LS special committee report to the member board forum at the annual convention. Allen teaches in the Engineers and Surveyors Institute and is a lifelong member of the Virginia Association of Surveyors, serving in
all the state offices including president in 1995.
NCEES, headquartered in Clemson, S.C., develops, scores, and administers the examinations used for engineering and surveying licensure throughout the United States. NCEES also provides services facilitating professional mobility for licensed engineers and surveyors. We are very proud of his dedication to his field of work. | | | | |
| | | | | | April 26, 2008
A Job Well Done! Mr. Todd Arrington, Recognized at Powhatan Lakes Ceremony!On April 24, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) held a ceremony at Powhatan Lakes to recognize those involved with the reconstruction of the two dams on the site.. Todd Arrington, Field Technician in our Geotechnical Department, was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Department for serving as On-site Project Inspector for DGIF for the reconstruction of Powhatan Lakes Dams.
Todd's leadership and dedication in maintaining the quality of work on the dams, his commitment to be on site as needed to maintain lines of communication, and to insure the safety of future users of the lakes helped in the completion of the project.
The Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Mr. Arrington by Mr. Bob Duncan, Executive Director, and Mr. James Hazel, Chairman, Board of Game and Inland Fisheries. | | | | |
| | | | | | March 8, 2008
William S. Horton Awarded North Carolina PE LicenseHurt & Proffitt, Inc. is pleased to announce that William S. Horton has been awarded his Professional Engineering License by the state of North Carolina. He has been a certified PE in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1992 but wanted to broaden his area of work. Mr. Horton is a native of Eastern North Carolina so he can now provide engineering back home. This will help Hurt & Proffitt offer engineering beyond the Virginia borders.
Mr. Horton joined Hurt & Proffitt in 2007 with 23 years of experience. He has served as project manager for a very diverse range of civil engineering projects and has extensive experience in utilities and infrastructure design for federal, state and local governments. Utilities design experience includes new utility corridors, water and sewer pump stations, utility relocations and new services to serve commercial and residential areas. Mr. Horton also has significant experience in developing cost estimates and quantity take-offs, utility studies, specification preparation, construction administration and working with federal, state and local review agencies. In addition, he has extensive civil engineering design background in site planning and development.
William Horton is an active member of various professional organizations such as the National Society of Professional Engineers, Virginia Society of Professional Engineers, Tidewater Builders Association, and the Air Force Association.
Mr. Horton is a wonderful asset to Hurt & Proffitt and we are glad to have him on board.
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| | | | | | February 4, 2008
Robert A. Hopkins, PE Promoted to Civil Engineering Department HeadWe are pleased to announce that our very own Robert A. Hopkins, PE, has been promoted to the Department Head for the Civil Engineering Department. Mr. Hopkins has been with Hurt & Proffitt since August 5, 2002, but his experience with Civil Engineering clients in City’s, Town’s, County’s, Authority’s, and other governmental agencies spans more than 25 years. Hurt & Proffitt feels that his expertise will benefit the Civil Engineering Department tremendously. | | | | |
| | | | | | February 3, 2008
EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION - Hurt & Proffitt Employees Give a Helping HandEveryone knows ABC’s popular show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (EMHE). Would you believe that three of our Hurt & Proffitt employees; Tony Reeves, Chad Reeves, and Todd Arrington had the privilege of participating in it? Here’s a little bit of
background on the family featured on the show in early 2008.
On December 3, the Lucas family of Cullen, VA (near Farmville) was happy to receive the news that Ty Pennington and the designers of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition would be building them a dream home in just seven days. Michael Lucas (37), is currently serving in the National Guard in Iraq. He has a deep passion and appreciation for his historically rich home state of Virginia and has spent much of his life assisting in the preservation of Virginia’s historical battlefields and historical landmarks. His family consists of his wife Jean, and two children Michael Henry and Joseph Nathan. Joseph, the youngest child, has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Jean works with Joseph’s therapist by writing grants in the hopes of opening a Sensory Playground Facility for autistic children.
Less than a year ago, Michael and his family bought a piece of land located on a Civil War battlefield. Unfortunately, before Michael could finish his family’s home, he was deployed. Troubled by his family’s unfinished home, he worried that his family would not
have a safe place to live. He would also like to one day open a museum showcasing his extensive collection of historical artifacts, photos, letters, clothing, and pistols from the region.The dedicated soldier is also currently writing a book about the battle of High Bridge, which took place on the recently purchased land for his family’s home.
The Lucas family needed the help of EMHE to not only build them a safe home but also provide the family with a place to continue to preserve the culture of Virginia that he loves so much.
Our H&P employees, Tony, Chad, and Todd, happened to be driving down 460 near Farmville on the 7th, early in the morning and heard an advertisement on the radio. They stumbled upon a huge tent set up where lots of workers were handling materials. Tony asked how they could help. They were given lots of paperwork to fill out and the next thing they knew, they were handed hard hats and pointed to the site. Tony said they carried materials such as wood, cabinets and door jams. They also helped saw materials to build the front deck of the home, cleaned up the inside and outside of the
house, as well as assisting wherever they were needed. Tony said there must have been over 200 workers and that it was nice to see everyone come together and help out a local family in need. This was definitely an experience that they will never forget. | | | | |
| | | | | | February 1, 2008
Hurt & Proffitt Sponsors a Team for our Local Junior Achievement Bowl-A-ThonOn Saturday, January 26th, 2008, Hurt & Proffitt's bowling team participated in the local Junior Achievement Bowl-A-Thon at AMF Lynchburg Lanes. Our team consisted of Jeanette Firebaugh, George Carroll, Tony Reeves, McKyland Miller, Rob Wooldridge, and Norm Firebaugh. Together our Hurt & Proffitt employees collected $285 toward the local Junior Achievement Bowl-A-Thon fundraising effort.
Quoting Teri Brandon, Junior Achievement's Special Events Manager, "This is a very good effort from a first year team." Thanks to everyone involved in making this successful and giving back to our community.
Junior Achievement asks area employers to sponsor bowling teams to collect pledges to support their local efforts to prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs which make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Volunteers from area employers teach students about starting a business and they actually participate in a business project under the volunteers' leadership.
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| | | | | | January 22, 2008
Nancy Hayes Awarded Virginia PE LicenseHurt & Proffitt, Inc., is pleased to announce that Nancy H. Hayes has been awarded by the Commonwealth of Virginia the designation of Professional Engineer.
Nancy joined Hurt & Proffitt in 2003 and has over nine years of experience in site planning, water system analysis, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and utility system design. Her areas of expertise on residential and commercial projects include site design, grading plans, sewer design, stormwater management, parking and road design.
Nancy received her BS in Engineering with an enphasis on Environmental from Mercer University in 1999.
Congratulations, Nancy!
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| | | | | | December 29, 2007
Groundbreaking Ceremony at IWT - A Grand SuccessInnovative Wireless Technologies (IWT) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $5.6 million headquarters and research facility in the New London Business and Technology Center on November 7, 2007. The Forest-based company is the first to announce plans to build a facility in Bedford County’s new high-tech business center located off U.S. 460 near the Campbell County line.
Eric Hanson, one of the company's two co-founders, said IWT had looked at a number of places but chose Bedford County. He said the county had worked well with officials and the New London location will provide an atmosphere that will be attractive to the creative technical people that the company wants to hire. IWT makes wireless sensor networks and has contracts with the United States Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and large power companies.
The New London Business and Technology Center was established by the Bedford County Economic Development Authority to provide an environment for growth and expansion of existing companies as well as locations for new prospective business. Through the development, the County hopes to create more jobs for the community as well as show Bedford County’s potential in the technology-based economy.
Hurt & Proffitt has been a part of the development of the Center by providing multiple services including civil engineering and site development, geotechnical engineering, environmental permitting, surveying, and construction administration.
"The Center will attract high quality companies because it offers an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere as well as basic services," said Sue Montgomery, Director of Economic Development, Bedford County. "Besides the usual paved streets, public water and sewer, the New London Business and Technology Center will offer large wooded lots, walking trails, and a pleasing environment." | | | | |
| | | | | | December 10, 2007
Engineering 101 for Fourth GradersRebecca Andrus, one of our young, vibrant engineers, participated in a career day for fourth graders. It was held at Bedford Hills Elementary School on November 29, 2007. Mrs. Andrus was ecstatic about giving each class an insight on our firm, the projects we work on and what each department does. Having Rebecca Andrus, a female engineer giving the presentations, showed the students that being an engineer was not just a man’s profession.
Mrs. Andrus did an amazing job grabbing the student’s attention and helping them better understand what our company does. She started her presentation by asking the fourth graders, How many of you used the toilet this morning? She explained the link between using the toilet and the sewer lines Hurt & Proffitt designs, thus relating engineering to things the children use or do in their everyday life.
Services were explained in terms that the children could understand while showing some great visual examples of the projects before, during, and after the work has been complete.
Rebecca also used slides and descriptions to show the work that each department here does. For the survey department, she discussed how they use survey equipment to measure the land. She talked about our Geotechs and how they use a large machine called a drill rig so they could drill through the various layers of the ground to test the soil. Rebecca did a great job hitting each department in her presentation, using examples slides showing bridges, parks, athletic fields, animal shelters, and hospitals that Hurt & Proffitt has worked on.
The children especially loved the massive toys we get to operate such as a drill rigs, track hoes, bulldozers, etc. As you can see in the picture, above, the kids were very interested in what Rebecca had to say and they had lots of questions about our work. When Rebecca explained the importance of Math and Science, the kids were all anxious to tell her how well they did on their last math test. The goal was to enlighten the kids about our line of work and hopefully plant the seeds of interest at a very young age. From the interest shown by the kids at the Bedford Hills Elementary School, that goal was met.
The initial contact was made to Mike McPeake, our Human Resources Director, from the principal of Bedford Hills Elementary School. The career fair was a success and we hope to participate in many events like this in the future. | | | | |
| | | | | | December 6, 2007
Michael D. Wilson Awarded Virginia PE LicenseHurt & Proffitt, Inc., is pleased to announce that Michael D. Wilson has been awarded by the Commonwealth of Virginia the designation of Professional Engineer.
Mike joined Hurt & Proffitt in September of this year. He has over 15 years of experience in civil engineering with focus on project design, land development, developing site layouts, performing design calculations, development of construction drawings & specifications, preparing cost estimates, proposals, and communications with developers, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and subcontractors.
Mike received his BS in environmental engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1992. He received his registration as a Professional Engineer in Michigan in 1997. | | | | |
| | | | | | October 26, 2007
Lynchburg Employees "Kick the Habit" (Tobacco Free Clinic)On September 5, 2007, two Hurt & Proffitt employees began their journey to quit smoking. They have been the first to accept the company-wide offer to pay their registration fee to join Centra Health’s Be Tobacco Free program. This is a six week program for people seriously considering a tobacco free life.
And so began their journey with nervousness and anxiety about the program and whether they were ready for the hard work that lay ahead.
Their group met each Wednesday evening from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Lynchburg General Hospital. Every Thursday morning or shortly thereafter, our Human Resources Director, checked in with them for a progress report. He was there to give them a pep talk when needed although they were committed and determined.
On October 17, 2007, One of our employees emailed the HR director stating, "This is day 19 without a smoke - no one, repeat no one is more surprised than me." All participants now report feeling better and one expressed his gratitude to Hurt & Proffitt for making it possible. "No, you made it possible. We only planted the seed to motivate you," commented Mike McPeake.
Everyone at Hurt & Proffitt is very pleased with all of their success with this program!
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| | | | | | September 6, 2007
We Would Like to Welcome Michael D. Wilson, PE to Hurt & ProffittHurt & Proffitt, Inc. is pleased to announce that Michael D.Wilson, PE has joined the firm as a Project Manager in the civil engineering department in the Lynchburg office.
Mr. Wilson's joins the firm with 15 years of experience in civil engineering with focus on project design, land development, developing site layouts, performing design calculations, development of construction drawings & specifications, preparing cost estimates, proposals, and communications with developers, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and subcontractors.
Mr. Wilson received his BS in environmental engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1992. He is a registered Professional Engineer since 1997.
Hurt & Proffitt, Inc. is an employee-owned engineering, surveying, and planning firm with offices in Lynchburg and Norfolk. The firm has over 95 employees who staff six in-house departments: civil engineering, surveying, land planning, geotechnical, environmental, and construction testing and inspection.
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| | | | | | September 1, 2007
Earl H. Dickerson Jr., PE, Reappointed by Governor Tim Kaine on the VACEarl H. Dickerson Jr., PE, president and director of business development for Hurt & Proffitt, Inc., has been reappointed by Governor Tim Kaine to a three-year term on the Virginia Apprenticeship Council (VAC). This will be his third time serving on the VAC and he will be vice chairman.
The VAC consists of eight board members, which meets quarterly.
The Virginia Apprenticeship Council establishes and regulates standards for apprentice agreements.The VAC is a "win-win" approach to workforce development that provides a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction to more than 13,000 apprentice throughout the Commonwealth. Registered Apprenticeship is a proven, cost-effective system for training employees in a variety of occupations such as manufacturing, construction, technology, and services. | | | | |
| | | | | | August 28, 2007
A New Addition to Hurt & Proffitt, Rebecca W. Andrus, PEHurt & Proffitt, Inc. is pleased to announce that Rebecca W. Andrus, PE has joined the firm as a Project Manager in the firm's civil engineering department in the Lynchburg office.
Ms. Andrus has over nine years of engineering experience with licenses as a registered professional Civil Engineer in three states. Her experience has been mostly in water resources, commercial and residential land development, storm drain and sanitary sewer design, roadway improvements, and parks and trails.
Ms. Andrus received her BS in Biological and Agricultural Engineering/Math from Utah State University in 1998. Ms. Andrus has been a registered Professional Engineer since 2002.
Hurt & Proffitt, Inc. is an employee-owned engineering, surveying, and planning firm with offices in Lynchburg and Norfolk. The firm has over 95 employees who staff six in-house departments: civil engineering, surveying, land planning, geotechnical, environmental, and construction testing and inspection.
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| | | | | | August 16, 2007
Hurt & Proffitt Completes Another Project for AEPThe site plan Hurt & Proffitt designed for AEP’s addition to its electric substation in Buffalo, WV, was especially challenging, and a complete success. The addition was needed to supply electricity for a major expansion to the Toyota manufacturing plant in Buffalo. There are about 10 such Toyota plants in the US, and this one is the major employer for the Town.
Hurt & Proffitt provided multiple services on the project including civil, environmental, and geotechnical engineering, surveying, and construction administration.
The land to the south of the existing substation is perpetually flooded, the north and west contains wetlands that had to be avoided, thus leaving the area to the east as the only suitable site for the addition. This was however all steep uphill grade and bordered an existing tower that could not be moved or disturbed in any way. In fact, the ground within 25’ of its base could not be disturbed without the likelihood that it would fall over.
The grading plan required major excavation to accommodate AEP’s need for a flat area for the addition. Additionally, the plan included very steep slopes around the tower “armored” with riprap to protect from erosion, which could also result in the tower toppling.
AEP is currently finishing construction of the addition and is very happy with the results.
This is the 10th new station/station expansion that Hurt & Proffitt has designed for AEP in the past two years under an engineering services contract. We have completed the design on five more station projects which are under construction or about to start, another is currently in design, and Hurt & Proffitt is assisting AEP in site investigations and purchase for 11 more, which will be designed in 2008.
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| | | | | | August 14, 2007
William S. Horton, PE Joins Hurt & Proffitt, Inc.Hurt & Proffitt, Inc. is pleased to announce that William S. (Bill) Horton, PE has joined the firm as a Project Manager in the civil engineering department in the firm's Norfolk office.
Mr. Horton joins the firm with 23 years of civil engineering experience in utility & infrastructure design for municipalities & the federal government, developing cost estimates, utility studies, and construction administration for private, municipal, and federal clients.
Mr. Horton received his BS in general engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1983. He received his PE license in 1992. Mr. Horton has been active in the Virginia Beach community serving on various boards and has received awards from the VSPE.
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| | | | | | July 3, 2007
Lynchburg Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courthouse Expected to Begin SoonHurt & Proffitt, Inc. will be working on a 46,350 SF Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courthouse (not including open atrium on second level). The current construction estimate is $12.35 M and will be funded by the City of Lynchburg, VA budget. We will be teaming with DMJM Design in Arlington, VA and Craddock Cunningham Architectural Partners of Lynchburg, VA. Hurt & Proffitt will be working on all civil aspects of the project including, but not limited to, site plan, grading plan with erosion and sediment control, utility plan, stormwater management plan, landscape plan, site details, and specifications. We are expecting to start the project very soon.
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| | | | | | June 20, 2007
Hurt & Proffitt, Inc. Takes on Walgreens Projects in Mulitple Locations in VirginiaHurt and Proffitt, Inc. has been working on a number of new Walgreens sites all over the state of Virginia. Each store is between 14,550 and 14,820 SF and the sites have ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 acres. Hurt & Proffitt, Inc. has completed the site designs for locations in Lynchburg, Pulaski, and Marion, all of which are currently under construction.
At this time Hurt and Proffitt, Inc., is working on Walgreens sites in Harrisonburg, Collinsville, Rocky Mount, Lexington, Wytheville, Dublin, and Bedford.
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| | | | | | April 30, 2007
Mike Neylon Earns Virginia CPG LicenseHurt & Proffitt, Inc., is pleased to announce that Mike Neylon has been awarded by the Commonwealth of Virginia the designation of Certified Professional Geologist.
Mr. Neylon joined Hurt & Proffitt in 2005 and currently has 10 years of geotechnical and laboratory experience in the construction and mining sectors. He is a project geologist in Hurt & Proffitt’s geotechnical engineering department, with extensive work in soil logging, materials testing and laboratory testing. His soil experience includes soils and rock logging for major roadway projects, density testing for numerous projects, and field testing and observations of concrete for commercial projects. Mr. Neylon’s laboratory experience includes physical properties testing for stone and soil (CBR, Proctor, Sieve Analysis, Specific Gravity, and Atterberg Limits testing).
Mr. Neylon received his BS in Geology from Radford University in 1997 and works in the firm’s Lynchburg, VA office. | | | | |
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