May/June 2021 - 64

on technical paper content in each topic to allow attendees to
grasp main findings from proceedings and their impact on
deep mixing practices. Recorded presentations of the more
than 100 technical paper contributions will be available ondemand
through the conference's online system, which is
open throughout 2021 for registrants.
Thank you to Soil Mixing Committee members who are
actively supporting the conference. I serve on the organizing
committee and am honored to be chairing the field
performance session on June 8. Dennis W. Boehm (Keller) will
present a keynote lecture, " The Integral Role of the Contractor
in Achieving the Design Properties of Soil Mixed Material, "
and Peter R. Cali, Ph.D., P.E. (Sea Level Engineering), will
present with his co-authors, Donald Bruce, Ph.D., D.GE
(Geosystems), and David Yang, Ph.D. (formerly JAFEC), their
keynote paper, " Best Deep Mixing Practices and Lessons
Learned. " Other committee members preparing and
presenting papers include Franz-Werner Gerressen (Bauer
Maschinen), Michael Arnold (Bauer Foundation), Joseph
Mann (Keller), Wes Schmutlzer (Treviicos), and Giovanni
Spagnoli, MBA, Ph.D. (MBCC Group).
COMMITTEE CHAIR JON SINNREICH, P.E.
Seismic and Lateral Loads
Jon Sinnreich
The Se i smi c and La t era l Loads
Committee transitioned chairs during
March's Midyear Committee Week. We
thank outgoing chair, Kwabena OforiAwuah,
P.E., D.GE, ENV SP, of Koforia, for
his many years of service, including the
s teady leadership that saw the
committee produce numerous DFIfunded
research projects and seminars. He is succeeded by
Jon Sinnreich, P.E., of Load Test Consulting. Sinnreich earned
a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's in
structural engineering at the University of Florida (UF), and
previously worked for Loadtest. He has participated in
hundreds of international bi-directional test projects and led
R&D efforts on various technologies, including ultrasonic
shaft profiling. While coordinating UF research at the Powell
Structures and Materials lab, he oversaw projects dealing
with wind engineering and natural hazards. Sinnreich is a
registered professional engineer in Florida and current chair
of ASTM Subcommittee D18.23 (Field Instrumentation
Subcommittee under D18 Soil and Rock). He is also active in
DFI as an editorial board member for DFI Journal, and serves
on multiple technical committees. We look forward to
working with him in his new DFI committee role.
COMMITTEE CHAIR LUCKY NAGARAJAN
Women in Deep Foundations
Whether " mentor " is in Sanskrit (guru),
Greek (mentoras), Russian (nastavnik) or
English, the words all have similar
meanings and significant importance
around the world. A mentoring model is
far from a one-size-fits-all approach,
though. There are always questions like
" How do you find a mentor? " and " How
do you develop mentor-protégé relationships for the full
potential and benefit of both? " A few years ago, during a
mentoring event, a life coach presenter said that one also
needs at least seven mentors who are from different
backgrounds, continents/countries and cultures.
With this in mind, the WiDF Committee thought, why not
pilot a mentoring program for members to support and learn
from each other? This committee comprises members from
diverse background and experience levels whose unique
abilities can be shared to strengthen each other. To start the
pilot program, a subcommittee was set up. Instrumental in
creating this pilot program were Gisele Passalacqua, P.E.
(AECOM), Abeera Batool, Ph.D., P.E. (GAI Consultants), Hannah
Iezzoni, P.E. (Keller-NA), Emma Migneault (Geo-Instruments),
Sayantani Ghosh, P.E. (Langan Engineering) and Joanna Smith
(Daley Smith). A survey to committee members revealed their
interest in being a mentor/protégé/both, level of deep
foundation industry experience, mentoring topics and more.
The subcommittee decided that an organic way of growing
mentor-protégé relationships among the 45 interested
members is most favorable. To achieve this, the committee
developed eight " Mentoring Pods, " where members are
assigned to small groups meeting regularly to help hold each
other accountable to progress during the journey to choose a
mentor or mentors. The pods were developed of five to six
members each that involve various experience levels,
requested topics and backgrounds. Work is currently
underway on draft guidelines and responsibilities for mentors
and protégés. The latter will interact with different mentors in
their pods and then choose mentor/s to build longer-lasting
relationships with. Every pod has a " facilitator " assigned, who
is the liaison between the subcommittee and pods. Be on the
lookout for future mentoring program updates soon.
As we work towards sculpting this pilot program, I would
Lucky Nagarajan
like to leave you with these quotes: " In every person there is a
seed of greatness. Understanding your uniqueness, your
values, your natural strengths, and your authenticity is vital
to finding your success " - T. W. Lewis; and " The cave you fear
to enter holds the treasure you seek " - Joseph Campbell.
64 * DEEP FOUNDATIONS * MAY/JUNE 2021
May/June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2021
