News

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alaska State Governor issued several health mandates regarding the closure of many business, travel prohibitions, a mandated quarantine period for those traveling into Alaska, and a requirement for social distancing.

In light of these mandates, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities has issued a notice to all contractors and consultants performing work for ongoing highway and airport projects. The notice indicates that work may proceed, and must be in accordance with the state’s Health Mandates as well as the COVID-19 Management Plan, as developed by the Associated General Contractors of Alaska & DOT/PF.

To read the full notice, click here.

Lisa Morris recently joined R&M Consutlants, Inc. as Graphic Designer, in the firm’s Marketing Group. Lisa will be responsible for providing print and web/interactive graphic communications in support of R&M’s marketing, communications, and project initiatives.

To read the full press release, click here.

PND Engineers, Inc., is pleased to announce the hiring of Jake Randazzo & Savel Forrest.

Jake Randazzo brings 15 years of experience in hands-on primary and secondary soil testing, data reduction, and soil lab operations. Forrest Savel has a background in construction, and will assist on general civil engineering projects.

To read the full press release and learn more about the backgrounds on these new hires, click here.

Hello everyone! I’m excited to begin my term as President of APDC! Over this past month, we have sustained the energy from the successful legislative fly-in and are actively tracking multiple bills, including HB299 (de-regulation of licensure/Right to Earn a Living), HB291 (Commercial Interior Design Licensure), SB115 (gas tax), HB216 (temporary licensure), and HB197 (Seismic Hazard commission renewal). The legislative committee is writing letters in support or opposition of the bills, based on the direction from the March board meeting.

Similar to last year, the budget will again be a major issue and topic of discussion; unlike last year, we have now added a world-wide pandemic, dropping oil prices, and other state-wide concerns to the budget. We will stay on top of all these issues and make sure we are working to support design professionals in whatever means we can.

Finally, I couldn’t write a president’s message this month without addressing COVID-19. Is it scary and challenging? Yep. Will it change everything? Most likely. Is it already affecting things? Definitely. But will we pull through? Of course! How? I don’t know all the details yet of exactly how, but I know we will. Things are changing so fast, but through the support of our community and coming together, I know we will find a way to come through this. Things most likely won’t look the same on the other side, but I am confident the other side will be sunny. APDC’s part in this will focus on supporting the design community, tracking the budget challenges, tracking applicable bills and legislature, and actively advocating to support our profession.

Please reach out to us if we can help in any way.

Thanks!

-Erica

AJ Behm recently joined R&M CONSULTANTS, INC. (R&M) as a Staff Engineer in the firm’s Surface Transportation Group. AJ will assist with planning and design of civil engineering projects, with an emphasis in roadways, pedestrian facilities and utility relocations.

To read the full press release, click here.