Susan Nelson attended the American Association of Airport Executives’ 2010 Annual Conference in Dallas.  Susan participated in the Sustainable Airport Manual (SAM) development workshop. SAM establishes guidance for airport development utilizing a rating system for sustainable achievements on airport projects.  It was developed by Chicago’s Department of Aviation with extensive industry participation.

Congratulations to Artie Banks who recently passed IDOT’s Documentation of Contract Quantities course.  This continues Autumn’s tradition of promoting the importance of continuously upgrading our skills and qualifications and supporting our employees in that endeavor.  Autumn’s Transportation staff now includes three members with active Documentation certificates, seven with OSHA training, two Professional Engineers and two LEED APs.

Autumn’s Director of Engineering, Maureen Kolkka, P.E., returned from a two week trip to Mali in West Africa as leader of a delegation from Engineers without Borders.  The community of Niono, Mali is plagued by severe flooding and waste management issues.  For the past two years, the EWB team has been working with the town to collect the necessary data for design of a sustainable storm water management and solid/liquid waste management system.  As a result of the recent trip, partnerships have been established with the Peace Corps, USAID, Millenium Challenge Corporation, Lux Development of Luxembourg, Rotary International and others to assist in providing funding and in-country assistance.

Chicago’s Department of General Services has hired our team led by R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc. to provide a comprehensive assessment of the 14-story building located at 79 W. Monroe. This building was constructed in 1906 and consists of 171,000 rsf of office and retail space. Autumn will be performing an assessment of the Mechanical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Systems along with producing cost estimates.

Autumn has been hired by Walter Niese Machine Mfg. Co. to provide safety oversight and guidance during the removal and installation of jet bridges utilized by American Airlines at O’Hare International Airport.