2014 is going to be an exciting year by almost any measure. Business in the Mid-Atlantic/Appalachian Region is busy and holds lots of promises. There are also opportunities in the energy and built environment sectors that could shift the local business dynamics in the Parkersburg, WV area. It’s a great time to be providing Architectural, Engineering and Surveying services!

In these busy times, Pickering Associates differentiates itself by having the right mix of professional staff, well-developed project delivery processes and embedded organizational learning programs. This is easy to say, but this is also the real trick to any successful professional business, right? What do we do differently?

First, we maintain our professional edge through our offering of continuous learning opportunities for our staff and customers. In 2013 we provided:

  • Marshall University Master’s Program in Engineering Management and Technology Management in our Parkersburg Office,
  • LEED AP BD&C Training in our Parkersburg Office (with Chris Smith being the first student taking and passing his LEED AP certification test), and
  • Monthly Continuing Education Programs involving new technologies and updates from local code officials.

In 2014, we will continue developing our professionals, customers and other engineers, architects and surveyors in the region through the following programs:

  • The continuation of the Marshall University Master’s Program at our Parkersburg, WV Office,
  • Monthly Continuing Education Program (offered at the Marietta, Ohio Holiday Inn; if interested in getting on our mailing list for this educational program contact Erin Iafelice-McCullough),
  • Development and implementation of a Construction Project Management certificate course for West Virginia University, and
  • Professional Development Mentoring classes for young professionals to understand what the growth opportunities are available within Pickering Associates and the larger professional market, and what skill sets are essential for success at these advanced levels of professional development.

Second, we have developed our project management and scheduling processes to the level that we can plan to have the right resources ready, available and trained months in advance of the project need, and yet have the ability to respond aggressively to the changing daily needs of our clients.

Third, we are committed to staying on the leading edge of the emerging technologies in our industries. To this end:

  • With the lead from our Architectural group, Chris Algmin is providing Building Information Management (BIM) classes this spring allowing us and our clients to take advantage of the new design capabilities of this emerging integrated design technology.
  • The acquisition of our new 3D printer will allow us to model new buildings, processes and components on a whole new level. It will allow our clients to be able to envision their process layout and components easily in a way that has not been available in our region in decades.
  • By integrating our surveying staff with the new 3D modeling processes, we can layout and visualize buildings and equipment that could not be reasonably modeled in the past.
  • Our Oil & Gas division has continued developing deep relationships within the Appalachian basin, providing infrastructure, planning, production design and construction management for siting, drilling, production and pipeline projects.
  • Through our relationships with Pickering Energy Solutions, we are providing renewable energy projects from the eastern United States to Africa. Additionally, through energy evaluation, training, and awareness we are promoting sustainable building practices from our offices in Parkersburg, WV. (For example, Building 1 at Parkersburg is powered by our Solar Photovoltaic power system.)

I am extremely proud of the Pickering Associates company that has grown organically to be a major force in the Appalachian region. Keep an eye on us this year as we continue to increase our presence in the market, develop our staff, and help our region grow and prosper in the global economy.

As I said, 2014 is going to be a great year! If you have a project that you would like to have completed by a world-class team, give us a call. Otherwise, if you would like to participate in our educational programs, grow professionally or be a part of our team in 2014—give us a call.

… sets us apart!  

 

Charles “Chip” Pickering, Ph.D., CEO