March 20, 2002

Design Detailings: Shannon & Wilson and Fujitani merge

Fujitani Hilts, a Portland-based geotechnical and environmental firm, recently merged with Shannon & Wilson, Inc. Fujitani Hilts is still practicing from its Canyon Road offices, but has changed its name to Shannon & Wilson.

Frank Fujitani, vice president and Portland branch manager, said the merger will allow better client services by adding technical specialists.

In addition to having similarities in expertise, the two firms have worked on similar projects. Fujitani’s firm has been involved in several portions of Portland’s Tri-Met including the Hillsboro extension and Westside light rail and has provided services to airports, schools and universities and transportation projects. Shannon & Wilson has been involved in many major transportation projects, including Sound Transit facilities, Alaskan Way Viaduct studies and bridges throughout Washington state.

Shannon & Wilson has 220 professionals located in Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon and Washington. The corporate headquarters is in Seattle.

Engineering Council honors 4 engineers

The Puget Sound Engineering Council honored several local outstanding civil and electrical engineers at its recent Annual Awards at Seattle’s College Club. The annual banquet is the concluding event of National Engineer’s Week. The award recipients were as follows:

Charles W. Roeder was honored as 2002 Academic Engineer of the Year. As a University of Washington Civil and Structural Engineering professor, he has mentored hundreds of professional engineers both locally and nationwide. He worked on a steel materials team in connection with a seismic rehabilitation project. He served as team leader for evaluating the failure of special steel moment resisting frame structures in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. He has served on several ASCE technical committees including the Seismic Effects Committee and the Dynamic Effects Committee and is leading the 2003 ASCE Structures Congress organizing committee for the 2003 Seattle conference.

Col. Ralph H. Graves is 2002 Government Engineer of the Year. Graves is the 44th commander and district engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District, responsible for military construction and civil works programs throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. He taught civil engineering at West Point and is president of the Society of Military Engineers.

Edward R. Schild is 2002 Industry Engineer-of-the-Year. Schild is director for Energy Production and Storage for Puget Sound Energy where he has implemented Total Quality Management principles.

Roger C. Young was honored as 2002 Professional Engineer of the Year. He spent two years working for Aramco in Saudi Arabia. He returned to Seattle to start and develop Elcon Associates to a 22-employee electrical engineering firm. He assisted in the design of electrical and control systems for the Sea-Tac Airport expansion as well as performing systems engineering for the light rail system. He has served as president for the Washington Society for Professional Engineers.

Jon Magnusson of Skilling, Ward, Magnusson, Barkshire gave the keynote address on several of the city's unique structures, including Freeway Park, convention center, Bank of America Tower, Safeco Field, Experience Music Project and the new Central Library.

Puget Sound Engineering Council (PSEC) represents more than 30 different engineering societies throughout Puget Sound.

Panel looks at how to boost engineers' image

Are engineering services perceived as a value-added service or a commodity? What is the current perception of the engineering services industry? What are the key roadblocks to increasing the perceived value of design professionals in the marketplace? How can engineers overcome these roadblocks?

These questions will be addressed at a panel discussion tonight from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Rock Salt Steak House, 1232 Westlake Ave. N.

One of the critical issues facing engineers today and in the future is whether their services are perceived as a value-added service or as a commodity. Panelists will discuss the importance of changing industry perceptions to retain and attract design professionals.

They will also address the need to understand the value of engineering services, how engineers can impact the value of services and how engineers can manage and enhance industry perceptions.

Panelists include Jack Locke, city of Auburn, past president ASCE Seattle Section, past board of directors APWA, and previously principal of Gardner Engineers; Steven Haluschak, RoseWater Engineering, Inc., surface water team manager, Northwest regional director of ASEM; and Lynn Guttmann, head of management consulting services for HDR Northwest Region. The facilitator is Timothy Lowry, King County Metro.

Cost is $30. For information, call (206) 695-6670, or write lkd@shanwil.com.