trenchless people
We are pleased to bring you the first installment in the latest NASTT blog series featuring the 2020 Argent Memorial Scholarship winner essays.
One of the requirements to apply for a student scholarship from NASTT is to write an essay on the state of the trenchless industry and what the student sees for them self in the future within the industry.
Josiah Dehnke of Kent State University was awarded a $5,000 scholarship.
The rapid growth of the trenchless industry comes at a pivotal time for the underground infrastructure in the United States. The 2017 ASCE report card graded drinking water, wastewater, and energy all a D+ or lower. A large portion of our underground utilities are in desperate need of repairs, rehabilitation and replacement. Although this underground infrastructure is the primary carrier of drinking water, wastewater, gas, oil, and power, it is also widely overlooked. This is the epitome of “Out of sight, out of mind”.
Luckily, as trenchless technology continues to grow, so does the opportunity to begin a career in the field of trenchless and help ensure the bright future of our civilization and its prosperity. From rehabilitation to new installation, the opportunities in this rapidly growing industry are endless. Not only is trenchless technology the most cost and time effective option, but it is also far superior in terms of intrusion and environmental concerns. As the emphasis on minimal environmental impact continues to grow, so do the benefits of trenchless.
The trenchless industry is a great opportunity for students such as myself looking to get into a unique and ever changing career upon graduation. Because our underground infrastructure is the carrier of every type of commodity, this creates a wide variety of opportunities in the electric, wastewater, drinking water, and oil and gas industries. Within those industries, a project manager or engineer could be involved in rehabilitation, new install or repairs.
Becoming a part of this industry would also provide opportunities to travel all over North America and possibly the world. These possibilities are some of the many reasons why I am looking forward to attending my first NASTT No-Dig Show in Denver. Upon deciding to pursue a concentration in Civil Construction, my first class was Civil Utilities and my professor largely covered trenchless technology. Upon beginning the coursework, I instantly became interested in the industry and wanted to learn more. A few months into the semester, our NASTT student chapter was lucky enough to have Bernie Krzys on campus for a speaking event. Hearing Mr. Krzys speak as well as having a conversation with him about the ever-expanding industry and the developing technology in the trenchless community made me eager to learn more.
I’m hoping to have some networking opportunities at the No-Dig show that may lead to employment opportunities with some of the most respected contractors in the country. This industry’s diverse and unique opportunities truly intrigue me. I chose to be a part of the civil construction industry because of the opportunity to directly improve our infrastructure and wellbeing; being able to be a part of a unique and environmentally sound community such as trenchless technologies would make my career choice even more fulfilling.
Congratulations Josiah and best of luck on your future endeavors in the trenchless industry!
Industry News, trenchless people, trenchless products
Recently two of NASTT’s very dedicated volunteers, Dennis Walsh and George Ragula, both of PSE&G, met with our Rutgers Student Chapter to give a presentation.
The presentation covered a project that is the new world record diameter 42” CIPL renewal that included an extremely complicated piping geometry involving seven bends in a u-tube configuration crossing a major parkway with a significant change in vertical elevation.
The project presentation was fascinating and the students were thrilled to have two industry experts on hand to answer questions and provide insight. Future presentations and job site visits are in the works.
Pictured are volunteers and student members:
Left to right, front row: Max Ritner, Sharon Xiao, Riya Maniar and Kendi Bailey.
Left to right, back row: Amil Muminovic, Demetra Tampasis, George Ragula, Ian Walczak, Anthony Genchi, Dennis Walsh and Troy Dittenhofer.
Industry News, trenchless people
Recently the NASTT Student Chapter at UMASS Lowell participated in the school’s annual campus club recruiting event. They had a table at the event outlining what the student chapter does and why trenchless matters. These students are passionate about growing interest in the trenchless industry!
NASTT volunteer instructor and “Trenchless Guru” (yep, that’s his X handle!), Dennis Doherty, is very involved with the students at UMASS Lowell and volunteers his time to mentor these future trenchless champions. Dennis is the National Practice Leader of Trenchless Technologies at Haley & Aldrich. Dennis said, “Get involved with our students. They are our future”. We couldn’t agree more!
Industry News, trenchless people
Active NASTT volunteer, instructor and past Board Chair, George Ragula recently visited the NASTT Student Chapter at Rutgers University in New Jersey to speak with them about trenchless technology and the gas industry.
George stated that is was a very interactive and informative session for the students. He gave a detailed presentation of the 36” world record gas CIPL renewal and there were a lot of questions. The students were curious as to how and when George got started in trenchless, his motivation and how he came up through the ranks at NASTT when he first joined in 1993.
The students also expressed interest in developing a trenchless curriculum as part of a Masters course and he offered his help and guidance. They discussed the fast growing pace of this particular industry. The students feel positive about this niche in the construction industry and many hope to pursue a career in trenchless.
Industry News, trenchless people
Urso Campos is an engineer-in-training who joined GeoEngineers, Inc. in late 2018. He has extensive education in engineering materials, infrastructure systems, and mechanics, and he has authored several technical papers already in his career. Urso has been a member of NASTT as a student and now as an engineer at GeoEngineers.
Prior to joining GeoEngineers, Urso was an engineering instructor and research/laboratory assistant at Louisiana Tech University, and he has served as geotechnical engineering adjunct faculty at Grambling State University in Louisiana as well as worked in a geotechnical and construction materials laboratory in Indianapolis.
During his time at Louisiana Tech University, Urso was privileged to be part of the Trenchless Technology Center, of which GeoEngineers is an industrial advisory board member, where he engaged in multiple trenchless technology research and development projects.
Urso’s work in the Pipelines Business Unit at GeoEngineers is focused on horizontal directional drilling (HDD) design engineering and construction consulting services. In the office, he works on trenchless design reports and in the field, his responsibilities include construction observation and on-site field documentation, serving as a liaison for clients, and reviewing and distributing daily field reports and project deliverables for client communication.
We are pleased to bring you the first installment in the latest NASTT blog series featuring the 2020 Argent Memorial Scholarship winner essays.
Luckily, as trenchless technology continues to grow, so does the opportunity to begin a career in the field of trenchless and help ensure the bright future of our civilization and its prosperity. From rehabilitation to new installation, the opportunities in this rapidly growing industry are endless. Not only is trenchless technology the most cost and time effective option, but it is also far superior in terms of intrusion and environmental concerns. As the emphasis on minimal environmental impact continues to grow, so do the benefits of trenchless. 
