John A. Simcik, P.E., C.F.M., named Principal

John A. Simcik, P.E., CFMKasberg, Patrick & Associates, LP (KPA) is pleased to announce that John A. Simcik, P.E., C.F.M., has been named as Principal in the Firm.  Mr. Simcik has been with the firm for 17 years.  His engineering experience includes project management, design, preparation of construction plans and specifications, and construction administration for roadways, drainage systems, water distribution and wastewater collection systems.  John has extensive knowledge and experience in hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) studies utilizing HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, GeoHECRAS and Pond Pack modeling software.  He has prepared numerous Letters of Map Revisions (LOMRs) and Conditional Letters of Map Revisions (CLOMR) for submittal and approval by FEMA.  He has worked with many communities surrounding Central Texas and currently serves as City Engineer for several small communities including the Village of Salado, Little River-Academy, Lorena and Nolanville.  In addition, John serves as Floodplain Administrator for the Village of Salado.

Mr. Simcik has served as Central Texas Chapter President and Region II Vice President for the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.  He is also a past president and State Director of the Central Texas Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers.  He was named Engineer of the Year in 2011 by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.  John is an active member of the Texas Floodplain Management Association.

John is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1999.  He is also a Certified Floodplain Manager.

KPA is an award winning, civil engineering firm with over 34 years of experience in serving municipalities and governmental agencies.

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Jared Chandler and Bruce Richardson attend 2016 Autodesk University Conference

KPA Engineering Technicians, Jared Chandler and Bruce Richardson, attended a 5 day Autodesk University Conference (AU) held in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is an annual international conference with more than 700 classes for designers, engineers, and industry professionals. The keynote speakers focused on the current and future use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3D printing, and Building Information Modeling 360 (BIM).  The integration of AI and BMI 360 can allow Clients, Engineers and Contractors to real time, cloud or mobile access to the design and changes during Preconstruction, Construction Execution, Commissioning & Handover and Operations & Maintenance.

Jared and Bruce attended over 40 classes and discussion forums, ranging in topics from preliminary design using Infrastructure Design Suite (a modeling, design and exhibit program) to complex modeling of surfaces and corridors for infrastructure. They learned how to use the future products from Autodesk to create 3D presentations of projects with short videos allowing the project to be viewed with augmented/virtual reality. They were also able to meet and network with cutting edge industrial professionals from around the world, which provides opportunities for discussions on new and innovated processes in design and sustainability.

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John A. Simcik, P.E., C.F.M. attends American Society of Civil Engineers Conference

John A. Simcik, P.E., CFMJohn A. Simcik, P.E., C.F.M. attended the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Texas Civil Engineering Conference (CECON) that was held September 21-23, 2016 in San Marcos, Texas.  Mr. Simcik closed out his two-year term on the ASCE Texas Section State Board of Direction as State Director for the ASCE Central Branch by attending the Texas Section Outgoing Board Meeting on Wednesday, September 21st.  He also attended panel discussions and breakout sessions during the event covering such topics as “Beyond Traffic 2045:  Trends Impacting the Future of Traffic”, Asset Management, “Mussel Species Impact on Roads, Dams & More”, discussion of Unfunded/Discretionary Mandates, and ethics presentation, and “Dams 100% Deficient:  What is the Impact?”.  The conference also included social events, networking opportunities, and opportunities to visit vendor booths.

 

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KPA Engineers attend Texas Floodplain Management Association’s Fall Conference

On September 6-8, 2016, KPA staff attended the Texas Floodplain Management Association’s (TFMA) Fall Conference in Bastrop, Texas.  KPA staff who attended included David R. Patrick, P.E., Alvin R. “Trae” Sutton, III, P.E., W. Mack Parker, P.E., John A. Simcik, P.E., and Michael C. Newman, P.E.  TFMA is an organization of professionals involved in floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), flood preparedness, potential flood awareness, flood early warning, disaster recovery and stream restoration.  The Fall Conference provided workshops, field trips, conference sessions, technical seminars for continued education credits/certification requirements, networking opportunities and social events.  All of the KPA staff who attended are Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM).  For more information regarding the Texas Floodplain Management Association, please visit http://www.tfma.org/.

 

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Comanche Gap Road Project Complete

On July 8th, 2016 a ribbon cutting was held for the completion of the Comanche Gap Road project in Harker Heights, Texas.  The $2.66 Million project included widening two lanes from 24 feet to 28 feet, 10-foot wide sidewalks on the east side of Comanche Gap, street culvert crossing improvements and extending 300-feet of 6-inch sanitary sewer line across the road to serve the Comanche Gap Park.  Construction on the project began in June 2015 and was substantially complete in July 2016.  KPA served as the Prime Consultant and provided construction administration services throughout the project.

Harker Heights Comanche Gap

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West Ninth Avenue Extension Opens for Traffic

The West Ninth Avenue Extension Project in Belton, Texas was opened to traffic on Tuesday, July 12, 2016.  The $5 Million project included embankment, full depth HMAC pavement installation, 418 feet of pre-stressed concrete beam bridge, traffic signals, landscaping and storm drainage systems.  Conceptual drawings and site studies began in 2010 with bidding the project in the Fall of 2014.  The 18 month project was completed 14 days prior to the established completion date and was $100,000 under budget.  Funding for the project was provided by the City of Belton, TxDOT, the Federal Highway Administration and the University of May Hardin-Baylor.  KPA served as the Prime Consultant and provided construction administration services throughout the project.

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KPA Welcomes 2016 Summer Intern, Caleb R. Jones

KPA welcomed Summer Intern, Caleb R. Jones, on May 16, 2016. Mr. Jones is a Belton High School graduate and currently a Junior at Texas A&M University working on a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.

Caleb will assist KPA’s professional engineers on utility and transportation projects while gaining experience and knowledge of the civil engineer profession.

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KPA Welcomes Young Professionals

KPA is proud to announce the addition of Eric S. Kramer, EIT and Samuel K. Blumenthal, EIT to our staff. Mr. Kramer and Mr. Blumenthal each received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in May 2016.

Eric began working for KPA as an Intern in the Summer of 2014. Sam also joined KPA as an Intern in the Summer of 2015. During their Internship both Eric and Sam assisted KPA’s professional engineers on utility and transportation projects while gaining experience and working toward one day being a Licensed Professional.

Eric and Sam will both join KPA’s civil design team. Eric will office in our Temple Location and Sam will office in our Georgetown Location. Eric and Sam are looking forward to starting their engineering careers and getting involved with the communities in which they will be working in.

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Kasberg, Valle & Tolbert attend Texas Water Conference

Rick N. Kasberg, P.E., Thomas D. Valle, P.E. and Ginger R. Tolbert, P.E. attended the Texas Water Conference April 20-22, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas Water is a four day conference held by both the Water Environment Association of Texas and the Texas Section American Water Works Association (AWWA). At the conference Mr. Kasberg, Mr. Valle, and Mrs. Tolbert attended many technical sessions and exhibits.

 

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Doug Krumnow Completes 30th Year at KPA Engineers

doug_krumnowOn March 26, 2016, Doug Krumnow completed his 30th year of employment at KPA Engineers. Mr. Krumnow has over 32 years of experience in Computer Aided Draftsman (CAD). At KPA he has served as Senior Draftsman and design technician on a wide range of municipal projects which includes roadways, water and wastewater lines, treatment plants, pump stations and numerous other civil design projects.

Doug graduated at Texas State Technical Institute in 1985 with an A.A.S. in Civil Engineering Technology. He has utilized AutoCAD (Computer Aided Drafting Software) extensively since its conception in the early 1980’s for preparation of engineering plans and documents. Since the early 1980’s, he has perfected his computer drafting skills to the point that he is one of the most knowledgeable AutoCAD operators in this area of the State.

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