January 17, 2012
Andrew Andreeko, P.E., C.B.S.I., Joins Borton-Lawson as Director of Land Development

Mr. Andrew Andreeko, P.E., C.B.S.I., has joined Borton-Lawson as the Director of Land Development, responsible for implementing strategic initiatives and leading the firm-wide growth within the land development sector.

Mr. Andreeko is a seasoned engineer and manager. Prior to joining the Borton-Lawson team, he was the Associate Vice President and Branch Manager of the T.Y. Lin International |Medina, Bethlehem, PA office. Mr. Andreeko was responsible for oversight of employees and daily office operations. During his entire employment with the firm, he also served as Senior Project Manager responsible for management of commercial, residential, industrial, transportation and infrastructure projects throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He has worked with private developers, school districts and municipal, county, state and federal clients.

He has also held Project Manager positions at Bohler Engineering, Watchung, NJ and Killam Associates (Hatch Mott McDonald), Whitehouse, NJ.

Mr. Andreeko has been active in the United States Army Reserve for 20 years, currently serving as a Major and Civil Engineer for the 953rd Engineering Detachment, Facility Support Team – Advanced (FEST-A). He was deployed to Bosnia in 2001 and Iraq in 2007, and worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on critical infrastructure projects. During his time in the United States Army Reserve, Mr. Andreeko also served as Project Manager for over 100 military construction projects at Fort Dix, NJ and worldwide.

Mr. Andreeko earned his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Clemson University, South Carolina. He is a registered Professional Engineer in NJ and PA. He is also certified as a Floodplain Manager, New Jersey Municipal Engineer and Pennsylvania NBIS Bridge Safety Inspector.

He serves on the board of directors for the American Society of Highway Engineers/East Penn Section, and is a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies and Society of American Military Engineers, Philadelphia Chapters.

Mr. Andreeko will be working primarily from Borton-Lawson's Wilkes-Barre office.

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January 17, 2012
Doreen Rushton, SPHR, Welcomed as Director of Human Resources

We are pleased to announce Doreen Rushton, SPHR, has joined Borton-Lawson as Director of Human Resources. Ms. Rushton will be based in our Wilkes-Barre office, responsible for oversight, management and direction of firm-wide human resource activities and initiatives.

Ms. Rushton is a seasoned human resources professional possessing over 25 years of experience in industries such as manufacturing operations, health care and banking. She has a proven track record of demonstrating consistent, effective management and leadership skills.

Prior to joining Borton-Lawson, Ms. Rushton was employed by The Simmons Manufacturing Company as the Human Resources Manager and a key member of the Plant Leadership Team. She was responsible for the safety, people, quality, services and cost control for more than 200 associates. Under her leadership, her team attained the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program STAR certification. Throughout her career, Ms. Rushton has also been employed by a variety of local manufacturing businesses, such as New Dana Perfumes Corporation, Mountaintop, and Impress USA, Inc., Bloomsburg.

Ms. Rushton received her Bachelor of Science in business administration from King's College and her master's in human resource management from the University of Scranton. She has been presented with the following awards: 2010 Simmons Company National Operations Meeting Star Performer and 2010 Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association HR Professional of the Year.

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December 12, 2011
Thomas M. Chervanick Hired as Manager of Construction Services

We are pleased to announce Thomas Chervanick has joined Borton-Lawson as the Manager of Construction Services and will also serve as Corporate Safety Officer. Mr. Chervanick will be based in our Wilkes-Barre office, responsible for providing construction services in support of the firm's newly established Oil and Gas business unit. These services will expand across additional disciplines in the effort to heighten the firm's full-service capabilities.

Mr. Chervanick is a skilled senior manager with over 25 years of experience in project management with a focus in engineering/design, concept-to-completion planning, construction/contract management and facilities management. He has successfully supervised projects in the power generation, pharmaceutical, military and government markets.

Prior to joining Borton-Lawson, Mr. Chervanick acted as the Chief Operations Officer for Blatt & Myers, Myerstown, PA. He has also held Vice President roles at Horst Construction, Lancaster, PA and STV Construction, Inc., Douglassville, PA.

Mr. Chervanick's educational background includes electrical apprentice training by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, coursework in advanced motor control systems from Williamsport Area Community College and participating in the electronics program at the Pennsylvania State University.

He is a member of the Construction Management Association of America and has received the following awards, Outstanding Construction Project Management Service to United States Department of Agriculture Plum Island Disease Control (1999) and Outstanding Construction Management Service to United States Department of Agriculture, North Atlantic Area (1990, 1993, 1994). Mr. Chervanick also authored an article entitled, "Electrical Distribution Systems in Prisons" that was published in EC&M Magazine.

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November 28, 2011
Borton-Lawson Wins 2011 ACEC/PA Grand Conceptor Award

Borton-Lawson has been awarded the 2011 ACEC/PA Grand Conceptor Award for the Lehigh River / Pohopoco Creek Bridge Replacement project, located on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Grand Conceptor Award is given to the best overall project submitted to the ACEC/PA Diamond Awards Competition Committee, and will be formally presented at the annual dinner in February.

The Lehigh River / Pohopoco Creek Replacement Bridge project was brought to successful completion through strict focus on schedule and constructability. The structures span a myriad of physical features, constraints and infrastructure. To accomplish project goals, the original design called for long, curved steel spans. Once the project was advertised, Northeast Prestressed Products set out to pursue a prestressed concrete alternative and contacted Borton-Lawson to develop the concept.

In four weeks, Borton-Lawson performed as anticipated, conceiving a viable solution, negotiating right-of-way acquisition and providing conceptual design to bidders. Eight months later, a new geotechnical program, Joint Permit Amendments, and complete re-designs were completed and approved.
With strict focus on schedule, constructability and sensitivity to environmental features, Borton-Lawson developed the designs incrementally, securing partial approvals. This strategy allowed construction to commence as originally scheduled, without any delay.

By utilizing Borton-Lawson’s alternate plan, the bridges were completely re-designed and construction is one year ahead of schedule. Additionally, two state records have been set — largest caissons (11’6” diameter) and longest prestressed concrete beam (168’). Most importantly, the new bridges will provide safe, seamless traffic flow through this heavily traveled route of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

This project has also received recent public and media attention, as the official ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held on November 4th, opening the new structures to Turnpike motorists.

“We are elated and honored to accept this award in February," said Joseph P. Gillott, P.E., DBIA, Vice President and Transportation business unit leader. "Our designers and engineers put countless hours into the design of this project and worked seamlessly with Walsh during construction to deliver well-designed bridges. This infrastructure improvement will benefit Turnpike motorists for generations to come.”

This is not the first time Borton-Lawson has earned the Grand Conceptor in ACEC/PA’s Diamond Award competition. In 2000, Borton-Lawson was recognized for Wyoming Valley Levee Raising project, in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District. Six years later, Borton-Lawson, teamed with Architectural Design Consultants, Inc., won the Award for land development efforts on the Great Wolf Lodge located in the Pocono Mountains. By winning the Grand Conceptor Diamond Award, Borton-Lawson is eligible to represent Pennsylvania in the ACEC national competition to be held in Nashville, TN.

ACEC/PA is the only association devoted exclusively to the promotion and enhancement of the business interests and profitability of engineering firms with offices in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  ACEC’s goal is to enable member firms to provide quality engineering services in the best interest of their clients and the public. It is comprised of more than 147 independent engineering firms throughout the commonwealth. Borton-Lawson has been a member since 1990.

The ACEC/PA Diamond Awards are presented annually to firms making prestigious achievements in the engineering field across the Commonwealth. The goal is to recognize engineering firms for projects that demonstrate a high degree of achievement, value and innovation.

To learn more about the winning project, click here.

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November 23, 2011
Brian Akelaitis, P.E., Esq. Promoted to Director of Projects

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Brian Akelaitis, P.E., Esq. has been promoted to the position of Director of Projects. In this role, Mr. Akelaitis will oversee project management across all business units to focus on enhancing our professional services on a firm-wide basis.

He will be responsible for development and implementation of project management standards and will provide direction on all project related financial and contractual issues.

Since joining Borton-Lawson in September 2011, Mr. Akelaitis has demonstrated strong leadership qualities in all areas, especially project scheduling and resource management.

Prior to joining Borton-Lawson, Mr. Akelaitis served our industry in various positions as a senior design engineer, design & construction project manager, and commissioning agent. He has been directly responsible for project budgets as large as $175,000,000.

He is both a licensed professional engineer and attorney. He is a Pennsylvania State University graduate, having earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and his Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

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November 4, 2011
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Held to Open Four New Bridges on Northeastern Extension

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Friday, November 4, to mark the official opening of northbound and southbound lanes crossing the Lehigh River and Pohopoco Creek, Carbon County. 

Photo: Turnpike Commission CEO Roger Nutt (center) along with other Turnpike officials and local dignitaries cut the ribbon marking the completion of construction of the new Lehigh River and Pohopoco Creek bridges.

The $101.6 million project, located just south of the Mahoning Valley Interchange on the Northeast Extension, was funded through the Turnpike’s self-funded 10-year capital plan to modernize more than 545 miles of toll highway. Improvements such as this will make way for a safer, more seamless traffic flow through this heavily traveled route.

The structures span a myriad of physical features, constraints and infrastructure. The bridges, constructed to be in harmony with the Pocono Mountains’ rich environment, are designed to have minimal impact on the rich and scenic waterways they traverse.

To accomplish project goals, the original design called for long, curved steel spans. Once the project was advertised, Northeast Prestressed Products, of Cressona, PA, contacted Borton-Lawson to develop the concept for a prestressed concrete alternative. In four weeks, Borton-Lawson conceived a viable solution, negotiated right-of-way acquisition and provided conceptual design to bidders. Eight months later, a new geotechnical program, Joint Permit amendments, and complete re-designs were completed and approved.

On bid day, the concrete alternative showed a savings of over $7 million compared to the as-designed steel structure. Walsh Construction, of Chicago, IL, was the low bidder at $101.5 million.

With strict focus on schedule, constructability and sensitivity to environmental features, Borton-Lawson developed the designs incrementally, securing partial approvals. This strategy allowed construction to commence as originally scheduled, without delay.

The bridges were completely re-designed and constructed one year ahead of schedule. The southbound structure was opened to traffic on August 9 and the northbound on November 4. Project completion, including demolition of the old structures, is scheduled for next year. Additionally, two state records have been set — largest caissons (11’6” diameter) and longest prestressed concrete beam (168’). Most importantly, the new bridges will provide safe, seamless traffic flow through this heavily traveled route of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

“We are very proud of our work on this project and are thrilled to see it through to completion. The future of the infrastructure in Pennsylvania relies heavily on the proactive approach we take today, which will shape the state of our transportation system going forward,” stated Thomas E. Lawson, P.E., P.L.S., Executive Vice President of Client Development and Quality.

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October 6, 2011
Herman Van Fleet, III, AIA, Welcomed as Senior Architect

Herman Van Fleet, III, AIA, joins Borton-Lawson as a Senior Architect with a concentration in health care design and concepts. Mr. Van Fleet possesses over 27 years of experience in the field of architecture, with previous employment at A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, D.E., as the Senior Health Care Facilities Management Consultant. While there, he actively managed multiple facilities projects for a 385-bed acute care children’s hospital.

Mr. Van Fleet is a licensed architect in Pennsylvania and is NCARB certified. He is also a member of the American Institute of Architects, National Council of Architectural Registration Board, Health Care Leadership Network of the Delaware Valley, Delaware Valley Health Care Council, IBC International, Pennsylvania Society of Architects, and National Trust for Historic Preservation.

"Herman’s deep understanding of the industry and specialized experience make him a superb choice to join our Architecture team," commented Babur R. Mian, Chief Operating Officer. "His proven success in the healthcare market, paired with his ability to think outside the box, will be extremely beneficial to our clients."

Mr. Van Fleet received a bachelor’s degree in architecture/building engineering and advertising design from Syracuse University. He has also continued his education through the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and the Pennsylvania State University. He will be working from Borton-Lawson’s Bethlehem office.

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September 23, 2011
John Morgan Hired as Director of Engineering Technology

In his newly created position at Borton-Lawson, Mr. John Morgan will develop standards, educate technical staff, implement new technologies and further improve efficiencies, also assisting in development of a long-term strategy to move the firm forward with engineering technologies.  Additional responsibilities will include managing the licensing and distribution of software, reviewing and monitoring of current design and drafting practices and developing a formal training program for technical staff.

Mr. Morgan has relocated from Virginia where he was previously employed with a regional firm. He has spent his career in the A/E industry and is well versed in resolving technology issues related to branch offices. His expertise is further tailored towards change management and efficiency in processes.
   
Mr. Morgan earned his Bachelor of Science in mathematics and computer science from Virginia Commonwealth University.

He is the Vice President of the Richmond AutoCAD Manifest (AutoCAD User Group) and a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Autodesk User Group International and the James River Green Building Council.  He will be working from Borton-Lawson’s Wilkes-Barre office.

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September 8, 2011
Paul Spence Joins Borton-Lawson as Director of Marcellus Services Delivery

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September 1, 2011
Brian Akelaitis, P.E., Esq. Welcomed as Senior Project Manager

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August 23, 2011
Richard Ellis Hired as Towanda Area Manager and Director of Land Development

We are pleased to announce Richard W. Ellis, P.E. has joined Borton-Lawson as Towanda Area Manager and Director of Land Development.

Mr. Ellis comes to the firm from Sarasota, Florida, where he gained the majority of his 25 years' professional experience. His career encompasses work in development, entitlement and acquisition for single and multi-family residential, commercial, mixed-use and industrial projects. His experience includes 17 years at Kimley-Horn and Associates as Senior Project Manager, Office Manager and Practice Builder.

His professional accolades include recognition as an Outstanding Professional and Outstanding Project Manager while leading his team on several successful projects.

Most recently, he was engaged as a consultant with Ellis Land Consultants, working with home builders and other developers in the Florida market to negotiate, purchase and plan the efficient use of large parcels of land.

"Richard brings to the table a great mix of engineering skill and tailored expertise. We are very pleased to welcome him aboard as we expand our reach in the Northern Tier," stated Christopher Borton, P.E., President.

Mr. Ellis earned his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in multiple states.

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August 17, 2011
Bond Reinhardt Welcomed as Marcellus Shale Client Manager

We are pleased to announce that Bond Reinhardt, E.I.T. has joined Borton-Lawson as Marcellus Shale Client Manager.

In this position, Mr. Reinhardt will become the primary point of contact for specific gas clients, working to develop new and existing relationships and ensure on-time production results. He will work closely with Borton-Lawson staff in all office locations, and be based primarily in the State College office.

Mr. Reinhardt joins Borton-Lawson after serving as a Project Manager at McTish, Kunkel & Associates, Montoursville. His duties included all DEP and PennDOT permitting for Anadarko Petroleum Corp. In this role, he produced all land development plans for compressor pads, metering stations and well pads, and led a staff of engineers and survey crews to produce plans and profile for all gas, water and utility lines.

Mr. Reinhardt gained additional professional experience, having worked for Buchart-Horn, Inc., Landmark Engineers, Inc., AMEC Earth & Environmental and PennDOT District 2-0.

"Bond's extensive experience in the energy sector makes him a great fit for the Client Manager role. Our momentum in the Marcellus Play is attracting great people and I'm delighted to welcome him to our team," stated Christopher Borton, P.E., President.

Mr. Reinhardt is a Pennsylvania State University graduate, having earned a bachelor of science in Geo-environmental Engineering and his master of science in Civil Engineering. He is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

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August 5, 2011
Ben M. Sevenski Promoted to Client Manager

We are pleased to announce that Ben Sevenski, P.E. has been promoted to Client Manager. Since joining Borton-Lawson in May 2010, he has successfully managed projects for many of the firm's most significant clients within the Marcellus Shale sector.

In this new position, he will focus on enhancing and expanding client relationships, and managing requests from targeted clients engaged in infrastructure and Midstream development. Mr. Sevenski will continue to serve as a trusted technical resource for Borton-Lawson colleagues and clients.

"Ben has done a great job for our firm as we continue to make strides in the Marcellus arena. We are excited to promote him to this key position as we posture Borton-Lawson to best meet the needs of our clients," stated Babur R. Mian, P.E., COO.

Before joining Borton-Lawson, Mr. Sevenski served his previous firm as a Municipal Design Engineer for numerous Municipalities, Authorities and Commissions. He also gained significant experience in construction inspection for PennDOT that has helped to shape his professional path.

He is a 1997 Civil Engineering graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, where he was a member of the University Rugby Team, a local fraternity and Student Senate.

Mr. Sevenski has been a registered Professional Engineer for the past five years. He works in Borton-Lawson's Wilkes-Barre office, and resides in Dallas with his wife, Megan, and two sons.

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July 15, 2011
Rachel Murawski Promoted to Director of Information Technology and Support Services

We are pleased to announce that Rachel Murawski has been promoted to the position of Director of Information Technology and Support Services. Since joining Borton Lawson in January 2011, Ms. Murawski has upgraded many of the firm’s technology requirements; including transitioning and expanding the firm’s databases, introducing best-in-class hardware capabilities throughout the six Borton-Lawson offices and enhancing infrastructure to better meet increasing needs.

In addition to overseeing the Information Technology department, her duties also include directing all Borton-Lawson Administrative and Support Services staff. This group is essential to ensuring client requests are met, as well as performing daily overall support for the firm’s professionals.

Ms. Murawski holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration/computer science from Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. Her background includes systems programming, database administration and technical support management. Prior to joining Borton-Lawson, Rachel held the position of Senior Manager of Information Technology for Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre. Previous employers also include Cargill, Inc. and PNC Bank. 

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July 7, 2011
Frank Joanlanne Named Chairman of the Board of Borton-Lawson

Business executive Frank Joanlanne has been named Chairman of the Board of Borton-Lawson, a Wilkes-Barre-based architecture and engineering firm. In 2009, Joanlanne was the first and only outside director elected to hold a Board seat since the company was founded 23 years ago by Christopher Borton, P.E. and Thomas Lawson, P.E., P.L.S.

Mr. Joanlanne received his Bachelor of Science from New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business. He is presently the Vice President and General Manager, Pennsylvania Operations, for Frontier Communications Corporation. Frontier provides voice, data, and video services to residential, business, and wholesale customers throughout eastern and central Pennsylvania, as well as to customers in 26 other states. His background includes positions in technology, communications, insurance and finance, including 13 years on Wall Street.

He is active on the Boards of many community organizations including the United Way of Wyoming Valley, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry and the Scranton Chamber of Commerce, among others. Mr. Joanlanne lives in the Back Mountain with his wife and 3 children.

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July 7, 2011
Borton-Lawson Welcomes New Shareholders

With the recent growth of the firm, Borton-Lawson welcomed new stockholders Chairman Frank Joanlanne, Babur Mian, P.E., Tom Makowski, Esq. and Mark Boris, P.E., DBIA, joining Christopher Borton, P.E., Thomas Lawson, P.E., P.L.S., Thomas Maheady, P.E., Christopher McCue, P.E., Patrick Endler, AIA, LEED, Michael Wilk, P.E. and Joseph Gillott, P.E., DBIA as equity owners.

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May 23, 2011
Borton-Lawson Acquires Keller Consulting Engineers in Nazareth

Borton-Lawson is pleased to announce the acquisition of Keller Consulting Engineers, Inc., a Nazareth-based engineering firm.

This strategic growth will allow Borton-Lawson to continue to expand its client base in the Lehigh Valley and Southeastern Pennsylvania region, while continuing to provide excellent service through Keller that its clients have experienced for years.

Clients of the Keller firm, including the Borough of Nazareth, the Nazareth Municipal Authority and Lehigh County, will continue to be provided with consulting engineering services through Keller. In addition, Keller will now be able to provide an increased list of client services such as facilities engineering, architecture and automation. Borton-Lawson and Keller will integrate proficiencies and manage a seamless transition.

Christine Himler, RLA, and Kenneth McClain, both of Borton-Lawson's Lehigh Valley location, will provide leadership within the Nazareth office. Additionally, Aaron Sisler, P.E., from Borton-Lawson, has accepted the role of Municipal Engineer for Keller governmental clients.

Donald Keller, P.E., founder of Keller, will continue to support the staff and clients as a member of the Borton-Lawson team to ensure a smooth transition of all work and client management activities.

"The addition of the Keller firm is an exciting step as we continue to integrate into new markets and expand geographically. While Borton-Lawson has had a presence in the Lehigh Valley for more than ten years, we are very excited about the additional growth opportunities with the established reputation of the Keller firm and Don Keller," stated Christopher Borton, P.E., President, Borton-Lawson.

With the purchase of Keller, Borton-Lawson brings the number of offices in Pennsylvania to six.

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May 10, 2011
Borton-Lawson Accepts MAEA Innovative Product/Service Award

Borton-Lawson recently received the Manufacturers and Employment Association (MAEA) Employers Excellence Award for Innovative Product/Service for work in the Marcellus Shale play. The awards ceremony was held at the Top of the 80's restaurant in Hazleton, PA.

By showcasing the company's growth, including the hiring of new employees, opening of offices in strategic locations, active participation in forums and interviews about the benefits of the Marcellus and various additional work in this arena, Borton-Lawson was determined the winner of this year's award.

Thomas Maheady, P.E., accepted the award on behalf of Borton-Lawson.

Photo, L – R: Mark Grochocki, Constituent Relations Office of Senator John Yudichak; Amy Rawlings, Executive Director, Allied Associations Group, National Association of Manufacturers; Timm Berger, District Office Manager, Office of Representative Doyle Heffley; Thomas Maheady, P.E., Industrial/Energy Market Sector Leader, Borton-Lawson; Darlene J. Robbins, President, NEPA MAEA; Andy Falco, Chairman, NEPA MAEA, Hydra-Tech Pumps.

April 18, 2011
Borton-Lawson Selected for MAEA Innovative Product/Service Award

Borton-Lawson was recently selected by the Manufacturers and Employment Association (MAEA) as the winner of the Employers Excellence Award for Innovative Product/Service for work in the Marcellus Shale play.

By showcasing the company's growth, including the hiring of new employees, opening of offices in strategic locations, active participation in forums and interviews about the benefits of the Marcellus and various additional work in this arena, Borton-Lawson was determined the winner of this year's award. Roughly 10 other applicants submitted entries in the category.

Thomas Maheady, P.E., Borton-Lawson's energy market sector leader, and also a member of the MAEA organization said, "We are thrilled to have been recognized for our work within the Marcellus arena. As the industry develops and evolves, we will continue to offer our clients best-in-class service to help them meet and exceed their goals."

Additional recipients of 2011 Employers Excellence Awards are M & T Bank for Community Involvement and Evans Delivery Company for Energy Efficiencies.

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April 11, 2011
Borton-Lawson Participates in Natural Gas Exploration and Development Panel

Borton-Lawson's Environmental Resources Business Unit Leader, Christopher McCue, P.E., recently participated in a panel discussion at the Annual Society of Landscape Architecture Conference, held at the Skytop Lodge, PA.

The topic of discussion was Natural Gas Exploration and Development: Planning for the Boom and the Bust. The panel, held on April 8th, explored the need for sound environmental planning and the ways this industry can help develop a sustainable balance between and economic benefits and environmental concerns, and will broach the rules landscape architects may play.

The discussion was lively and informative, and covered many different aspects of this complex topic, and how it might impact state and local government, business, industry, home owners and the state's infrastructure. Over 150 people were in attendance.

This presentation gave Borton-Lawson a unique forum to promote the positive activity in the Shale and discuss how landscape architecture fits into the scope of the Marcellus Shale Play.

"We are glad to participate in this type of forum and highlight the work that the Shale is bringing to our area," said Christopher Borton, President, Borton-Lawson.

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March 25, 2011
Thomas Lawson, P.E., P.L.S., Testifies Before Members of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Thomas Lawson, P.E., P.L.S., Executive Vice President of Borton-Lawson testified on March 25, 2011 before members of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at Scranton City Council Chambers. Chairman John Mica, FL, Congressman Lou Barletta, PA, and Congressman Bill Schuster, PA, presided over the session which was intended to gather input on issues to be considered for the Reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Bill to fund Highways, Bridges, and Mass Transit over the next six years. Mr. Lawson was asked to focus on innovative financing tools, expediting project delivery, programmatic reforms and establishment of performance standards because the Committee says we must “do more with less.”

In addition to written testimony, the Chairman allowed Mr. Lawson to speak at length on various issues. He addressed many of the topics on the agenda, but also took advantage of the time to stress the importance of adequate funding, considering the Industry has been doing more for less for many years. With oil, cement, steel, and other commodity prices on the rise, the purchasing power has been eroded at least 30% over the last ten years.

Lawson stated, "Efficiencies and innovation will help and we can all do better if government partners with the private sector to expedite delivery of projects, but that alone will not enable us to keep pace with the transportation infrastructure needs facing this country.  PennDOT is projecting a decrease in maintenance type projects, especially paving of our major highways due to the need to rebuild our aging bridge inventory coupled with decreasing revenue."

On a related Transportation Industry matter, this Spring Mr. Lawson will take over for Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch as President of the Pennsylvania Highway Information Association (PHIA). Understanding that our transportation infrastructure was mostly built over the past 50 years and is now reaching the end of its’ useful life, as President of PHIA Mr. Lawson will have responsibilities to lead the organization and spread the word about the massive transportation needs we face as a state and a country.

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March 23, 2011
New Employees Join Borton-Lawson's Team

Hyon Duk Shin, P.E., comes to Borton-Lawson as a Water/Wastewater Engineer, working out of our Lehigh Valley office. Mr. Shin was previously employed by Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. His wastewater experience includes design and construction for wastewater treatment plants, pump stations and conveyance systems. Throughout his career, Mr. Shin has been responsible for planning, design, selection of equipment and materials, preparation of CADD drawings and specifications, cost estimations, completion of permitting applications to regulatory agencies, construction services and client management. He has his Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Mr. Shin also has his Masters of Science in civil and environmental engineering.

Judith Bloom, CPA, comes to Borton-Lawson as a Senior Accountant, with over 20 years experience. Before joining Borton-Lawson, Ms. Bloom was employed by ParenteBeard as the Manager of the Small Business Department. She was responsible for supervising review and compilation engagements, preparation of financial statements and payroll and payroll tax returns. She is a graduate of King’s College with her Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Ms. Bloom is also a member of Leadership Wilkes-Barre’s Class of 2011 and will be working in the Wilkes-Barre office.

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March 14, 2011
GIS Discipline Formed; Client Portal Launched

Geographic Information Systems, otherwise known as GIS, allows data to be put together and linked to a location, helping to solve complex problems for clients. GIS capabilities are utilized in a variety of industries and provide powerful insight to help clients visualize, plan, share and manage information.

Along with analyzing and grouping information needed to make decisions, one of the most important functions of GIS technology is the ability to display this information effectively. GIS uses cartography, colors and symbols to bridge the gap between engineering technologies and complexities by displaying information in a clear, concise and easy-to-understand manner.

The Borton-Lawson GIS team is currently working on many projects, including terrain, stream crossing and proximity analysis, web-based project tracking, GeoDatabase driven data, spatially enabled process design/re-design and transportation management planning. Our GIS team members use additional mapping capabilities to support almost every market sector within the firm, either directly or indirectly. Due to a spike in the team’s workload over the past few months, the GIS group has been recognized as a newly-formed discipline within Borton-Lawson.

“The GIS group has matured into a self sufficient and robust support group for a number of various market sectors.  In the past it was seen, and used, in a very narrow scope of services. We see many opportunities for this group to manage challenging projects for clients, along with providing internal support to colleagues within the firm,” stated Christopher Borton, P.E., President and CEO.

Rob Burns, GISP, will be leading the charge as the Discipline Technical Leader of this group, reporting to Michael Wilk, P.E. Mr. Burns joined Borton-Lawson in June 2010, and will also serve as the GIS Discipline Manager.  He graduated from Salisbury University with his Bachelor of Science in geography & business and has applied geospatial technologies to a wide variety of industries while leading projects for engineering, environmental, transportation, federal, state, local and utility companies.

Additionally, Borton-Lawson has launched an interactive portal so clients and prospective clients can get a “real world” feel for the ways using GIS services can directly impact their business. Email GIS@borton-lawson.com for a custom log-in and password, and find out what our GIS team can do for you.

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March 9, 2011
Thomas Maheady, P.E., Named Energy Market Sector Leader

Borton-Lawson is pleased to announce Mr. Thomas Maheady, P.E. has been named the firm’s Energy Market Sector Leader. In addition to his new responsibilities, Mr. Maheady will continue to serve as the Market Sector Leader for the Industrial market.

Mr. Maheady has been designated as a Certified Energy Manager issued by the Association of Energy Engineers, and as a leader, encourages client interaction and an open design process. Mr. Maheady will be tasked with identifying new technologies and helping clients make marked improvements in utilization of their resources.

“Energy efficiency is a hot topic for many of our current and prospective clients, and there are many opportunities in this market sector. Tom is a great technical resource who can help clients make smarter decisions when implementing energy usage and efficiency solutions, and we are thrilled to have him out in front of this effort for Borton-Lawson,” stated Tom Makowski, Vice President, Business Development and Marketing.

Borton-Lawson was recently welcomed into the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of the Partnership is facilitation and implementation of environmentally beneficial CHP projects. He and his team are trained in energy efficient modifications and he will oversee projects of this nature.

Mr. Maheady, a graduate of Villanova University, with his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, has been in the engineering field since 1979.

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March 3, 2011
New Employees Join Borton-Lawson's Team

Joseph A. Katruska, P.E., R.L.A., joins Borton-Lawson as a civil engineer, working in our Pittsburgh office. He has Project Management experience in the commercial, retail, residential and municipal sectors. Mr. Katruska was previously employed as a Site Engineering Manager with PW Campbell, a design-build construction company specializing in the design and construction of banks and financial institutions. He was responsible for the design, engineering and approval of site related issues. Mr. Katruska has his Bachelor of Science in landscape architecture from the Pennsylvania State University and has had professional training in wetland identification and delineation from the Army Corps of Engineers.

Tabitha J. Kelly also joins the Pittsburgh office as a CAD Operator. Ms. Kelly has 15 years of CAD experience and has worked with GIS mapping, waterline layout, topographic and boundary surveys and permitting. She was previously employed by KLH Engineers, Inc. as a Civil CAD Designer responsible for assisting civil engineers in designing municipal water and wastewater construction plans. Ms. Kelly has her associate’s degree in computer aided drafting from Pittsburgh Technical Institute and is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors, Southwest Chapter.

Kyle A. Sherman, E.I.T., is welcomed at Borton-Lawson as a civil engineer, working out of the Wilkes-Barre office. Mr. Sherman is a recent graduate of Purdue University with his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. While at Purdue, he was an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, contending nationally with other university students in civil engineering competitions while promoting the engineering discipline to young students. In his position at Borton-Lawson, Mr. Sherman will be focused on projects relating to water, wastewater management and air quality.

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February 28, 2011
Patrick Endler, AIA, LEED, Named Education Market Sector Leader

Borton-Lawson is pleased to announce that Mr. Patrick Endler, AIA, LEED has been named Education Market Sector Leader at Borton-Lawson.
Mr. Endler will continue to serve as the Market Sector Leader for Healthcare.

He is a registered architect and a 20 year veteran of the industry, with a diverse resume of school building and college campus projects.

From K-12 to higher education, Endler is knowledgeable about the design elements necessary to produce effective learning environments. He has produced designs for clients such as King’s College, Kutztown University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Scranton, Wilkes University, Dallas Elementary School and Northwest Area School District.

Mr. Endler’s responsibilities in this new role will position Borton-Lawson for success as the firm moves forward.

“Pat is a great technical resource in his field and brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. As Education Market Sector Leader, he will continue to focus on enhancing client relationships and developing new business,” stated Thomas A. Makowski, Vice President, Business Development and Marketing.

Mr. Endler is a LEED-certified professional and strives to incorporate “green” designs and energy efficiency into his projects. Mr. Endler is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, with his Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He has been with Borton-Lawson since 2000.

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February 23, 2011
Lenet J. Guidry Joins Borton-Lawson's Architecture Team

Borton Lawson is excited to announce Mr. Lenet J. Guidry, RA, CSI, CDT, NCARB has joined our growing team as a Senior Architect. Working with Senior Architect, Patrick J. Endler, AIA, LEED, Mr. Guidry will be responsible for oversight, development and execution of architectural documents. Using a detail-oriented approach, Mr. Guidry will be focused on strict quality control. 

“Mr. Guidry’s background in traditional discipline objectives, along with his history of successful project management makes him a strong team member who will actively contribute to the Architecture Business Unit’s success,” stated Babur Mian, COO, Borton-Lawson.

Mr. Guidry earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Louisiana State University and has been in the field since 1997. He is active in the architectural community, currently serving as the Vice President Elect of the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) of Baton Rouge.

Mr. Guidry has worked on a variety of projects including banks, schools, churches, medical buildings, restaurants, residential homes and multi-purpose facilities. He is CDT and NCARB certified and a Registered Architect in several states.

Mr. Guidry can be reached at 570.821.1999, ext. 254 or via email at lguidry@borton-lawson.com.

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February 21, 2011
Len Smith, P.E., Named Discipline Manager of Borton-Lawson’s Drainage Group

Len Smith, P.E., has been appointed as the Discipline Manager of the Drainage Discipline. He will also continue to serve as the Discipline Technical Leader. In his new role, Mr. Smith will oversee the Drainage Group and provide insight and guidance on active projects.

Mr. Smith has been an important part of Borton-Lawson’s Hydrologic and Hydraulic Team, working on a diverse assortment of Borton-Lawson water resource projects over the years. His water resource experience includes stormwater planning studies, flood studies, stormwater best management practice design and dam analyses.

Recently, Mr. Smith oversaw the completion of the Valley Creek Watershed Stormwater Management Plan for Chester County. With the mouth of the Valley Creek located in the Valley Forge Historical Park, this exceptional value watershed is one of Pennsylvania’s most treasured and often-studied water resources. As such, Mr. Smith provided technical guidance to the Chester County Water Resource Authority for the project and developed technical analyses to evaluate proposed management strategies in the watershed.

In addition to his stormwater management experience, Mr. Smith has an extensive background completing hydrologic and hydraulic analyses to support transportation improvement projects involving waterways throughout Pennsylvania.

Recognizing this experience, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation hired Borton-Lawson to prepare portions of the PennDOT Drainage Manual. Upon completion of the Manual, Borton-Lawson and Mr. Smith were enlisted to teach courses on hydrology and hydraulics to PennDOT employees and its design consultants.

Mr. Smith received his Master of Science in water resources from Villanova University in 1997 and has been employed by Borton-Lawson since 2005.

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February 15, 2011
New Employees Join Borton-Lawson's Team

Douglas Begg joins Borton-Lawson as an Electrical Designer. Possessing over seven years of experience in the industry, Mr. Begg was most recently employed by the Active Army National Guard serving as an Operations Manager, a Recruiter, Career Counselor, Medical Instructor and Program Manager. Prior to that he worked at Brinjac, Kambic & Associates, Harrisburg, as an Electrical Design Drafter. He earned his associate’s degree from York Technical Institute in specialized technology and design drafting technology.

Carl McGloughlin, P.E., joins Borton-Lawson’s Lehigh Valley office as a Senior Bridge Engineer with over 12 years of experience. His background encompasses permitting processes and governmental work, designing bridge and roadway projects and preparation of bid documents, with experience in managing projects for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Department of Transportation. He was most recently employed by Cherry, Weber & Associates, P.C., Phillipsburg, NJ as Assistant Director of Civil Engineering. Mr. McGloughlin earned his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Lafayette College and his Master of Science in civil engineering from Rutgers University.

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February 14, 2011
Expanding Our Marcellus Shale Services Throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania & Maryland

Borton-Lawson is pleased to announce an increase in staff and expansion of our geographic footprint throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and into Maryland. As we move into these geographic markets, we will remain focused on meeting client needs in a timely manner while maintaining technical excellence.

Since opening the Wexford, PA office in 2010, Borton-Lawson has seen substantial client growth in the Pittsburgh area. With the hiring of more surveying, environmental, GIS, land development and permitting staff in this area, we will continue to work on projects such as water intake facilities, water pipeline/pump stations, water truck loading station design and water impoundment design.

Additional Borton-Lawson offices are strategically located throughout Pennsylvania, in the heart of the Marcellus Shale region. Because of this, our team members have opportunities to develop significant and unique Marcellus component experience.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Marcellus story. Within a few short years, our services in this market have become a major part of the company. We look forward to continuing our dramatic growth in this market in accordance with our strategic plan,” states Babur Mian, Chief Operating Officer.

The Borton-Lawson team is currently working for a number of well-known businesses associated with the Marcellus Shale. Additional related services include site design and permitting, environmental services, wetlands delineation, automation/controls and surveying.

Due to expansion of capabilities and increasing workload, Borton-Lawson hired 36 employees in 2010, 20 of which were directly related to Marcellus Shale projects.

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February 7, 2011
Mark Boris, P.E., DBIA Named Architecture/Facilities Business Unit Leader

Borton-Lawson is pleased to announce Mr. Mark Boris, P.E., DBIA as Business Unit Leader for the firm’s Architecture/Facilities Business Unit.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Boris served as the operations manager for the transportation business unit.  Mr. Boris joined the firm in 1997 and over the years has progressed to positions of higher responsibility.

Mr. Boris has managed a variety of significant projects, including the Wilkes-Barre Streetscape Lighting Improvements and numerous PennDOT roadway and bridge projects.

Mr. Boris converts challenges into opportunities using a thorough management style, and strict attention to both detail and quality.  Mr. Boris will lead his team to foster a culture of continuous improvement known as Total Quality Management (TQM).

“I have no doubt that Mark will bring the same passion and operational efficiencies to the Architecture/Facilities business unit that drove the success of the transportation business unit,” states Babur Mian, COO.  “I am excited to be working with him as Borton-Lawson continues to expand its footprint and services in accordance with our strategic plan.”

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January 31, 2011
Thomas Maheady, P.E., Named Industrial Market Sector Leader

Mr. Thomas Maheady, P.E. has established superior credentials in his field and has been named Industrial Market Sector Leader at Borton-Lawson.

Maheady has been in the engineering field since 1979, and has successfully designed and supervised hundreds of projects that range in scope from concise technical studies to major construction projects with budgets in the tens of millions of dollars.

He has worked in all roles—from Lead Engineer to Project Manager—becoming extremely well-versed in the industrial and private practice environments, including mechanical systems, energy conservation, energy audits, cooling and heating systems and HVAC units.
He is designated as a Certified Energy Manager issued by the Association of Energy Engineers, and as a leader, encourages client interaction and an open design process. Along with the responsibilities in his new role, Maheady will remain a technical resource in his area of expertise and continue to focus on enhancing client relationships and mining new business.

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January 25, 2011
Patrick Endler, AIA, LEED, Named Healthcare Market Sector Leader

Patrick Endler, AIA, LEED was recently appointed as the Healthcare Market Sector Leader at Borton-Lawson. He is a registered architect and a 20 year veteran of the industry, with a diverse resume of hospital, manufacturing plant, federal building and housing authority projects.

Specializing in healthcare and as a LEED-certified professional, Endler is knowledgeable in the required provisions for hospitals and related structures.

He was the Project Manager and lead on the Geisinger Buckhorn Office Building project, overseeing the design of a three-story, 94,000 square foot state-of-the-art office space for Geisinger, sited outside of Bloomsburg.  The building design is welcoming, user-friendly, and most importantly, it gave the Borton-Lawson team a unique opportunity to produce an “affordably green” design.  This building is targeted for LEED Silver Certification in accordance with the standards developed by the United States Green Building Council. Borton-Lawson was recognized for this project in 2009 and awarded an ACEC/PA Diamond Award for Engineering Excellence.

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January 18, 2011
New Employees Join Borton-Lawson's Team

Jim Day, P.E., P.L.S. joined Borton-Lawson as a Senior Engineer in the Civil Business Unit. Mr. Day will be working out of Borton-Lawson’s Pittsburgh office and has lived and worked in the Pittsburgh area for over 20 years. His areas of specialization include water resources, surveying and land development.

Matthew Belmer, E.I.T. joined our Lehigh Valley Office. Mr. Belmer has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University and most recently was employed by Boucher & James, Inc. as a Municipal Designer.

Also joining the Lehigh Valley team is Aaron Sisler, P.E., a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. He was previously employed by Boucher & James, Stroudsburg, as a Municipal Engineer. Prior to, he worked at Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Altoona.

Gregory Wilson was hired as a part-time Senior Bridge Engineer in our Transportation Business Unit. Mr. Wilson has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University and had been employed by Penn Dot (District 4-0) for over 25 years.

Rachel Murawski recently filled the position of Senior Director of Information Technology in the Wilkes-Barre office. She has a Bachelor of Science in business administration/computer science from Wilkes University. Her background includes systems programming, database administration and technical support management. Prior employers include Blue Cross, Cargill, Inc. and PNC Bank.

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November 4, 2010
Borton-Lawson Welcomed into Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership

Borton-Lawson was recently welcomed into the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of the Partnership is to facilitate the implementation of environmentally beneficial CHP projects.

The CHP Partnership is a voluntary program seeking to reduce the environmental impact of power generation by promoting the use of CHP. The Partnership works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, state and local governments, and other clean energy stakeholders to facilitate the development of new projects and to promote their environmental and economic benefits.

Companies, institutions and agencies involved in the partnership work to promote the benefit of CHP projects, calculate environmental benefits and facilitate project implementation. For more information about the Combined Heat and Power Partnership, click here.

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October 29, 2010
Borton-Lawson Participates in Panel Discussion on Economic Impact of Marcellus Shale Play

Borton-Lawson’s Vice President of the Marcellus Shale Business Unit, Christopher McCue, recently participated in a panel discussion co-hosted by the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the state Department of Community and Economic Development, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. The discussion and presentations focused on job creation and development related to the Marcellus Shale Play. About 100 people attended the event, which was also simulcast as a webinar across the Marcellus Region to all members of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.

McCue’s presentation showcased Borton-Lawson’s job expansion which was directly correlated to involvement in the Marcellus Shale. Specifically, within the past year, Borton-Lawson has hired 35 new employees, of which 20 were directly related to the increase of work within the Marcellus Play. Borton-Lawson, a Northeastern Pennsylvania Architectural & Engineering firm also added two new offices within the past 12 months – in Towanda and Pittsburgh – which will support the growing industry.

McCue called the Wilkes-Barre-based firm a “story of a local company that’s been able to get involved in the (Marcellus Shale) play that didn’t have that industry-specific experience prior to the play developing.” McCue said development of the Marcellus Shale has given Borton-Lawson “a resume that we didn’t have a year and a half ago.” This presentation gave Borton-Lawson a unique forum to promote the positive activity in the Marcellus Shale region and further explain Borton-Lawson’s involvement and scope of work.

“We are glad to participate in this type of forum and highlight the work that the Shale is bringing to our area. We are experiencing the positive effects first-hand and are working diligently to help the gas companies remain environmentally responsible,” said Christopher Borton, President and CEO, Borton-Lawson.

Click here to check out a video clip.

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October 27, 2010
Borton-Lawson names Kenneth McClain Military Sector Leader

Kenneth McClain was recently appointed as Military Sector Leader at Borton-Lawson. He will lead the firm in its work with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, United States Army Corps of Engineers and other military entities. Focus will be on federal military programs such as Defense Base Realignment, Closure Commission and Grow the Army.

In addition to this role, Ken has served the last four years as the Transportation Division Manager at Borton-Lawson’s Lehigh Valley office located in Bethlehem, PA. He was previously employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Engineering District 5-0 for 14 years as the Design Services Engineer and a Senior Project Manager.

Ken has spent his military career as a Combat Engineer performing several state and federal mobilizations. Currently, he is proudly serving in his 21st year with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as First Sergeant of the Headquarters Support Company, 103rd Engineer Battalion in Philadelphia. Ken has been a member of SAME since 2007, serves on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Highway Engineers and was appointed as a member of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. He is a graduate of Bucknell University with his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

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September 21, 2010
Borton-Lawson Names Four New Vice Presidents

Borton-Lawson is pleased to announce the recent designation of four new vice presidents. Each will work with the Borton-Lawson Leadership Team and current vice presidents to achieve the firm’s strategic goals.

Mark Boris, P.E., has been named Vice President, Transportation Services. Mr. Boris received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and has been with Borton-Lawson since 1997. He has vast experience with PennDOT projects like bridge replacement/rehabilitation work, culverts, and retaining and noise walls.

Scott Bush, P.E., has been named Vice President, Structural Services. Mr. Bush received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and has been employed by Borton-Lawson for 18 years. He is experienced with industrial structures, bridges, precast culverts and retaining walls. Mr. Bush has also done work in the municipal field, such as evaluations and designs of flood control structures, stormwater, sanitary and potable water pumping stations, and new and renovated work to steel, wood, concrete and masonry framed structures.

David Summers has been named Vice President, Automation. Mr. Summers has his Bachelor of Electronics in electronic engineering technology from Durham College, located in Ontario, Canada. He joined Borton-Lawson in 1997 and has gained over 20 years experience in diverse automation and control systems. Mr. Summers has extensive experience in process, water/wastewater treatment, tracking, metering and pump control systems. He is well-versed in providing turn-key, customized solutions for clients’ user and functional requirements.

Mike Wilk, P.E., has been named Vice President, Civil Business Unit. Mr. Wilk has managed environmental approvals for projects in Pennsylvania for over 20 years. He has served as Project Manager for numerous Marcellus Shale projects such as water intakes, well pad sites and pipeline projects. Mr. Wilk has extensive knowledge regarding state and federal regulations and has been with Borton-Lawson since 1991.

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July 20, 2010
Christopher Borton, P.E., Named Engineer of the Year

Christopher Borton, P.E., President and CEO of Borton-Lawson, was recently named the 2009-2010 Engineer of the Year by the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, Luzerne County Chapter.

"The annual award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in engineering," states Amy Daiute, Secretary PSPE Luzerne County Chapter." As President and CEO of Borton-Lawson Engineering, Chris continues to lead his firm, which has been instrumental in the success of many significant projects. The firm has also always been an ardent supporter of PSPE, and the chapter is honored to recognize Chris for his contributions to the engineering community and for his loyalty to PSPE and the profession."

Past winners of the award include: James Brozena, PE, Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority (2008-2009); Thomas Lawson, PE, Borton-Lawson (2007-2008); James A. Kerns, PE, Qproq Engineering (2006-2007); and Walter Poplawski, PE, A&E Group, Inc. (2005-2006).

"This is not the first time one of our staff members was recognized for Engineering Excellence and it will not be the last," states Babur Mian, Chief Operating Officer at Borton-Lawson. "Our architecture and engineering staff is dedicated to delivering a quality product on each of our projects and this is evident through the professional recognitions of Thomas Lawson in 1990, 1997, 2003, and 2007, and now Chris Borton in 2009. These recognitions serve to confirm our staff's hard work and we are proud to have the support of our peers."

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July 7 , 2010
Borton-Lawson Expands Operations to Northern Tier; Names Towanda Area Manager

Borton-Lawson is proud to announce it has opened an office in Towanda, Pennsylvania to support the expanding natural gas play in the Northern Tier. The new office location will position the firm to provide timely architectural and engineering solutions to clients involved in gas development, new building design, existing renovations, municipal planning and water/wastewater systems throughout the Marcellus Region.

Joining the firm will be a 25-year veteran of the engineering industry, Mr. James D. Piggott, P.E., who will serve as the Towanda Area Manager. In his role, Mr. Piggott will provide direction and strategic oversight on the firm’s work throughout the Northern Region. Possessing commercial, industrial and residential land development experience, Mr. Piggott offers a level of engineering insight necessary to properly understand and plan for the region’s future.

Prior to joining Borton-Lawson, Mr. Piggott established a consulting firm in Atlanta, GA, Integrity Engineering LLC, where he served as President and owner. Mr. Piggott has also worked for PBS&J, Atlanta, GA; Woolpert, Indianapolis, IN and Quad Three Group, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

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April 5, 2010
Borton-Lawson Honored With 2010 Vista Award

Borton-Lawson was recently honored by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) for the firm’s design of a new critical care building at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. The Vista Award is a national mark of distinction that honors the important role teamwork plays in health care design and construction. The 2010 award was given to the Borton-Lawson team for its design of a facility that worked with a single purpose to deliver a state-of-the-art critical care building and met the needs of the community.

"The Vista Award is unique in that it recognizes a team working together with the ultimate goal of designing and developing a healing environment. By sharing a common vision and stated goals, team members overcome challenges presented along the way," explained Dana Swenson, PE, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer, UMass Memorial Health Care, and chair of the 2010 Vista Awards Task Force. "The team brought together by the Geisinger Health System clearly demonstrated this important facet of a new construction project. Ultimately, the real people to benefit from the team's hard work are the people of Wilkes-Barre who will use and work at the facility," he added. For detailed information on the 2010 Vista Award recipient and/or information on the 2010 Vista Award program, go to www.ashe.org.

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March 11, 2010
I-80 motorists don't have exclusive right to equity argument
by Christopher L. Borton

Over the past few years, as the federal government has evaluated Pennsylvania’s application to convert Interstate 80 into a toll road, opponents, generally from here in Pennsylvania’s northern tier, have consistently decried I-80 tolling as unfair. But I take exception to such a statement, understanding that most do not know all the details of our current situation.

As a regular Pennsylvania Turnpike traveler whose office and home are about three miles from the Turnpike’s Wilkes-Barre entrance, such claims of injustice annoy me, and they should irritate any Turnpike motorist who is already paying higher tolls today. After all, a good portion of our Turnpike tolls are helping to improve transportation in all of the 67 counties in our state…yes, even in I-80 counties.

We who travel the Northeastern Extension have been paying higher tolls for more than a year now. Tolls on the Turnpike increased 25 percent in January, 2009 and went up another 3 percent this past January. Nearly all the revenues from those increases have gone to help the Turnpike Commission meet its financial obligations to the state under Act 44 of 2007, the law that calls for the tolling of I-80. I wonder if other Turnpike users realize their tolls are paying for non-Turnpike bridge and highway improvements across the state?

Don’t get me wrong. I understand the need, and I’m willing to pay a bit more to support and improve transportation facilities statewide. (Act 44 revenues from toll-paying Turnpike travelers have already produced 1,005 miles of improved roadway and 153 bridge replacements across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.) But if we are in fact a Commonwealth — meaning, “for the greater good” — it puzzles me why some would so fervently object to such a necessary measure, especially when there are few practical options to generate the needed funding. And more importantly, why would they object to a system which would more equitably assess fees for use?

About 20,000 drivers use the Northeast Extension in our region every day, and roughly 500,000 people per day use the entire Pennsylvania Turnpike. So, if we can all dig a little deeper, perhaps the true injustice is that some I-80 travelers apparently believe they shouldn’t have to give a cent more for better infrastructure.

Anti-tolling groups and some elected officials have largely avoided honest discussion about the benefits of tolling. So I feel obliged to mention that, since Act 44 was passed, the Turnpike Commission has transferred to PennDOT about $2.3 billion (more than double the amount of transportation funding Pennsylvania received from the federal stimulus bill) enabling 310 improvement projects and helping to retain or create tens of thousands of jobs. This is money that you, the Turnpike toll payer, have provided over the past 30 months to pay for improvements on roads and bridges you may never travel.

In fact, the higher tolls my fellow Turnpike users and I are paying have allowed PennDOT to complete or start nearly $700 million worth of road and bridge projects across Pennsylvania in two years, including more than $107 million spent in the 16 counties through which I-80 runs. That merits repeating: Turnpike travelers have supplied $107 million for road and bridge improvements in the I-80 corridor.

We’ve heard predictions that tolls would be “devastating,” to the corridor. But several measures have been put in place to ease impacts. Creating a short-trip discount to let passenger vehicles with E-ZPass drive up to 60 miles without paying, placing the nine toll points to minimize diversion from I-80, and committing funding to make safety improvements to adjoining routes that see a boost in traffic should diminish the worries of those who live near I-80. Even truckers will qualify to receive a sizeable E-ZPass discount depending on their monthly usage.

Many opponents point out the negative impact tolling could have on the region and fail to mention the opportunities that would be created by a four-fold increase in capital spending on I-80. Few have the insight to exclaim the consequence if nothing is done. Even fewer are forthcoming with ideas on how they would come up with the crucial resources to maintain our highways, bridges and public-transit organizations.

Providing infrastructure to move people and goods is a fundamental function of our government and arguably its most important mission. As a professional who serves transportation-industry clients, I can tell you that, without new revenues to fund our aging infrastructure, our economy would falter and eventually could fail.

Any choice the government makes to increase transportation funding is going to have an impact; sadly, money doesn’t grow on the shade trees around our state capitol in Harrisburg. A majority of state lawmakers made a tough choice three years ago to help solve the problem of adequate funding for our crumbling ground-transportation network when they passed Act 44. Now, we need the support of Washington, D.C. to fully implement this solution.

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March 1, 2010
Borton-Lawson Welcomes Tom Makowski
as Vice President of Business Development
and Marketing

Borton-Lawson is pleased to announce that Thomas A. Makowski, Esq. has joined the firm as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. He will be responsible for leading the firm-wide business development and marketing efforts.

"I've known Tom for over 25 years, being associated in a personal, as well as a business setting. Tom's drive, personality, and problem-solving abilities are a perfect match with the Borton-Lawson team. I look forward to these traits weaving into the fabric of Borton-Lawson to the benefit of our clients," said Chris Borton, President.

Tom is an industry and government relations professional with over 20 years of experience. His experience ranges from private law practice to directing government agencies, as well as performing corporate and industry relations functions for the nation’s largest student loan lender. Tom has served government on the local, state, and federal levels. He is highly regarded for building partnerships in the public and private sector, and for establishing outstanding community relations initiatives, policy, and strategy. Tom has also been active in the community, serving on numerous boards and committees. 

“This is a key hire to help us achieve our strategic objectives with our growth into the central and western part of the state. We believe Tom will provide us with leadership in the business development arena,” noted Babur Mian, Chief Operating Officer.

Congratulations to Tom on his new position!

Tom Makowski's Cell: (570) 905-4951
tmakowski@borton-lawson.com

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February 4, 2010
Borton-Lawson Accepts ACEC Diamond Award for Engineering Excellence for Geisinger's Buckhorn Office Building Design

At the ACEC Diamond Awards for Engineering Excellence Dinner at the Hotel Hershey, Borton-Lawson accepted an award for their design of Geisinger’s Buckhorn Office Building in the Building/Technology Systems Category. 

Patrick Endler, AIA, LEED AP and Richard Hardy, Director of Architecture and Engineering at Geisinger, accepted the award on behalf of Borton-Lawson.  Representatives from Alexander Building Construction Co., who provided the construction services on the project, were also able to attend the event. Geisinger has been very happy with this facility, and it is a terrific example of teamwork as well as communication between the entire design team, and working with the client to provide them with the best solution.

Click on the image below to take a closer look at our submission.

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___________________________________________________

January 2010
Borton-Lawson Opens Pittsburgh Area Office

As we look forward to bringing our expertise to the Greater Pittsburgh Area, Borton-Lawson proudly announces the opening of our new office in the Brooktree Office Park in Wexford, PA.

We are pleased to welcome Gary A. Runco, P.E., P.L.S., who will be the Pittsburgh Area Manager for Borton-Lawson. In this position, Gary will be responsible to grow Borton-Lawson’s presence in the Pittsburgh area by marketing all of our services to potential clients and managing the daily operations of that location. Before coming to Borton-Lawson, Mr. Runco was the General Manager for Metal Foundations, the Vice President-Domestic Operations at Paul C. Rizzo Associates, and the Regional Vice President at Wilbur Smith Associates.

He has been involved in the engineering and construction business for over 32 years, and he is extensively involved with professional societies such as ASCE, ASHE, and ABCD. Gary earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He has his P.E. license in PA, WV, and SC and is a PLS in WV.

Congratulations to Gary on his new position!

Pittsburgh Area Office Contact Information:
Brooktree Office Park, 7500 Brooktree Drive, Suite 302
Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: 724.935.3110
Fax: 724.935.3112

Gary Runco's Cell: 412.848.9399
grunco@borton-lawson.com

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November 2, 2009
Geisinger's Buckhorn Office Building Holds Ribbon Cutting for Staff and Community

Borton-Lawson's professional design team experienced a sense of pride and satisfaction at the ribbon cutting for Geisinger's Buckhorn Office Building.

Article by MICHAEL LESTER, Press Enterprise Writer
About $123 million flowed through the new Geisinger office building here in October alone. That's how much Geisinger's collections department hauled in during the health system's first month doing business across Route 42 from the Columbia Mall.

The office's 426 employees also answer an average of 4,000 calls per day, said Diane Smith, who trains operators at the three-story call center.
In fact, whenever someone has to schedule an appointment with a Geisinger doctor or clinic by phone, the call is likely answered and an appointment set by someone sitting at a cubicle here.

To make those calls go smoother, the new office features a sound-masking system. Tiny speakers built into the ceilings crank out a "whooshing" sound – sort of like an air conditioner – to drown out noise. That way, Smith said, when operators are on calls, there are fewer distractions. The voice of the caller is pretty much all they can hear.
And the caller hears only the voice of the operator.

Smith cited the sound-masking system as the most important improvement for employees. "It's amazing, with 4,000 calls a day, how quiet it is," she said. Digital "reader boards" are also being installed on walls. These are basically scoreboards that tell operators how many callers are on hold, which callers are next in line, and what medical departments they want to make appointments with. The boards also show "how long the longest waiting call is, in minutes and seconds," Smith explained.

The building also has a room where health system personnel can scan paper records into the health system's electronic medical record system, Smith said. To protect patient privacy, Geisinger limits the number of people who can enter the room, Smith said. Employees must have a key card to gain access. 'This is cool'

In addition to over 400 computers, the building is equipped with three Smart Boards in separate rooms for employee training. Smart Boards are modern-day chalkboards that project onto a large screen what appears on a computer screen. The building has conference rooms and a 120-seat cafeteria, where a local vendor sells meals. Smith said the building's water faucets and fountains have built-in filters so employees don't have to bother filtering what they pour from the tap.

Geisinger is also proud the building is "environmentally friendly," with occupancy sensors to minimize energy use in rooms not being used. And it has a monitoring system to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the building at times when it is not occupied.

Officials said the building's windows are designed to maximize the natural lighting that peeks in, another move to lower energy costs.
Unlike lease agreements Geisinger has for other offices, it owns the Buckhorn building, which is built on over 12 acres with about 500 parking spaces. "We want to have more of these. It means so much to the community's economy " CEO Glenn Steele said. "So this is cool."
Geisinger also transferred its billing and cash collection departments here from other sites. Employees were moved to Buckhorn from offices on the Geisinger Medical Center campus, from Geisinger Office Building II along Route 11 in Montour Township, and from the Wesner Building off Woodbine Lane in Mahoning Township.

The health system plans to renovate both of those now-vacant spaces and put them to some other use, said Kevin Brennan, chief financial officer. Brennan said there are no specific plans yet for those buildings. But he explained the plan for years has been to move non-clinical departments – those that don't deal with treatment of patients– to buildings separate from the GMC campus. 'Just as significant'
CEO Steele said the new building symbolizes the appreciation Geisinger's leadership has for its employees. "Without your great work, we could not deliver the great care that we do," Steele told hundreds of workers at a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Wednesday. "Every one of you makes a contribution, which is just as significant as our clinicians." Geisinger will likely expand its work force at the building, which has room for 600.
It cost $18 million to build and encompasses 93,000 square feet.
Contact Reporter Michael Lester at 387-1234, ext. 1311 or at mike.l@pressenterprise.net.

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November 1, 2009
Borton-Lawson Receives Award for Excellence in Professional Development from the Scranton Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Borton-Lawson for Excellence in Professional Development on October 27th at their annual awards luncheon. The award honors organizations that are committed to the professional development and training of their employees.

Borton-Lawson offers a wide array of programs for professional, managerial, and executive levels. Through its training, the organization assumes costs and supports continuing education, community leadership projects, corporate coaching, and executive training.

Borton-Lawson knows that it is important to increase and maintain its workforce’s technical, administrative, and managerial proficiencies. The firm employs Engineers, Architects, Designers, Detailers, Surveyors, GIS Technicians, CAD Operators, Environmental Specialists, and Administrative Personnel. Borton-Lawson seeks to continually improve its service offerings by equipping its staff with the best technical and professional training. The firm dedicates a large part of our budget to professional and personal development.  The programs Borton-Lawson hosts and supports center on customer service, technical knowledge, and leadership skills.

Visit www.scrantonchamber.com to learn more about the Scranton Chamber and their programs.

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