3-07-2023
By Mike Brady, LG, LHG
Groundwater Awareness Week, taking place March 5 – 11, 2023, was established in 1999 to highlight the responsible
development, management, and use of groundwater. The week is also a good reminder to conduct yearly water well testing and well maintenance and promote policies that impact groundwater quality and supply.
Groundwater is an amazing resource that, when used effectively, can be a sustainable and reliable r... (more)
3-02-2023
By Claudia Denton and Louisa de Heer
What is your organization’s impact on the environment? And how can you understand that impact to meaningfully reduce it? It may be hard to know where to start, but a good first step is to conduct a greenhouse gas inventory.
Simply put, a greenhouse gas inventory measures an organization’s current carbon footprint, which can include both direct and indirect emissions pathways. A greenhouse gas inventory is often the first step in the process that an organization will take toward doing their part in slowing climate change and creating a more sustainable, resilient, and responsible future.
Who s... (more)
2-21-2023
Carlos Licon, Jr. joined Parametrix in April 2022 as a Transportation Engineer based in Albuquerque, NM. He graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso in 2019, completing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a focus on Transportation Engineering and Pavement Design. In January 2023, he earned his professional engineer (PE) license.
He discusses his careers goals, experience earning a PE license, and advice for future PE’s!
What do you hope to achieve as a Professional Engineer?
I hope to continue expanding my knowledge and expertise on roadway design and traffic modeling. As a Professional Engineer, I look forward to working on infrastructure projects that both benefit the public and improve safety.
What was most difficult about earning your PE license?
I took the PE exam imm... (more)
2-16-2023
Going back to school once you've entered the workforce can be challenging, but having the support of your employer can help! Recently Parametrix employee-owners Jade Parsons and Lonnie McKnight completed degrees with help from Parametrix's Educational
Assistance Program. They share their stories and tips on how to balance work, school, and life.
Jade Parsons is a surveyor based in our Bremerton, WA office. She recently graduated from the University of Florida's online program, earning a master's degree in geomatics. She says that she originally had no intention of pursuing a master's
degree. When she began her career at Parametrix in 2017, she didn't have any previous knowledge of surveying. H... (more)
2-02-2023
By Eddie Montejo
February 4 is National Transit Equity Day, celebrating Rosa Parks’ courageous act on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1953 that became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement and laid the foundation for transit equity today. But what does transit equity mean in 2023?
Transit equity seeks to ensure that all people have access to efficient, reliable, and affordable public transportation. Achieving transit equity in American cities has become more challenging in the last several years due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, looming economic uncertainties, and an ever-changing national culture. As a transportation planner at Parametrix, I believe that one of the best things about our firm is that we take on these large and complex challenges as a core component of our transportation practice.
In honor of National Transit Equity Day, we’ve compiled a... (more)
1-23-2023
Parametrix recently acquired Good Company, an Oregon-based firm specializing in climate resiliency and sustainability consulting services. Founded by Josh Proudfoot, the team of eight is dedicating to serving government and industry clients that serve human needs, including food, energy, water, transportation, shelter, materials management, clean tech, and finance.
We’re pleased to welcome this team to Parametrix as Good Company, A Division of Parametrix.
Josh Proudfoot | Principal Consultant
... (
more)
1-06-2023
Meet Ben Schlachter, an engineer with Parametrix's bridge and structures group based in Portland, OR. He recently passed the Structural Engineering (SE) Exam and will soon be a licensed structural engineer in Washington State. He became a licensed Professional Engineer in 2016 and is currently licensed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Montana, California, and Alaska.
We asked Ben a few questions about his career, favorite project, and his journey to earning his SE license.
Tell us about your professional background. What is your area of expertise?
I graduated from Oregon State University in 2012 with my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and earned my Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering in 2013. I worked for one year at WRK Engineering in Vancouver, WA before coming to Parametrix in 2015. I then spent 3 ½ years in the Puyallup office before moving back to... (more)
12-20-2022
Quileute Tribal School, 2022. Photo courtesy of Quileute Tribal Schools.
As the year comes to an end, we’re highlighting some of our favorite projects from 2022 that demonstrate our commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve. The Quileute Tribal School and Move to Higher Ground project, led by Parametrix Project Manager Susan Devine, was named Parametrix's 2022 Project of the Year.
Project Overview
The Quileute Tribe is located on the Northwest coast of Washington State, with housing, administration, and school facilities all located within critical flood and tsunami hazard zones. Every day, the Tribe’s children were attending school less than 200 feet from the Pacific Ocean and only 20 feet above sea level. Winter storms, heavy rainfall, high winds, and flooding often cause blocked roads and power outages.
more)
12-15-2022
With the year coming to an end, we’re highlighting some of our favorite projects from 2022 that display our dedication to making a difference in the communities we serve. The King County Metro Trolley Expansion Strategic Plan, led by Parametrix Project Manager Mark Yand, received second place in our annual Project of the Year Competition.
Project Overview
King County Metro (Metro) is an innovative force in sustainability. They are leading the transit industry with their conversion to an all-electric rubber tire transit fleet. Metro was already one step ahead with this effort, as they are one of only four transit agencies in the United States that operate an electrified trolley bus system.
Me... (more)
12-07-2022
As the year is coming to an end, we want to take a look back at some of our favorite projects from 2022 that exemplify our commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve. Coming in third place in our annual Project of the Year competition is the City of Las Vegas GreeNVision: Stewart Avenue Complete Streets project, led by Parametrix Project Manager Jackie Kuechenmeister.
Project Overview
Stewart Avenue serves as a main passage for many individuals to reach school, work, essential goods and services, or transit locations. Along the corridor, each census block is designated as an area of persistent poverty, historically disadvantaged community, or both. As it currently exists, traveling on foot or bicycle along Stewart Avenue is an unpleasant, hostile experience. With more than 35 percent of all users being pedestrians and bicyclists, the fragmented sidewalks and minimal shade is creat... (more)