MEMBER PROFILE – CONTRACTOR
More than 30 years ago, in 1986, three people – Britt Stitt,
Danny Reynolds and Ken Lindberg – put their passion
and experience on the line to start an engineering and
construction company that would specialize in the construction
and repair of marine and civil structures.
Right from the beginning, they looked for interesting projects
that challenged their engineering know-how and experience in the
field – projects like the Dumbarton Bridge that lies over the southern
part of San Francisco Bay.
In 1990, the bridge needed 170 anodes installed in 100 feet
of water. Although two other companies had already attempted
and failed, Power Engineering thrived on the challenge and found
a way to complete the work using pile driving methods instead of
conventional drilling.
Following that success, the company took on a job that
involved repairing the roof trusses in a 180-foot tall, 1,200-foot
long timber aviation hangar. Rather than setting up extensive and
cost-prohibitive scaffolding, Power tackled the job with the crew
rappelling from above. It was that innovative approach that convinced
David Mik to join Power Engineering in 1992, eventually
becoming an owner after Stitt retired in 1996. Mik holds a B.S.
in marine engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy,
a master’s degree in civil engineering from Stanford, has years of
hands-on field experience and is the president of the company.
Realizing the strength of any successful construction company
lies with a skilled and dedicated work force, Power joined the Pile
Drivers Union in 1997. The company began to grow, establishing
itself as a heavy civil and marine contractor specializing in complex
construction on water and on land. Stand-out examples include
projects like the seismic upgrade of Pier 1 along the Embarcadero in
San Francisco, which involved driving 145-foot steel piles, four feet
in diameter to construct a new concrete deck. All of this occurred in
a very confined and visible area with highly regulated environmental
restrictions and timelines.
Larger scale and design-build projects marked the following
years. Power’s growth and success over the years are only possible
because of the dedication and professionalism of its craft workers
and managers. Two of those managers have worked their way from
entry-level to ownership positions within the company. In 2002,
Hilary Tigue started with Power as a project engineer and soon recognized
the exciting opportunities offered by a company that puts
its engineers on site, everyone working together to achieve success.
Eight years later, Tigue became a shareholder in the company; she
currently runs all of Power’s field operations.
In 2017, Wayne Stonecipher joined Mik, Tigue and Lindberg
as the company’s fourth shareholder and a key part of the company’s
future.
“Power Engineering Construction has been building in, on
and near the water in San Francisco Bay and along the Northern
California coast since 1986,” said Wendy Fisher, company marketing
and business development manager. “A great example of our
project focus is the $74-million Downtown San Francisco Ferry
Terminal Expansion project.”
Awarded by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency
Transportation Authority (WETA) under a unique CMAR contract
approach, the WETA SF project is Power’s largest project to
date. The new ferry terminal will have four gates to accept up to
eight ferry boats, an expanded queuing area and an expansive overwater
promenade and plaza.
PILEDRIVER | 71