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Awards, Press and Recognition

ENR Names HRG One of the Nation's Top 500 Design Firms
HRG Named one of Central PA's Top 100 Privately Held Firms
Keystone Tap Magazine Features HRG
PSATS Honors Elk Park Road Bridge
ENR Names HRG to the Top 500 Design Firms List
HRG Featured in Biomass Magazine
HRG Named to The Zweig Letter 2007 Hot Firms List
HRG Wins Landscape Architecture Award for St Louis Street Enhancement in Lewisburg
Central Penn Business Journal Ranks HRG Among Top Environmental Consulting Firms
President Grubic Featured in Smart Business
HRG Named to ENR Top 500
PA Business Central Honors HRG in Its Annual Top 100 Businesses List
HRG in the News in Venango County
HRG Moves Up 2 Spots in Central Penn Business Journal Ranking of Engineering Firms
Bartonsville Office Wins Bizzy Award from the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce
HRG Named to Pittsburg Business Times' Pittsburgh 100 List for 5th Year
HRG's Saxonburg Treatment Plant Expansion Featured in Butler Eagle

Corporate Announcements

HRG Names New Associates
Dunmore Office Moves to Accomodate Staff Growth
HRG Expands Capabilities by Acquiring Alliance Environmental Services, Inc.

Project News

Harrisburg Authority Nutrient Credit Trading Plans Proceed with Act 537 Approval
HRG Prepares the Procurement Contract for the First Public Bidding of Nutrient Credits in PA
HRG Uses Innovative Approach to Maintain Traffic During Trail Construction on Busy Highway

New Employees

Steve Selby Joins HRG as Building Systems Designer
Dale Witmer Joins HRG as Regional Manager of Financial Services for Central Pennsylvania
George Parker Joins HRG as Office Manager and Transportation Project Manager
HRG Expands Mechanical Engineering Capabilities
Underwood Joins Business Development Group
Boyer Joins HRG as Electrical Engineer
HRG Expands Survey Services in Pittsburgh
HRG Hires Yerger to be CFO
Perry Joins Water & Energy Group
Tralongo Joins HRG as Financial Specialist
Hechmer, Forzano Join Pittsburgh's Water & Energy Group
Romberger Joins HRG as Construction Representative
Lewisburg Office Welcomes Newlin as Project Manager
Jennifer Hendricks to Manage Business Development
Tellish to Lead Pittsburgh Land Development Group
Sartori Joins Dunmore Office as Traffic Engineer
HRG Welcomes Stephen Drauss to Stroudsburg Water & Energy Service Group
HRG Welcomes Daniel Kaldas to Lancaster Civil Engineering Service Group
Mendinsky Joins Land Development Group as Project Landscape Architect
HRG Welcomes Mark Letterman to Construction Team
Scott Bowman Joins Financial Services Group
HRG Hires Strittmatter as Senior GIS Specialist HRG Hires Hippenstiel as Survey Project Designer
HRG Hires Burns as Staff Professional in Water/Wastewater Service Group
HRG Expands Transportation Group in Lancaster with 2 New Hires

Employee Promotions/Appointments

Jamie Keener Elected Chairman of the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce

Pacchioni Promoted to Lead Water & Energy Engineer; Kogelnik Promoted to Satellite Office Manager
Siegfried Promoted to Lead Water & Energy Engineer
Kreiger to Manage HRG Survey Group
DEP Appoints Wunz to Water Resources Advisory Committee
Peggy Miller to Manage Gettysburg Office
Orndorff to Manage Survey Service Group
Cardosi Promoted to Manage Transportation Group in Pittsburgh
Swanick Promoted to Manage Land Development Group in Harrisburg
Lyncha to Manage Land Development Division in North Central Pennsylvania
Kenworthy to Manage Land Development Group Firmwide
Bonanno Promoted to Manage Civil Group in Harrisburg
HRG Names New Associates
Doug Weikel to Manage HRG’s Civil Service Group Company-wide
Koser to Manage Civil Division for Herbert, Rowland & Grubic in Southeastern PA
Chris May to Manage Transportation Division for Southeastern PA
Hildebrand Appointed Secretary/Treasurer of MISA
HRG Promotes Fralick to Regional Manager of State College Office
HRG Promotes Orndorff to Regional Manager of Survey Services in Harrisburg Office
Fralick Joins Leadership Centre County (LCC) Class
Jamie Keener Appointed Supervisor in Tobyhanna Township

Special Events

Hodder, Warner to Celebrate GIS Day with Presentation at Steelton Highspire High School
HRG and Cove Area Regional Digester Host Open House
Saxonburg Area Authority Hosts Ribbon Cutting
HRG Celebrates 45th anniversary
HRG Hosts Groundbreaking for East Waterford Sewer Authority's New Wastewater System and Treatment Plant
HRG Assisting DEP With Training for New Stormwater BMP Manual
Hodder to Observe GIS Day With GIS Presentation to Students at Steelton Highspire High School
Bob Shenk Speaks About Traditional Neighborhood Developments at Workshop in Adams County
HRG Sponsors APWA Conference, Brulo to Make Presentation on Stormwater BMPs
HRG Celebrates National Land Surveyors Week
HRG to Conduct Stormwater Management Training for Boroughs Association (PSAB)

Steve Selby Joins HRG as Building Systems Designer
(NOVEMBER 2009) HRG has hired Steve Selby to be a building systems designer in its Harrisburg office.  As such, he is responsible for reviewing building design layouts for compliance with construction codes, producing construction drawings and specifications, and preparing building code revisions.

Selby has more than 20 years of experience in architecture and building systems engineering for a variety of facilities, including water and wastewater treatment plants, schools, and libraries. His responsibilities have included developing specifications, choosing building materials, developing and managing schedules, and providing computer aided drafting and design services. 

Dale Witmer Joins HRG as Regional Manager of Financial Services for Central Pennsylvania
(OCTOBER 2009) HRG has hired Dale Witmer, AICP, to be the regional manager of financial services in its Harrisburg office.  As such, he is responsible for helping Central Pennsylvania area clients develop financing strategies, acquire funding, determine utility user rates, and plan for capital projects.

Witmer has 22 years of experience serving municipalities, authorities, non-profit organizations, land developers, and state and federal agencies.  His expertise includes feasibility studies, user rate studies, economic development initiatives, capital improvement planning, grant and loan application preparation, project financing, community planning, and infrastructure planning for municipal video surveillance systems and intelligent transportation systems.

George Parker Joins Dunmore as Office Manager
(SEPTEMBER 2009) HRG has hired George Parker to manage  their Dunmore office and serve as a transportation project manager.  As such, he is responsible for managing staff and overseeing the completion of all civil engineering projects completed by the firm in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming and Susquehanna Counties.

Parker has more than 40 years of experience in transportation engineering, which includes 28 years of service with PennDOT District 4-0.  He also formerly served as the city engineer and public works director for the City of Scranton and as a county engineer in Pottsville, PA. He is a registered professional engineer and professional land surveyor.

Jamie Keener Elected Chairman of the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce
(SEPTEMBER 2009) Jamie Keener, AICP, regional manager of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG), has been elected chairman of the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce.  In this role, he will represent the chamber at various regional events; preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors; make tie-breaking votes on the various chamber committees, as needed; and appoint committee chairpersons.

Keener has been a member of the chamber for nine years and has previously served as its secretary, treasurer, vice-chair, and chair of the Economic Development/Transportation Committee.  He has also been regional manager of HRG’s Stroudsburg office since 2005, coordinating the civil engineering services it provides to government and private sector clients throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg Authority Nutrient Credit Trading Plans Proceed to Design With DEP Approval
(SEPTEMBER 2009) The Harrisburg Authority’s news-making plans to use nutrient trading as part of its strategy to comply with Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy are ready to proceed now that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) has approved its Act 537 Plan and Environmental Assessment.  The plan incorporates the results of a public bidding of nutrient credits – the first of its kind in Pennsylvania when it occurred last fall – and describes a detailed strategy for treatment process modifications and nutrient credit purchases.  Its approval means the authority can now proceed with the purchase of nutrient credits and the design of treatment plant upgrades. 

While previous analyses indicated significant potential for cost savings through nutrient trading, this report quantifies those savings using actual bid costs procured from the public bidding last October.  During creation of the Act 537 Plan, the engineering firm of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., used these bids and estimated design and construction costs to compare the costs of three different approaches to compliance: one that completely relied on treatment plant upgrades, one that completely relied on nutrient trading, and one that combined trading with construction.  The lowest cost of compliance, according to their report, is the combination of trading and construction.  Using this approach, HRG estimates the authority will save more than $28 million over the next 20 years versus a previously approved plan for treatment plant design that was halted in 2007 in favor of investigating nutrient trading options.  This will, in turn, provide an estimated savings of $48 per year in sewer service charges to city customers.

“Our goal when we began investigating nutrient trading options two years ago was to comply with environmental regulations at the lowest possible cost for our customers, and this report shows our efforts have been worthwhile,” says Michele T. V. Torres, executive director of the Harrisburg Authority.
With DEP approval in place, the authority is expected to begin design of its treatment plant modifications in January 2010 with construction to follow in August 2011.

HRG Named One of the Nation’s Top 500 Design Firms
(APRIL 2009) HRG has again been named one of the top 500 design firms in the United States, according to Engineering News-Record magazine.  This is the firm’s 11th appearance on the list, which is compiled annually based on the revenue earned by engineering and architectural firms from design services performed in the preceding year.  

“HRG is honored to be recognized as one of the most successful firms in our industry by such an esteemed publication as Engineering News-Record,” said HRG President Robert Grubic, P.E.  “Our success is possible, first and foremost because of the dedication of our employees and the loyalty of our clients.”

HRG Hires Romberger as Construction Representative
(APRIL 2009) HRG has hired Douglas Romberger as a resident project representative in its Harrisburg office.  As such, he will provide construction observation and related services for public works and private sector construction projects.

Romberger has 12 years of experience in construction inspection, particularly for roadway, bridge and traffic signal construction projects, and has detailed knowledge of PennDOT standards and procedures.  He is certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies in highway construction and by the Northeast Center of Excellence for Pavement Technology, PennDOT and the American Concrete Institute in concrete testing.

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Names New Associates
(MARCH 2009) HRG has announced that the following employees have been named associates of the firm:

• Matthew Bonanno, P.E., regional manager of civil engineering services in HRG’s Harrisburg office;
• Christopher Dellinger, P.E., project manager in HRG’s Harrisburg Land Development Group;
• Griffith Jones, senior environmental scientist in HRG’s Harrisburg office;
• Jeffrey Mikesic, staff professional in HRG’s Pittsburgh Transportation Group;
• Mark Spatz, P.E. staff professional in HRG’s Harrisburg Land Development Group; and
• Eric Stump, P.E., regional manager of traffic engineering services in HRG’s Harrisburg Transportation Group.

HRG's Associate Program is a direct path to leadership in the firm. Only the top 10% of the firm’s employees can be named to the Associates program, and each individual must be accepted into the program by a majority vote of the shareholders. Once accepted, associates are mentored by senior management staff and given corporate management responsibilities.

“These individuals have already proven themselves to be leaders through their work ethic and the contributions they've made to enhanced service and improved operating procedures," says company president Robert Grubic, P.E. "Through our Associates Program, we will give them the tools they need to become future leaders of the firm."

Pacchioni to Serve as HRG’s Lead Engineer in the Water & Energy Group; Kogelnik to Manage Hermitage Office
HRG has promoted Joe Pacchioni, P.E., to the position of lead engineer for their Water & Energy Group. As such, he will provide technical guidance on the water and wastewater projects completed by all of HRG’s regional offices. He also will review industry trends and regulatory changes in order to identify opportunities for services that can benefit the firm’s water and wastewater system clients.

HRG has also promoted Chris Kogelnik, P.E., to the position of satellite office manager for its location in Hermitage. As such, he will supervise the day-to-day operations of the firm in Mercer, Venango, Crawford, and Lawrence Counties.

Pacchioni joined HRG in 2004 as a project manager in the firm’s Water & Energy Group and also served as the previous satellite office manager for the Hermitage office. He earned his bachelor’s degree in water resource engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and has 30 years of experience in civil, environmental, municipal and industrial engineering.

Kogelnik joined HRG in 2004 and has 13 years of experience in the design and study of potable water and wastewater treatment and conveyance systems. He also has a broad-range of engineering experience with various site developments, roadway and transportation enhancement designs, parks and recreational facilities, stormwater management and municipal and commercial building improvements.

Siegfried to Serve as HRG’s Lead Engineer in the Water & Energy Group
HRG has promoted Steve Siegfried, P.E., to the position of lead engineer for their Water & Energy Group. As such, he will provide technical guidance on the water and wastewater projects completed by all of HRG’s regional offices. He also will review industry trends and regulatory changes in order to identify opportunities for services that can benefit the firm’s water and wastewater system clients.

Siegfried joined HRG in 1994 as an environmental engineer in the firm’s Water & Energy Group and has served the firm in many roles over the years, most recently as a senior project manager of water and energy services. He earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering technology from The Pennsylvania State University and has 19 years of experience in the planning, permitting design, construction and financing of water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

HRG Expands Survey Capabilities in Pittsburgh
(JANUARY 2009) HRG has hired Timothy Thomas, P.L.S., to be a project manager in its Surveying Service Group.  As such, he will be responsible for overseeing land survey projects throughout Western Pennsylvania. 

Thomas has more than 30 years of experience in surveying for a broad range of projects, including site development, pipelines and gas wells, right-of-way, construction layout, properties, architecture, engineering, and GPS control networks.   Thomas also has broad-ranging management expertise, having served as a surveying division manager and office manager at previous consulting firms and having owned his own surveying company for seven years.

“While HRG has been providing survey services for many years, Thomas’ vast experience in Western Pennsylvania and knowledge of the region will enable us to enhance the surveying expertise we offer our clients in this region,” says Jim Lopresti, P.E., regional manager of HRG’s Western Pennsylvania operations.  “We’re very excited to add him to our team.”

HRG Hires Yerger to be CFO
(JANUARY 2009) HRG has hired Bruce Yerger to be vice president and chief financial officer.

Yerger has more than 30 years of experience in finance and accounting, 20 of which have been in a senior level advisory role.  He also brings 10 years of experience in the engineering industry to the firm, including service as a project financial analyst, regional office manager and vice president of finance and accounting.

“Due to the phenomenal growth we have experienced in recent years, HRG now has a need for a senior level manager to oversee our financial performance,” says HRG President Robert Grubic, P.E.  “We believe Bruce will lead us to continued success thanks to the extensive experience he has with finance and the engineering industry.”

Perry Joins Water & Energy Group
(DECEMBER 2008) Mark Perry, P.E., has joined the Water & Energy Group in our Harrisburg office.  As such, he will be responsible for performing studies, design computations and construction observation on water, wastewater, and environmental projects.

Tralongo Joins HRG as Financial Services Specialist
(NOVEMBER 2008) HRG has hired Kiana Tralongo as a financial services specialist in our Harrisburg office. As such, she will be responsible for evaluating the impact of proposed engineering projects on clients’ capital and operating costs.

Tralongo has bachelor’s degrees in finance and management as well as a master’s degree in business administration from The Pennsylvania State University.

Prior to joining HRG, she served as the finance specialist for the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, administering several state and federal grant programs, including the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, Infrastructure Development Program, Industrial Sites Reuse Program, Community Revitalization Program, Enterprise Zone Grants, Growing Greener II, and the Economic Development Administration’s grant programs.

She assisted in the application of various grant programs and was responsible for completing disbursement requests, closeout reports and audit reports in compliance with regulations; reviewing financial statements; performing cash flow analyses; and working with the state and closing attorneys to approve and close loans.

Hechmer and Forzano Join HRG’s Water & Energy Group
(NOVEMBER 2008) HRG has hired David Hechmer and Justin Forzano as staff professionals in its Water and Energy Group. As such, they will be responsible for performing studies, design, computations and construction observation of water, wastewater and environmental projects throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Hechmer earned his bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Clarkson University. During his studies, he participated in the design of an inland brackish water desalinization system, focusing on reduced energy consumption and responsible waste/brine disposal.

Forzano earned his bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Dayton. Prior to joining HRG, he worked with a humanitarian organization to design, construct and implement a water supply system in a village in Cameroon, West Africa. He also performed fieldwork, including concrete layout and construction observation for a private construction firm.

HRG Hires Underwood as Business Development Specialist
(NOVEMBER 2008) HRG has hired Michelle Underwood to be a business development specialist in their Harrisburg office. As such, she will be responsible for prospecting and targeted marketing of new business clients, public communications, and community relations. She will also be responsible for tracking leads and managing the development of proposals and qualifications packages.

Underwood has 12 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and communications. Prior to joining HRG, she prepared proposals and qualifications packages for a regional engineering firm and amassed extensive experience in advertising, graphic design, and marketing communications for various media groups and a professional association. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and professional writing from Elizabethtown College in 1996.

Boyer Joins HRG as Electrical Engineer
(NOVEMBER 2008) HRG has hired Eric Boyer to be an electrical engineer in its Harrisburg office. As such, he will be responsible for performing electrical design and preparing electrical studies for the firm’s environmental, land development and industrial sector clients.

Boyer has 10 years of electrical engineering experience, which includes product manufacturing and process design as well as power generation and lighting design. He earned his bachelors degree in electrical engineering technology from The Pennsylvania State University and is currently working towards masters degrees in both business administration and electrical engineering.

HRG Prepares Procurement Contract for the First Public Bidding of Nutrient Credits in PA
(NOVEMBER 2008) On October 29, 2008, The Harrisburg Authority completed Pennsylvania’s first public bidding for the procurement of nutrient credits under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Compliance Plan for the Chesapeake Bay.

In addition to being the first such advertisement for procuring nutrient credits in the state, the purchase of credits is expected to save the authority significant sums of money that would have been spent to construct expensive facility upgrades necessary to meet Chesapeake Bay guidelines.

As part of a partnership with other states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania committed to reducing Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus discharges into the watershed in order improve water quality and to remove the Chesapeake Bay from the federal list of impaired waters. Under Pennsylvania’s compliance plan, municipal dischargers can construct and operate additional wastewater treatment facilities to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from their discharge or purchase nutrient credits that reflect the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus that has been achieved by others beyond their mandated limits.

An analysis conducted for the Authority in 2005 estimated that the cost of constructing the necessary upgrades would be more than $60 million and operating costs would exceed $5.5 million per year. When bids were opened, multiple bids were received in different size procurement packages. The October 29 bids for total nitrogen credits ranged from $5.00 to $7.50, each beginning in 2011. Bids for total phosphorus credits ranged from $0.00 (if purchased in conjunction with total nitrogen credits) to a high of $5.00 each. The prices were bid net of all required reserve and transfer adjustments and reflect a new, lower than previously identified cost of credit purchase. An analysis will now be completed to determine the lowest combined cost of compliance, adding together the costs of building and operating some improvements and purchasing some credits.

“Environmental compliance while saving our customers money is our goal,” says Michele T. V. Torres, executive director of the Harrisburg Authority.

The engineering firm of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) prepared the procurement contract for the authority after nine months of analyzing the various alternatives available for compliance; the contract documents provide for the purchase of as many as 1.9 million credits per year for five or ten years.

“Over a year ago, we predicted that the purchase of credits would result in a lower cost for our client, The Harrisburg Authority.,” says Chuck Wunz, P.E., BCEE, the principal operating officer of HRG’s Water and Energy Group. “The receipt of bids now confirms that prediction, and the purchase of credits will allow us to implement the innovative concept of sidestream treatment for nutrient removal coupled with nutrient credit purchase. We will use the results of the bid opening to determine the lowest cost of compliance, and we will incorporate those results into a new wastewater management plan. The savings are very significant.”

This plan complements The Harrisburg Authority’s other forward-thinking projects such as electricity generation from water and steam, metals recovery and recycling, and wastewater effluent reuse. The Harrisburg Authority seeks to bring the highest levels of green technology, sustainability, and professionalism to its operations. At the same time, it has worked to improve the quality of life for all its customers and to enhance and support economic growth.

HRG Adds to Mechanical Engineering Capabilities
(NOVEMBER 2008) HRG is now offering mechanical engineering services with the hiring of Brian Walker, P.E., as a mechanical engineer.

Walker brings more than 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering and construction to the firm, which includes designing mechanical and plumbing systems for health care, government, commercial, residential, and institutional clients. He earned his bachelor’s degree of architectural engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and is a registered professional engineer.

He also recently attained LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Professional Accreditation as well as certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as a Public Water System Operator.

“Brian Walker will be a great addition to HRG, and his mechanical engineering skills allows us to continue to expand our service offerings in response to the needs of our clients,” says company president Robert Grubic, P.E.

“His skills extend the range of mechanical and electrical engineering expertise we offer to our clients. Combined with our civil, environmental, and site engineering capabilities, we can truly serve as a one-stop shop for all their facility needs.

DEP Appoints Wunz to Water Resources Advisory Committee
(OCTOBER 2008) The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has appointed E. Charles Wunz, P.E., DEE, to its Water Resources Advisory Committee. This committee provides technical advice to DEP on the impact of existing and proposed regulations, policies and technologies affecting water resources management. It also reviews DEP policies and regulations and suggests initiatives in water resources management for consideration.

Members of the Water Resources Advisory Committee are appointed by the secretary of the DEP to two-year terms and represent a broad cross-section of technical expertise and experience, including private citizens, engineers, scientists, and industry leaders.

Wunz brings more than 36 years of experience in water and wastewater system design and management to the committee and is currently chairman of the Innovative Measures Work Group supporting the Governor Rendell’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force and a member of the task force supporting the Pennsylvania legislature’s Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee. He previously served DEP as a member of the DEP’s Sewage Advisory Committee and chair of its ad hoc sub-committee on Act 537 Plan updates.

A registered professional engineer in seven states, he is a recognized expert witness in cases related to water and wastewater infrastructure and user rates and, as executive vice president of the engineering firm of HRG, has been at the leading edge of innovation in water and wastewater system design in Pennsylvania with regards to water reuse and the conversion of wastewater and its byproducts into sources of renewable energy. Currently, his focus is treatment of wastewaters resulting from the drilling for natural gas in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale.

“I am very honored to be able to serve DEP and the citizens of this state on the Water Resources Advisory Committee,” says Wunz. “My prior work in support of DEP and as a consultant to numerous water and wastewater systems throughout Pennsylvania has shown me that leaders working together in this fashion can promote economic development while protecting water resources, public health and the environment for future generations.”

HRG Welcomes Bradley Newlin as Civil Project Manager
(OCTOBER 2008) HRG has hired Bradley Newlin, P.E., CFM, to be a project manager in the Civil Service Group of its Lewisburg office. As such, he will manage the delivery of a broad range of water resource projects related to stormwater management, hydraulics and hydrology, watersheds, and floodplains.

Newlin has eight years of experience in stormwater and watershed management, hydraulic and hydrologic engineering, and floodplain management. He earned his masters degree in civil engineering from the University of California, Davis; is a certified floodplain manager; and is a registered professional engineer in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia.

In addition to his experience as a consulting engineer, Newlin has taught several civil engineering courses at Penn State University and Pennsylvania College of Technology and has authored more than a half dozen articles and presentations on stormwater, floodplains, and water markets for industry trade associations.

HRG Uses Innovative Approach to Maintain Traffic During Trail Construction
(SEPTEMBER 2008) Construction of the Appalachian Trail underpass under Wertzville Road in Cumberland County is almost complete. Click here for details on HRG's innovative approach to design and construction of this project.

Kreiger Promoted to Manage Survey Group in HRG’s Harrisburg Office
(SEPTEMBER 2008) HRG has promoted Michael Kreiger, P.L.S., to be the regional manager of survey services in its Harrisburg office. As such, he will oversee all land surveying services provided to clients in Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Lebanon, and Schuylkill Counties.

A registered professional land surveyor in Pennsylvania, Mr. Kreiger has 16 years of experience, which includes boundary and topographic surveys, subdivision surveys, construction surveys, as well as surveying for PennDOT and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  He earned his associate’s degree in surveying technology from The Pennsylvania State University in 1991 and is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors.

Dunmore Office Moves to Larger Office Space to Accommodate Continued Growth
(SEPTEMBER 2008) Our Dunmore office is moving into new office space on September 12, 2008, to accommodate a rapidly growing staff.

Since this office was opened in November 2005, it has experienced steady growth, almost doubling its staff in less than three years. HRG’s new address will be:

1128 Meade Street
Dunmore, PA 18509

The company’s phone (570-347-0513) and fax numbers (570-347-1543) will remain the same.

Steve Shimko, manager of the Dunmore office says, “It is because of the support our clients have given us that we have been able to grow so quickly, and this expanded office space will enable us to provide them with an enhanced level of service.”

Hendricks to Manage Business Development for HRG
(AUGUST 2008) HRG has hired Jennifer Hendricks to be the business development manager. As such, she will manage HRG’s overall strategy for business development, public relations, and responsible corporate citizenship; supervise the business development staff, and coordinate the preparation of business development materials.

Hendricks has 10 years of experience in marketing and business development within the architecture and engineering industry, which includes developing proposals, designing marketing materials, assisting with the development of marketing strategy, representing the company at various tradeshows and events, managing client relations, and implementing sales strategies.

She has been an active member of the Central Pennsylvania community and the architecture/engineering industry through involvement with such organizations as the Society for Marketing Professional Services, the American Society of Highway Engineers, West Shore Chamber of Commerce, and the American Council of Engineering Companies of PA.

“Jennifer brings a great deal of experience to this position and understands the realities of sales and business development in the field,” says Brian Emberg, HRG’s principal operating officer in charge of business development. “We are excited about the contributions she will make to our company.”

HRG Named One of Central PA’s Top 100 Privately Held Firms
(AUGUST 2008) HRG has been named one of the top 100 privately held companies in Central Pennsylvania, according to the Central Penn Business Journal.  The list is compiled annually by the publication based on total companywide revenue.  

“HRG is proud to be a part of the growth and success of the Central Pennsylvania economy,” said HRG President Robert Grubic, P.E.  “We have operated here for more than four decades, and we are grateful for the support the community has given us over the years.”

Peggy Miller to Manage Gettysburg Office
(AUGUST 2008) HRG has promoted Peggy Miller to manage its Gettysburg office. As such, she will direct the day-to-day operations of this location and will be responsible for marketing the firm throughout Adams, Franklin, Fulton, and York Counties. She will also supervise staff and oversee all projects in this region, manage the regional office budget, and assure quality service and client satisfaction.

Miller joined HRG in 1993 as an environmental scientist and has also served the firm as a project manager and the regional manager of water and energy services for the Gettysburg office. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and extensive experience with environmental compliance and water and wastewater system design. Miller was made an associate of the firm in 2005.

“Peggy will do a fantastic job managing this office, just as she has in her prior roles with the company” says company president Robert Grubic. “Her work ethic is phenomenal, and she works so well with our clients and her fellow employees. Peggy has helped the firm grow into new markets and areas of service, and we know she will lead the Gettysburg office to new heights.”

Keystone Tap Magazine Features HRG
(JUNE 2008) The summer 2008 issue of Keystone Tap magazine features HRG in two articles: In "Trading or Upgrading: a New Strategy for Meeting 2010 Compliance Standards," HRG staff member Tracey Olexa discusses the costs and benefits of nutrient trading versus treatment system upgrades to meet the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy guidelines for 2010. In the magazine's regular column "Featured Wastewater System," HRG client Fox Township Sewer Authority is profiled, including a discussion of their most recent treatment plant upgrade, which was designed by HRG and constructed in 2004. View Keystone Tap online.

Robert Tellish to Lead Pittsburgh Land Development Group
(JUNE 2008) HRG has hired Robert D. Tellish to lead operations of our Land Development Service Group throughout Northwest Pennsylvania. In this role, he will be responsible for managing the regional staff and land development projects and participating in business development and client relations activities. Tellish will play an integral part in promoting local strategic planning and fiscal management initiatives while offering his design expertise and project management experience to clients.

Tellish earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Geneva College in 1996. He began his career providing project consultant and inspection services and brings more than eight years of project manager experience to HRG. Tellish offers skills in site investigation/evaluations, design, project proformas, permitting, construction management, and construction closeout procedures. He also brings a unique owner’s perspective on planning, permitting, design, and construction techniques.

Tellish is credited as project manager on several large commercial and retail land development projects such as The Shoppes at Adams Ridge in Mars, Pennsylvania, and Warren Commons in Warren, Pennsylvania. He also has extensive experience with public sector projects such as the Phipps Conservatory in Oakland, Pennsylvania; Apollo Ridge Elementary School, Sto-Rox Middle School, and Cranberry Elementary School; and stadium projects for the Deer Lakes School District and Wilmington Area School District.

PSATS Honors Elk Park Road Bridge
(JUNE 2008) The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) recently recognized Girard Township’s Elk Park Road Bridge project as a cost-effective endeavor that successfully increased public safety. The project, completed in conjunction with PennDOT and HRG, earned second runner-up in the 26th Annual Road and Bridge Safety Improvement Awards, which were presented at this year’s annual PSATS conference.

Previously, the bridge had served as a popular but dangerous stocking point and high angler destination. As a result, several local residents had experienced close encounters with speeding vehicles. Through the partnership created for the Elk Park Road project, the township secured eight additional acres adjacent to the creek and bridge -- land that was then converted into a parking lot for stocking helpers and anglers to park safely.
In addition, HRG nurtured a close relationship between the township and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission in order to maintain a pool where creek fish could remain undisturbed throughout bridge construction. Such environmental stewardship on the part of all agencies involved resulted in the preservation of the local angler population without disrupting the construction schedule, May through October 2007.

“We were pleased to discover that our project with Girard Township had received such high recognition by PSATS,” said Dave Sterrett, HRG’s Client Manager. “The project required much effort on the part of our project team to coordinate the efforts of all agencies and facilitate dialogue regarding the best response to the challenges that emerged. But, the extra effort was well worth it. Everyone involved is very pleased with the results, and we continue to hear very positive feedback from the community.”

Eric Orndorff Promoted To Manage Survey Service Group
(MAY 2008) Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., (HRG) has promoted Eric M. Orndorff, P.L.S., to the position of service group manager for its entire survey division.  In this role, Orndorff will be responsible for managing all land surveying activities and services performed by the firm to ensure the survey team delivers high quality, accurate surveying services on time and within budget.  Orndorff will oversee project planning and scheduling and will assist with client management for all surveying projects completed by the firm. He will also play an integral role in promoting corporate strategic planning and fiscal management initiatives and supporting business development efforts.

Orndorff is a licensed professional land surveyor in Maryland and Pennsylvania.  He also holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from The Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in surveying and mapping from the University of Florida.  He joined HRG’s Lancaster office in 2000 as a survey technician and was promoted in 2003 to manage GPS survey services in the firm’s Harrisburg office.  He was elected an associate of the firm in 2005 and was promoted again in 2007 to be the regional manager of all survey services throughout Central Pennsylvania.    

“Thanks to his extensive knowledge of innovative technology and his commitment to client service, Eric has extended the reach of HRG’s survey group to new markets and brought us many rewarding and high profile projects on the state and federal level.”  HRG Vice President Brian Emberg says. “His thorough knowledge of surveying practices and his commitment to the highest levels of accuracy ensure quality performance for all of our clients.”

ENR Names HRG One of the Nation's Top 500 Design Firms
(MAY 2008) HRG has again been named one of the top 500 design firms in the United States, according to Engineering News-Record magazine.  This is the firm’s 10th appearance on the list, which is compiled annually based on the revenue earned by engineering and architectural firms from design services performed in the preceding year.  

“HRG has worked very hard to sustain consistent growth in order to provide optimal service to our clients and to provide our employees with exciting and steadily increasing career opportunities,” said HRG President Robert Grubic, P.E.  “We are honored to be recognized for this commitment by such an important publication in our industry.”

Kelley Sartori, P.E. Joins the HRG Dunmore Transportation Group as Traffic Engineer
(MAY 2008) HRG is pleased to welcome Kelley R. Sartori, P.E. to the Transportation Service Group in our Dunmore office as a traffic project engineer. As an integral part of the transportation team, Ms. Sartori will be responsible for performing planning, analysis, and design services for highway, traffic, and structural bridge projects located in and around the Dunmore area. She will also perform overall project and client management services, including due diligence analysis, traffic study reviews, permitting, and bidding and construction administration.

Sartori holds a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering with a Certificate in Transportation from the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering and is a registered professional engineer. Kelley brings over eight years of industry knowledge and engineering experience in highway and roadway design, project management, and construction administration services to the firm. Ms. Sartori also offers skills in preparation and review of construction plans, traffic control plans, signing and pavement marking plans, erosion and sedimentation control plans, and cost estimates.

HRG Expands Capabilities by Acquiring Alliance Environmental Services, Inc.
(APRIL 2008) HRG has acquired Alliance Environmental Services, Inc. Established in 1995, this Harrisburg-based company is an environmental consulting firm that provides technical and consulting services to a wide variety of businesses and industries, financial institutions and legal counsel. With the acquisition, HRG is expanding its current environmental service offerings to provide an even greater depth of services and resources to their clients. Alliance clients will now also have access to a full complement of in-house engineering and related services.

“Alliance Environmental Services has fostered a strong reputation for sustaining a mission very similar to our own – developing close partnerships with each client and delivering high-quality, technical consulting services that produce practical, cost-effective solutions for environmental compliance,” said Robert C. Grubic, P.E., president, HRG. “It is this unwavering commitment to the clients, coupled with a keen focus on environmental compliance and services that makes Alliance a perfect match for HRG and our strategic growth goals and vision.”

“This is a perfect example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts,” said Paul Nachlas, P.G., president, Alliance. “By joining with HRG, our potential together for outstanding projects is much greater than for either of us alone. HRG’s and Alliance’s services and clients partner well together, and now, all of these complementary services will be accessible through one place. HRG is known for their excellent projects and satisfied clients, and Alliance is very happy to be a part of that.”

In addition to HRG’s full range of engineering services, this most recent addition enables the firm to offer expanded services in environmental site assessments, underground storage tank management, remedial investigations, land recycling/Act 2 programs, soil and ground water remediation, regulatory compliance management, asbestos inspections and management, and litigation support services.

“As for our clients, they can feel confident that the addition of Alliance employees and expertise will both expand the depth of service HRG provides and further enhance their experience with us,” Grubic said. “Moving forward, we look to continue to achieve even greater successes for our clients.”

“Joining HRG allows us to have a wider array of services at our fingertips for our clients,” said Nachlas. “We have always focused on providing the best client service possible through partnerships that help to generate solutions for our clients’ businesses.  Herbert, Rowland & Grubic provides the kind of services that we wanted to be able to offer our clients, making this beneficial for both companies.”

All Alliance employees are being retained as part of HRG’s expanded Environmental Service Group and Paul Nachlas has been named manager of the group. The expanded group will blend the expertise of the Alliance staff with HRG’s existing staff.

HRG Welcomes Stephen Drauss to the Stroudsburg Water & Energy Service Group
(APRIL 2008) Stephen Draus, P.E. has joined HRG's Water & Energy Engineering Service Group as a project engineer for the Northeast Pennsylvania region.  In this role, he will be responsible for performing studies, design computations, and construction observation tasks while providing his technical expertise on various water, wastewater, and environmental projects. He will also participate in business development and client relation activities.

Draus earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from Wilkes-Barre University in May 1994 and brings 12 years of expertise in environmental engineering design and project management to the firm.  His skills include designing water and wastewater systems, stormwater management facilities, and hydraulic systems as well as performing sewage planning. He also has experience in roadway design, the land development process, and subdivision projects.

HRG Welcomes Daniel Kaldas to the Lancaster Civil Engineering Service Group
(MARCH 2008) HRG has hired Daniel Kaldas to join the Civil Engineering Service Group as a civil staff professional for the Lancaster region.  In this role, he will be responsible for research, planning, and design work related to municipal engineering, stormwater management plans, bid document preparation, contract administration and construction observation.

Kaldas earned his bachelor’s degree in architectural and civil engineering with a concentration in structural design from Drexel University and received his engineer-in-training certification in May 2003.  His five years of experience in civil engineering design includes designing stormwater management facilities, preparing erosion and sedimentation control and site grading plans, and completing various transportation projects.

HRG Promotes Andy Cardosi, P.E. to Manage the Pittsburgh Area Transportation Division
(MARCH 2008) HRG has promoted Andy Cardosi, P.E., to Regional Service Group Manager for the Western PA Region Transportation Division.  In this role, Mr. Cardosi will oversee all of HRG’s highway engineering projects located in and around the Pittsburgh area.  He will also be responsible for managing and providing leadership to a regional staff with his extensive knowledge and experience in project management and design.

Cardosi holds a BSCE from the Pennsylvania State University and is a registered professional engineer.  He began his career with HRG in 2001 as a staff professional and became a project manager in 2006.  Andy’s experience in highway design and construction administration includes roadway and bridge replacement projects for several state, county, and municipal government agencies as well as private commercial and residential developments.

“During Andy’s career at HRG, he has consistently shown the desire and ability to be a leader in the area of highway design.” says Pittsburgh Regional Manager James Lopresti, P.E. “We are proud to be able to demonstrate our confidence in him with this promotion.”

HRG Promotes William R. Swanick, P.E., to Land Development Regional Service Group Manager for the Harrisburg Region
(MARCH 2008) HRG has promoted William R. Swanick, P.E., to lead its Harrisburg Region Land Development Service Group.  In addition to managing the operations of the regional staff and land development projects for the Harrisburg region, Mr. Swanick will play an integral role in promoting local strategic planning and fiscal management initiatives and supporting marketing and business development efforts.

Mr. Swanick began his career with HRG in October 2004 with extensive experience in site development design, project management, municipal engineering, as well as construction administration and inspection services.  He graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in structural design and construction technology in 1998.  Bill’s design and project management services have been included for various types of commercial developments, such as several projects for Weis Markets, Inc., Toll Brothers, and Exel Inc., as well as industrial, residential, healthcare, and recreational projects.

“It is with great pride that we promote Bill to this position,” says Land Development Service Group Manager, Andrew Kenworthy, P.E.  “His dedication to HRG’s clients and staff proves he is an individual that will continue the strong leadership of our Land Development Service Group.” 

Lyncha to Manage Land Development Division within North Central Pennsylvania
(FEBRUARY 2008) HRG has promoted Steven J. Lyncha, P.E., to manage the operations of its Land Development Service Group within the North Central region of Pennsylvania. In addition to managing regional staff and projects, Lyncha will also play an integral role in promoting local strategic planning and fiscal management initiatives and supporting marketing and business development efforts.

Lyncha began his career with HRG in May 1998 after graduating from The Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and biological engineering and obtained his professional licensure in civil engineering in 2004. His experience in site design and project management includes commercial projects for Wal-Mart, Sheetz, and Weis Markets, Inc., as well as several local health care, industrial and recreational developments.

Along with his design expertise, Lyncha was a Reconnaissance Scout for 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard from 1999 to 2001. He was also a Combat Engineer for the U.S. Army Reserve from 1991 to 1998.

As a former resident of Clearfield County and a 1992 graduate of West Branch High School, he has a strong desire to serve for the betterment of the local community. He frequently participates in area fundraisers and charities and is an active volunteer for Centre County PAWS.

State College Survey Group Expands
HRG has expanded its land survey capabilities with the recent transfer of Ryan Hippenstiel, P.L.S. from the HRG Lewisburg Branch. Mr. Hippenstiel joins the State College office as a Survey Project Designer. He will be responsible for coordination and support of topographic and boundary survey preparation for a variety of municipal, environmental, transportation and land development projects throughout Central Pennsylvania. Mr. Hippenstiel’s experience, combined with GPS and GIS capabilities, will increase HRG’s ability to provide highly accurate, cost effective surveying solutions.

Hippenstiel came to HRG in 2007 with six years of experience as a Land Surveyor with the USDA Prescott National Forest in Prescott, Arizona. Mr. Hippenstiel provided input for the planning and programming of forest land surveying priorities, managed forest boundary line location programs and provided support for Land Title and Land Adjustment programs. He also served as the Forest GPS Coordinator in the offering on-going training and support for Prescott National Forest GPS users.

Kenworthy to Manage Land Development Group Firmwide
(JANUARY 2008) Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) has promoted Andrew Kenworthy, P.E., to manage its Land Development Group across all nine office locations. In this role, he will oversee the group’s 55 engineers, landscape architects, designers and technicians in completing all commercial, industrial, residential, and institutional development projects the firm undertakes throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Kenworthy formerly managed HRG’s land development projects within the Central Pennsylvania region and has 15 years of experience in the areas of site planning, layout and design, zoning and regulatory requirements, permitting, stormwater management, erosion control, roadway and utility design, and bidding and construction administration. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Villanova University and is a registered professional engineer.

“HRG’s Land Development Group is the largest division in our firm – in both the number of employees and the number of projects it has completed,” says company president Robert Grubic, P.E., “and Andrew has played a key role behind the scenes in the growth and development of this division within HRG. He has also played a hands-on role in managing and designing several of our biggest and most successful projects. We believe his knowledge of the land development industry and of our clients and their projects will be invaluable in ensuring the highest levels of client service as we move forward toward continued growth and success.”

Bonanno Promoted to Regional Manager of the Civil Engineering Group for HRG in Central PA
(JANUARY 2008) Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) has promoted Matt Bonanno, P.E., to be the regional manager of the Civil Service Group division in its Harrisburg office. In this role, he will oversee all municipal engineering and water resource engineering projects completed by the firm throughout Dauphin, Cumberland, Lebanon, and Perry Counties.

Bonanno joined the firm in 2003 as a staff professional and was promoted to project manager in 2006. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and is a registered professional engineer.

“Matt has taken on increasing responsibility at HRG with great skill and great enthusiasm,” says Albert Brulo, P.E., principal-in-charge of HRG’s Civil Service Group company-wide. “He is a very knowledgeable engineer and is very committed to our clients. We are very excited about his leadership capabilities and the potential for growth that he brings to our group.”

HRG Welcomes Nichole Mendinsky to Land Development Service Group
(DECEMBER 2007) HRG has hired Nichole Mendinsky as a landscape architect. In this role, she will be responsible for landscape architecture, land planning, and infrastructure design on a wide variety of public and private sector projects.

Mendinsky earned her bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from The Pennsylvania State University in 2007, where she studied regional and community planning, recreational design, and general civil engineering concepts such as grading and roadway alignment. She also minored in horticulture.

HRG Featured in Biomass Magazine
(DECEMBER 2007) Thanks, in part, to a presentation made at the Energy from Biomass & Waste Conference held this past September in Pittsburgh, Biomass Magazine is featuring an article in its December 2007 issue on upgrades being designed by HRG for the Milton Regional Sewer Authority's wastewater treatment plant. The planned upgrades will enable the authority to generate enough electrical energy from the biomass in its wastewater to power the treatment plant and is expected to provide excess energy, which will then be sold back to the utility grid. This approach will save the authority hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy and sludge disposal costs while producing renewable energy for the region and significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions (thus supporting regional economic growth while protecting the environment). Read the full article.

HRG Welcomes Mark Letterman to Construction Team
(DECEMBER 2007) HRG has hired Mark Letterman as a construction service representative. In this role, he will be responsible for construction observation and related services for public works and private sector construction projects.

Letterman holds a variety of certificates from PennDOT, including concrete field technician and ECMS Wave 5 construction. He also holds a certificate in surveying from the United States Army, where he served for four years. Letterman has 23 years of experience in construction inspection and administration.

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Welcomes Scott Bowman to Financial Services Group
(NOVEMBER 2007) HRG has hired Scott Bowman to be a project accountant in the firm’s Financial Service Group. He will assist clients with the preparation of financial assistance applications and reimbursements; the preparation of annual budgets; and the completion of trust indentures, annual retainer reports, and engineering certifications. He will also develop application review and construction monitoring reports to assist the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in its review of projects associated with the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program of grants promoting economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects.

Bowman graduated from Bloomsburg University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2004. Prior to joining HRG, Bowman was an audit specialist at the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget. His primary focus was on Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) project performance and construction project control audits.

HRG Hires Strittmatter as Senior GIS Specialist
(NOVEMBER 2007) Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) has hired Bradley Strittmatter as a Senior Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Specialist. Strittmatter will be responsible for assisting GIS Managers in the development of various mapping projects to private and public sectors throughout Pennsylvania and nationwide.

He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and also holds a certificate in Geographical Information Systems. Prior to joining HRG, his experience included webGIS application development, emergency 911 application development, and various mapping and addressing.

Hodder, Warner to Observe GIS Day With GIS Presentation to Students at Steelton Highspire High School
(NOVEMBER 2007) On November 14, individuals across the globe will be celebrating GIS Day, an international observance that recognizes the importance of GIS technology in our daily lives. To commemorate this occasion, Howard Hodder, GISP, the regional manager of GIS services in our Lancaster office, will be giving a presentation on GIS technology to students at Steelton Highspire High School. Matt Warner, a project manager in our Survey Group, will be joining him to discuss GPS surveying technologies.

With vast experience providing GIS services to public and private sector clients, HRG is proud to be a part of the celebration of this important day.

National Publication Names HRG Among 200 Fastest Growing Architecture, Engineering and Environmental Firms in the United States
(OCTOBER 2007) Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) has been named to the 2007 Hot Firms List published annually in The Zweig Letter by Zweig White Information Services, a leading management consulting and research firm serving the architecture, engineering and construction industries.

The Zweig Letter 2007 Hot Firm List is based solely on gross revenue for both fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2006, as verified by financial statements or income tax returns reviewed by third parties. The list is limited to firms based in the United States and Canada deriving the majority of their revenue from the practice of architecture, engineering, planning, environmental consulting, or allied disciplines. Design/build firms are also eligible. Only firms that were in business as of January 1, 2003, and had 2003 revenue of $1 million or greater, were eligible. Firms were selected based on percentage growth and dollar growth. Dollar growth and percentage growth were weighted equally to give both small and large firms an opportunity to make the list.

A complete list of the 200 fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms will be published in the November 26th issue of The Zweig Letter and is also available on their website at http://www.thezweigletter.com.

Robert Grubic, P.E., president of HRG, is proud of the firm’s recognition on this year’s Hot List. “HRG has enjoyed steady growth for many years, thanks to the loyalty of our clients and the dedication of our staff,” Grubic says. “Our managers have worked hard to establish a strategy and vision for sustained growth, and we are proud to see the success of that strategy place us alongside such distinguished industry peers.”

Cove Area Regional Digester Highlights Renewable Energy Production, Nutrient Reduction Solutions for Farm Communities
(AUGUST 2007) The Cove Area Regional Digester (CARD) and Herbert, Rowland, & Grubic Inc (HRG) conducted a Pilot Testing Open House to showcase the innovative technologies of the regional manure digestion and treatment facility at the Pleasant View Farm in Martinsburg, PA on Thursday, August 30, 2007.

This state-of-the-art facility produces renewable energy that can be directed as electricity to the surrounding communities, as well as viable beneficial products to use for bedding, greenhouse potting soils, and soil amendments. The CARD facility will be instrumental in capturing and removing more than 1,000,000 pounds of nitrogen that reaches the Chesapeake Bay Watershed annually. It will also provide a centralized solution to the complex problem of agricultural waste handling. With digestion capabilities for up to 0.180 MGD of raw manure, these treatment, stabilization, and reuse processes can provide dairy farms with the ability to continuously improve operations. The demonstration highlighted the process of thickening bio-solid materials through a centrifuge system and treating the material through an egg-shaped anaerobic digester and dewatering system.

Saxonburg Area Authority Hosts Ribbon Cutting for System Expansion
(AUGUST 2007) The Saxonburg Area Authority hosted a ribbon cutting on Friday, August 24, 2007 to celebrate the completion of its expanded wastewater treatment system. The expansion accomodates the addition of Penn and Middlesex Townships to its service area in Butler County and included the construction of:

• a new 2.052 million gallon per day Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) using oxidation ditch biological treatment and ultraviolet disinfection
• 5 submersible type pump stations
• 90 miles of sanitary sewer main

HRG served as engineer for the expansion, completing the planning and design as well as construction administration services.

HRG Names New Associates
(AUGUST 2007) HRG has announced that the following employees have been named associates of the firm:

• Mark Garlicki, P.E, regional manager of environmental services in State College;
• Robert Shenk, R.L.A., land development project manager in Lancaster;
• Angela Clough, administrator of information and technology services; and
• Keith Persing, director of information and technology services.

HRG's Associate Program recognizes employees who are vital to the continued success and growth of the company and who have excelled in promoting and implementing the fundamentals of HRG's mission statement and the goals and objectives of HRG's annual strategic business plan.

“The commitment of our staff is the biggest reason for HRG’s growth and success,” said HRG President Robert C. Grubic, P.E., “and we are grateful for an opportunity to reward this commitment with the distinction and benefits our associate program offers.”

Doug Weikel to Manage HRG’s Civil Service Group Company-wide
(AUGUST 2007) HRG has promoted Doug Weikel, P.E., to manage the operations of our Civil Service Group company-wide.  Weikel formerly served as the regional manager of the Civil Service Group in our State College office and was named an associate of the firm in 2002.

Weikel earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 1988 and is a registered professional engineer in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  His experience includes municipal planning, construction management, contract administration, storm water design, and site design.

“Doug is a diligent engineer, and his commitment to our clients is phenomenal,” says Albert Brulo, P.E., the principal in charge of the Civil Service Group. “His broad-ranging knowledge of civil engineering and his history with our firm make him an excellent choice to lead our civil engineering division toward continued growth.”

HRG Hires Hippenstiel as Survey Project Designer
(AUGUST 2007) HRG has hired Ryan Hippenstiel, P.L.S., as a project surveyor focusing on projects in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  He will be working closely with our Lewisburg, State College and Stroudsburg offices and will be responsible for preparing proposals and supervising field and office production on boundary and topographic surveys, subdivision plan reviews and computations, legal description compositions, and right-of-way and easement determinations.

A registered professional land surveyor, Hippenstiel earned his bachelor’s degree in surveying technology from The Pennsylvania State University and has eight years of experience in mapping, boundary surveying, land title surveys, deed research, residential lot layout, and roadway location and layout.

Koser to Manage Civil Division for Herbert, Rowland & Grubic in Southeastern PA
(AUGUST 2007) HRG has transferred Don Koser, P.E., to the position of regional service group manager of civil engineering in its Lancaster office.  Formerly regional service group manager in the firm’s Harrisburg office, Koser will now be responsible for overseeing all municipal, stormwater and water resource engineering projects HRG completes in Southeastern Pennsylvania. He will also be responsible for marketing the firm’s civil engineering services throughout the region.

Mr. Koser joined the firm in 2005 and has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.  He has 36 years of experience in civil and municipal engineering and is a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“Don has extensive experience in management and leadership, and he has worked in the southeastern PA region for most of his career,” says Scott Russell, P.E., the regional manager of HRG’s Lancaster office. “We know he will serve our clients well.”

HRG Celebrates 45th anniversary
(AUGUST 2007) HRG is proud to announce our 45th anniversary.  Since opening our doors in 1962, the firm has grown from a storefront office in Harrisburg with three employees and two clients to employ close to 300 men and women in nine offices throughout Pennsylvania.  Originally focused on sanitary engineering, HRG now offers a full range of engineering services in the areas of water resources, environmental studies and design, land development, water and wastewater systems, electrical systems design, surveying, Geographic Information Systems, transportation engineering, and financial consulting.

Over the past four decades, HRG has been recognized numerous times as one of the top 500 design firms in the United States by Engineering News Record, Top 50 Fastest Growing Firms in Central Pennsylvania by the Central Penn Business Journal, and Pittsburgh’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies by the Pittsburgh Business Times.  The firm has also been named ASCE Employer of the Year for the Central Pennsylvania Section and one of the Best Places to Work in PA.

“HRG has a great history of quality service and commitment to our clients, and we have experienced tremendous growth over the years” says company president Robert C. Grubic, P.E. “This growth is a direct result of our great client base and the commitment and professionalism of our employees, whose dedication to our clients is the foundation of our success.”

Chris May to Manage Transportation Division for Southeastern PA
(AUGUST 2007) HRG has promoted Christopher May, P.E., to the position of regional service group manager of transportation in our Lancaster office.  Formerly a project manager in our Harrisburg office, Chris will now be responsible for overseeing all roadway and traffic engineering projects HRG completes in Southeastern Pennsylvania as well as marketing the firm’s transportation services throughout the region.

Mr. May joined the firm in 2004 and has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.  He has experience in transportation planning, traffic studies and engineering, signalization, signing, roadway design and Highway Occupancy Permits. 

“Chris has provided excellent leadership on a number of projects for high profile clients such as PennDOT and the City of Harrisburg, and he knows the Lancaster region very well,” says Scott Russell, P.E., the regional manager of HRG’s Lancaster office. “We know he will serve our clients well.”

Keener Appointed Supervisor of Tobyhanna Township
(JUNE 2006) Jamie Keener, AICP, regional manager of HRG's Stroudsburg and Dunmore offices, has been appointed a township supervisor for Tobyhanna Township in Monroe County. Mr. Keener is filling a vacancy that occurred after former supervisor Jon Berry resigned in May.

HRG Wins Recognition from the American Society of Landscape Architects for St. Louis Street Enhancement in Lewisburg
(MAY 2007) The Pennsylvania – Delaware chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects honored the St. Louis Street Enhancement Project in Lewisburg Borough at their annual meeting in Lancaster, Pa., on Saturday, May 12, 2007. The project was designed by Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) for Lewisburg Borough and received the 2007 Special Recognition Award in the Design/Built Projects category.

The goal of the St. Louis Street Enhancement Project was to provide highly visible, safe, and easily accessible pedestrian crosswalks and sidewalks connecting the Kidsburg playground and the Hufnagle Park gazebo/performance area.  In order to ensure community access through all aspects of the project, HRG worked in conjunction with local officials, borough committees, and the local railroad company to coordinate the design details and a phased construction schedule.  With a client-focused approach, HRG applied innovative landscape architectural strategies and expertise to create a plan to complement the local neighborhood’s historic appeal while enhancing pedestrian and vehicular safety within the Borough of Lewisburg.

Borough Manager Chad Smith is pleased to see the project earn this recognition, saying, “Kidsburg and Hufnagle Park are important resources to the Lewisburg community, and we feel HRG did a great job improving the safety and beauty of this area. We’ve received a lot of positive comments about this project from our residents, and we hope this award will provide even greater awareness of the efforts Lewisburg Borough makes to provide a great quality of life for our community.”

Submissions to the American Society of Landscape Architects award competition were judged based on the quality of design, functionalism, context and surrounding relationships, technological advancements, pioneering efforts, and overall significance to the profession.  The American Society of Landscape Architects is an international professional association representing more than 16,000 landscape architects in the United States and 42 countries around the world.  It promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship. 

HRG Hosts Groundbreaking for East Waterford Sewer Authority's New Wastewater Collection System and Treatment Plant
(MAY 2007) HRG hosted a ground breaking ceremony for the East Waterford Sewer Authority on Friday, May 11, 2007 at the proposed construction site of a new wastewater collection and treatment system to serve the Village of East Waterford. 

Local officials from the East Waterford Sewer Authority, Tuscarora Township, and Lack Township expressed their gratitude to Senator Jake Corman, Representative Adam Harris, the Juniata County Commissioners, and SEDA-COG for their continued support and extensive efforts in making this project a reality. 

The $2.4 million construction project will include the construction of a 10,000 linear foot gravity collection system, an extended-aeration type modular package treatment plant, and service laterals for approximately 100 residences and businesses throughout Tuscarora and Lack Townships. 

Senator Corman, Representative Harris, and the Juniata County Commissioners commended the East Waterford Sewer Authority and Township Supervisors for their dedication to continuous community improvement in working to provide the residents and businesses of East Waterford with a reliable, efficient sewer collection system.
           
HRG’s Environmental Service Group Manager Brian L. Book, P.E., provided closing remarks to the attendees, expressing his gratitude to all those who provided assistance and support  in successfully providing the community of East Waterford with a sewer collection system that will benefit the area for years to come. 

Central Penn Business Journal Ranks HRG Among Top Environmental Firms
(MAY 2007) The Central Penn Business Journal ranked HRG among the top 20 environmental consulting firms in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York Counties. The list is compiled annually by this regional business newspaper based on the revenue of local consulting firms providing environmental services.

Grubic Featured in Smart Business Magazine
(APRIL 2007) HRG President Robert Grubic is featured in the April 2007 issue of Smart Business, a management journal aimed at senior decision makers that is published regionally in more than a dozen cities across the nation. Grubic discusses his approach to mentoring and retaining employees.

HRG Named to ENR Top 500
(APRIL 2007) HRG is pleased to announce that we have again been named to the Top 500 Design Firms list in Engineering News-Record Magazine (ENR).  This year we were ranked #392.

Engineering News-Record reports on the engineering, architecture, and construction industries and is published weekly by The McGraw-Hill Companies.  Firms are ranked according to revenue for design services performed in 2006.

Hildebrand Appointed Secretary/Treasurer of MISA
(APRIL 2007) Jack Hildebrand, of the Transportation Service Group in HRG's Harrisburg office, has been appointed secretary/treasurer of the Motorist Information and Services Association (MISA). This international organization brings transportation and travel professionals together to provide travel and safety information to the motoring public while promoting understanding, fostering cooperation, and providing consistency of national and international trends in motorist information services. MISA Chairperson Christine Hull says, "Jack has a long-standing reputation within MISA. When the position became available, his peers in the organization were quick to nominate him for the position."

HRG provides program management services related to tourism and wayfinding signage to numerous regional and state signing organizations, and we are proud of Jack's contribution to this association.

HRG Celebrates National Land Surveyors Week
(MARCH 2007) HRG is proud to celebrate National Land Surveyors Week March 18 - 24.  Our surveyors and technicians provide the foundation for quality service on our public and private sector designs by delineating boundaries, mapping the topography, and providing a base map on which to begin a project.  Their work provides the foundation for almost everything we do -- and the infrastructure we all use every day.  It also plays an important role in the development of Geographic Information Systems.  By staying at the forefront of technology, HRG's surveyors and technicians are able to offer the highest quality service in the most efficient ways.  Please join us in thanking our surveyors and surveyors across the nation for their contributions to society!

PA Business Central Honors HRG in Its Annual Top 100 Businesses List
(JANUARY 2007) PA Business Central has named HRG one of its Top 100 Businesses in 2006.  The newspaper is a bi-weekly business journal covering the central region of the state from Lycoming County traveling south and east to Somerset and Westmoreland Counties, and HRG was one of only four engineering firms on the list.  Continued staff growth and two awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies helped propel HRG to our ranking. View our listing and the rest of the Top 100 List at the PA Business Central website.

PA Boroughs Association Asks HRG to Conduct Stormwater Management Training For Members, Seminars Scheduled for February and March
(JANUARY 2007) The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs has received numerous requests from its members for training on how to prepare their annual MS4 stormwater management reports to the PA Department of Environmental Protection. (MS4 = Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) 

Even as the MS4 reporting program enters its fourth year, many municipalities with new staff find the process confusing, so HRG's Don Koser, P.E. and Matt Bonanno, P.E., will be conducting three training sessions in Dauphin County (Grantville, February 15), Allegheny County (Monroeville, February 22), and Lehigh County (Allentown, March 1) to explain the program and reporting requirements. 

Topics will include:

• a description of the MS4 program,
• who is required to comply,
• the difference between NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Phase I and Phase II,
• descriptions of each of the MS4 program's Minimum Control Measures and their requirements,
• tips and instructions on completing and submitting the annual report,
• and explanations of related regulations and permitting requirements like Act 167, Chapter 102, Chapter 93, and the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy.

Visit the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs website to register for this course entitled The Evolution of Stormwater Management.

HRG in the News in Venango County
(JANUARY 2007) HRG is currently completing an Act 167 stormwater management plan for Venango County, which was recently featured in the local newspaper The Derrick. Read the story at The Derrick's website.

HRG Moves Up 2 Spots in Central Penn Business Journal's List of Engineering Firms
(JANUARY 2007) HRG is ranked #5 this year on the Central Penn Business Journal's list of top engineering firms in Central Pennsylvania, moving us up two spots from our ranking the previous year.  The list ranks engineering firms in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties based on their total revenue and revenue earned in the local region.  The Central Penn Business Journal is the most widely read local business publication in the Harrisburg region.

HRG Promotes Fralick to Manage State College Office
(JANUARY 2007) HRG has promoted Jason A. Fralick, P.E., to be the regional manager of its State College office.  In this role, he will be responsible for managing all operations of the firm in the Central Region of Pennsylvania.  He formerly served as the manager of land development services in the State College office and is a shareholder of the firm.

Fralick joined HRG in 1991 and worked in its Harrisburg and Cranberry Township locations prior to joining the staff in State College, where he has worked for over a decade.  During that time, he has amassed extensive experience in site design and land development, public water and wastewater facilities planning and design, and municipal  roadway and drainage engineering throughout the Centre Region and surrounding counties of Pennsylvania. 

A 1993 graduate of Bucknell University, Fralick is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Pennsylvania and an active member of the regional community.  He is presently a member of the 2007 graduating class of Leadership Centre County.

Former regional manager Brian L. Book, P.E., who has been promoted to the role of managing HRG’s environmental operations company-wide, is pleased to hand the reins to Fralick saying, “Jason joined the State College office in its early years and has been an integral part of its growth over the past decade.   Though I am, of course, sad to leave my role as regional manager behind, I am honored to be assuming my new duties, and I am glad to be passing the torch to a trusted friend like Jason, who has been such a dedicated member of the HRG family for 15 years.”    

Company president Robert C. Grubic, P.E., is also pleased to offer Fralick this new responsibility. He says, “From his earliest days working here at HRG, Jason has exhibited a tremendous work ethic and in-depth understanding of the technical and management aspects of the business.  He is also a committed member of the State College community, supporting many local organizations.  Community involvement like this is one of HRG’s strongest values, so Jason really is the perfect embodiment of what we strive to do as a firm.  There is no one better for this position.” 

Orndorff to Manage Survey Operations for HRG’s Harrisburg Office
(JANUARY 2007) HRG has promoted Eric Orndorff, P.L.S., to be the regional manager of the Surveying Service Group in its Harrisburg office.

Formerly the manager of the GPS Surveying Specialty Division, Orndorff began working for the firm in 2000 and has 12 years of experience performing, managing, and marketing surveying services.  He earned his master’s degree in surveying and mapping from the University of Florida, his bachelor’s degree in geography from The Pennsylvania State University, and is a registered professional surveyor in the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland.

During his tenure with the firm, Orndorff has played a significant role in expanding the work of the Surveying Service Group into new regions and new market sectors.  He has also published several articles and papers in industry magazines and journals on topics such as the use of cellular technology for GPS surveys, surveying for GIS development, and the accuracy of RTK-GPS surveys. In addition, he is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Professional Surveyor magazine.

HRG Welcomes Burns to Environmental Service Group
(JANUARY 2007) HRG has hired Benjamin Burns as a staff professional in its Environmental Service Group.  He will be responsible for providing water and wastewater engineering services to public and private sector clients throughout the Central Region of Pennsylvania.

Burns earned his master’s degree in environmental pollution control from The Pennsylvania State University and his bachelor’s degree in biology from Gettysburg College.  He was honored by the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association with a 2006 Research Award for studying a process control method which can be used to demonstrate the mixing quality of lime stabilized wastewater sludges.  It has been found that more thorough mixing corresponds to increased levels of pathogen reduction and reduced odors, which is of great cncern when land applying the sludge biosolid.  

HRG Assists DEP With Training for New Stormwater BMP Manual
(DECEMBER 2006) HRG Vice President Al Brulo, P.E., is conducting training on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's new Stormwater Management Best Management Practices Manual. This manual will become the benchmark for NPDES Stormwater Permit reviews by DEP and Conservation Districts. It will also be implemented by municipalities through DEP's companion model stormwater ordinance. A member of the committee that developed this manual, Brulo has already conducted training for the Northeast Region in November and will do additional training for DEP regions throughout the state through March 2007.

Hodder to Observe GIS Day With GIS Presentation to Students at Steelton Highspire High School
(NOVEMBER 2006) On November 15, individuals across the globe will be celebrating GIS Day, an international observance that recognizes the importance of GIS technology in our daily lives. To commemorate this occasion, Howard Hodder, GISP, the regional manager of GIS services in our Lancaster office, will be giving a presentation on GIS technology to students at Steelton Highspire High School.

With vast experience providing GIS services to public and private sector clients, HRG is proud to be a part of the celebration of this important day.

Bob Shenk, Pennterra Featured at Adams County Seminar on Traditional Neighborhood Developments
(OCTOBER 2006) Bob Shenk, R.L.A., a landscape architect and senior project manager in HRG’s Lancaster office, was a featured speaker at the Traditional Neighborhood Development Workshop held at the Adams County Emergency Center on October 18, 2006.  Shenk spoke about the Pennterra community, a 504-acre development that HRG is engineering in Cumberland County which includes 1,007 homes, a town center, shopping and office space, and extensive open pasturelands and open space.

The event was held to educate local governments, developers, realtors, planners, architects, and engineers about the benefits of Traditional Neighborhood Developments (or TNDs).  Conceived as an alternative to suburban sprawl, TNDs include a wide range of housing types and varied land uses (including office space and shopping, parks and open space) within easy walking distance of each other.

The October 18th event was sponsored by the South Central Assembly for Effective Governance, the Center for Land Use at Shippensburg University, the Gettysburg-Adams County Chamber of Commerce, the Adams County Office of Planning, and the Realtors Association of York and Adams Counties.

Bartonsville Office Wins Bizzy Award From Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce
(SEPTEMBER 2006) HRG was honored by the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday September 26, 2006, with a Bizzy Award for Curbside Appeal at our Bartonsville office. We share the honor with building owners Dr. Joseph Sailus, orthodontist, partner; Mark Robbins of Martin & Robbins Professional Land Surveyors, partner; and Rick Sutliff of Richard Henry Construction, Inc., partner, all of whom are members of the chamber.

The Bizzy Awards are presented to Pocono area businesses who are leaders in the region in a wide variety of measures including marketing, customer relationship management, and contribution to the community.

Jamie Keener (Regional Manager) was pleased with the recognition and said, “HRG is a proud member of the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce and is impressed by the work the chamber does to support the business community in northeastern Pennsylvania. As engineers, we feel it’s important to consider aesthetics and environmental impact in our designs, and this building reflects that commitment well.”

Jamie is especially pleased with the honor because he is vice-chair of the 2006 Monroe County United Way Campaign, which receives all proceeds from the awards gala.

HRG Sponsors American Public Works Association Conference, Brulo Making Presentation about Stormwater BMPs
(SEPTEMBER 2006) HRG is a gold-level sponsor of the American Public Works Association conference in Gettysburg being held September 26 through September 28.  Civil Service Group Manager and Vice President Albert Brulo, P.E., will also be making a presentation on stormwater management Best Management Practices at the conference on September 27 and will participate in the engineers’ roundtable on September 28.  We look forward to seeing you at our booth!

HRG Named to Pittsburgh Business Times' Pittsburgh 100 List for 5th Year
(SEPTEMBER 2006) HRG is a member of the “2006 Pittsburgh 100,” a prestigious ranking of Pittsburgh’s fastest-growing, privately held companies that is published each summer by the Pittsburgh Business Times.  This marks the fifth time HRG has been included on the list, tying us with three other firms for the most list appearances of any currently ranked firm.

The Pittsburgh Business Times compiles the “Pittsburgh 100” list each year, recognizing firms growing at a rate of 10% or more a year for the last three years.    To qualify, a firm must be privately held, have 2003 sales of at least $500,000, have 2005 sales that are higher than those recorded in 2004, and be a for-profit enterprise.

President Robert Grubic, P.E., is proud of the Pittsburgh office’s success saying, “The key to our company’s growth is the dedication of our employees to quality and responsiveness, and the men and women working in our Pittsburgh office provide remarkable service to our clients.  This award – and the growth it represents – is a wonderful recognition of the effort they give.”

Regional Manager Jim Lopresti, P.E, echoed this sentiment stating, “Our growth is a direct result of the loyalty our clients have shown us, and their desire to do business with our firm comes from the commitment our employees show to building long-term relationships with them and delivering personalized, long-lasting solutions to their needs.”

Fralick Joins Leadership Centre County Class
(SEPTEMBER 2006) Jason Fralick, regional manager of land development services in HRG's State College office, has been selected to participate in Leadership Centre County, a non-profit organization that brings talented and committed community members together with today's community leaders in order to learn more about the history, needs, and challenges facing the Centre County region.  Through this opportunity, Leadership Centre County helps to develop tomorrow's community leaders by showing them how their talents can be used to benefit the region and connecting them to others who can make a difference.

Individuals who participate in Leadership Centre County must be nominated by program alumni or existing community leaders, so Mr. Fralick's selection into this group is a great honor and an indication of the positive contributions he has already made to the region.

HRG is committed to improving the way of life in all the communities we serve, so we congratulate Mr. Fralick and wish the entire Leadership Centre County class of 2007 the best of luck in meeting the challenges and opportunities facing Centre County in the coming years.  As part of our commitment to community and responsible corporate citizenship, HRG routinely supports initiatives like this through financial contributions, donations of goods and services, and donations of our time.  For more information on our support of community groups like this, please visit our Responsible Corporate Citizenship page.

Butler Eagle Features Saxonburg Treatment Plant Expansion
(JULY 2006) The Saxonburg Area Treatment System Expansion, for which HRG is the project engineer, is scheduled for completion in nine months and is currently on schedule and $600,000 under budget. It was featured in the July 26, 2006, edition of the Butler Eagle, and the full text of the article is available here on HRG's website.