HRG Moves Up 11 Spots on ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms List

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cover of the 2017 Top 500 Design Firms issue of ENR magazineHerbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) earned a new, higher ranking this year on the annual Top 500 Design Firms list published by Engineering News-Record magazine (ENR). The firm has been ranked by ENR among the nation’s top design firms for more than a decade.

ENR is a leading trade journal for architects, engineers, and contractors. It compiles its Top 500 Design Firms list annually based on the revenue earned by engineering and architectural firms from services performed in the preceding year.

HRG’s higher ranking this year reflects the firm’s strong financial performance in 2016. Both sales and revenue exceeded the firm’s goals.

“HRG has enjoyed steady and consistent growth because our focus has always been on satisfying our clients’ needs. This has created a very loyal client base that turns to us whenever they need engineering services. We’re grateful for their support and the commitment our employees make to the highest level of service. This recognition wouldn’t be possible without them,” HRG’s CEO, Robert Grubic says.

 

ABOUT HRG

Originally founded in 1962, HRG has grown to be a nationally ranked Top 500 Design Firm, providing civil engineering, surveying and environmental services to public and private sector clients. The 200-person employee-owned firm currently has office locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit our website at www.hrg-inc.com.

Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank Honored with Governor’s Award

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Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) is pleased to announce that our client Dauphin County received a Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence for the infrastructure bank program we helped them create. The award for “innovative community or government initiative” was presented to Dauphin County officials at the Governor’s Residence on April 12, 2017. Commissioners George Hartwick, Jeff Haste, and Mike Pries attended the ceremony with George Connor, the executive director of Dauphin County’s Department of Community and Economic Development and the administrator of the infrastructure bank program.

HRG worked with PennDOT and Dauphin County officials to develop this program, which provides a creative solution to one of local government’s biggest challenges: successfully maintaining and replacing infrastructure. It leverages the county’s Liquid Fuels funding and the underutilized Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank program to stretch the value of local government dollars. In its first three years, Dauphin County turned an annual investment of $325,000 in Liquid Fuels money into 10 projects worth $11 million: 7 bridges, 1 streetscape, 1 intersection improvement, and 1 traffic signal improvement.

DCIB turns 325K into 10 projects worth $11M

While people on both sides of the aisle agree that infrastructure improvements are badly needed, the debate often stalls over where the money will come from to pay for these improvements. The Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank shows that new revenue is not necessarily needed to begin addressing these problems; applying existing revenue in new ways can help us make significant progress. By combining several sources of funding – each of which would’ve been inadequate to meet the infrastructure need alone – the Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank has accomplished so much more for the county’s residents than these funding sources could’ve done individually.

Brian Emberg is an engineer who helped develop this program. He began working with the county in the 1980s on a similarly forward-thinking program that helped the county eliminate significant structural deficiency of its bridges. (In 1984, one-third of the county’s bridges were structurally deficient, but today the county has no load-posted, structurally deficient bridges at all, thanks to a bridge management system they designed with HRG.)

Emberg says, “Dauphin County’s officials are dedicated public servants and true visionaries. They continually challenge the status quo to deliver the best service to their constituents for the highest return on public tax dollars. This program provides a great example to other counties on how the seemingly impossible task of addressing our infrastructure can be solved.”

Indeed, HRG is currently in talks with counties around the state about implementing similar infrastructure bank programs of their own. Though Dauphin County uses its program for transportation improvements, the program can be used to fund any type of infrastructure, depending on the sources of money used to capitalize the loan program. For more information about the program, read our white paper on county infrastrastructure banks.

  • Funded by the Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank: Middletown Borough Streetscape

  • Funded by the Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank: Londonderry Township culvert

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HRG and Land Studies to Prepare Paxton Creek TMDL Plan

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Paxton CreekHRG is partnering with LandStudies, Inc., to prepare a TMDL plan for Paxton Creek beginning in the spring of 2017.

The Paxton Creek TMDL Plan will be like a “pollution diet” for the watershed. It will outline how much sediment is in the creek now, identify potential sources of that pollution, and provide strategies for reducing sedimentation to safer levels by a specified deadline. The overall goal of the TMDL plan is to help municipalities within the watershed comply with relevant state and federal regulations while improving the health of Paxton Creek.

HRG was involved in the preparation of the Paxton Creek Watershed TMDL Strategy in December 2015 and is the retained engineer for CRW, Susquehanna Township, and Lower Paxton Township. These experiences provide HRG with historical knowledge of the pollution issues within the watershed that other firms do not have. LandStudies has the state’s first Certified Professional in Municipal Stormwater Management (CPMSM), who is well-versed in writing TMDL plans and assisting municipalities with their stormwater pollution problems.

Read the full press release on Land Studies’ website.

Premier Projects: Dauphin County Honors Middletown Sewer & Cal Ripken Field

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Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) is pleased to announce that two of our projects have been selected by Dauphin County in its annual Premier Projects award program.

Since its inception five years ago, the Dauphin County Premier Projects program has honored 23 projects that promote smart growth and spark revitalization throughout the region.  Among this year’s six honorees, HRG provided engineering services for two of them: the replacement of sanitary sewer facilities in Middletown’s downtown business district and the construction of a state-of-the-art youth baseball field at the Harrisburg Boys and Girls Club.

 

Middletown Sewer Replacement

Premier Project 2017: Middletown Sewer Replacement

(Left to right) County Commissioners Mike Pries and George Hartwick,III, HRG Staff Professional Staci Hartz, Middletown Public Works Superintendant Ken Klinepeter, and Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Tim Reardon

 

The replacement of Middletown’s sanitary sewer lines played a crucial role in promoting renewed economic development along South Union Street, which is the heart of the borough’s business district.  Some of the sewer mains in this area were close to 100 years old and had deteriorated enough that community and business leaders feared a collapse could endanger streetscape improvements in the area.  This project successfully replaced aging infrastructure and eliminated a cross-connection between the borough’s sanitary and stormwater systems that had caused several sewage overflows near Hoffer Park as well as sanitary sewer back-ups in businesses along South Union Street. Without excess water entering the system during wet weather events, the sewer authority has additional capacity available and is able to extend service to nearby growing communities in Londonderry Township and Lower Swatara Township (which, in turn, can promote further economic development in those areas, as well.)

 

Cal Ripken Senior Youth Development Park

Premier Project; Cal Ripken Field

(Left to right) County Commissioners Mike Pries and George Hartwick,III, HRG Eastern Region Vice President Andrew Kenworthy, Harrisburg Boys and Girls Club Director of Development Blake Lynch, and Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Tim Reardon

The Cal Ripken Senior Youth Development Park at the Harrisburg Boys and Girls Club provides recreation and character development opportunities for disadvantaged youth.  The park was funded through the Cal Ripken Senior Foundation, which supports the development of baseball and softball programs in distressed communities.  This initial donation inspired other businesses and community organizations to pledge their own financial support for the athletic facility and its programs, which include Little League, a summer soccer program, speed and agility camps, flag football, and lacrosse.

The facility is located in an economically disadvantaged section of the city and is the only active athletic field available for youth in that area.  As such, it offers kids a safe space for recreation to keep kids busy and engaged in healthy pursuits.

 

ABOUT HRG

Originally founded in 1962, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) has grown to be a nationally ranked Top 500 Design Firm, providing civil engineering, surveying and environmental services to public and private sector clients. The 200-person employee-owned firm currently has office locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit the website at www.hrg-inc.com.

Justin Mendinsky Named One of Engineering’s Top Young Professionals

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Bob Grubic presents ENR Mid-Atlantic Honors to Justin Mendinsky

Justin Mendinsky is being honored by Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine as one of the Top Young Professionals in the construction and design industry. He is profiled alongside the other honorees in the February issue of ENR’s Mid-Atlantic edition.

Mendinsky is a team leader for the water and wastewater service group at Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. He has gained national attention for his work on the award-winning wastewater to energy project at Milton Regional Sewer Authority’s wastewater treatment facility. This $55 million project uses innovative technology to convert the highly concentrated wastewater from local manufacturing facilities into biogas that can generate electricity to power operations at the plant.  In addition to producing its own renewable energy, the newly upgraded treatment plant produces pelletized biosolids that can be sold for agricultural purposes, lowering waste management costs and providing an extra revenue stream.

As the manager of this project, Mendinsky has been invited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to speak at a national rural development conference and interviewed by major publications such as Energy and Infrastructure magazine.

However, Mendinsky’s leadership in the industry goes beyond just one project. He also currently oversees more than $1.5 million in water and wastewater engineering services each year, including all of the work associated with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s water and wastewater facilities.

In addition, he is a member of several leading industry organizations, including the Central Pennsylvania Water Quality Association and the Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association. He is also chairman of the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association’s Engineering and Construction Committee.

Mendinsky is a leader in his community, as well. He actively participates in events for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County.  He is also a member of the General and Occupational Advisory Committee at Carlisle High School.  This committee develops programs that help students meet the demands of the 21st century workforce.

Mendinsky’s manager, Ed Ellinger, says, “Justin is known by his fellow employees for his positive attitude and enthusiasm. He continues to inspire others to adopt his philosophy that potential is limitless.”

 

ABOUT ENGINEERING NEWS-RECORD’S TOP YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM

Engineering News-Record is a weekly magazine with close to 50,000 paid subscribers that covers news in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. In addition to its national publication, it also publishes several regional editions.

Each year, the regional editions recognize 20 industry professionals as the “best of the best.” Applicants are evaluated on their education, industry experience, leadership, and community service.

The Mid-Atlantic edition focuses on Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.

 

ABOUT HRG

Originally founded in 1962, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) has grown to be a nationally ranked Top 500 Design Firm, providing civil engineering, surveying and environmental services to public and private sector clients. The 200-person employee-owned firm currently has office locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit the website at www.hrg-inc.com.

 

HRG Named a Utility Valuation Expert by the PA Public Utility Commission

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Many municipalities are considering selling their water and wastewater systems in order to address long-term budget and debt obligations. As one of PA’s first Utility Valuation Experts, HRG is ready to help municipalities attain fair market value for these assets.

HRG can help you determine your utility's fair market value as a registered Utility Valuation Expert

 

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) was recently recognized by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission as a Utility Valuation Expert. Under legislation signed by Governor Tom Wolfe in 2016, municipalities wishing to sell their utility assets to a PUC-regulated utility can engage the services of a registered Utility Valuation Expert to determine fair market value of their system.

The program is voluntary, but it benefits both the municipality and the potential buyer by presenting a more accurate picture of a utility’s value than the traditional method.

In Pennsylvania, the purchase of water and wastewater systems by a regulated utility must be approved by the Public Utility Commission. Traditionally, the commission has considered the value of a system to be equal to its depreciated original cost (construction cost minus grants and depreciation). This approach did not consider the potential income that could be generated from the assets and frequently resulted in valuations so low that municipalities couldn’t benefit from a sale.

At the same time, with no consideration to the market or revenue, potential buyers could not be sure whether they would achieve an adequate return on their investment with the purchase.

To remedy these problems, Act 12 of 2016 created a new, voluntary approach to utility valuation based on fair market value. Under this system, the buyer and the seller each retain a registered Utility Valuation Expert to conduct independent appraisals of the utility using industry standards: cost, market, and income approaches. These appraisals use data on the physical system assets that was assessed by a professional engineer retained by both parties.

After both appraisals are submitted, an average of the fair market value calculated in each one is used as the final valuation.

HRG was one of the first firms to be listed on the PUC’s official Registry of Utility Valuation Experts. The firm specializes in providing financial services to the water and wastewater industry and has conducted numerous system reviews and valuation studies for municipalities throughout the state. Vice President Russ McIntosh has published dozens of articles on water and wastewater system financing and was honored by the Pennsylvania Municipal Authority Association for outstanding contributions and exceptional service to the industry in 2014. McIntosh has also served as an expert witness on matters of utility financing in several court cases.

“Our goal at HRG is to provide a fair and honest accounting of a utility’s value, so that the municipality can decide what is best for the long-term health and financial stability of its community,” McIntosh says. “We can go beyond mere valuation to help communities weigh all of their options for generating the money they seek to address budget needs while protecting the value of their most important assets.”

For more information about the utility valuation process defined in Act 12 of 2016, please contact Russ McIntosh at (717) 564-1121 or rmcintosh@hrg-inc.com.

 

Salem Overpass Project Honored at WV-ACEC Joint Transportation Forum

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Salem Overpass Award from WV-ACEC Joint Transportation Forum

HRG’s Morgantown Office Manager Samer Petro was proud to accept this award for the Salem Overpass Bridge project at the West Virginia – ACEC Joint Transportation Forum banquet. He is pictured here with Stephen Todd Rumbaugh, P.E., deputy state highway engineer of the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways.

The project involves the replacement of dual structures carrying eastbound and westbound US Route 50 over WV 23 in Harrison County, West Virginia. It is slated for construction in 2017 and was a finalist in the Large Bridge category.

Thank you to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, for nominating us for this award.

HRG Named NFWF Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Technical Capacity Provider

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NFWF Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund

As an approved provider for the National Fish and Wildlife Federation’s (NFWF) Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Technical Capacity Grant Program, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) is now qualified to provide technical services to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and conservation districts for projects that enhance local capacity to more efficiently and effectively restore the habitats and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

These technical capacity grants are designed to fill a strategic need or gap for planning in larger watershed restoration or conservation projects. The program is not to be relied upon to implement on-the-ground-work and is not a substitute for securing implementation funding to successfully complete a project.

The Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund awards $8 million to $12 million per year through two competitive grant programs, the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants (INSR) and Small Watershed Grants (SWG) Programs. Entities interested in applying for funding for these grants should also consider the Technical Capacity Grants Program as an opportunity to better develop project ideas and enhance the technical merits and competitive status of their future INSR or SWG grant applications.

Local governments, conservation districts, or 501(c) non-profit organizations that believe they have an eligible project for this grant program should contact Matt Bonanno, our civil services practice area leader, at mbonnano@hrg-inc.com or 717.564.1121.

Eligible Applicants: Only NFWF-approved Technical Assistance Providers. HRG is approved for five years (through 2021). HRG must complete the application on behalf of the eligible beneficiary.

Eligible beneficiaries: Local governments (including conservation districts) and non-profit 501(c) organization.

Eligible Projects: Technical capacity grant projects are available in the three priority investment areas listed below.

  • Agricultural Conservation: Agricultural conservation for water quality and habitat improvement.
  • Restoration and Community Stewardship: Including watershed planning, habitat restoration, land conservation and land use, public access, diversity initiatives, environmental literacy, and leadership development.
  • Stormwater Management: Including design of regional stormwater servicing models, sustainable financing and management strategies, and targeting of stormwater improvements for water quality, resiliency, and community benefit.

Available Funding: Up to $50,000 per project. Each year, NFWF plans to award approximately 25 grants for a total of $1 million in awards. Total funding for awards will be determined based on the quality and quantity of applications received.

Application Deadline: Grant opportunities are announced throughout the year in three application cycles: agricultural conservation (spring); restoration and community stewardship (summer); and stormwater management (fall).

HRG Named to the Central Penn Business Journal Top 100 Private Companies List

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Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) has been named one of the top 100 privately held companies in Central Pennsylvania again, according to the Central Penn Business Journal.  The list is compiled annually by the publication based on total companywide revenue.

“HRG is proud to continue our place as one of the top revenue-producing firms in the Harrisburg area,” said HRG President Robert Grubic, P.E. “Every year, there is more competition for this honor as the region continues to grow, and we know we wouldn’t be able to remain a leader in the industry without the loyal support of our clients.”

 

Central Penn Business Journal Top 100 Private Companies 2016

 

ABOUT HRG

Originally founded in 1962, HRG has grown to be a nationally ranked Top 500 Design Firm, providing civil engineering, surveying and environmental services to public and private sector clients. The 200-person employee-owned firm currently has office locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit the website at www.hrg-inc.com.

Vicari Named Shining Star by West Shore Chamber

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Vicari Wins Luminary Award

(Names of individuals pictures from left to right:  Marissa Price, Jamie Keener, Russ McIntosh, Ryan Brockman, Adrienne Vicari, John Vicari, Andrew Kenworthy, Howard Hodder, Ryan Albright)

The West Shore Chamber of Commerce recently honored Adrienne Vicari with the Shining Star Award at their 2016 Luminary Awards luncheon.  This award is given to a woman who excels both as a professional in her industry and as a volunteer in the community, and Vicari is a true leader in both areas.

Vicari is the financial services manager at Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) and a shareholder of the firm. As a dedicated team player, Vicari has excelled at any role the firm has given her.  She first joined the firm as an engineer but quickly developed expertise in water and wastewater system financing, too.  After taking on a role in the firm’s Financial Service Group, she quickly became a thought leader in the industry, publishing articles in industry magazines and making presentations at conferences on a wide variety of water and wastewater system finance issues.  She is also developing a reputation as a leader in the emerging field of stormwater authorities in Pennsylvania.

Beyond her work at HRG, Vicari works hard for various community organizations:  She serves on the Board of the Cumberland Valley Softball Association and coaches for both the Cumberland Valley Softball 10U team and Central Penn Mini Sticks field hockey team.  She is also a founding member of Sp*rk, a group of West Shore moms who volunteer with their children for local community groups like Caitlin Smiles, Leg Up Farm, Ronald McDonald House, Dress for Success, and others.

It is such an honor to be recognized alongside so many talented women who have contributed to their profession and the entire Harrisburg community,” Vicari says. “I’m so happy that the West Shore Chamber is donating to the New Hope Ministries in recognition of this honor.  I can’t think of a more deserving organization that benefits this community.”

The West Shore Chamber of Commerce donates a portion of the proceeds from the award ceremony to a non-profit chamber member chosen by the award winners.  New Hope Ministries helps close to 15,000 residents of York and Cumberland Counties each year to become self-sufficient through counseling, workforce training and development, crisis assistance, and youth programs among others.

 

ABOUT THE LUMINARY AWARDS

The Luminary Awards Luncheon was held at the Radisson Hotel in Camp Hill on August 31. The Chamber’s Women in Business Roundtable Committee selected the winners from a group of nine female nominees who exemplify leadership in the workplace and the community.

ABOUT HRG

Originally founded in 1962, HRG has grown to be a nationally ranked Top 500 Design Firm, providing civil engineering, surveying and environmental services to public and private sector clients. The 200-person employee-owned firm currently has office locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit the website at www.hrg-inc.com.