SSE Attends MRWA Annual Technical Conference

SSE Attends MRWA Annual Technical Conference

^{SSE’s Mike DeLong with Laclede City Operator Rodger Pergande, winner of the Bass Pro gift certificate.}

Branson, MO. – Schultz Surveying and Engineering was delighted to attend the 47th Annual Technical Conference which was held on March 12th, 13th and 14th at the Branson Convention Center. More than 150 vendors and over 300 water and sewer operators attended the three day training conference.

Attendees were able to gain valuable insight and education from nationally recognized speakers like keynote speaker Michael Johnson, Robert Spon of Spon Water Consulting, and Bob Blume of Industrial Electrical Trainers and Consulting. MRWA Executive Director John Hoagland said, “Having the Annual Technical Conference is invaluable to our members. Having companies like SSE participate allow operators, districts, and office staff to learn about new technologies, new services, and new funding opportunities that companies like SSE can provide. This knowledge and insight gives the districts their best options when providing for their communities.”

^{Attendees enjoy the Backhoe Rodeo at the}

^{MRWA Annual Technical Conference}

As is the case every year  one of the most popular events at this year’s conference was the MRWA Backhoe Rodeo.  Once attempted by SSE’s Debby Norris, the rodeo attracts all the operators and staff to test their skills. SSE showed their proud support for the hard work done by our state’s water and wastewater operators by giving away a gift certificate from Bass Pro Shops. Lucky winner Rodger Pergande took a moment to pose with SSE’s Operations Manager Mike DeLong, P.E. Delong said, “Being able to attend these events is a great thing. Operators and those in the industry like myself can  not only gain our required continuing educational hours, but get a chance to learn new techniques and visit with others who face the same issues. The resources and knowledge we get through the MRWA and the Annual Technical Conference are resources we  use to better our services, which we  then pass on to our customers.”

SSE Picked by Eldon

City of Eldon Chooses SSE for Their

Engineering Needs

Eldon's 8th Street Repair Location

Eldon, MO- The City of Eldon, Missouri has announced that Schultz Surveying and Engineering has been chosen as the engineer for a $200,000 Pavement Resurfacing project on 8th Street from Business Hwy. 54 to Industrial Drive. Mayor Ron Bly said, “What SSE can bring to the table was unquestionable. Their dedication to the communities they serve was evident in their proposal and presentation. I look forward to working with Mike and the rest of the SSE team.”

The project is in part funded by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) LPA, or Local Public Agency program and includes surveying, design, testing, and construction observation services.

Cracking in the pavement of Eldon's 8th Street

Project Engineer Mike DeLong of SSE said, “The pavement has suffered major cracking damage most likely due to the heavy traffic loads in and out of the industrial park. SSE prides itself in understanding the challenges faced by rural municipalities and communities.

We will work hard to ensure the City of Eldon’s streets are repaired and up to grade quickly and efficiently, while minimizing the costs. SSE can provide unique solutions in cases like those facing Eldon and we are excited to get started on the work.”

SSE Sponsors the MLDDA Annual Meeting

SSE Sponsors the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association
Annual Meeting in Jefferson City

SSE's Operations Manager Mike DeLong, P.E.  welcomes the MLDDA at SSE's Sponsorship Table

Jefferson City, MO. – Schultz Surveying and Engineering was delighted to attend and help sponsor the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association Meeting for the 2nd year in a row.



^{DNR Director Sara Parker-Pauley, Harry Bozoian, and MLDDA Chairman;}

^{Tom Waters pose with Mr. Bozoian’s dedication plaque.}



Held March 2, 2013 at the Jefferson City Holiday Inn Select Executive Center, SSE’s Branson and Lake of the Ozarks Operations Manager Mike DeLong and Assistant Marketing Director Amanda LaPorte attended the annual meeting and dinner. With a full day of outstanding speakers that included  Joe Bonneau from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Warren Witt, Ameren’s Director of Hydro Operations, and David Human, a Leading Levee Statute Authority and Partner at the law firm of Husch Blackwell, the MLDDA was guaranteed a packed house.

MLDDA Chairman Tom Waters said, “Having sponsors like SSE has made our annual meeting a success. SSE was the first company to ask to be included in our event and their commitment to seeing Missouri’s levees and drainage districts being the best they can be is evident.”

After a great steak dinner was enjoyed by all, a wonderful and touching poem authored and read aloud by Missouri DNR director Sara Parker-Pauley was dedicated to the memory of John Drew, Missouri’s first State Hydrologist. John  was  lost in a tragic car accident just over a year ago, and he is greatly missed. The evening  continued with a gala  fundraiser with proceeds benefitting the John Drew Scholarship Fund through the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

 

Mike Delong Stands with two lucky door prize winners

SSE Awarded Gold Star by BBB

SSE Wins BBB Gold Star Award

Stan Schultz and Brad Allbritton hold the 2013 BBB Gold Star Award.

They were recognized for having no complaints over the past three years.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. - The Better Business Bureau of Southwest Missouri recently awarded Schultz Surveying and Engineering their Gold Star award for having no customer complaints the last three years. Owner Stan Schultz said, “It’s an honor to receive this recognition from the BBB. Our employees work extremely hard to make sure our customers’ needs are taken care of. I’m very thankful that Brad Allbritton and his team have done such a good job in Branson.”

Over 300 attended the annual Torch Awards dinner in Springfield. Greek Corner was awarded the 2013 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in the small category while Varsity Contractors won for the medium size category and Service Master Restoration and Construction won in the large size category. The BBB Torch Award is designed to promote not only the importance of ethical business practices, but also the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure that our country's marketplace remains fair and honorable for all consumers and businesses.

“Running an office and dealing with customers can sometimes be hectic, but SSE is a company that supports our efforts to take care of our customers. I’m proud to work at a place where honesty and integrity are the top priority,” added Branson Office Manager Brad Allbritton. Only 77 Southwest Missouri Businesses were presented the Gold Star Award, and SSE was proud to be among them.

SSE Business Development Director Rodney Jetton attended the event and he concluded, “It was a very nice dinner and I enjoyed meeting the other business owners and award winners. The economy has been rough the last few years, but it was nice to meet other small businesses who have worked hard, taken care of their customers and survived. We are thankful to be a part of this group!”

ACEC/MO Recognizes SSE at their Annual Awards Banquet

ACEC/MO Recognizes SSE at

Their Annual Awards Banquet

They received the Honor Award for designing the Joplin Athletic Fields.

Project Manager Brad Allbritton with Owner Stan Schultz

KANSAS CITY, MO – Schultz Surveying and Engineering joined over 200 engineers at the annual MO-ACEC awards banquet in Kansas City, Missouri.  They were one of the 26 awardees on hand to be recognized during the ceremony. ACEC President Bruce Wylie commented, “There were many quality projects to evaluate, but I’m sure the judges considered how serious Joplin’s storm damage was and were impressed with how quickly SSE designed the ball fields and oversaw the construction.”

SSE owner Stan Schultz added, “Being selected for the project by FEMA and the USACE was a true honor.  Then to have our project recognized along with other projects from some of the most respected firms in Missouri was a very pleasant surprise.  I’m so proud of all our employees and the work they do to make our company successful.”

SSE won the Honor Award for their work on the Joplin Athletic Fields. Heather Morgan, a landscape architect for the USACE said, “There was a lot of pressure on this project with people saying I need this now, along with me pushing and calling Brad Allbritton on the weekend because SSE had to come out and site plan the project, grade it, do all the permitting and prepare the construction documents at the speed of light. We had a full site with all these existing conditions and SSE had to come up with deliverables that normally take months on end to create, to get earth moving and get everything correct as far as cost estimating.”

On July 13^th the USACE contacted C&M Contractors about this project and on July 14th owners Melinda Vaughn and Charlie Bass made their first visit to the site. They were chosen for a design/build negotiated contract by the USACE- Kansas City District and Melinda Vaughn quickly assembled an experienced team including Schultz Surveying and Engineering as well as Ridge Hill Contractors. On July 23rd only nine days later, SSE successfully completed the design which allowed C&M Contractors to successfully negotiate the contract for the temporary athletic fields located at the Joplin South Middle School. These included a baseball, softball, soccer, and a football field. The contracting authority was the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; however, the project was funded by FEMA through their critical infrastructure program as part of the disaster relief effort after the tornado.

Typically, design build contracts are awarded to large construction and engineering firms, but because of the tornado and emergency situation FEMA wanted to find a small business that could begin work immediately. Rarely do small companies like SSE have an opportunity to do this kind of project. SSE owner Stan Schultz said, “Even though we were new to the Hubzone program, working on design build projects is not new to us. Our project managers all understand the importance of doing quality work on projects that have demanding timelines.”

On September 1^st the final sod was laid down which completed the project 45 days ahead of schedule. The grading was complete, the grass was growing, the bleachers were in place, and the lights were shining the night the students took the field for the first time. While some may say ball fields are not that important, the folks in Joplin do not agree. Mike Johnson, Director of Maintenance added, “We lost several students in that storm and anything that can help bring some normalcy back into these kids lives is a wonderful thing. What FEMA, the USACE, C&M, SSE and all the workers have done for our school is truly a blessing.”

Stan Schultz and his wife along with Brad Allbritton and his wife attended the ACEC award banquet.  Brad Allbritton accepted the award on behalf of the company and he remarked, “We take great pride in this project, but receiving recognition for helping the students in Joplin get back to a normal life is a very humbling experience.  Your kind words and encouragement are very appreciated by all our employees and the Joplin School District.  Thanks for a wonderful evening.”  

Good times with the County Commissioners

SSE Had A Good Time With The County Commissioners

The County Commissioners Association of Missouri held their Annual Training Session February 6-7, 2013 in Jefferson City and everyone seemed to call this year’s even a success. Schultz Surveying and Engineering hosted a hospitality suite Wednesday night where commissioners, their spouses and legislators were able to come together and discuss current trends and issues facing counties.                                                                                            

Alan Cook, Newton County Associate Commissioner was excited to win SSE’s annual tablet giveaway while his fellow commissioners enjoyed his luck.

            A bit of a change up this year found sponsors having the opportunity to take commissioners and their guests out for dinner Thursday evening. SSE was delighted to see the response to their invitation and welcomed over 50 commissioners, and their spouses, to enjoy the evening at popular Jefferson City dining spot, O’Donoghue’s on High Street. After a short speech delivered by SSE founder, Stan Schultz giving a heartfelt thank you to the commissioners for their service and dedication to the counties they serve everyone enjoyed a great dinner of chicken masala, roasted beef, country-style mashed potatoes, fresh green beans and apple cobbler.

Conversations ranged from everyday topics of recent television programs to the more serious issues facing counties today like liability insurance for incarcerated inmates, the plethora of use-tax on ballots this spring, and finding funding for desperately needed infrastructure projects.

Representative Steve Cookson (R-153) was on hand to speak with commissioners, saying “Being able to meet with commissioners in a relaxed atmosphere like the one provided by SSE allows me to be able to hear their concerns. Sometimes it is hard to for us to find times in our schedules especially when I am in session and opportunities like these make it possible for us to find solutions to the problems facing our citizens”.

Wright County Presiding Commissioner Zack Williams seemed happy to get a chance to speak with SSE’s own BRO funding expert, Marvin Nesbit. He said “When companies like SSE help us with the knowledge and expertise we need to get projects completed it is really helpful. Talking to Marvin helped me better understand the process and I’m glad I attended the dinner.”

A good time was had by all and SSE looks forward to hosting another night next year and many more years to come.