CHAPTER CONNECTIONS
Can you think of any direct or indirect ways that being
a member of the chapter has positively affected your
business? Please be as specific as possible.
Being a member of both PDCA National and the Northeast
Chapter chapter has definitely had a positive impact on our business.
Throughout the years, I have formed dozens of relationships
with people, both suppliers and friendly competitors. It’s valuable
to talk over a meal with friends about experiences and lessons
learned driving piles.
Can you think of a specific instance where you were able
to solve a challenge relating to any aspect of your business
directly due to your participation in the chapter?
I’ve had suppliers reach out to me directly to locate pile splicers
that a competitor needed for an emergency job. We have lent out
equipment to competitor contractors who were in a “pinch” multiple
times because we knew them and were friendly with them
after interacting at PDCA events. The relationships that you build
at these events are priceless.
If someone in the driven pile industry wasn’t
participating in a PDCA chapter because they didn’t
think they would benefit from it, what would you tell
them to change their mind?
Living in the Northeast, our members benefit from our chapter
because they are able to attend free courses that allow their
employees to not only gain knowledge but also allow them to earn
free professional development hours, which most employers will
pay for their PEs to earn. We also offer reduced rates at almost all
of our events for dining, clay shoots, etc.
What’s more, I have gained so many contacts I can call for
advice on not only driven pile concerns but general business concerns
as well. It is a tough time right now with COVID-19 in our
country. When all of this began to surface, it was important to talk
with other chapter members to learn how their organizations were
handling the situation.
What do you hope to see from your chapter in the future?
How could the chapter be of even better value to you?
The Northeast Chapter’s primary member base is New Jersey,
New York City and Pennsylvania. I think it would be good if our
chapter was able to be more involved in the entire region and
grow to be able to work with areas like Connecticut, Rhode Island
and Massachusetts.
What’s the best part about working in the driven pile
industry, in your experience?
I personally take a lot of pride in the work we do at George Harms
Construction, so it is nice to know that the work you do supports
the entire job being built. Whether it’s the Rt. 7 Hackensack
Wittpenn Bridge, the New Jersey Turnpike’s Central Inventory
Building or the 600 ground improvement piles to support a new
ramp being built, at the end of the day, your work in deep foundations
is supporting the entire job! t
PALMETTO PILE DRIVING, INC. is committed to furnishing and
installing the highest quality piles — safely, on time and
at an affordable cost.
Specialize in the design, manufacture
and installation of prestressed concrete
(PSC) piles
Supply and install timber and steel piles
depending on project requirements
WE SUPPLY PSC PILES!
1.843.577.0545 | jason@palmettopiledriving.com | Charleston, SC 29405
24 | ISSUE 3 2020 www.piledrivers.org
/www.piledrivers.org
link
