Courtney Purdin |
7-11-2018
The 2018 USA Games kicked off in Seattle, WA on Sunday, July 1 with the Opening Ceremony held at University of Washington’s Husky Stadium. As a Seattle-based firm, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to get involved in this year’s games. Parametrix is an official partner of the 2018 USA Games and gave employee-owners paid time off to volunteer during the week.
Sixty-five Parametrix employee-owners attended the opening ceremony including several that gathered before to be a part of the cheer line as the athletes made their way to the field.
Parametrix employee-owners, along with friends and family, lined up to cheer on athletes as they made their way to the field.
Kim Stuth, a graphic designer in our Puyallup, WA office, volunteered for tennis on July 3r... (more)
Courtney Purdin |
6-22-2018
International Women in Engineering Day is Saturday, June 23. The day was created “to support, inspire, celebrate and raise the profile of women in engineering. It is an opportunity to draw attention to the careers in engineering for girls and young people and to celebrate the achievements of women engineers.”
So today we are featuring a few of the inspiring women in engineering at Parametrix. They’re sharing their challenges, triumphs, and career advice. Read their stories below.
Clara Olson
Puyallup, WA | Water Resources Engineer | 2 Years of Experience
“Ask questions. Stay curious.... (more)
Ethan Kalosky |
6-15-2018
Co-authored by Greg Mastropietro, Archaeologist
In early May 2018, Parametrix undertook a cultural resources survey along Bread Springs Road in western New Mexico, approximately 7 miles south of Gallup, NM. Bread Springs Road services a rural Navajo community of about 2,000 people. Parametrix was contracted by DePauli Engineering to provide cultural resources clearance in advance of a 5.5-mile roadway improvement project. Currently, the road is narrow and unstriped, has deteriorated asphalt, substandard vertical and horizontal curves, and experiences a relatively high traffic volume that travels at a high speed. The roadway will be reconstructed to improve safety for its many rural users.
The project is situated between the Four Corners region and Chaco Canyon. Both of these areas witnessed significant prehistoric cultural developments on a scale virtually unparalleled elsewhere in the United States. W... (more)
Courtney Purdin |
6-13-2018
Lili Jeffers joins our Portland office this summer as a technical aide. She is from Laguna Beach, CA and currently attends Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. She anticipates graduating in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance and minor in Psychology.
I asked her a few questions about her background and what she is excited for at Parametrix. Read her responses below.
What sparked your interest in business and psychology?
I was interested in business due to its versatility as well as its application in the working world. I chose psychology because I am interested in learning about human behavior, including how people think and why they do what they do.
more)
3-27-2018
Parametrix had the honor of once again hosting American Water Works Association’s South Sound Subsection's Annual Water Taste Test & Meter Madness Challenge! Water companies from around the South Puget Sound region came to compete for the title of best tasting water. Judging is based on scent, flavor, and aftertaste. This year's winners were:
1st Place - Mt. View Edgewood
2nd Place - City of Sumner
3rd Place - Lake Josephine Rivera
The winner goes on to compete for "Best in the Northwest" at the 2018 American Water Works Association Pacific Northwest Section conference in Tacoma, WA.
The event also includes a "Meter Madness Challenge". Carlos Camacho from Tacoma Public Utilities Water took home 1st place in that competition.
Another part of the fun – a beer SCADA machine designed by Parametrix’s water and electrical engineers.
more)
Allie Reiling |
2-23-2018
Parametrix had the honor of working on a project for some very special clients – here’s a hint, they have four legs, fur, wagging tails, and help visually impaired people. If you guessed Guide Dogs for the Blind, you’re correct! The Oregon Campus needed upgrades to their wastewater treatment facility and Parametrix was selected to provide those services. The Oregon Campus of Guide Dogs for the Blind has a large facility with many kennels and they treat their own wastewater on-site. Parametrix continues to provide wastewater and groundwater sampling for the organization.
After working on this project, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend a Guide Dogs for the Blind Graduation (they call them “tassels and tails”) in Downtown Portland along with my co-worker, Jen Murphy. ... (more)
Kami Matiatos |
1-22-2018
Jeff with his family. His granddaughters hold the Engineer of the Year Award.
To his surprise, on Friday evening Parametrix CEO Jeff Peacock, PE was named the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Washington’s 2018 Engineer of the Year! We kept it a secret as long as we could, but he did get a little suspicious when his family began showing up at the banquet. The Engineer of the Year Award recognizes the success, commitment, and contribution of an outstanding individual to the engineering profession.
Jeff Peacock’s leadership and vision have impacted the engineering industry, transportation policy, and infrastructure in Washington State. After earning a BS in Civil Engineering from New Mex... (more)
Eddie Soto, PE |
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!
more)
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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Jim Rapp |
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)
Julie Brandt, PE |
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)