Alabama

Varco Pruden Buildings Inc., one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of pre-engineered metal buildings, has named Chad Gentry of Vestavia Hills, Ala., as the new district manager for Alabama and western Florida.

As district manager, Gentry will be responsible for working with VP Buildings’ network of builders in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. He will assist them with marketing, training and building solutions using system construction.

Gentry spent the last eight years as director of sales and marketing for a general contractor, focusing on business development and client retention throughout Alabama.

TAG/The Architects Group Inc. of Mobile, Ala., recently announced that Tammy S. Clark has joined the firm as interior designer.

Clark has served as a facility planner and project manager on multiple interior design projects throughout her career and has worked for prominent firms in Alabama and Georgia. In addition, Clark has participated in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) construction initiatives.

Clark is a graduate of Mississippi State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in interior design, a FMA certificate and designation from the Building Owners and Managers Institute and is a member of the International Facility Management Association.

TAG/The Architects Group Inc. also announced that Tammy S. Clark has joined the firm as interior designer.

Clark has served as a facility planner and project manager on multiple interior design projects throughout her career and has worked for prominent firms in Alabama and Georgia. In addition, Clark has participated in LEED construction initiatives.

Clark is a graduate of Mississippi State University and has a bachelor’s degree in interior design, a FMA certificate and designation from the Building Owners and Managers Institute and is a member of the International Facility Management Association.

TAG also announced that Pamela Jo (P.J.) Burr has joined the design team as a CAD Specialist. At TAG, her responsibilities will include the production of AutoCAD drawings from schematic design to construction documents, project specifications and details, and the interpretation of state building codes.

Burr received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2004 with a major in architectural engineering technology. She has worked for prominent firms in Biloxi and Hattiesburg, Miss.

Dale and Associates Architects P.A. recently announced that Stephanie Boyles, associate member of the American Institute of Architects, has been named co-director of interns for the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. She is also a member of the Gulf Coast Young Professionals. Stephanie works out of the firm’s Biloxi office and is currently working towards LEED certification. She has three years of experience in architecture.

Dale and Associates Architects also announced that the following employees have joined their firm. David Ford joins as intern architect and brings 15 years of experience to the position. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture.Ross Barkley joins as intern architect, having graduated from Mississippi State University in 2007 with a degree in architecture.

Barkley also received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2003 from the University of Mississippi. Joy Solomon joins as administrative assistant, bringing over 15 years of experience to her new position.

LBYD Inc., a consulting civil and structural engineering firm with offices in Birmingham and Atlanta, recently announced the appointments of Kevin Brown and Curtis Eatman as associates of the firm.

Brown is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Currently, he is involved with the structural design of US Pipe in Birmingham and a mixed-use apartment complex in Atlanta. Brown is a licensed professional engineer in Alabama and Georgia and is also a LEED Accredited Professional. Professional activities and society memberships include The American Concrete Institute, The American Institute of Steel Construction and The Structural Engineers Association of Georgia.

Eatman is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Currently, he is involved with the civil design of the new Auburn University student dining facility and recently completed the civil design for the new Pleasant Grove High School and Auburn University basketball arena. Eatman is a licensed professional engineer in Alabama and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Jeff Havercroft, project engineer for site/civil design at LAI Engineering of Birmingham, has achieved the designation of LEED Accredited Professional. The LEED professional accreditation is significant because these professionals have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building techniques, the LEED Green Building Rating System and certification process. Havercroft’s expertise in principles of sustainable design enhances his leadership role in helping LAI Engineering clients achieve financial goals and positively impact the quality-of-life in the community.

Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Inc., based in Montgomery, Ala., recently opened a branch office at 462 McQueen Smith Rd. South in Prattville, Ala., and names Josh Pierce as Prattville/Millbrook office manager, responsible for daily oversight of operations. Pierce has more than 10 years of engineering experience with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, most recently serving as project manager.

Commenting on the reasons to locate an office in Prattville, David Reed, executive vice president of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood says, “Locating a new office in Prattville will strengthen the level of service we are able to provide for our clients in the area. We also feel that having valued employees living in Autauga and Elmore counties and now working near their homes would serve to benefit both the employees and clients, providing more efficient and quicker service. Josh has proven leadership skills and a vested interest in the area. I am confident that his expertise will enable this office to become a successful part of the community.”

Pierce is an Auburn University graduate with a degree in civil engineering. The Prattville management staff includes Victor Apodaca, project manager for the Civil Engineering Department; Frank Noble leader of the drafting and design team; and Kris Flaherty, leader of the surveying team.

QORE Property Sciences of Atlanta, Ga., an employee-owned engineering consulting firm, recently elected its 2008 Board of Directors at the firm’s annual shareholders meeting in Duluth, Ga.

Katrina Jarboe of Birmingham, Ala., will be professional services manager. Jarboe has been with QORE since 1998, and has 14 years of industry experience.

Arkansas

Little Rock resident Bill Harrison was inducted as president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers at its annual meeting June 21-25 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Harrison will lead the society in its formation of energy guidance during his one-year term.

“Saving energy translates into money savings for homeowners,” Harrison says. “In addition, saving energy is beneficial on a global scale, since we face dwindling energy reserves.”

About 2,000 ASHRAE members traveled to Salt Lake City for the annual meeting to exchange technical information.

Louisiana

Kirk Johnson has been promoted to executive vice president of Group Industries LLC of Baton Rouge. In his new role, Johnson will oversee Group Industries’ daily operations. He has 22 years of experience.

In his previous role, Johnson served as the company’s vice president – general manager.

Lynn Oehrle has been promoted to secretary-treasurer. Oehrle will be responsible for handling assets, cash management, banking and loans. In her previous role, Oehrle acted as chief financial officer.

Shane Kirkpatrick has been promoted to vice president of operations. Kirkpatrick will be responsible for overseeing project management, running the day-to-day operations of Arrighi Construction and will continue to handle promotions and marketing. Kirkpatrick was previously serving as operations manager.

Phil Berniard has been promoted to vice president of estimating. Berniard will serve Group’s customers by reviewing individual estimates for each job and providing the information necessary to meet clients’ needs. In his previous role, Berniard served as estimating manager.

PSI of Baton Rouge, La., recently announced the appointment of Steve Whitting, CPG, as a principal consultant for its Phase II/III ESA service line.

Whitting is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in geology. He has been with PSI since 2006 and services a dual role as the Environmental Services Department manager.

PSI is an independent engineering and testing firm and one of the largest consulting engineering firms in North America, with approximately $250 million in annual revenues.

PSI provides a wide range of environmental engineering and testing services, including environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing and engineering, industrial hygiene services, facilities and roof consulting, and specialty engineering and testing services.

PSI, headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., operates from 125 offices in North America, with more than 2,500 employees.

Tennessee

Rich Peterson has been named District Manager of the Year by Varco Pruden Buildings Inc. of Memphis, Tenn., one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of pre-engineered metal buildings.

As district manager, Peterson helps recruit, train and service builders in his area. He has been with VP Buildings for 22 years.

Peterson graduated with a business degree from the University of South Dakota. He served in the military as a commissioned officer and is a Vietnam veteran.

Regional

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recognized several South Central region members for contributions to ASHRAE and the HVAC&R industry at the society’s 2008 Annual Meeting held June 21-25 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Recognized during the event was Presidential Member Harley W. “Bill” Goodman Jr., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, president, Goodman Engineers, Little Rock, Ark.

William E. “Ed” Tinsley, managing principal, TME, Little Rock, Ark., received the Distinguished Service Award, which salutes members of any grade for giving freely of their time and talent to the Society.

James Braun, Fellow ASHRAE, received the ASHRAE Transactions Paper Award for Impact of Control on Operating Costs for Cool Storage Systems with Dynamic Electric Rates. He is a professor, Purdue University, Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, West Lafayette, Tenn.