1-18-2018
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When I got out of high school I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. My mom told me if I didn’t go to college now I probably wouldn’t go - so I needed to find something that interested me now. This led me to an 18-month program for Computer Aided Drafting and Design where I learned CAD. So 6 days after I graduated high school I started at ITT Tech while working a full-time job.
In my first job out of school I worked for a structural and civil firm where I started as a CAD Tech I. I mostly did redlines and that is where my curiosity in design started. I was there for 2 ½ years before coming to Parametrix as a CAD Tech I. I was here for about 6 months when Brad Phillips gave me my first opportunity to do design full time when he needed help on the SR520 Floating Bridge Project. I volunteered to go to Seattle and work out of the project office which was a great experience and really helped me get into the project design wo... (more)
Courtney Purdin |
1-10-2018
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In early December, Parametrix CEO Jeff Peacock announced that all employee-owners would receive FOUR extra paid days off in the week between Christmas and the New Year. What a huge gift! This was the result of all the hard work of employee-owners and the generosity of our company.
So, we asked employee-owners, what did you do with your extra time off?
Some traveled far...
Grace Amundsen (Puyallup, WA) took her honeymoon in Thailand and Cambodia!
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12-21-2017
It's official! The ribbon cutting ceremony for Phase 1 of the Newberg Dundee Bypass project was held on Monday, December 18. Parametrix has been a part of this project since the idea of a bypass was just beginning to be explored. Parametrix provided permitting, stormwater design, erosion control, and landscape design. We also led the earlier environmental documentation and alternatives analysis work.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown was the keynote speaker at the ceremony, held between Newberg and Dundee to allow members of both communities to attend. Governor Brown announced that the bypass will be open to traffic on January 6, 2018 after contractors finish the remaining work.
Parametrix employee-owners Bill Ciz and Brian Bierwagen attended the ceremony. The two have both worked... (more)
Courtney Purdin |
12-11-2017
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When the 20 Hippest Cities in the US list came out, we can’t say we were too surprised that seven of the cities that we have offices in were on the list. You can often find employee-owners gathering at cool lunch spots near the office, getting together after work for happy hour, hitting the slopes, hiking, or river rafting.
Find out from our employee-owners what the best spots in their cities are.
Seattle, WA - #20
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12-11-2017
Denise Ledingham is Parametrix’s Director of Communication and Client Outreach. She has been with Parametrix for 17 years. Her home office is in Bremerton, WA but she is often traveling throughout the company.
We asked Denise a few questions about her experience, her role, and advice she has for young professionals. Read her responses below.
What did you go to school for and where did you graduate from?
I went to the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA and earned a BA in Communication. After a few years break from school, I took evening and online classes through City University and obtained my MBA in Marketing. I took one class each quarter while working full-time so it ... (more)
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11-02-2017
Story first published in different form on Oregon Parks and Recreation’s Salmonberry Trail website.
Background: The majestic coastline, forests, and farmlands of Northwest Oregon are sewn together by a historic passage known today as the Salmonberry Corridor. This scenic but rugged corridor was once home to the Pacific Railway and Navigation (“fondly” known for decades as Punk, Rotten and Nasty) rail line that connected the windswept coast of Tillamook County to the fertile Tualatin River Valley in Washington County, and linked with other rail lines to take freight and passengers into the City of Portland. This corridor is now being planned for the 84-mile long multiuse Salmonberry Trail. In between the Coast and the Valley, the future 84-mile-long Salmonbe... (more)
10-27-2017
Recently, Parametrix employee-owner, Julie Brandt, PE, went on a pilgrimage that she had been wanting for 5 years: she hiked the Elwha. Read about the surface water engineer’s experience and perspective while exploring the breathtaking and inspiring Elwha watershed.
The Elwha watershed is the largest in the Olympic National Park and encompasses over 75 miles of migratory fish habitat. As a surface water engineer, this gets me pretty excited. The beaches and river banks of the Elwha were settled thousands of years ago by the Strong People or “nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm” [pronounced “Klallam”], who relied almost entirely on the river’s local salmon populations for their livelihood. In the early 1900’s estate developer Thomas T. Aldwell bought up a large portion of the river-front property to produce and distribute electricity to customers in the region, specifically, the large paper mill in Port Angeles. In 1914, he finished... (more)
8-09-2017
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We are excited to welcome several interns across multiple disciplines and offices this summer. Parametrix is proud to give interns a meaningful experience which will guide them in their future career. Interns at Parametrix have the opportunity to work on exciting projects and have access to knowledgeable mentors.
Dylan Kreiger is joining our Community Building Division in Bend, OR this summer. He will be graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in Civil Engineering in the Fall. He is originally from Sublimity, OR.
Read about him and his experience as an intern at Parametrix below:
Why did you choose to pursue a career in Civil Engineerin... (more)
6-29-2017
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Parametrix is excited to have several interns across multiple disciplines and offices joining us this summer. We are proud to give our interns a meaningful experience which will guide them in their future career. Interns at Parametrix have the opportunity to work on exciting projects and have access to knowledgeable mentors.
Annette Misiurak is an environmental intern in our Bremerton, WA office. She started at Parametrix in April 2017. Annette is attending the University of British Columbia but is originally from Bremerton. She is studying Environmental Science with a focus on Conservation Ecology. We asked Annette a few questions about her background and her experience at Parametrix s... (more)
Courtney Purdin |
6-02-2017
Meet John Willis, PE.
John is the Senior Vice President of our Oregon region. He has been with Parametrix for just about two months now. He has over 20 years of experience in transportation engineering including transit, urban corridors, aviation, and maritime.
I sat down with John to ask a few questions about his experience, personal life, and get his advice for others wanting to follow in his footsteps. Read his responses below.
What did you go to school for and where did you graduate from?
I went to school for Civil Engineering and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University and a Master of Science de... (more)
3-22-2017
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Parametrix was recently named WTS (Women's Transportation Seminar) Puget Sound Chapter’s “Employer of the Year” for large firms. To celebrate, we will be featuring several women in transportation at Parametrix leading up to the WTS Puget Sound Chapter Scholarship and Awards Gala on March 28th.
Today we will be introducing you to Amanda Thom, EIT.
Amanda is a transportation engineer at Parametrix based out of our Seattle office. She has 6 years of experience in the industry and has been with Parametrix for almost one year.
Projects that Amanda works on: I work on a variety of projects at Parametrix including r... (more)
3-15-2017
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Parametrix was recently named WTS (Women's Transportation Seminar) Puget Sound Chapter’s “Employer of the Year” for large firms. To celebrate, we will be featuring several women in transportation at Parametrix leading up to the WTS Puget Sound Chapter Scholarship and Awards Gala on March 28th.
Today we would like to introduce Alex Atchison!
Alex is the Seattle Transportation Planning Group Manager at Parametrix. She has been with Parametrix just a little over a year now and has 19 years of experience in the industry.
Favorite Project: My favorite project has been the Alaskan Way V... (more)
Courtney Purdin |
3-13-2017
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Meet Parametrix's COO, Roger Flint.
Roger joined Parametrix in January of this year as Chief Operating Officer. Roger has 30 years of experience in infrastructure development as well as all aspects of public works, transportation, and utility operations. Roger leads regional operational units and is responsible for company-wide programs including project delivery. He is also actively involved in the firm’s business development objectives for growth strategies.
I had the opportunity to interview Roger about his new role at Parametrix as well as ask him a few personal questions. Here’s what I found out:
What did you go to school for and where did you graduate from?
... (more)
3-08-2017
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Parametrix was recently named WTS (Women's Transportation Seminar) Puget Sound Chapter’s “Employer of the Year” for large firms. To celebrate, we will be featuring several women in transportation at Parametrix leading up to the WTS Puget Sound Chapter Scholarship and Awards Gala on March 28th.
Today we will be introducing you to Jill Czarnecki.
Jill is a Planner at Parametrix based out of our Seattle office. She has been in the industry for 19 years – all of which she has spent with Parametrix!
Projects that Jill works on: I work on the environmental documentation for a large variety of transportati... (more)
Courtney Purdin |
3-06-2017
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Meet Parametrix's CEO, Jeff Peacock, PE.
Jeff joined Parametrix in 1990 as a transportation staff engineer and was part of the transition from a closely held company to an employee-owned company that began in 1994. In late 2008, he became president and chief executive officer. He is responsible for overall company growth and profitability. During that period he has been responsible for the development of three generations of the company’s Strategic Plan, which have included a significant focus on shaping the culture of Parametrix’s employee-owned, participative management company. Jeff oversees company-wide operations, strategic planning, and business development activities.
I sat down with Jeff and asked hi... (more)
3-01-2017
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Parametrix was recently named WTS (Women's Transportation Seminar) Puget Sound Chapter’s “Employer of the Year” for large firms. To celebrate, we will be featuring several women in transportation at Parametrix leading up to the WTS Puget Soun... (more)
1-10-2017
An intersection in rural Oregon that was once avoided because of safety concerns is now home to a beautiful new roundabout.
Powell Butte Highway Roundabout is the first roundabout to be located in Central Oregon in a rural area with multiple high speed approaches. This roundabout increases safety for the nearly 6,000 travelers and commuters who drive through the intersection each day. Given the major accidents at the intersection, including a fatality, these improvements contribute to the surrounding community in a very real way. Being the first county-led roundabout project, it will serve as a model for future, similar intersections.
Because the roundabout is located on a high-speed highway, the team developed creative solutions to slow traffic and improve visibility for drivers approaching the intersection. Some of the methods included traffic calming measures such as a dynamic feedback sign, striping trea... (more)
12-14-2016
The holiday season can be rough for many people who are in need. One of our core values at Parametrix is compassion; so we like to take this chance to give back to our communities. Here are some ways that we have given this holiday season, and ways you can give too!
1. Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a program to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community.
The Parametrix Puyallup, Washington office got involved by asking for toy donations in the office as well as monetary donations. Over $500 was raised along with the toy donations collected. These toys will go to children within the local community to ensure that every child has a joyful Christmas.
Learn more about Toys for Tots and find ... (more)
9-28-2016
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Fall may have officially begun, but we’re still reminiscing on the awesome summers we’ve had as Parametrix employee-owners.
You’ll find employee-owners not only active in firm-sponsored events, you’ll also find them enjoying life outside of work; travelling, mountain climbing, running marathons, fishing, enjoying time with friends and family, and much more. Having a great work-life balance is one of the many perks to being an employee-owner at Parametrix. After all, one of our core values is FUN.
We held an internal Summer Photo Contest for employee-owners to share what they’ve been up to. We received nearly 50 entries! These are the top three picked by a vote of the people.
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9-12-2016
One morning I came into the office to see an email from Puget Sound Office Vice Principal, Kristie Casarez with the following “Thought of the day”: If you tackle every problem, challenge, project, and opportunity with passion and enthusiasm, you'll become a difference maker without even trying to be one! What are you passionate about? Inquiring minds want to know…"
Naturally, I felt compelled to answer this question, but it took me a few minutes to really ponder what it is that I am truly passionate about. The following was my response:
“I am passionate about making my mark on the world and making this world a better place. This is the reason I like design and like being a civil engineer. What better way to impact society than by improving the infrastructure we use every day? (even if not everyone is aware of it). This is also why I am passionate about road design. I like that I have the a... (more)