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Reflecting on the Impact of Civil Engineering

The team at Snyder & Associates has redoubled its efforts to help our communities adapt to a new and changing environment. We believe roads, bridges, trails, buildings, parking lots, drinking water, sewer facilities, and stormwater management aren’t just infrastructure. Still, these built environments make our communities safer and more enjoyable. Thus, the small things we do at Snyder & Associates daily make a big difference.

As a point of reflection, we encouraged our staff to share moments where they recognized their work’s impact on the world around them.

Our firm, President Dave Moeller, P.E., kicked off the activity by sharing a story about the 100-year flood event Central Iowa experienced in 2018.

“We don’t always have the opportunity to see our designs pushed to their limits,” he shares. “When historic flooding put Fourmile Creek in jeopardy, the restoration and improvements we guided beforehand weathered the storm.”

Before the flood, Fourmile Creek experienced severe streambank erosion, leaving sanitary sewer infrastructure at risk for exposure. Using natural channel design concepts and integrating ecological lift techniques, Snyder’s design team transformed an environmental liability into a community asset. Stabilizing the banks provided additional benefits, including improved water quality, increased safety, and reduced flood risks.

It isn’t easy to know what could have occurred without sound engineering to improve the resilience and integrity of Fourmile Creek, but the outcome was rewarding.

“We’re proud of how the restoration and overall improvements of Fourmile Creek performed,” he says. “Realizing the profound impact of our engineering brought fulfillment for the entire team.”

For Moeller and his colleagues, these moments bring the impact of engineering to light and capture the essence of our profession. We asked staff members to share their stories —here’s what they had to say:

43 Years

Mike Geier circle headshotI realize the many impacts Snyder & Associates’ longevity, growth, and values have on our dedicated staff. I’m proud to have witnessed staff start as summer interns, gain their licensing, and grow to become critical leaders.

– Michael G. Geier, PLS, Council Bluffs Business Unit Leader, Chairperson of the Board

 

 

23 Years

Tony Boes circle headshotA recent team effort with the City of Ankeny involved analyzing and updating traffic signal timing and coordination plans at 48 signalized intersections. We received positive communication from the public about the improved traffic flow. It’s even more rewarding to know fewer crashes are likely to occur.

– Tony Boes, P.E., PTOE, Traffic Engineer

 

 

Erin Griffin circle headshotWhile surveying, I witnessed numerous homeless people living near the area for a future homeless shelter addition. Knowing the work we completed would help provide temporary residence for homeless individuals and families was incredibly humbling.

– Erin Griffin, PLS, Land Surveyor

 

 

Eric Miller circle headshotWhile surveying in Carlisle, two cars collided at the intersection under review for improvement. Thankfully, no one was injured. The incident was eye-opening. We don’t just improve traffic flow. We prevent accidents.

– Eric Miller, PLS, Survey Business Unit Leader

 

 

Steve Klocke circle cutout headshotRock arch rapids were completed to protect a large water transmission main under Squaw Creek. With the design nearing completion, four kayakers went over the dam and nearly lost their lives. I’m proud to know our design will provide a safe recreation route for future kayakers in light of the near tragedy.

– Steve Klocke, P.E., Water Resources Work Group Leader

 

 

18 Years

Andrew Burke circle headshotI worked on the Coralville Camp Cardinal Boulevard Extension project. While I no longer live in eastern Iowa, I drive through the corridor whenever I’m in the area. Observing the growth and development makes me realize that what we do is not just a “job,” but it truly transforms communities.

– Andy Burke, P.E., Civil Engineer

 

Eric Cannon circle headshotFor years, there was a debate on downtown Des Moines becoming a true “home” for residents looking to live, work, and play. The 420 Court project, consisting of a new Hy-Vee, apartment building, and parking garage, was a breakthrough in the growth and sustainability of the downtown environment. I was pleased to hear friends discuss the development and share my excitement as I worked on the project.

– Eric Cannon, P.E., Development Business Unit Leader

 

Clay Schneckloth circle headshotAt the Prairie Heritage Civic Plaza ribbon cutting, it was moving to see the community enjoying features we designed for the park. I knew all the behind-the-scenes secrets to make it a fantastic community space.

– Clay Schneckloth, PLA, Landscape Architect

 

 

Mark Webb circle headshotNothing compares to the visual experience of a completed project. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing how much effort goes into our designs and inspecting the implementation into construction successes with several different contractors working toward a common goal.

– Mark Webb, Construction Technician

 

 

13 Years

Jerome Hatlewick circle headshotWatching young engineers learn and advance in their knowledge and responsibility is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. As a mentor, I take my responsibility for assisting future generations very seriously. I often think about the safety of several thousand vehicles on the road each day while completing structural bridge design.

– Jerome Hatlewick, P.E., Structural Engineer

 

 

8 Years

Brian Fortin circle headshotThe Geotechnical MR_2 project in Council Bluffs is a subsurface project that goes almost entirely unnoticed, yet it’s one of my most rewarding projects. The project is critical in safeguarding the Missouri River levee during flood events and will protect countless residents.

– Brian Fortin, P.E., Civil Engineer

 

Jordan Gustafson circle cutout headshotwas one of my first major projects. The positive impact on safety and the addition of beautification features through streetscape design made this the most rewarding project in my career.

– Jordan Gustafson, P.E., Structural Engineer

 

 

Korey Marsh circle cutout headshotOne of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is witnessing the community’s excitement. Whether we’re improving school facilities and sports complexes in a small, rural town or developing a new townhome complex in the gateway to downtown Des Moines, what we do impacts not only the people associated with the project but entire communities. This makes each project more personal to me.

– Korey Marsh, P.E., Civil Engineer

 

Ariel Rauk circle headshotI’m blessed to bring 2D designs to life. I can convey existing and proposed scenarios, creating a virtual bridge between design and reality. Through digital models, engineers can identify potential safety and design improvement areas and improve public communication for those impacted by a project.

– Ariel Rauk, Engineering Technician

 

Zachary Role circle headshotThe McFarland School District athletic field project featured several new site improvements, including a new track and synthetic turf athletic field. Our client was enthusiastic throughout the project and very happy during the final walk-through. I have great pride and a sense of accomplishment, knowing future student-athletes will benefit from this project.

– Zachary Role, EI, Civil Engineer

 

Dax Suntken circle headshotDuring a public meeting for the Mormon Trek Boulevard lane conversion project, I was humbled. A woman in the crowd praised city staff and our team for prioritizing pedestrian safety. She lost her daughter during a car crash on this same roadway. I hang on to this memory, which drives me in our firm pursuit of increasing community safety.

– Dax Suntken, P.E., Civil Engineer

 

 

Encouraging Snyder & Associates employees to consider their realization of impact on projects provides our team the time to reflect on and take pride in their contributions as they continue enabling our clients to overcome evolving 21st-century challenges.

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