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Jim Feath Named Vice President of Operations

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HRG has promoted Jim Feath to vice president of operations.  This is a key role in the firm’s organizational re-design initiative, which seeks to build a foundation for aggressive growth while maintaining the company’s reputation for exceptional quality and client service.

Ed Ellinger“To achieve our growth goals, we need to anticipate and offer the services our clients will need most in the coming years. Yet, even as we expand our service offerings, we must continue to deliver our services with the same quality, creativity, and attention to detail that our clients have always relied on,” Chief Operations Officer Ed Ellinger says.  “Our technical service experts will determine what services we offer and the quality standards for delivery. Jim will work with the operations leaders in each office to build capacity for those service offerings at the local level so that we can deliver projects to our high-quality standards while maximizing efficiency and operational excellence.”

Feath has managed operations for HRG’s Pittsburgh office since 2018 and has more than 25 years of experience with the firm.  He began his tenure with HRG as an intern shortly after the Pittsburgh office opened and has played a key role in its growth over the past two decades.  During that time, he amassed experience as a designer and project manager before taking a leadership role in regional operations.    He is a registered landscape architect with vast expertise in site planning and development, particularly in the areas of parks and recreational facilities, trails, and public spaces.  He is active in the industry as a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society, but he is also actively engaged in the local community in Pittsburgh as a board member with the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Cranberry Township Environmental Advisory Committee.  His vast experience with HRG and knowledge of regional operations make him ideally suited for this role as vice president of operations.

Erin Threet Named Vice President of Services at HRG

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Erin Threet has been promoted to vice president of services, a new role designed to maintain the firm’s commitment to quality as it pursues ambitious growth plans.

“HRG is growing: increasing our staff, adding new services, and expanding into new markets.  As we grow, we want to ensure our clients continue to receive the high level of service they’ve always received from us, and Erin will be an excellent steward in that regard,” HRG’s Chief of Services Josh Fox says.  “She will work with our service area leaders to align technical standards and ensure consistent deliverables across the organization.  She will also ensure staff members have the tools, training, and support they need to excel in their roles and produce quality work.”

Threet has already earned valuable experience in this regard as assistant vice president, overseeing operation of HRG’s Lewisburg office since 2012.  This role often required her to pull in resources from across the organization to complement local operations and deliver value for clients, so she has extensive knowledge of HRG’s operations and core competencies. She is also highly skilled at project delivery with more than 18 years of experience designing water and wastewater infrastructure for HRG’s clients.  She is a licensed professional engineer and member of several industry organizations, including the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA), Pennsylvania American Water Works Association (PA-AWWA), Central Pennsylvania Water Quality Association (CPWQA), Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). She has been a member of HRG’s board of directors since 2023.

HRG Names Cory Salmon Assistant Vice President

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Cory SalmonHRG has promoted Cory Salmon to assistant vice president.  Cory previously served as a group manager overseeing the water and wastewater division in southeastern Pennsylvania.  He will now oversee all operations in Southeastern Pennsylvania, managing the firm’s King of Prussia office, its financial resources, and the supervision of local staff.  He will also support key client management activities in the region.

Cory first joined HRG in 2014 as an intern and has steadily progressed through increasing levels of responsibility in the firm.  He has been instrumental in establishing and growing HRG’s presence in Southeastern Pennsylvania, relocating to the area in 2019 shortly after the King of Prussia office opened.  He has been a key team member or project manager on several noteworthy projects in the area, including the design of wastewater treatment plant improvements for Norristown Municipal Waste Authority, ultraviolet upgrades at Pottstown Borough Authority’s water treatment plant, and the interceptor rehabilitation program for West Goshen Sewer Authority.  Cory is also actively involved in the local community as a member of the Nether Providence Township Planning Commission and Environmental Advisory Committee as well as a board member for the Central Delaware County Sewer Authority.

Ed EllingerEd Ellinger, HRG’s chief operations officer, says, “Southeastern Pennsylvania has been a key growth market for HRG, and Cory is responsible for a lot of that success.  He is a dedicated engineer who cares deeply about his clients, his colleagues, and his community, and he always gives his best to every project.  I know he has the skill and the determination to lead this team to even greater growth in the years ahead.”

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.

HRG Names New Chief Operations Officer and Chief Services Officer

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HRG has named Ed Ellinger its Chief Operations Officer and Josh Fox its Chief Services Officer.

Ellinger most recently served as assistant vice president, directing daily operations, project delivery, and business development throughout Central Pennsylvania.  His new position as Chief Operations Officer expands his influence across the entire organizational footprint, driving productivity, quality, and project delivery through accountability metrics and implementation of operational policies, practices, and standards for all offices and service groups.  He is well-known and trusted by HRG’s clients and his colleagues for his technical skill and business leadership.  He first joined the firm in 2001 as a project manager in the water and wastewater service group, steadily increasing his responsibility and ultimately managing the group as practice area leader for six years before he moved into his operational role as assistant vice president.  He was succeeded as practice area leader by Fox, who will now establish a new role at HRG as the firm’s first Chief Services Officer.

Fox has been serving HRG’s water and wastewater utility clients since 2006. Like Ellinger, he earned increasing responsibility as a project manager, then group manager and practice area leader managing project delivery and business development for water and wastewater projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. He is known for his deep commitment to his clients, his team members, and the community.  He is an active member of organizations like the American Public Works Association, the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association, and the Pennsylvania American Water Works Association (PA AWWA) and has recently retired from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. As Chief Services Officer, Fox will drive new business opportunities, expansion into new markets, and diversification of the firm’s service portfolio.

“HRG is experiencing record-breaking revenue growth this year, and we have established a long-range vision for even more growth and expansion throughout the decade,” HRG’s President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Fralick says. “We want to preserve the quality and personalized service that have helped us succeed this far, while increasing capacity and building a framework for scalability to achieve that vision.  Ed and Josh know HRG’s values and history very well, and they have strong relationships with all of our stakeholders.  They also have a great sense of where we want to go and have great ideas for how to get us there.  I’m excited to work with them.”

ABOUT HRG

HRG assists with the planning, design, and management of community infrastructure. The firm optimizes places for health, prosperity, and enjoyment with a focus on long-term value. The foundation of their work is civil engineering, but they have diverse expertise in community planning and management, landscape architecture, environmental compliance, and sustainability. For more information, visit their website at www.hrg-inc.com

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/

Adrienne Vicari and Staci Hartz Honored at Women of Influence Ceremony

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Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to attend the Central Penn Business Journal’s Women of Influence ceremony and celebrate an impressive group of accomplished and community-minded women from across the region.  They were chosen among more than 130 nominations because of their professional achievements, community involvement, and inspiring nature. We’re in awe of all of them but especially happy to see three in particular receive this recognition: Adrienne Vicari, Staci Hartz, and Mary Wagner Fox, all members of HRG’s extended family.

 

Staci Hartz, Chris Hartz, Ed Ellinger, Josh Fox, Mary Fox, Adrienne Vicari, and Pat Dennis celebrate at the Central Penn Business Journal Women of Influence award dinner.

(L-R) Staci Hartz, Chris Hartz, Ed Ellinger, Josh Fox, Mary Fox, Adrienne Vicari, and Pat Dennis

 

Staci is an engineer in our water and wastewater group who designs water distribution systems. She is also the group’s leading expert on hydraulic modeling and closely monitors drinking water regulation to advise her colleagues on impacts to our clients. Her empathy and strong communication skills make her a go-to source for information and fuel her passion for community service with her church, local food bank, and various tree planting events. She was honored as a Woman to Watch.

Adrienne is the practice area leader of our Strategic Management & Capital Solutions group and an innovative thinker whose work has received local, state, and national awards.  She is also chair of the board of directors for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania and actively involved in the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association Women Innovation Networking Group, two groups that give her the opportunity to support and mentor women of all ages.

Mary is the first female executive director of the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission and wife of our water & wastewater group manager, Josh Fox.  She investigates violations of the State Ethics Act and educates local governments on how to comply with the act.  She previously served as the assistant chief counsel for the state Department of General Services, the state Office of Inspector General and the state Ethics Commission, but she is particularly proud of her work implementing PA’s Small, Small Diverse, and Veteran Business programs.

Both Adrienne and Mary were honored as Women of Influence.

Please join us in congratulating Adrienne, Staci, Mary, and all of this year’s honorees.

Cory Salmon Recognized as Top Young Professional by Wastewater Digest

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Cory Salmon is featured in the latest issue of Wastewater Digest as one of the industry’s “Top Young Pros.” (Read the article here.) Wastewater Digest is a national magazine covering news and trends in the municipal wastewater industry.

Cory was one of nine men and women selected by the publication because of their accomplishments at such a young age. He is also the second youngest person on this year’s list.

Cory is a  group manager in our King of Prussia office. He played a leadership role in opening this office in 2019, representing us at numerous events and developing relationships that helped us exceed sales goals by 47% in the region last year. He is also managing the firm’s work with Pottstown Borough Authority to replace 21,000 linear feet of Lead Service Lines.

 

Michael Smetana Named Chief Innovation & Technology Officer at HRG

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Portait of Mike Smetana wearing a dark suit coat, white shirt, and red patterned tie.HRG has chosen Mike Smetana for a newly created position as Chief Innovation & Technology Officer.  He will be responsible for developing new technology service offerings for the firm’s clients related to infrastructure planning, design, and management.

Mike has 21 years of experience helping AEC consultants and their clients use information technology to optimize operations and support growth strategies. He has deployed artificial intelligence and automation technologies to reduce costs and increase efficiency, implemented data analytics to enhance decision-making, and managed the adoption of solutions to increase scalability.  He is an expert at aligning technology with organizational objectives and can leverage relationships with many leading technology providers for his clients.  He also has extensive expertise in cybersecurity and risk management. He was honored by the Pittsburgh Technology Council as a CIO of the Year finalist & Tech Visionary in 2020.

HRG president and chief executive officer Jason Fralick is excited about the potential technology presents for managing communities and their facilities, and he believes Mike will provide expert guidance to the firm and their clients. “HRG goes beyond design and construction to be true partners with our clients, helping them reach organizational goals, reduce costs, and optimize operations,” he says.  “Technology is rapidly expanding possibility in these areas and becoming more complex by the day. We want to help our clients understand and harness that potential for their organization and their stakeholders.  Mike has deep and broad-ranging knowledge, but, more importantly, he has vision. He understands how technology works, and he knows how to apply it to help organizations accomplish their goals.  We’re very excited to work with him and witness the value he can create for our clients.”

Mike is also excited about the opportunity and says, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to guide HRG and our valued clients on their transformative journey towards digital excellence. What immediately captivated me about HRG is its remarkable people-centric approach and unwavering passion for enhancing communities. I am eager to collaborate closely with our clients as we jointly explore strategic insights, deploy innovative solutions, and leverage emerging technologies, unlocking their full potential, and propelling them to new heights of success.”

 

ABOUT HRG

HRG assists with the planning, design, and management of community infrastructure. They optimize places for health, prosperity, and enjoyment with a focus on long-term value. The foundation of their work is civil engineering, but the firm has diverse expertise in community planning and management, landscape architecture, environmental compliance, and sustainability. For more information, visit their website at www.hrg-inc.com.