March 2009 Vol. 64 No. 3
Features
NASTT Enjoys Solid Growth, Expands Horizons
The year 2008 proved to be another strong year of growth and expansion past the nation’s borders for the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT), reports Piero Salvo, who completed his two-year term as NASTT chairperson at the end of January.
Salvo is president of WSA Trenchless Consultants, which recently became a division of GENIVAR in Montreal, Quebec. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering and is a professional engineer in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
Goals met
Citing his goals for NASTT in 2008 to “become more visible at the grassroots level and to incite more participation from our colleagues in Mexico” Salvo cites significant accomplishments:
- Attended the ANEAS XXII Conference in Guadalajara, Mexico. Reached out to Mexico’s utility leaders and increased their awareness of the benefits of trenchless technologies and NASTT; and encouraged new membership and training opportunities.
- Built on the growth of the regional chapters with the addition of the Atlantic Provinces to the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Chapter, as well as added Manitoba and Saskatchewan to the Northwest Chapter. Added three new student chapters; notably Indiana University, Purdue University, Concordia University and McGill University.
- NASTT completed the third edition of the HDD Good Practices Guidelines Manual. This new, user-friendly version includes a new chapter on design and updated sections to include new developments in technologies. The Guidelines manual soon will be available on CD-ROM, as a soft-cover book or can be downloaded via the NASTT Web site.
- Increased membership to approximately 1,200.
Salvo points out that: “Being a member of NASTT allows individuals to network with professionals who are passionate about trenchless technology. NASTT offers many opportunities via training courses and at the No-Dig Show, to have peer reviewed technical papers and technical sessions.”
NASTT is known for providing quality education and training programs to trenchless professionals at its annual No-Dig Show and training courses. Currently, NASTT offers six training courses covering cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP), horizontal directional drilling (HDD), pipe bursting, lateral lining, new installation methods and an overview of trenchless technologies. NASTT also has developed and implemented Good Practices Guidelines for horizontal directional drilling and pipe bursting.
Salvo deemed the 2008 No-Dig Conference and Exhibition held in Grapevine, TX, another success. The show drew 1,500 attendees, offered 117 technical papers, 122 companies displayed their products and services in the exhibition hall, and four specialized pre- and post-conference seminars were held.
During his tenure, Salvo says he’s had the “fortunate experience” of being both the chairman and international representative for NASTT, which has provided him the opportunity to attend the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) No-Dig Show held around the world, visiting such places as Roma, Hamburg and Rotterdam. He also was a speaker at the 2007 Roma Conference.
Continuing progress
The relationship Salvo strengthened with ISTT is bearing new fruit the week of March 29-April 3, 2009 at the International No-Dig Show in Toronto, ON, Canada as NASTT and ISTT join forces to present the conference. Joe Loiacono is the 2009 International No-Dig program chairman.
Developed by a group of volunteers known as the No-Dig Program Committee, five track educational sessions have been designed for trenchless technology professionals looking for solutions to underground infrastructure problems.
“So far, we have sold more than 95 percent of our booth space, the number of technical papers has increased from 120 to 140, with 25 percent of those being international,” says Salvo. “No-Dig is expecting an amazing turnout from North America and overseas. There is a large contingent of attendees scheduled to arrive from Japan.”
Salvo said the new NASTT Chairperson Chris Brahler, president and CEO of TT Technologies, Aurora, IL, is committed to continuing the progress made in Mexico and the grass roots efforts of the regional chapters to encourage them to become more involved. “Having Chris Brahler as my successor is one of the greatest honors I have had as a board member. Chris’s high level of leadership and integrity will make him an incredible chairman,” adds Salvo.
Other elected positions for 2009 include Jamie Hannam, P.E., and Dave Krywiak, P.E., to serve on the NASTT board of directors.
Hannam is the manager of engineering and information services for Halifax Water in Nova Scotia, Canada, where he is responsible for water and wastewater infrastructure master planning, asset management and capital project delivery with an annual capital budget of $30 million. Previously, Hannam worked as the chief engineer with the Halifax Regional Water Commission from 1994 to 2007. Hannam also serves on the Atlantic Committee of the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence and Atlantic Chapter of NASTT.
Krywiak is a senior project manager with Stantec Consulting Ltd. in its Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, office. He obtained a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Alberta in 1977 and has been employed in the consulting industry since that time. Krywiak is one of the founding members of the Northwest Chapter of NASTT and has served on the chapter board for a number of terms, including a term as the chapter chair.
Outgoing board members Ken Chua and Piero Salvo have completed their six-year terms and will be formally recognized for their service to NASTT during the International No-Dig Show in Toronto.
“Serving on the board of directors and as a chairman has been a humbling experience, especially when you consider all of the strengths of the individuals that have served on the board,” says Salvo. “My service has given me the opportunity to network with the leading experts in the trenchless technology industry and to learn from their experiences.”
NASTT is a not-for-profit, educational and technical society that is dedicated to promoting the benefits of trenchless technology for public awareness through education and training. Founded in 1990, NASTT is composed of trenchless professionals who are concerned with underground systems and the applications of trenchless technology.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
NASTT, (703) 351-5252; www.nastt.org
Comments