NEWSLTR
APRIL + MAY + JUNE 2021
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
DDG is proud to promote these leaders who all played a key role in the firm’s growth and extension of services. They have continuously displayed their ability to overcome obstacles and prosper through adversity with an unwavering commitment to DDG and their clients. Their unparalleled dedication and unmatched performance truly reveals they are a force for growth!
2021 EMPLOYEE PROMOTIONS
BENJAMIN CHIASSON, PE Principal
SAM THOMAS, PE Principal
JOSEPH GUILLORY, PE Principal
COREY CALLEGAN, AIA Associate
CHAD DANOS, FASLA, PLA Associate
CORY MACMENAMIN Associate
SCOTT TABARY, PE Associate
JOSEPH MARINO, PE Associate
EVAN GEERTS, PE Business Unit Leader In Training DDG Employee Newsletter
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS ALDI PROGRAM
Civil Engineering + Surveying + Program Management
Ground Up Projects: 14 Remodel Projects: 4 States: LA, MS, AL & FL
Since 2018, DDG has worked with ALDI as they expand into Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast Region. To date, DDG has provided full design services for 14 sites ground up and 4 remodels. Additionally, our team is currently working on 12 conceptual site plans on additional sites across the gulf coast.
SOUTH ALABAMA LOGISTICS PARK (SALP)
Civil Engineering + Surveying + Water Resources
Game-changing economic development happening in Mobile, AL! DDG is proud to assist the Burton Property Group to develop the master plan for the 1,400 acre SALP. Located near the port, Phase I will include the development of approximately 500 acres and 6.7 million square feet of warehouse space and once completed will be the largest logistics park in the Southeast. DDG is assisting BPG with master plan grading for the first phase as well as preparing construction documents for nearly two miles of public roadway, SALP Blvd, along with stormwater infrastructure, waterlines and sewerlines. DDG has also provided survey support for phase 1 utilizing drone and traditional surveying. DDG’s water resource team has modeled nearly 9600 acres to mimic the FEMA Flood Model for Fowl River.
LA HIGHWAY 22- LWI PROJECTS Civil Engineering + Water Resources
Water Resources Lead, LeeAnn Fitch, was part of the team assessing the Louisiana Highway 22 Bridge Construction and Drainage Improvements project. LA Hwy. 22 functions as a barrier impeding natural hydrology in the Amite River floodplain. The project includes the construction of two bridge structures and the excavation of two drainage basins for the purpose of improving local hydrology, reducing area flood risk and restoring the McElroy Swamp.
LeeAnn utilized the 1D/2D Amite River Basin Numerical Model to quantify the benefits of the LA Hwy 22 project. Model simulations include existing conditions with the proposed Laural Ridge Levee Extension without the LA22 Project (left) and with the LA22 project (right) during a 50-year design storm.
DDG Employee Newsletter
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS CPRA’S SPANISH PASS
Surveying
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS: • Hydrographic Survey • Magnetometer Surveys • Geophysical Survey The Spanish Pass project is located near Venice in Plaquemines Parish. The primary goal is the creation and nourishment of approximately 132 acres of historic ridge and nearly 1,700 acres of marsh. The estimated cost is approximately $100.3 million. As a subconsultant to Weeks Marine, DDG’s surveying team is providing surveying services for the national dredging company. This is a milestone project for our newest surveying service - marine surveying.
BELANGER STREET PARK
Landscape Architecture + Civil Engineering + Surveying
Located in downtown Houma, along Belanger Street, this project will transform the public street into a pedestrian-oriented community space open to merchants, festivals, and downtown events. Commemorating 100 years of community service in Houma, The Rotary Club of Houma is contributing to the project as a centennial celebration and gift to the community.
SURVEY TEAM - DOWN TO EARTH
DDG’s survey crew will be featured on a reality mini series produced by Microdrones. Check out the trailer.
DDG Employee Newsletter
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS MONCUS PARK - VETERANS MEMORIAL GROUND BREAKING The Veterans Memorial at Moncus Park will be a lasting symbol of the courage, patriotism, sacrifice, and honor of all who have served. The memorial plaza will feature a central flag court which recognizes all branches of the United States Military. This memorial plaza is one of many new features DDG is providing professional design services for in Phase 2. DDG’s Amelia Rusbar, PLA designed a beautiful watercolor sketch of the memorial for the park use for the groundbreaking ceremony, as well as other features to be built in the park.
HIGHWAY 3127 RIBBON CUTTING
Civil Engineering
DDG prepared plans, facilitated permitting, and provided project management services for the widening of 2.5 miles of roadway and the addition of turn lanes and median cuts for a portion of LA Highway 3127 in St. James Parish near the site of the future industrial complex being constructed by FG LA.
AMAZON DISTRIBUTION FACILITY
Civil Engineering + Surveying
DDG is excited to provide civil engineering and surveying services for the new 150,000 SF, 31 acre Amazon distribution facility located in the Fremaux Town Center Development in Slidell, LA.
DEMOLITION OF BAYOU LAFOURCHE WEIR Engineering + Surveying
DDG Employee Newsletter
WELCOME TO TEAM DDG
STEPHEN MCELROY, PE Civil Engineering Project Manager / Lafayette
DDG is excited to welcome Stephen to our Lafayette Civil Team! Stephen is originally from Lafayette and he and his wife, Ashley, are happy to be back in South Louisiana. He attended LSU and earned a degree in Communication Studies before changing career paths. He then attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. Stephen brings experience in land development and has previously worked on single-family, multi-family, commercial, and light industrial projects in Louisiana and Texas. In his spare time, Stephen enjoys traveling, grilling, and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking.
ARIF RABBANI, MSCE, EIT
Water Resources Assistant Project Manager / Baton Rouge
DDG is excited to welcome Arif to our Water Resources Team! Arif is originally from Bangladesh. He earned his undergraduate degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in civil engineering. After that he worked almost three years at the Institute of Water Modeling (IWM) as a water resources expert. At IWM, he worked on projects funded by national agencies focused on local hydrological and morphological issues in coastal areas of Bangladesh. He moved to the United States to pursue his master’s in civil engineering from Washington State University. He has a strong academic, research & consultancy background in civil and water resource engineering with hands-on experience in several modeling techniques (1D/2D hydrodynamic, morphological, and hydrologic) and GIS analysis. Most recently, he has worked on several projects funded by Harris County, Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), City of Houston, City of Pearland & Department of Energy (DOE). Arif has happily moved to Baton Rouge with his family. In his leisure time, Arif likes to travel, listen to music, and spend time with his daughter.
KAREN MATLOCK, PE
Structural Engineering Senior Design Professional / Covington
DDG is excited to welcome Karen to our team. She attended the University of New Orleans where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and brings over 10 years of industrial civil/structural engineering design experience. Karen is married with two children and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and crafting.
CORY BULLARD
Surveying Party Chief - Hydro Tech / Covington
DDG is excited to welcome Cory Bullard to our Covington Survey Team. In 2006, Cory earned his Associates Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology and with over 15 years of experience in hydrographic surveying from sidescan sonar, Multibeam, sub- bottom, to scanning sonar surveys, he has done it all. In his past experience, Cory has worked on projects for multiple industrial companies such as, Exxon Mobil, Shell, and Chevron.
KAT HIGHTOWER Landscape Architecture Assistant Project Manager / Baton Rouge
DDG is excited to welcome Katherine “Kat” Hightower to our Landscape Architecture Team. Kat attended LSU and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She practiced veterinary medicine for nearly 10 years before changing career paths to Landscape Architecture. She returned to LSU to study Landscape Architecture and plans to graduate with her Bachelors in August 2021. Kat is originally from New Mexico and is a US Army Veteran.
DDG Employee Newsletter
DDG EXTRA D E N N I S G OW I N , P L S
Congratulations to Dennis for being selected to serve as the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors Board of Directors - District 9 Chairman.
L E E A N N F I TC H , M S , P E , C F M
Congratulations to LeeAnn for passing her Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) exam!
S H AW N M AC M E N A M I N , P L S
Congratulations to Shawn for being selected to serve as the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors Board of Directors Treasurer and District 3 Chairman.
K Y L E D O M A N G U E , A I A , N CA R B
Congratulations to Kyle for being named a New Orleans CityBusiness Excellence in Construction & Real Estate award honoree.
BITS & BYTES
IT Team traveled to Houston to do a cleanup of the server room. We replaced the battery backup, removed equipment and wiring that were not in use, distributed power through 2 battery backups for less downtime, placed more reliable furniture for the server to sit on.
ON THE MOVE
DDG’s Baton Rouge office has moved just down the road, from 8352 Bluebonnet Boulevard to 9015 Bluebonnet Boulevard.
DDG Employee Newsletter
KUDOS
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DDG’s LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, CIVIL, AND SURVEY TEAM From Moncus Park
DDG has been instrumental in the design of our first set of structures at Moncus Park. Having a multi-disciplinary team all working together as one firm has enabled better communication and faster turnaround for our project. We've appreciated their ability to adapt to our evolving vision and in helping us move toward achieving our goal of building a world class park.
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DDG’s SURVEY TEAM From Beau Box
Much appreciated, great work!
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DDG’s CIVIL TEAM From Harrison French & Associates
That is fantastic! I’m excited to work with you again. I really appreciated how responsive you always were on the Walmart projects. You are by far my favorite CEC (Civil Engineering Consultant) to work with the last couple years.
REEL DEAL UPDATE
DDG is hosting a fishing tournament for all DDG employees and immediate family including spouses, significant others, children, and grandchildren. February 1 - November 31 DDG is hosting a fishing tournament for all DDG employees and immediate family including spouses, significant others, children, and grandchildren. Beginning February 1, 2021 through November 31, 2021.
CATEGORIES
CATEGORIES • Redfish >27”
• Redfish >27” • Redfish < 27” • Speckled Trout • Largemouth Bass • Other Fish • Best Picture • Grand Slam / Best Stringer
• Redfish < 27” • Speckled Trout • Largemouth Bass • Other Fish • Best Picture • Grand Slam / Best Stringer Other
Will include fish outside of the three fish listed. The weight of the fish will be compared to the LA state record. The highest percentage of the state record for any fish wins. There is one winner for this division.
Best Picture
Can be a picture of anything associated with an outdoor event but fishing trips are preferred; be creative! Pictures must be taken during time frame of this tournament. Each month, the tournament committee will choose one picture from all pictures previously submitted. These 10 pictures will be submitted to all DDG employees to choose the overall winner.
Grand Slam / Best Stringer
Each individual’s best fish in each category will be used to compile Grand Slam score. The best fish by weight in each category will be ranked from 1-10. To keep it fun for all, only the largest fish for each individual will be included in each category. The top 10 in each category will be scored with the largest fish receiving 10 points down to the 10th place fish receiving 1 point. The highest composite between all categories wins the Grand Slam award. Any fish setting a state record will be awarded an additional 10 points.
RULES
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE POSTER FOR MORE INFORMATION & RULES
1. Fish must be caught by legal method. Fishing poles, set lines, jugs, bow fishing, noodling, etc. 2. No restrictions on fishing area or access. Private ponds, personal boats, guide boats, surf fishing, etc. 3. Entry Requirements: Submit picture(s), name of person who caught the fish, species of fish, and date fish was caught. Picture must include the scale showing the weight of the fish. For “Other Category” all fish regardless of location caught, will be compared the Louisiana State Fish Records maintained by the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association.
QUESTIONS & ENTRIES TO: REELDEAL@DDGPC.COM
DDG OUT & ABOUT Z URICH C LAS S IC Picture 1: Chad Danos and Joseph Marino hosted clients at Zurich Classic Golf Tournament. Picture 2: Chris Russo & Caleb Bourgeois volunteering at Zurich Classic Golf Tournament through ACEC
ACE C E ME RG IN G LE AD E RS Elizabeth Songy, EI and Evan Geerts, PE at the 2021 ACEC of Louisiana Emerging Leaders Class!
LEADERSHIP LAFOURCHE Kainen LeBlanc and Jessica Thornton at 2020 - 2021 Leadership Lafourche graduation.
FIS H ING TRIP Kyle Domangue, Stephen Viguerie, and Michael Thomassie fishing with Arkel Constructors.
E . D . W H I T E CA R E E R DAY Kyle Hymel at E.D. White Catholic High School’s career day.
LES GOLF TOURNAMENT Baton Rouge crew; Brandon Acosta, Seth Ward, and Alec Shortess at LES Golf Tournament.
DDG Employee Newsletter
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Congratulations, Justin and Abby Blanchard!
Ben Chiasson’s son, Nathan and his fishing partner finished 2nd in the state fishing tournament. They will go to Tennessee in October to fish the national tournament.
Lesley Eiermann’s daughter, Madeline, earned a Finalist Ribbon for the Humble ISD Houston Rodeo Art Show!
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Alyda Mire’s son, Jax during summer art lessons at Purple Penguin which included working on the new mural in downtown Thibodaux.
Benton, Michelle, and big sister Caroline welcome baby Catherine!
DDG sponsored Babe Ruth Baseball Team.
DDG Employee Newsletter
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