· ·
Aerial view of the University Medical Center of Princeton.
Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA Turtle Back Zoo & The South Mountain Recreation Complex in Essex County · Mountain Lakes Dam in Princeton · University Medical Center Of Princeton At Plainsboro · South Orange Avenue Improvement in Essex County · Monmouth County Bridge S-17 Over The Swimming River · McGraw Hill Solar Project in East Windsor · Middlesex County Landfill Phase II Expansion Cells 7, 8, &9 · Multi-Family Housing At Nolan’s Ridge In Mount Arlington, NJ The success of the firm and its culture, steeped in professionalism, technical excellence, and top-notch service, can be attributed to the talents of “the Founders”: Laurence E. French, PE; Argo T. Parrello, PE; James B. Heller, PE; and Joseph M. Edwards, PE.
communication networks for some of the industry’s major carriers. Today, the telecommunications market remains a strong suit. Coinciding with an October 1990 move to a new location in Holmdel, New Jersey, the firm formally committed to being recognized as a multi-discipline firm. Through the asset purchase of Blackburn Engineering Associates, a structural engineering firm, FPA officially entered the building design field. Combined with their mechanical, electrical, plumbing, site, geotechnical, and environmental capabilities along with survey, landscape architecture, and related construction phase services, they could now offer a client full engineering services from concept, through permitting, design, and construction. In 1994, they opened a branch office in Hackettstown, New Jersey, and also began to offer highway and bridge engineering services. Mountain Lakes Dam project in Princeton.
Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA.
From the early 90’s to current day, the firm has set its focus on applying their multi-discipline skills to such diverse assignments as schools, hospitals, dams, landfills, parks, highways, bridges, power plants, solar installations, commercial facilities, and residential and apartment projects. In 2002 they opened a branch office in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to position themselves for the redevelopment of the Bethlehem Steel Plant. Then in October 2005, they came full circle when they returned to their geographical roots by relocating their main office to their present location in Wall, New Jersey. During its long history, the company has been recognized with many awards for its efforts. A sample of such noteworthy projects follows: Utility and Transportation Contractor, OCTOBER 2014
The recently retired Laurence French holds the title of Chairman Emeritus for the company. With both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Newark College of Engineering, Mr. French has 45 years of experience in soil mechanics and foundation engineering and was the first geotechnical engineer from the Unites States to travel to China and provide geotechnical consultation and foundation design for a facility in the port city of Tientsin. He also served as a professor at Newark College of Engineering during a five year stint from 1966-1971. Since his retirement he has continued to assist the firm in business development. Argo Parrello serves as President and Chairman of the Board for the group. Parrello achieved an undergraduate degree from Newark College of Engineering which was followed by a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. He served in the United States Naval Civil Engineering Corps as Assistant Resident Officer in charge of projects in Thailand and the United States. These projects included work on airfield improvements, bridge construction and power plant facilities. Today, the company proudly holds the designation as a Veteran Owned Business. During his career, Argo has been involved with projects at liquid natural gas facilities, waterfront structures, landfills and water and sewer treatment plants. Parrello also led the firm’s entry into the wireless communications market. In fact, the company was one of the first to delve into this market sector in New Jersey. James Heller, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President, holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Newark College 49