Vincent DiFilippo Nature Preserve Honored as Top Project

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The Central Penn Business Journal has named recent enhancements to the Vincent DiFilippo Nature Preserve one of the region’s Top Projects. HRG worked with Silver Spring Township to restore wetlands and meadows, add new riparian buffer plantings, increase parking, and add a boat launch at the preserve. These improvements simultaneously help the township meet its MS4 pollutant reduction plan goals and nurture wildlife while improving the recreational experience for township residents.

 

Shawn Fabian with Silver Spring Township's Jennifer Groller, Carl Machamer, and Scott Maldonado at the Central Penn Business Journal Top Projects Award ceremony

Shawn Fabian with Silver Spring Township’s Jennifer Groller, Carl Machamer, and Scott Maldonado

 

The nature preserve was already a popular place for birdwatching and nature walks, but, thanks to this project, it now has more shade, more wildlife viewing opportunities, and more aesthetically pleasing views with colorful flowers and plantings that simultaneously reduce watershed pollution. It is a bit of a natural oasis in the middle of one of the state’s most rapidly growing suburbs, and the boat launch creates a new convenient access point to one of the region’s treasured recreational amenities: the Conodoguinet Creek Water Trail. An expanded parking area makes it all more accessible to users, allows for buses to more easily turn around in the parking area to facilitate environmental education programing, and created two new ADA compliant parking spots for easier trail and boat launch access.

The project is a great example of how investments in the environment and recreational amenities go hand-in-hand where there is smart planning and thoughtful design. Silver Spring Township has made wise investments in long-term planning, so that each project they do – big or small – supports the community’s long-term goals. These plans have helped them attract extensive grant funding, including more than $252,000 for the nature preserve enhancements in addition to the grant funding that the Chesapeake Bay Foundation brought to the table from grants they secured for the riparian buffer along the Conodoguinet Creek onsite.

We’re grateful to work with Silver Spring Township and be a part of great projects like this. Congratulations to the township on this recognition and to all of the project partners, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, LandStudies, and KLA Roofing & Construction. Thank you to Shawn Fabian and everyone on the HRG team who contributed their time and talent to making this a successful project, including Aaron Moyer, JJ Robinson, Jake Hoffman, Eric Fleisher, Terry Meek, Katie Valla, Lauren Zumbrun.

George White Named Assistant Vice President of Lehigh Valley Office

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George WhiteHRG has promoted George White to assistant vice president.  White will oversee all technical and project delivery operations in the firm’s Lehigh Valley office on Glenlivet Drive in Allentown.  He will also support business development and key client management activities in this region.

White joined HRG in 2022 and most recently served as senior project manager in the firm’s civil group, which provides municipal engineering services and specializes in stormwater management.  He has played a key role in establishing HRG’s presence in the Lehigh Valley and has been a key team member on several of our noteworthy projects in the area, including the East Mountain stormwater and flood mitigation study in Scranton, the Easton Avenue flood mitigation project in Bethlehem, and the Bushkill/Zucksville intersection flood study in Forks Township.

Matt Bonanno Promoted to Assistant Vice President at HRG

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Matt Bonanno has been named an assistant vice president of HRG, an infrastructure consulting firm operating in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.  He will oversee all activities related to project delivery, business development, and general operations in the Harrisburg market beginning January 1, 2024.

Matt currently serves as practice area leader for civil and municipal engineering services across the firm’s entire geographic footprint. His new role will expand his focus to encompass all service offerings and include additional responsibilities for the management and operations of the firm’s largest office, which employs more than 130 people.

Matt joined HRG as a staff professional in 2002 and earned increasing responsibility as a project manager, regional service group manager and practice area leader. He is also deeply embedded in the Harrisburg community. He graduated from Leadership Harrisburg Area in 2018, coaches youth sports, and volunteers with numerous charitable organizations like Knights of Columbus, Hershey Cocoa Packs, Sons of Italy, and the Salvation Army. He currently serves as president of the Paxton Creek Watershed & Education Association, an organization focused on protecting water quality and facilitating environmental education.

The assistant vice president position was previously held by Ed Ellinger, who was recently promoted to Chief Operations Officer.  Ed says Matt is well-suited for his new duties. “Matt has excelled in many roles at HRG over the past 20 years,” he says, “He understands HRG’s operations inside and out, and he has great relationships with employees across the organization, helping him get things done strategically and efficiently.  He also has great relationships outside of HRG across the region.  He is actively involved professionally and personally with many organizations.  He will keep HRG connected to the communities around us, their needs, and the stakeholders that move ideas forward.”

HRG is experiencing record-breaking revenue growth this year and has established a long-range vision for even more growth and expansion throughout the decade.  Matt’s transition to assistant vice president is part of a long-range plan to build a framework for scalability while preserving the firm’s personalized approach to service.

Aaron Moyer Named One of Central PA’s Top Forty under 40

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Congratulations to our civil team leader Aaron Moyer, who has been named one of Central Pennsylvania’s top Forty Under 40 professionals.  This list is compiled annually by the Central Penn Business Journal to recognize high-achieving young leaders based on their professional accomplishments, community service, and commitment to inspiring change.

Aaron Moyer accepts his recognition as one of Central Pennsylvania's Top Forty under 40

Aaron seamlessly blends advanced technical knowledge with creativity, empathy, and good humor to positively impact local communities.  His work helps them restore streams, improve local roadways, manage growth, and acquire millions of dollars in funding to keep costs low for residents.  He is passionate about public policy and has written multiple local laws to reduce regulatory burdens on residents, simplify land development procedures, and improve water quality.  He also participated in an advisory committee that helped PADEP craft the next round of MS4 regulations.

In his spare time, he plants trees, participates in stream clean-ups, and donates engineering services to non-profits.

Aaron and the other honorees will be profiled in the October 27 edition of the Central Penn Business Journal. You can see the full list at: https://www.cpbj.com/event/forty-under-40/

Regional Stormwater Collaborations Win Governor’s Awards

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We had the pleasure of attending a ceremony yesterday day for this year’s recipients of the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence.  Two of our clients were being honored for regional stormwater management collaborations we helped them develop.

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission’s Water Resources Enhancement Program (WREP) was recognized as an “Innovative Community/Government Initiative.”  This program brings Dauphin County and its member municipalities together to pursue regional water quality goals, reduce flooding, and lower the cost of stormwater management for participating communities. It is voluntary and flexible: local governments can choose from one of three levels of participation based on their own unique needs. Participating municipalities are estimated to save between 60 – 90% through their involvement, depending on which level they choose.

Erin Letavic joins the team accepting its award for the Dauphin County Water Resources Enhancement Program on stage.

The Southwest Butler Stormwater Planning Group was recognized for “Innovative Planning and Sound Land Use Practices.”  This group is a collaboration between Butler County and ten municipalities to reduce historic flooding in the Lower Conoquenessing Creek Watershed.  HRG conducted a study to identify problem areas and recommend strategies to reduce flood risk.  We worked with the county and municipalities to develop an equitable cost-share agreement and are currently working on design and permitting for several of the suggested projects.

The Southwest Butler Stormwater Planning Group accepts their Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence.

These programs show the benefits of regional collaboration, and they also show how flexible it can be.  We worked extensively with participating communities to design unique programs that met their needs. Kudos to Butler and Dauphin Counties, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, and all of the participating municipalities for their ability to work together for the betterment of the entire region.

And congratulations to the other winners at today’s ceremony!

Construction Executive Devin Dunwoody Joins HRG’s Civil Group

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Devin Dunwoody is wearing glasses, a blue sport coat, and tie in front of cubicle walls in an officeDevin Dunwoody has joined the Pittsburgh office of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) as a senior project manager in their civil group. Dunwoody is a senior executive with more than 10 years of experience in construction at every level: from operating heavy equipment and installing infrastructure to monitoring company operations, managing client relationships, analyzing financial performance, and developing strategic goals. He’ll provide valuable insight on constructability and cost-effectiveness for HRG’s clients on sanitary and stormwater infrastructure, roadways, and other civil construction projects.

Dunwoody worked four years as a construction laborer, installing pipelines and utility structures for land development projects, while earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.  After graduation, he began performing field surveys for construction layout, calculating earthwork volumes, and generating as-built plans. Over the years, he worked his way up to project manager and then executive vice president at a regional construction firm specializing in highways, bridges, commercial buildings, and excavation.

HRG civil group manager Ben Gilberti says, “HRG has always been focused on ensuring our design plans are practical and cost-effective for our clients to construct. Devin’s dual expertise as a licensed professional engineer and highly experienced contractor will further enhance our ability to meet that goal for our clients.  We’re all very excited to work with him.”

Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority Honored by American Water Resources Association

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James Tomaine accepts an award for Integrated Water Resources Management at the American Water Resources Association national conference, November 2022Congratulations to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority (WVSA), who received an award this week from the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) for Integrated Water Resources Management.  The authority’s executive director Jim Tomaine accepted the award at a luncheon during AWRA’s national conference in Seattle.

The Integrated Water Resources Management Award honors exemplary teamwork on a complex water resource challenge.  WVSA received the award for their work creating a regional stormwater authority to help communities in Luzerne County reduce watershed pollution and comply with MS4 requirements. The project is noteworthy because it was the first regional stormwater authority in Pennsylvania, and it blazed a trail for others to pursue regional stormwater solutions. WVSA partners with more than 30 municipalities in Luzerne County on a joint Pollutant Reduction Plan and BMPs.  Working together, they are able to address pollution on the watershed scale, producing better results than small, uncoordinated projects could.  They are also able to achieve economies of scale that reduce the overall cost burden on individual communities.  The collaboration does not end there, however.  WVSA and its member municipalities work with Luzerne County and its flood protection authority on stream restoration and partner with private landowners, who install BMPs on their property in exchange for reduced stormwater fees.

HRG helped WVSA develop and implement this innovative program, and we are proud to have worked with their passionate and visionary leaders:  Jim Tomaine, Jeff Colella, Sandy Bartosiewics, Sam Guesto, Gerry Cross, and the entire WVSA board. This program also received the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in 2018.

Bob Grimm Joins HRG as Municipal Consulting and Management Strategist

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Bob Grimm is now serving as a municipal consulting and management strategist at Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG).  Grimm previously served as the town manager for McCandless, a home rule charter municipality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with more than 29,000 residents.

Grimm has more than 40 years of experience in municipal public service, primarily in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. He began his career assisting the city engineer in Oil City, Pennsylvania, then served as city planner for two years in Fairmont, West Virginia.  Over the next 10 years, he acquired increasing responsibility before returning to the Pittsburgh area and joining Beaver Falls as a city manager in 1996.  Since then, Grimm has held a similar position in North Fayette Township and the Town of McCandless.

Bob Grimm

Grimm has vast experience in every aspect of municipal operations:

  • managing staff, labor contracts, and pensions;
  • coordinating with other levels of local, state, and federal government;
  • engaging and communicating with the public;
  • bidding and administering contracts;
  • preparing budgets;
  • managing expenditures;
  • planning and overseeing the completion of capital projects (such as annual paving programs, highway improvements, parks, sanitary and storm sewer compliance, etc.)
  • preparing audits and financial reports; and
  • securing and administering millions of dollars in grant funding.

“HRG has been providing engineering and related services to local municipalities for 60 years, and we are constantly evolving to meet the needs of these communities,” HRG assistant vice president Jim Feath says. “Bob Grimm will help us expand our capabilities beyond infrastructure and capital funding to advise on all aspects of municipal operations and strategic planning.  Few people know the challenges and opportunities facing municipal leaders better than Bob, and I know he will do a great job guiding our municipal clients toward their desired goals.”

 

ABOUT HERBERT, ROWLAND & GRUBIC, INC.

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) is a nationally ranked design firm providing civil engineering, surveying, and environmental services. The firm was founded in Harrisburg in 1962 and has grown to employ more than 250 people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit the website at www.hrg-inc.com.

Bridgeport Transportation and Land Use Study Receives Planning Award

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HRG was part of a team that was honored this week at the Places 2040 Planning Leadership Awards. Our project, the Bridgeport Transportation and Land Use Study, was recognized in the Thinking Beyond Borders category. Thinking Beyond Borders is one of five “Big Ideas” in Lancaster County’s comprehensive plan (otherwise known as places2040). It promotes cooperation across traditional boundaries to achieve regional goals, and the Bridgeport Transportation and Land Use Study exemplifies this approach.

Bridgeport began as a historic village and gateway for travel between Lancaster’s city neighborhoods and its rural landscapes, dating as far back as the 1800s. Today, it encompasses portions of four municipalities: the City of Lancaster and East Lampeter, West Lampeter, and Lancaster Townships. These four municipalities worked together on a shared vision for the area’s transportation infrastructure, trails, and land use policies in order to enhance walkability, reduce congestion, and create vibrant spaces for the community to enjoy.

HRG provided transportation planning services and cost estimates for the creation of this study. Derck & Edson led public engagement and provided streetscape and land planning services. Town Planning Partnership, LLC, assisted with land planning and public engagement. All municipalities and the Lancaster County Planning Department provided representatives for the steering committee. Over 800 local community members provided essential input/feedback as part of the planning effort.

We’re humbled to be recognized among so many great projects at the Places 2040 award ceremony, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this project team.

Bridgeport Transportationa and Land Use Study team accepts the Places2040 planning leadership award

(L-R) Bob Shenk, Steve Hackett (Derck & Edson), Ryan Hostetter (HRG), Cindy McCormick (City of Lancaster), Tara Hitchens (East Lampeter Township), Mark Evans (Derck & Edson, Town Planning Partners), Terry Martin (Lancaster County Planning Commission), Ben Bamford (Lancaster County Planning Commission)

 

 

Matthew Attig Joins Our Civil Group in York

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Matthew AttigMatthew Attig has joined the civil engineering group at Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. He is the most recent person to join the firm’s rapidly growing York office, which has experienced a 75% increase in sales in the first quarter of 2022 and has been adding talent across all of its service areas.

HRG’s assistant vice president and office manager Tim Staub says, “We’ve been working hard to build a strong municipal client base in York, and it’s rewarding to see our vision being embraced by the community.  Part of that vision is attracting the best and brightest talent to serve our clients by providing an inspiring team culture and ample opportunities for professional growth, so I’m proud and happy to welcome Matt to the team.  He is a homegrown talent with great ideas and a fresh perspective, thanks to his extensive community involvement throughout York County.  He wants nothing more than to positively impact the communities and waterways he grew up with, and he is a perfect fit for the evolving needs of our clients and communities.”

Attig has five years of experience with stormwater management, NPDES permitting, erosion and sedimentation control, ordinance writing, plan reviews, and construction management.  He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and is a board member for the Watershed Alliance of York.

 

 

ABOUT HRG

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) is a nationally ranked design firm providing civil engineering, surveying, and environmental services to public and private sector clients throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.  The firm was founded in Harrisburg in 1962 and has grown to employ more than 250 people across the tri-state region.  For more information, please visit the firm’s website at www.hrg-inc.com.