Animal Health Homecoming and Forum

Dan Abitz, Craig Rogge, Kent Dyck and Heidi Thummel attended the KCADC Animal Health Corridor Homecoming dinner. The event is in its eighth year and was attended by more than 800 guests from all around the world.

The event always showcases some great speakers and entertainment within the animal health industry. This year, Kostas Kontopanos, president of Hill’s Pet Nutrition was the host and entertainment was provided by Animal Planet star Victoria Stilwell.

The KC Animal Health Investment Forum was held the following day and 13 emerging animal health companies presented their ideas. The forum attracted more than 20 early  to mid-stage animal health companies, as well as animal health executives and investors seeking business partnerships.

This event continues to grow each year and GBA is excited to have been a part of it.

Jennifer Gunby is First in Kansas to Gain REP Designation

Jennifer Gunby has become the first individual in the State of Kansas to achieve the designation as Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP).  The designation recognizes the expertise and experience of professionals involved in the specification and application of renewable and alternative energy technologies, assessment of renewable energy projects, and development of achievable low-carbon and sustainability goals for organizations. 

In order to receive the certification, Jennifer had to pass a written examination and fulfill prescribed standards of experience. The certification is recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Agency for International Development, utilities, end users, and energy service companies.

In addition to the REP designation, Jennifer is also a Professional Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional.  Jennifer has a well versed background on energy efficiency, energy conservation and on-site renewable energy generation.

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has been certifying professionals within the energy industry since 1981, introducing the REP certification in 2010.

Wichita Road Trip!

GBA’s Water Environment and Energy groups and gba System Integrators (gbaSI) will be under one roof at the KWEA/KsAWWA joint annual conference at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita.  Our booth No. 50 will be open during the conference on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.  Stop by to say hello, take a chance to win a BBQ aficionado’s dream basket and much more.

While you are at the conference make plans to join several of our GBA professionals at their presentation.

Tuesday, Aug. 27 Session

4:15 p.m. in Walnut Room 208
“Energy Savings through Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy”
Jennifer Gunby, P.E. of GBA’s Energy Group

Wednesday, Aug. 28 Session

9:15 a.m. in Cypress Room B 209
“25 Years of Public and Private: What We have Learned”
Bill Carter, P.E., DBIA, a GBA vice president and principal, and Ron Thomann of TREKK Design Group

3:30 p.m. in Cypress Room B 209
“Adventures in Public Interaction – Lessons in Counseling Homeowners through the Loss of Private I/I”
Waldo Margheim, P.E. of GBA, Joshua Tedder of Black and Veatch, Ron Thomann and Dan Ott, P.E. of Johnson County Wastewater

Click here for a map to the Hyatt Regency

Schools Commit to Climate Change Beyond the Classroom

August marks the beginning of widespread change for the nation. For many, the focus rests on gearing up for the “back to school” routine. Faculty and staff at schools, colleges and universities have spent their summer months preparing for the upcoming year to be successful. Fresh paint, new resources, better security, and welcoming décor are just a few signs of the preparatory measures the new school year brings. What might not be apparent are the behind-the-scenes measures. Amongst the meetings and paperwork, your administrators are having discussions on how to mitigate climate change.

We hear about this issue in the news and worry about the consequences caused by increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. While it’s a serious yet complicated issue, we commend the schools, colleges and universities who have made changes during the summer to make a meaningful impact which begins with a commitment.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and Presidents’ Climate Commitments are just a couple among many. These visionary pledges all work to integrate the highest standards of sustainability including greenhouse gas inventories, climate action plans, energy reduction milestones and clean energy goals. Each plan differs in its approach and commitment. Thus far, 627 colleges and universities have committed to the Presidents’ Climate Commitment, 877 Schools have joined AASHE, and the numbers are continually increasing. If your organization is behind the sustainable curve, task yourself with the following:

Step 1:          Benchmark:  Complete a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory to calculate your current contribution, also known as your climate footprint. Calculators are available online for basic benchmarking, typically Scope 1 inventories which are direct GHG emissions. Consultants can perform Scope II and III inventories which take into account indirect emissions. Further explanations of direct and indirect emissions, as well as GHG calculators, are available at the sites listed below.

 

Step 2:          Assess & Plan:  Decide by how much you want to reduce your climate footprint and if climate neutrality is right for you. Create a Climate Action Plan to determine the specific actions needed to accomplish your climate footprint goal and to provide realistic milestones to reach along the way. Your GHG inventory can be completed as a part of your Climate Action Plan, and a Climate Action Plan is generally performed by an internal sustainability director or by a consultant.

Step 3:          Implement:  Follow-up the completion of your Climate Action Plan by implementing the prescribed actions. Without action, there will not be changes to your climate change contribution.

Step 4:          Monitor:  Track your progress and publicize your accomplishments. If you find that you are progressing at a different pace than prescribed by your Climate Action Plan update your plan. It is a dynamic document and should be updated every one to two years. Most importantly - pat yourself on the back for doing your part.

These steps and commitments are not limited to schools. Many business, cities and counties are taking proactive strides to serve the atmosphere by joining agreements such as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

If you have questions and would just like to visit with someone on this, please feel free to call Jennifer Gunby here at GBA.   She’ll be happy to share ideas and can help get you on your way.

As we go about our day, whether it is in the office or in the classroom, challenge yourself to create a blueprint for sustainability because climate change is happening now. Explore more about how you can make an impact in your organization at www.epa.gov/climatechange or http://climate.nasa.gov

79th Street Ready for School Busses

Students returning to Mill Creek Elementary School this week are doing so on a brand-new road.

 

GBA teamed with Emery Sapp and Sons to do a design-build redo of 79^th Street between Pflumm and Lackman — right in front of the school. Despite a construction schedule slowed by rain, the ESS/GBA team was able to have 79^th Street open and drivable last week when the students had a kick-off playdate with a firetruck in the school parking lot (above).

Roadwork is expected to be complete Sept. 27^th, on the project, which began immediately with selection by the city Feb. 20^th. GBA submitted preliminary plans for the first phase of construction on April 11 and final plans on that phase April 24^th.

Howley Achieves CFM Designation

Rebecca Howley, P.E., has achieved the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) designation.  This certification shows that Rebecca has a thorough understanding of issues associated with flood zones and flood insurance.  By combining this certification with her professional engineering license, Rebecca is able to make strong recommendations to solve flooding issues.

“Local municipalities are facing complex stormwater issues,” said Dennis Cantrell, P.E., vice president and principal.  “With this designation Rebecca is a recognized and an authoritative voice in floodplain management and can assist with solving flood zone, insurance, FEMA submittals and disaster preparedness.”

Rebecca is based in GBA’s O’Fallon, Mo. office.  She has more than 15 years of experience as a civil engineer.  Her project experience ranges from stormwater management analysis and design to floodplain and watershed mapping. 

The Certified Floodplain Manager Program was established by the Association of State
Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) in 1999.  The program emphasizes fundamentals of flood mapping, managing floodplain development, national and state standards and how to apply them to a locally administered program.

AWG Revives Corporate Headquarters with Expansion

Dust from Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) recent headquarters expansion has finally settled, but operations continue to surge. AWG, located in Kansas City, Kansas, is the nation’s second largest retailer-owned grocery cooperative. With the 26,854 sf addition, the building will now serve over 1,000 employees for AWG Corporate Office, the Kansas City Distribution Center, and Valu Merchandisers, a general merchandise and health care subsidiary.

Photo by: Mihalevich

GBA partnered with The Weitz Company to deliver this $5.5 million design-build project, in addition to working in conjunction with local, minority and women owned businesses. The Weitz-GBA team developed perspectives, schematic floor plans and prepared budgets that became part of the successful proposal selected by the owner. The team also carried responsibility for delivering several pricing options, different entrance design approaches and communication on how to coordinate the build with the daily operations on this busy industrial site.

The major design challenge for GBA was to duplicate a 20-year old addition with the original 1970 single-story office building. GBA used present day materials and building codes to create an attractive blend between the new and existing areas. Weitz was tasked with a construction challenge of building the three-story structure over occupied office building space and sharing tarmac with a 24/7 trucking and warehousing operation.

The new building skin was a combination of aluminum composite material panels, glass curtain wall, and EIFS. The building was modeled in BIM, from the bottom of the drilled pier foundations to the roof parapet.

So, the next time you visit your local retail store you just might be selecting from AWG’s assortment of grocery, fresh meat and produce, specialty foods, health care and general merchandise items that made it to market with the help of staff working on the recent office expansion by the Weitz-GBA team.

Celebrate National Water Quality Month

Did you know August is National Water Quality Month?  In the Midwest, rivers, streams and lakes are treasured resources that play an important year-round role.  Not only are these amenities used recreationally, but they are a key source of our water that we use. However through overuse, neglect and pollutants, these water resources are at risk.  You can help raise the awareness of our valued water resources by observing National Water Quality Month and the importance of keeping our rivers, streams and lakes clean.  Here are some ways you can honor water quality:  

• Gather friends and family and volunteer to clean a local stream.
• Wash your car on the lawn.  Many soaps and detergents contain phosphorous that are beneficial to your lawn but harmful to the water resources such as streams.
• Clean up after Fido.  Pet waste contains harmful bacteria such as E. coli and fecal coliform, which can contaminate waterways.  
• Install a rain barrel to capture runoff and reuse this water in your landscaping.