Consider the hidden costs of PFAS treatment
Brown and Caldwell promotes senior vice president Damikolas to chief operating officer
IRVINE, Calif. — Leading environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell today announced the promotion of Marc Damikolas from director of operations to chief operating officer effective immediately.
With over 20 years of experience, Damikolas’ background encompasses the capture, planning, design, and construction of municipal and private sector water and wastewater infrastructure projects. He has served as principal-in-charge on numerous high-profile projects and programs in California and throughout the U.S., including major sewer rehabilitations, ocean outfall system overhauls, advanced wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and new drinking water systems.
As COO, Damikolas will oversee ongoing operations and procedures while implementing business strategies and plans to drive the 1,700 employee-owned firm’s sustainable growth.
A 20-year veteran of Brown and Caldwell, Damikolas’ leadership, knowledge, and strong business acumen has played an integral role in the firm being recognized as the company of choice for the environmental engineering sector as stated by CEO Rich D’Amato:
“Marc has consistently demonstrated his dedication to fulfilling clients’ needs and ensuring the quality delivery of vital infrastructure projects. His new role will strengthen our connection to municipalities, private industry, and government agencies as we help communities address complex water and environmental challenges.”
Brown and Caldwell CEO Rich D’Amato
Based in Irvine, California, Damikolas holds a master’s degree in business administration, a bachelor’s in civil engineering, and is a licensed professional engineer.
PFAS thermal destruction at water resource recovery facilities: A state of the science review
Brown and Caldwell strengthens New York market position with key hire
NEW YORK — Leading environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell today announced Sachin Gajwani has joined the company as vice president and client service director. The hire builds on the firm’s strategy to grow its share of New York’s municipal and private water market.
With a water and wastewater engineering background spanning 24 years, Gajwani has positioned for, captured, and successfully delivered numerous high-profile, multi-million-dollar projects and programs in New York and throughout the U.S. Notable projects have included major wastewater treatment plant upgrades, construction of large-scale water conveyance systems, and resiliency preparedness and planning improvements at water and wastewater facilities.
As client service director, Gajwani will pursue and lead the quality delivery of utility projects for the water, wastewater, and stormwater sector that positively impact clients’ long-term goals. He will be responsible for driving new client growth across New York and the Northeast and expanding Brown and Caldwell’s presence to meet market and customer needs.
“I am thrilled to welcome Sachin’s vast expertise and knowledge of the local water market to our growing New York business. His client-centric approach supplements our rich legacy of bringing innovative, cost-effective solutions to New York’s most complex environmental challenges related to aging infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and climate change resiliency.”
Brown and Caldwell Northeast Leader Lauren Fahnestock
Gajwani holds a master’s and bachelor’s of civil engineering from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and is a licensed professional engineer.
Peracetic acid for wastewater disinfection
California county to benefit from temperature-phased anaerobic digestion facility
Lewiston, Idaho, reaches significant milestone in water treatment plant reliability
LEWISTON, Idaho — The City of Lewiston has reached a significant milestone on its path to maintaining and enhancing water services in order to keep up with growth in the area. Following a robust procurement strategy developed by owner advisor Brown and Caldwell with support from J-U-B Engineers, the City recently selected IMCO General Construction as the design-builder to move the project through design and construction.
“Upgrading our water treatment infrastructure is key to providing uninterrupted, essential water service to our customers, extending the design service life of existing facilities, and planning for future growth. To achieve this, Brown and Caldwell defined a procurement strategy that allowed us to collaborate with design-build respondents in a meaningful way, ahead of selection.”
City of Lewiston Engineering Project Supervisor, Alannah Bailey, P.E.
This $27.5 million project is an important investment for the community. It was made possible by a majority decision of voters in the May 2019 City of Lewiston Revenue Bond Election, allowing the city to borrow funds (invest) in order to make needed improvements to the water treatment system. In 2019, the Lewiston City Council also approved the Water System Facility Plan, which recommended upgrading or replacing the 1924-built Lewiston Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and subsequently decided to use a progressive design-build delivery approach for the project to get early interaction between design engineers and contractors. Retrofitting of the aging WTP is required to reliably and safely meet community drinking water needs for the next 20-40 years.
The procurement approach began with comprehensive market sounding to confirm procurement approach viability with interested proposers and industry leaders. Following the shortlisting of qualified teams, the City used an innovative proposal workshop concept to advance technical concepts. Each shortlisted team participated in workshops targeted at developing their preferred and backup project concepts through feedback from the City. This ensured the City understood the proposed concepts and allowed them to experience each team’s approach to collaboration.
“We were able to get a true sense of each team’s capabilities and concepts through this unique procurement approach,” Bailey said. “More than anything, it has set the project on an early, positive path and given the City the confidence to move forward with an innovative technical concept proposed by IMCO.”
Anticipated for completion by the spring of 2023, the existing WTP will be largely demolished and a new membrane treatment plant will be constructed with the flexibility to deliver up to 10 million gallons per day.
“Our team congratulates the City of Lewiston on successfully entering the next phase of this important water treatment project to maintain and enhance essential water service to its customers for future generations,” said Brown and Caldwell’s Owner Advisor Gus Hrncir.
PFAS contamination and treatment with Dr. Erin Mackey
Brown and Caldwell hires new Pittsburgh leader
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Leading environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell is pleased to welcome Heather Dodson as its new Pittsburgh leader. The strategic hire highlights the firm’s continued expansion to better serve clients in the Northeast’s municipal and private water, wastewater, and stormwater sector.
With 17 years of extensive experience in water, wastewater, and stormwater management design and permitting, land development, and municipal engineering, Dodson brings a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Northeast’s most complex water and environmental challenges.
As Pittsburgh leader, Dodson is responsible for operations management, providing exceptional client service, and expanding Brown and Caldwell’s regional presence and talent pool to meet market and customer needs. She will provide marketing and technical leadership during the procurement and quality delivery of impactful water, wastewater, and stormwater projects the firm is renowned for in the environmental market.
“I am very pleased to welcome a leader of Heather’s caliber to our growing Northeast business. Her skills and experience will be a great asset to our clients as the region continues to address aging infrastructure challenges, regulatory changes, and environmental stewardship.”
Brown and Caldwell Northeast Leader Lauren Fahnestock
A licensed professional engineer and LEED accredited professional, Dodson holds a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Georgia treatment facility will use membranes to boost performance
Brown and Caldwell welcomes new head of diversity and inclusion
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Leading environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell today announces Andrea Hall has joined the company as senior director of diversity and inclusion.
Hall brings a 17-year track record of creating and leading company-wide diversity and inclusion strategy and strengthening equitable processes for global organizations. Her experience includes improving diverse talent hiring, launching employee empowerment platforms, enhancing career progression policies, developing solutions to interrupt process and procedural bias, and driving diversity and inclusion education and awareness.
As senior director of diversity and inclusion, Hall will be responsible for identifying and implementing programs to maintain and promote Brown and Caldwell’s culture of belonging, diversity, and inclusion. Additionally, she will enhance current diversity and inclusion initiatives as the foundation of its recruitment, retention, and professional advancement practices.
“This new position builds on our commitment to providing a balanced workplace of perspectives, backgrounds, and talent where ideas thrive and each of our 1,700 employee-owners is valued and respected. I am thrilled to welcome Andrea and look forward to seeing her impact as we continue to build belonging, inclusivity, and collaboration in our industry, organization, and local communities.”
Brown and Caldwell Chief People Officer Bob Chapman
Work underway at massive wastewater treatment plant in North Nashville’s Salemtown
