From Brownfield to Community Vision in Trimble County, Kentucky

On the edge of Bedford, Kentucky, a historic farm sat largely unused, with a lot of potential still to be realized. Today, that same land is being reimagined as , a new, connected community rooted in the character of Trimble County and designed to support how people want to live, work and gather.��

The site, formerly part of the historic Halloran Farm, was identified as a brownfield property, where past use and environmental uncertainty can present barriers to redevelopment. Through the (KIPDA)’s EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant, �鶹TV��վ partnered with KIPDA and project stakeholders to evaluate site conditions and help move the vision forward with clarity and confidence.

�鶹TV��վ’ role focused on environmental due diligence and site assessment, helping define what was possible on the land. By identifying potential risks early and aligning with state brownfields programs, the team helped transform uncertainty into a clear path forward, supporting a redevelopment plan that balances preservation, community needs and long-term viability.

Today, Coleman’s Landing is envisioned as a walkable village centered on connection, featuring a mix of homes, trails, green space, small businesses and healthcare services. A new healthcare facility is already underway, expanding access to care and reinforcing the project’s role in strengthening quality of life across the region.

For �鶹TV��վ, this work reflects the broader purpose of brownfields redevelopment, helping communities reclaim land in a way that is both responsible and forward-looking.

“Brownfields work is about more than environmental cleanup; it’s about helping communities move from uncertainty to opportunity. At Coleman’s Landing, that meant helping define a clear path forward that supports redevelopment while creating real opportunities for Trimble County to grow,” said Kelly Schmitt, �鶹TV��վ National Brownfields Director.

By combining environmental insight with strong local partnerships, �鶹TV��վ is helping transform underutilized land into a place shaped by community vision, one that will support Trimble County for generations to come.

In our last feature on Sally Riker, we explored her perspective on leadership, connection and the role infrastructure plays in shaping communities. Since that conversation, Sally was recognized with the first-ever , awarded at the .  This honor is one of the Foundation’s highest honors, recognizing exceptional service and leadership in advancing its mission to develop the next generation of engineering leaders and strengthen the profession. More than a single moment, the recognition reflects a long-standing commitment to service, leadership and the broader mission of the (SAME).

For Sally, the recognition carries weight, but not for the reasons you might expect.

“It’s humbling,” she says. “But it doesn’t feel like something you achieve on your own. It reflects years of people working together. It’s shared.”

That sense of shared effort is not new for her. It traces back to the way she first became involved with SAME. Early in her career and fresh out of college, she attended a local Post meeting and found herself stepping into a leadership role before she fully understood what it meant.

“I was ‘voluntold’ to serve on the board,” she recalls. “I didn’t really know what I was getting into, but I said yes.”

What followed wasn’t a traditional path, but an experience that shaped how she approaches leadership to this day. Working alongside a small, committed group, she learned how to lead in real time, contributing where needed, building together and recognizing that everyone had a role to play.

That early experience has stayed with her, particularly the idea that leadership is less about waiting until you’re ready and more about stepping in and figuring it out along the way. It’s also what kept her connected to SAME as her career evolved, moving from local involvement to regional and national leadership, and eventually to her role on the SAME Foundation Board.

Previously, Sally reflected on how organizations like SAME, the Urban Land Institute and the Council for Quality Growth have influenced her approach to leadership. She described them as spaces to grow beyond the day-to-day work, places where leadership is grounded in service and shaped by mission-driven collaboration.

Through SAME, she developed what she describes as a deeper appreciation for partnership and purpose, an understanding that leadership means contributing to something larger than yourself. That perspective continues to guide her work with the Foundation today.

“It gives me a connection to something bigger,” she says. “You’re not just participating — you’re helping create opportunities for someone else.”

Those opportunities take many forms, including supporting scholarships, mentoring emerging professionals, advancing STEM outreach and contributing to leadership development programs that strengthen the profession over time. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is long-lasting, shaping the pathway for future leaders across the industry.

One of the most visible examples of that work is the Soaring Eagle Award, a national recognition program Sally helped bring to life alongside a dedicated group of leaders. What began as an idea evolved over several years into something more significant, an effort to recognize a different kind of leadership.

“We wanted to highlight how people lead,” she explains. “Not just what they’ve delivered, but how they bring others along with them.”

That focus — on how leadership is practiced, not just what it produces — mirrors the values that have guided her own journey. It also reinforces a broader shift in how the industry defines impact, moving beyond individual accomplishments to the influence leaders have on the people and teams around them.

Receiving the SAME Foundation President’s Medal feels, in many ways, like a reflection of those same values. More than three decades after that first Post meeting, Sally still comes back to the moment she said yes and the opportunity it created.

“You don’t always realize it at the time,” she says. “But someone gave me a seat at the table early. And that changes your path.”

It’s a perspective she continues to carry forward, both in her work with SAME and in her role at �鶹TV��վ. As Vice President of Strategy and Growth for �鶹TV��վ’ Infrastructure South Atlantic Division, her focus remains consistent: building relationships, creating opportunities and thinking long-term about both projects and people.

In our previous Q&A, Sally described leadership as something that requires intentionality, listening, understanding context and leading with purpose. That same mindset is evident in how she views this recognition: not as a defining milestone, but as part of a larger, ongoing commitment.

“If you’ve had that experience,” she says, “you try to do the same for someone else.”

Read the full conversation

To learn more about Sally’s background, leadership philosophy and career at �鶹TV��վ, explore our previous feature: The Industry Connector: Q&A with Sally Riker

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Atlanta’s rise as a national soccer hub is gaining speed — fueled by growing global attention as the city prepares to host matches during the upcoming World Cup and reinforced by the recent groundbreaking of a new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) training facility in Marietta.

The 33-acre, purpose-built campus will become the home base for Atlanta’s newest team, set to debut in 2028. Designed as a world-class training environment, the facility will include a headquarters building, multiple full-size fields and the infrastructure needed to support daily operations and long-term growth.

But long before the first field is installed or the first structure begins to rise, the success of a facility like this is shaped by the work happening below the surface. Projects of this scale demand the same level of coordination and technical rigor as major infrastructure programs — where durability, site performance and continuous use all matter from day one.

That is where �鶹TV��վ brings depth and experience. With decades of work supporting sports and recreation infrastructure across Atlanta and nationwide, �鶹TV��վ delivers civil site engineering, geotechnical and environmental services for complex athletic facilities and campus environments. From professional stadiums and training campuses to collegiate and community sports complexes, �鶹TV��վ helps bring fields, buildings and supporting site systems together in ways designed to perform reliably over time.

On the new NWSL training facility, �鶹TV��վ is supporting the design team with an integrated scope that includes civil site engineering, geotechnical evaluation and environmental permitting — helping guide the project from early site characterization through design, permitting and into construction. From the outset, subsurface conditions, grading strategies and environmental considerations have played a central role in shaping the site and influencing how fields, structures and infrastructure systems work together.

The facility is also being designed to function as a cohesive system under continuous use. Multiple fields, support facilities and circulation infrastructure must work together across the campus — balancing drainage, resilience and operational efficiency in a setting expected to perform every day. That kind of long-term performance depends on early coordination across disciplines.

“When site development, geotechnical and environmental considerations are brought together early, the team can evaluate how each decision impacts overall site performance,” said Andrew Pankopp, �鶹TV��վ National Practice Team Manager – Civil Site Engineering. “It allows you to align grading, drainage and constructability with permitting and long-term use from the start — reducing rework, improving efficiency and supporting a site that performs reliably over time.”

Beyond the facility itself, the project reflects a broader investment in the City of Marietta’s Franklin Gateway Corridor, where infrastructure supports not only professional sports, but also long-term growth and opportunity for the surrounding community. New community parking and corridor improvements will create additional ways for people to connect and engage with the adjacent community soccer facilities.

As purpose-built training environments continue to grow — particularly in women’s professional sports — this kind of investment reflects a broader shift toward infrastructure that supports athletes, operations and meaningful community connection.

“The NWSL training facility represents more than a new training campus,” said Tom Price, �鶹TV��վ Infrastructure Business President. “It’s helping shape the future of sport — where strong training environments and community investment work together to support athletes and create a lasting impact, enabling communities to grow, connect and thrive.”

Located within one of Appalachia’s most iconic landscapes, reflects a layered history of natural beauty, industrial use and ecological recovery. Drawing on deep experience in abandoned mine lands reclamation, �鶹TV��վ supports the park’s restoration by designing site-specific solutions that address legacy mining impacts while preserving the area’s scenic character and environmental integrity.

 �鶹TV��վ developed reclamation design plans for five sites within the park system, each shaped by both abandoned surface and underground mining activities with the land altered by these past activities.��  Although mining operations ceased several decades ago, lingering impacts continue to affect surface and groundwater quality, landscape stability and visual aesthetics. �鶹TV��վ’ approach focused on understanding the unique conditions at each site and developing thoughtful, low-profile solutions that restore function while blending naturally into the surrounding environment.

A central element of the work involved managing acid mine drainage (AMD) and other waters emanating from abandoned deep‑mine entries. At several locations, discharges were largely dispersed, difficult to control and highly visible within protected park settings. �鶹TV��վ’ designs consolidate, control and convey flows, routing them through engineered systems that subtly follow natural drainage patterns. Treated water is directed to existing swales leading to the New River, reducing visual impacts while protecting water quality.

In areas where low‑volume seeps were identified, �鶹TV��վ developed targeted capture and conveyance strategies to direct flows to designated outfall locations. These designs incorporate a proposed grout curtain to control subsurface pathways, with the resulting discharges routed to natural drainage features. Final outfalls are intentionally designed to appear seamless within the landscape, underscoring �鶹TV��վ’ emphasis on technical performance paired with visual sensitivity.

Beyond mine water management, the project scope included reclamation design for abandoned highwalls, coal refuse and spoil piles, sealing of portals, stream restoration and remediation and demolition of legacy structures. Each component was approached with long‑term land management, safety and ecological recovery in mind — reflecting �鶹TV��վ’ commitment to solutions that not only address existing hazards but also support natural processes and enhance the visitor experience.

Collaboration was integral throughout the design process with �鶹TV��վ working closely with agency partners, including the National Park Service and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, to align technical solutions with regulatory requirements, agency standards and long-term management objectives. This coordination helped navigate the complexities of working within a federally protected landscape while remaining consistent with the park’s mission.  

“Through thoughtful planning, innovative engineering and respect for the natural and cultural significance of the New River Gorge, �鶹TV��վ is helping transform areas affected by historical mining into stable, functional and visually harmonious landscapes. These projects demonstrate how reclamation design plans can successfully bridge the past and the future — addressing legacy impacts while protecting one of the nation’s newest and most treasured national parks for generations to come,” said Clayton Kirk Roderick, �鶹TV��վ Abandoned Mine Lands Program Manager.

Learn more:

• �鶹TV��վ Abandoned Mine Lands Solutions
• Restoring What Was Left Behind—�鶹TV��վ’ Leadership in Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation

Alethea Muno, �鶹TV��վ Petrographer, was recently named a recipient of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Emerging Professional Award. The honor recognizes early‑career professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, professional engagement and leadership potential within the materials community. We caught up with Alethea to talk about her path into petrography, what excites her about the work and why this recognition feels so meaningful at this stage of her career.

For Alethea Muno, a career in petrography didn’t follow a traditional path — it began with curiosity and an unexpected connection.

As an undergraduate geology student at the University of Iowa, Alethea was often told her career options were limited to environmental consulting, groundwater remediation or oil and gas. Then a new possibility appeared. Jaclyn Ferraro, a University of Iowa alumna working in concrete petrography, reached out to the department looking for students interested in the field.

The opportunity immediately stood out. Petrography felt more technical, more investigative and better aligned with the kind of impact Alethea hoped to make. Although the role was already filled — and a master’s degree would likely be required — the idea stayed with her and reshaped how she viewed her future.

Rather than feeling limited by traditional expectations, she leaned into that curiosity. She began exploring petrography more seriously, drawn to its hands-on, problem-solving nature. Although graduate school hadn’t been part of her original plan, pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Iowa during the COVID era became a turning point. She entered the program with one goal: gain the knowledge and experience needed to build a career in petrography.

During graduate school, Alethea gravitated toward geotechnical coursework and developed a deeper appreciation for the applied side of geology. As graduation approached, she prepared to begin her career wherever it might lead — unsure when, or if, petrography would become a reality.

Then, not long after graduating, an unfamiliar number appeared on her phone. Normally, she wouldn’t answer. This time, she did.

It was Jaclyn, calling with an offer in concrete petrography — the opportunity Alethea has been working toward for years had finally arrived.

Today, materials science gives her exactly what she was searching for. Through petrography, Alethea examines materials at the microscopic level — helping explain how concrete behaves, informing decisions tied to durability and performance and contributing to infrastructure that serves communities over the long term.

“My whole life I wanted a career where I felt like I was having a real impact,” she says. “Working in material sciences has given me that — and so much more.”

That impact was recently recognized when Alethea was named a recipient of the ASTM Emerging Professional Award, which honors professionals demonstrating technical excellence, professional engagement and leadership potential within the standards and materials community. Recipients are selected by their peers and invited to take a more active role in ASTM’s standards development — helping shape best practices while continuing to grow as future leaders in the field.

For Alethea, the recognition represents both validation and motivation.

“It’s meaningful to have my work recognized so early in my career,” she says. “It affirms that I’m on the right path and encourages me to keep learning and expanding my expertise.”

Alethea will attend the ASTM June Meeting in Dallas to formally accept the award — an opportunity to connect with peers and continue contributing to the standards community.

Alethea first got involved with ASTM shortly after starting her career in April 2022, having encountered ASTM standards during academic research. She attended her first ASTM conference that same year and sees the organization as a long-term professional home — one where she can stay engaged while contributing to the future of the industry.

Mentorship and hands-on learning have played a meaningful role in her development.

She points to the value of working alongside experienced petrographers who reinforced the importance of curiosity, attention to detail and asking the right questions.

One mentor, in particular, continues to stand out. Jaclyn Ferraro, a senior petrographer at �鶹TV��վ, encouraged Alethea to look beyond narrow definitions of petrography and pursue material science questions that genuinely interested her. That perspective has helped her approach projects with a broader, more multidisciplinary mindset.

Outside of work, Alethea values balance — something she sees as essential in a detail-driven profession. She recharges outdoors through biking, hiking and camping, and she has had a long-standing interest in American Sign Language (ASL). She hopes to one day become a certified ASL interpreter. When she’s not working with materials, she enjoys another creative outlet: cooking — a path she once considered pursuing professionally.

Looking ahead, Alethea is excited about the future of materials science and the role new technologies can play. Her graduate research explored new applications of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to analyze the elemental composition of geologic sediments. She remains interested in how evolving technologies like XRF can expand understanding of materials and support new approaches across the field.

Her biggest ambition, however, is education. Alethea hopes to teach petrography at the university or trade-school level, helping bring awareness of a career path many geology students never encounter.

“There aren’t many petrographers,” she notes — not because of a lack of interest, but because most students simply don’t know the field exists. By bringing petrography into the classroom, she hopes to help others discover the same sense of direction that once changed everything for her.

The Innovative Pedestrian Bridge and Park Will Reconnect Wilmington to Its Waterfront

�鶹TV��վ was selected by the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) to provide construction management services for the Avalon Pedestrian Bridge and Promenade Gateway project.

The project, , aims to enhance pedestrian access and create recreational space in Wilmington, California. When completed, this landmark public access project will connect the Wilmington community to the waterfront at Banning’s Landing Community Center.

“Over the past few years, we have seen Los Angeles make significant investment in Wilmington and its surrounding communities to improve streetscapes and enhance recreational space for its residents,” said �鶹TV��վ Infrastructure Business President Tom Price. “This partnership allows �鶹TV��վ to help POLA improves public access to the city’s waterfront and create meaningful recreational space for the community, while honoring Wilmington’s cultural heritage.”

The project involves building a 1,300-foot cable-stayed pedestrian bridge spanning active rail lines and Water Street, as well as a 12-acre Promenade Gateway park featuring an entry plaza, picnic areas, parking facilities, restrooms, playground facilities, landscaping and other public amenities.

�鶹TV��վ will provide comprehensive construction management services to help deliver this complex, multi-disciplinary project that integrates transportation infrastructure, public open space and community-focused design, all while managing safety, quality, schedule and coordination with ongoing rail operations.

�鶹TV��վ Senior Ecologist Kyle Helal explains why protecting bat habitats during abandoned mine land reclamation is essential, as many legacy mine features create the stable microclimates endangered bat species rely on. This elevates thoughtful planning and mitigation from a regulatory requirement to a cornerstone of long-term ecological conservation.

Did you know Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation is entering a new phase — one that recognizes that old mine openings, highwalls, portals and underground tunnels are not just safety hazards, but rather, important habitats for cave-dwelling bats? These underground spaces often provide stable temperatures and a protected environment bats need to roost and hibernate. As AML programs evolve, more practitioners are pairing traditional remediation work with strategies that protect these unexpected ecological resources and support recovering bat populations.

Underground Microclimates: Small Spaces with Big Ecological Value

Across former mining landscapes, rock outcrops, mine entrances and underground tunnel networks create unique microclimates — stable pockets of cool, consistent air. Bats rely on these areas because temperatures between 38°F and 42°F help them conserve energy through winter hibernation. The design of many abandoned mines naturally supports these conditions.  

Inside mine passages, airflow patterns — driven by pressure differences and chimney-like effects — often produce “cold-sink” zones where temperatures stay low all year. These conditions closely mimic natural caves. As White‑Nose Syndrome, caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, continues to harm bat populations, these colder, deeper zones (below 39.2°F) are becoming even more important. While the fungus thrives in cool environments, it struggles to persist in these colder extremes.  

Going Beyond Basic Compliance

When AML work overlaps with potential bat habitats, projects may be subject to federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act. The requirements under those laws typically include habitat assessments, species surveys, mine portal evaluations and coordination with regulatory agencies. But many organizations are pushing further, bringing ecological considerations into project planning phases much earlier.

This proactive approach helps teams to potentially avoid costly project redesigns, support long-term conservation and treat abandoned mines not just as hazards to remediate but as ecological assets that require thoughtful stewardship.  

Bat‑Friendly Gates: Protecting Bats While Protecting People

One of the most effective tools for balancing public safety and bat conservation is the installation of bat-friendly gates. Modern gate designs allow air and temperature conditions to remain stable inside the mine while giving bats clear flight paths in and out. These gates also prevent unauthorized human entry and allow researchers to have controlled access through removable bars.

Multiple gate styles, such as basic, flyover, window, chute and cupola systems, provide flexibility for different mine shapes and bat colony sizes, making them a reliable solution at a wide range of sites.

Strengthening Conservation Outcomes Through Thoughtful Planning

Today’s AML projects increasingly prioritize protecting the microclimates and roosting conditions that bats rely on. When ecological knowledge is integrated directly into engineering and compliance processes, it helps safeguard sensitive species, promote stable underground ecosystems, reduce human-driven climate disruptions inside mines and support long-term population continuity. This approach helps to create reclaimed landscapes that are more resilient and ecologically connected.

The future of AML reclamation lies in blending engineering, regulatory strategy and ecological science. By designing closure and mitigation practices that help protect underground microclimates, sustain bat populations and limit disturbance, reclamation practitioners can promote outcomes that protect both people and the ecosystems intertwined with legacy mine features.

�鶹TV��վ continues to align its practices with this integrated model as part of a growing industry-wide shift toward ecological stewardship. Explore how �鶹TV��վ’ strategic reclamation practices protect bat habitats and encourage long-term environmental resilience through innovative, ecologically informed AML solutions.

At �鶹TV��վ, technical excellence extends beyond project delivery — it includes advancing the standards, practices and people that shape the construction industry. Jaclyn Ferraro, Senior Concrete Petrographer and Team Manager, and Jay Dorst, National Practice Manager – Forensics and Structural Investigations, highlight their work at �鶹TV��վ, the complex infrastructure projects they support and their leadership within professional organizations such as the American Concrete Institute, ASTM International and various certification programs.

Together, Jaclyn and Jay embody �鶹TV��վ’ commitment to technical rigor, collaboration and industry leadership — advancing not only projects, but the standards and practices that shape the built environment.

Both of you work in highly technical disciplines. How would you describe your focus at �鶹TV��վ?

Jaclyn Ferraro: My role centers on petrography — understanding construction materials at a microscopic level to answer real, practical questions. At �鶹TV��վ, I manage our petrographic laboratory services while also working nationally on forensic investigations, aggregate evaluations and condition assessments of concrete and construction materials. Whether we’re investigating issues that present themselves during construction, damage that develops over time such as chemical reactions within the concrete, or singular events such as fire damage, the objective is always the same: to provide clear information so clients can make informed decisions about their structures and materials.

Jay Dorst: My focus is broader but complementary to Jaclyn’s work. I support structural and metallurgical engineering, welding, corrosion and specialty testing — often on large, complex infrastructure and building projects. At �鶹TV��վ, I lead teams involved in quality assurance programs, forensic investigations, source inspections and structural testing. A core part of my role is translating highly technical findings into actionable guidance so owners, agencies and contractors can address challenges while keeping projects moving forward safely.

Much of �鶹TV��վ’ work involves quality assurance and independent oversight on complex infrastructure projects across the country. Are there any projects you’ve worked on that you find particularly rewarding as a professional in this industry?

Jay Dorst:
One effort that stands out involved providing independent quality assurance and oversight on a large, statewide transportation program. I led teams evaluating weld quality, prestressed concrete girder performance and fabrication conditions across multiple structures. The level of rigor required on projects like this is exceptionally high, as the work supports safety, long-term durability and confidence in major infrastructure investments.

Another impactful example was a high-rise building investigation, where our team performed independent forensic evaluations and laboratory testing to understand contributing factors related to structural performance concerns identified during construction. Projects like these highlight the importance of objective, technical oversight — particularly on fast-paced, complex projects where coordination, accountability and performance expectations are high.

Jaclyn Ferraro: Forensic concrete investigations are always impactful because they help explain what’s happening within the material and why certain behaviors or conditions develop. My work frequently involves evaluating deterioration related to freeze-thaw exposure, chemical attack, strength deficiencies or aggregate reactivity. I also support aggregate qualification and air-void system analyses for airfield paving and heavy-duty pavements.

Professional organizations and certifications play a major role in your work. Why is this involvement so important?

Jaclyn Ferraro: Professional organizations are essential to advancing quality, consistency and technical excellence in the concrete industry. I’ve been an active member of the American Concrete Institute Illinois Chapter (ACI-IL) for more than 10 years and have served on its Board of Directors since 2021. I stepped into executive leadership roles beginning in 2024 and currently serve as Chapter President.

ACI plays a vital role in developing technical resources, best practices and certification programs that influence how concrete is designed, produced, tested and evaluated. At the chapter level, we focus on providing education, professional networking and certification support for practitioners across the state, while remaining closely aligned with national and international standards.

This year’s ACI Convention in Rosemont, Illinois, was especially meaningful. �鶹TV��վ was a sponsor and ACI-IL was the host and sponsoring chapter. I had the opportunity to co-chair the convention and to welcome attendees during the Opening Session.

Beyond ACI, I’m deeply involved with ASTM International (the American Society for Testing and Materials). ASTM develops industry-standard specifications and test methods used to evaluate the strength, durability and performance of cement and aggregate materials. These standards provide consistency across laboratories, job sites and investigations, and are foundational to quality and repeatability in construction projects. I’m also active with the Society of Concrete Petrographers (SCP), which supports collaboration, peer learning and mentoring within this highly specialized discipline.

Supporting the next generation is one of the most rewarding aspects of this work. I’m especially proud that my �鶹TV��վ colleague, Alethea Muno, Petrographer II, was recently selected as an ASTM Emerging Professional — a recognition that reflects both her technical potential and �鶹TV��վ’ broader commitment to cultivating future industry leaders.

Jay Dorst: From an engineering and construction perspective, standards and certifications provide the framework that allows complex projects to move forward with confidence. I’ve been a member of the American Concrete Institute since 2014 and am actively involved in several technical committees that influence construction quality and safety.

I serve as a voting member of ACI Committees C680 and C681, which oversee certification programs for installers and inspectors of post‑installed anchors in concrete, and as a voting member and Vice Chair of ACI Committee 355, which focuses on anchor qualification and performance. I currently serve as Task Group Chair leading efforts to improve anchor testing in moving cracks — work that supports structural performance in seismic and dynamic conditions.

I have also been actively involved with ASTM International for more than 20 years, serving as a member of Committees E6.11 and E6.13. Throughout that time, I have contributed to and drafted multiple ASTM standards related to testing of fiber‑reinforced polymers and anchors to concrete. These standards support consistency and reliability across engineering, construction and forensic investigations.

How do your disciplines intersect when it comes to advanced expertise in safety management and risk mitigation — critical considerations when solving client challenges?

Jay Dorst: Many challenges don’t fit neatly into a single category. A structural concern may be influenced by material behavior, fabrication practices, welding quality or environmental exposure, which makes collaboration essential.

Alongside Jaclyn’s petrography laboratory, within my team, we maintain a forensic metallurgical laboratory, structural engineering support and field-testing teams that provide complementary support depending on the scope of the investigation. This approach allows us to evaluate materials, structural performance and construction practices together, helping clients understand what occurred and how those factors affect durability, performance and safety.

Jaclyn Ferraro: Exactly. Petrography often answers the “why,” while engineering answers the “so what.” At �鶹TV��վ, those conversations happen naturally across disciplines, allowing us to deliver more complete conclusions.

What keeps you motivated in your work at �鶹TV��վ?

Jaclyn Ferraro: Solving problems that matter, contributing to the profession through standards development and mentoring the next generation of materials professionals.

Jay Dorst: The combination of technical challenges and real-world impact. When our work strengthens decision-making and supports the quality and safety of the built environment, that’s incredibly rewarding.

What long‑term national security signals mean for infrastructure

By: �鶹TV��վ Chief Growth Officer Harshal Desai

As we mark Infrastructure Week (May 18–22), it is worth stepping back and asking what the country’s own strategic documents are telling us about where infrastructure is headed.

The White House’s , released last November, names priorities that read less like a traditional defense strategy and more like an infrastructure and industrial policy mandate: “Energy Dominance,” “Reindustrialization,” “Reviving our Defense Industrial Base” and “Securing Access to Critical Supply Chains and Materials.” For those of us in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, that language is a signal worth paying attention to.

This blog explores how the latest National Security Strategy reinforces that reality, why it matters now and how �鶹TV��վ is positioned to help clients plan, deliver and operate advanced facilities, data centers and other complex, mission‑critical infrastructure.

Reading the Strategy as a Market Signal

Every administration publishes a National Security Strategy. Most are read through a policy lens and filed away. This one deserves a second look — because it functions less as a defense document and more as a signal of where long-term infrastructure demand, capital and execution expectations are converging.

The strategy directly ties national security to America’s ability to build and operate physical infrastructure — energy systems, manufacturing capacity, supply chains and technology facilities. These are not abstract policy goals. They are a practical description of what the country needs to build, and they map almost directly to the work the AEC industry does every day.

What makes this moment different is that the rhetoric is being backed by action.

Since the strategy’s release, the administration has moved beyond rhetoric. In April 2026, the White House invoked the Defense Production Act across five energy sectors — designating the full fossil fuel and grid supply chain as defense-critical and unlocking DOE loans, guarantees and purchase commitments for domestic energy infrastructure. Executive orders have targeted accelerated data center permitting on federal lands, streamlined nuclear reactor licensing with 18-month approval timelines and critical minerals trade actions. Meanwhile, private capital is moving at an unprecedented pace: the top five U.S. hyperscalers are projected to spend a collective $720 billion in capex in 2026, with roughly 75% directed at AI infrastructure. Data center construction starts alone are tracking $88 billion in the next six months. The signal is not just strategic — it is backed by capital and policy mechanisms already in motion.

Why This Matters to the AEC Industry

For the AEC industry, this is not a policy abstraction. It is a description of the projects already moving through our pipelines — grid hardening, domestic manufacturing buildouts, data center campuses, energy generation and supply-chain facilities.

Over the past several years, there has been sustained emphasis on reshoring manufacturing, modernizing power systems, expanding data and digital infrastructure and strengthening supply chains. These priorities reflect long-term changes in how energy, manufacturing, data and supply-chain systems are planned, funded and delivered — reinforced by private capital, public investment and an increased focus on reliability and resilience.

The bar is rising. Speed, reliability, scale and the ability to deliver consistently across complex, mission-critical programs are what clients are selecting for — often ahead of lowest cost.

�鶹TV��վ’ Position in This Environment

From �鶹TV��վ’ perspective, these signals reflect a direction the firm has been intentionally building toward for years. Strategic diversification into power, advanced manufacturing and data center facilities has positioned �鶹TV��վ ahead of the curve — not simply following market trends but anticipating the convergence of economic capability and national security priorities.

That positioning is translating into tangible results today. Recent work in power and nuclear environments, a growing role in AI‑driven data center development and experience delivering infrastructure in complex, high‑reliability settings align directly with the needs this environment is generating. Nuclear energy — particularly advanced reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) — is a growing part of this picture, with federal policy now pushing to streamline licensing and accelerate deployment. One example is �鶹TV��վ’ involvement as part of a nuclear project’s early development, where �鶹TV��վ supported critical geotechnical investigation, on-site testing and advanced surveying services — informing site design, infrastructure placement and regulatory approvals for a facility designed to deliver reliable, long-term power capacity.��

�鶹TV��վ has also recently secured work supporting a large, nationally scaled data center platform — programs that demand rapid mobilization, consistent execution across regions and reliable delivery in mission-critical environments.

Beyond these core platforms, �鶹TV��վ is also active in defense modernization — areas where security spending and infrastructure delivery are converging in real time.

Looking Ahead

The signal from Washington and the capital markets is the same: the country needs to build, and it needs to build fast, at scale and with a level of reliability that many programs have not historically required.

At �鶹TV��վ, the focus is on helping clients translate long-term trends into executable solutions — supporting infrastructure across power, advanced manufacturing, data and mission-critical systems that are resilient, adaptable and aligned with where capital and policy are converging.

When this infrastructure gets built well, the benefits extend beyond the project itself — economic opportunity, jobs, reliability and long-term stability for the communities that depend on it. That’s the work �鶹TV��վ is focused on.

Independent Quality Oversight for a Critical Texas Corridor

Quality at the Core of Texas’ I‑35 Northeast Expansion Program

The is among the most significant transportation investments underway in Texas. Designed to relieve congestion, improve safety and support long‑term mobility, the program targets a critical corridor serving the San Antonio region. Delivering infrastructure at this scale requires more than design and construction expertise — it demands disciplined, independent quality oversight to protect public investment and deliver long-term value.

Modernizing One of Texas’ Most Congested Interstate Corridors

Spanning several counties, the multi-phase I-35 NEX Program is modernizing one of Texas’ most congested interstate corridors through toll-free elevated lanes, new connector bridges, enhanced interchanges and supporting infrastructure. These improvements are designed to accommodate population growth, regional commuting and freight movement. As the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) advances this complex program, independent quality assurance connects early design decisions to field execution.

Building Quality Assurance into the Program from the Start

Since 2021, �鶹TV��վ has served as an independent quality partner on this program, providing oversight across multiple phases and supporting outcomes that matter to project owners and the communities they serve. In this role, �鶹TV��վ helps strengthen decision‑making and promotes consistency across delivery teams operating within a complex, multi-phase environment.

�鶹TV��վ’ involvement began during the design stage of the I-35 NEX Central project — a $1.5 billion effort covering 9.5 miles from I‑410 North to FM 3009 — when the firm was selected to provide independent design quality assurance services. These efforts included design reviews aligned with TxDOT requirements, design‑build contract criteria and accepted engineering practices, helping strengthen constructability and reduce downstream risk early in the program.

That early engagement established a strong technical foundation for large-scale construction and continues to guide �鶹TV��վ’ role on the project today. On the I-35 NEX Central phase, �鶹TV��վ provides ongoing quality oversight supporting elevated lanes with direct connectors, curved steel girder bridges and complex foundation systems.

Independent Construction Quality Assurance on I-35 NEX South  

That foundation carried directly into construction. In 2024, �鶹TV��վ was awarded the independent quality assurance services contract for Phase 1 of the I‑35 NEX South Project, an effort to deliver 4.2 miles of toll‑free improvements between I‑410 South and I‑410 North. Serving as both the Professional Services Quality Assurance Firm and Independent Quality Firm, �鶹TV��վ manages a comprehensive quality program encompassing design reviews, field inspections, materials testing, audits and construction oversight. This work supports elevated viaduct construction utilizing prestressed concrete beams and concrete piers. Within a joint‑venture delivery structure, �鶹TV��վ provides objective, third‑party oversight that supports accountability and confidence throughout construction.

Protecting Public Investment Through Independent Quality Assurance

Beyond technical execution, independent quality assurance plays a vital role in protecting public investment while supporting safer travel, longer service life and infrastructure that better serves economic activity and daily mobility throughout the region.

“�鶹TV��վ is proud to partner on the I‑35 NEX Program and help positively impact the San Antonio region,” said Tom Price, �鶹TV��վ Infrastructure President. “Our work — from design quality reviews to independent construction oversight — reflects how we support DOTs in Texas and across the country on complex programs: steady, objective and focused on consistency across every phase. This approach helps reduce surprises, strengthens accountability and supports infrastructure that makes moving through major cities safer and more reliable for everyone.”

Learn more about �鶹TV��վ’ Quality Management services.��