Jun 24, 1997

AGRA joins water infrastructure alliance

ONTARIO -- AGRA Inc., an engineering and construction firm based in Ontario, Canada, has joined forces with two international firms in an alliance that will finance, develop and operate water and wastewater infrastructure and utility services. To be known as Allied Water, the alliance includes AGRA and AmericanAnglian. AmericanAnglian is a joint venture between American Water Works Co. Inc., a U.S. water utility, and Anglian Water PLC, a major British water and sewerage company. Allied Water will be based in Voorhees, N.J. It will draw on the resources of its parent companies to pursue projects in Atlantic Canada, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Allied Water plans to provide water- and wastewater-treatment infrastructure and utility management for cities across Canada. It will work with municipalities and engineering and construction firms to design, build and operate new and upgraded treatment systems. In 1996, Allied Water's three parent companies reported the following revenues (figures are in U.S. dollars): AGRA, $639.9 million; American Water Works Co., $895 million; and Anglian Water, $1.34 billion.

Parametrix is ESOP company of the year

SUMNER -- Parametrix was recently named Northwest ESOP Company of the Year by the Northwest Chapter of The ESOP Association, a national association of companies with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Parametrix also received an Annual Award for Communications Excellence from The ESOP Association. Founded in 1969, Parametrix employs more than 200 people in six offices in Washington, Oregon and Texas. The environmental engineering firm's ESOP was formed in 1992 and currently owns 32 percent of the firm. Parametrix formed a nine-member ESOP Committee in 1993 to educate employee owners about the benefits of the ESOP and address employees' concerns. Since becoming an ESOP, Parametrix's stock value increased by 30 percent, and the ESOP paid off its first loan ahead of schedule.

Topazio joins Geraghty & Miller

REDMOND -- Ronald E. Topazio has joined the Redmond office of Geraghty & Miller Inc. as regional manager for the Pacific Northwest. He will oversee the operations of the firm's Redmond and Portland offices. Topazio has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in environmental engineering. He is a registered professional engineer in Washington, Oregon, California and Connecticut. Throughout his 30-year career, he has worked with industrial clients and local, state and federal agencies around the United States. Geraghty & Miller's parent firm is Netherlands-based Heidemij NV, whose 6,000 employees work in 200 offices in 100 different countries. Heidemij's revenues reached $645.4 million in 1996.

Environmental conference on the Internet

Environment97, the first environmental conference to take place entirely on the Internet, is scheduled for Nov. 3-14. The international conference will open a dialogue between engineers, scientists and the general public on environmental issues. And, because attendees won't contribute to smog problems by traveling anywhere, this is one environmental conference that will not damage the environment.

Matson has environmental affairs director

SAN FRANCISCO -- Paul A. Londynsky has been named to the newly-created position of director of environmental affairs for Matson Navigation Co., a shipping line which operates in Hawaii and Guam and along the Pacific Coast of the United States. A Port of Seattle tenant for more than 90 years, Matson operates from Terminal 25 on the east side of Elliott Bay's east waterway. Londynsky will be based in Matson's San Francisco office. He will have corporate-wide responsibility for organizing, planning, developing and directing Matson's environmental affairs programs. He also will conduct internal audits of company operations to ensure that Matson complies with environmental laws and regulations. Matson currently has a "zero solid waste discharge" policy that was designed with the help of the Center for Marine Conservation. Londynsky is an attorney and a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He is a merchant marine veteran of the Gulf War and has the rank of commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Matson Navigation Co. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin Inc. of Honolulu.

Jun 20, 1997

CTR Business Systems

CTR Business Systems, Inc., has hired Marsha Kremen as a senior financial systems analyst and as marketing coordinator for the Seattle area. Portland-based CTR designs, develops, implements, integrates and supports computer information systems.

Jun 18, 1997

Mackie Designs

Mackie Designs, a Woodinville-based designer, manufacturer and marketer of professional audio equipment, has hired Robert May as vice president of manufacturing, and David Trudeau as director of materials.

Zervas Group

Terry Brown has been named a principal with the Zervas Group Architects of Bellingham, joining founders James E. Zervas and Michael E. Smith. Brown worked for 10 years in Alaska before joining the firm in 1990. He was the project architect for Kulshan Middle School in Bellingham and the Bellingham Aquatic Center. He is currently at work on a new classroom and day care facility for Whatcom Community College, a general aviation facility for the Port of Bellingham, a maintenance and operations facility for the Whatcom Transportation Authority and large, custom residence on Lake Whatcom for a best-selling author.

Harris Group

Dallas Childress has joined the Seattle office of Harris Group Inc. as a senior project manager. He brings 29 years of engineering experience to the firm, recently coordinating projects for oil, gas and chemical company clients. He has served as vice president of operations for Colorado Interstate Gas.

TRC

Dennis Noson has joined Towne, Richards & Chaudiere, Inc. (TRC) as a senior-level acoustical consultant. He was most recently with Michael R. Yantis Associates, and has provided acoustical and noise control design for Key Arena, Harbor Steps, Nordstrom Downtown, Henry Art Gallery and the Seattle Art Museum's auditorium at the Asian Art Museum. He has recently commenced Ph.D. research studies. Vicki Espinosa is TRC's new office manager. She was recently with the non-profit Chabad House in the University District.

W&H Pacific

Saeed Abtahi as joined W&H Pacific, Inc.'s Bellevue office as a project manager. He holds a degree in civil engineering from San Jose State University and a master's degree in construction management from Stanford University. He has more than 16 years of residential development and construction experience and was recently appointed to the development commission of the City of Issaquah.

Onyx Group

Theresa Krug and "Mac" McDowell have joined the Onyx Group as CAD technicians. The firm is presently overseeing projects in Guam and Japan as well as U.S. Navy projects in Jim Creek, Port Hadlock, Tacoma, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and a research center in Bayview.