former PDCA education committee chair (he’s also held every
position on the board of directors), he experienced firsthand
the benefits of being an international member.
“The benefits of PDCA are pretty much the same for
Canadians as they are for Americans. The opportunities for
networking and the direct access to top industry experts are
the real attractions for me,” said Justason, who worked for
Bermingham Foundation Solutions in Hamilton for 18 years.
Hall estimates that more than half of the 40 international
members are from Canada, ranging from Fort McMurray,
Alta. to Fredericton, N.B.
Many educational programs PDCA puts on are in Canada,
including Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and
Montreal.
“We are making very successful in-roads into the Canadian
market and understand that if we want Canadian pile drivers,
we need to bring those educational programs to the major
cities across Canada,” said Hall.
The future of PDCA
The association has enjoyed rapid growth over the years to
keep pace with the driven pile industry. Hall says he’s proud
of the work accomplished to represent members and enact
appropriate changes to code and specifications. He also
notes the much closer association the industry has now with
engineers.
“The expansion of our educational programs has been
a tremendous help in promoting PDCA. There are so many
more people now in the pile driving industry that we can rely
on to be speakers in our general sessions,” said Hall. “And we
have resources for members who are struggling with issues
on job sites anywhere. In general, PDCA’s growth has allowed
us to represent the industry in a much more qualified, concerted
effort.”
He says the future is full of conferences, educational program
and opportunities for work with coalitions in other
industries.
“We’ll continue to build relationships with engineers, academicians
and other important figures from whom we can
learn and influence,” said Hall.
As for Hall, the breakneck pace of his work is scheduled to
change dramatically when he retires in 2018. He expects his
successor will have the same passion and vision he’s brought
to the association. And he or she better have the energy.
INDUSTRY PROFILE
“It doesn’t make any difference
whether you’re from Canada or one of
the other 17 countries represented by
PDCA: pile driving is pile driving. The
issues associated with the pile driving
industry aren’t going to be exactly the
same as they would be in Southern
California or Canada or Florida, but a
lot of the generalities are the same.”
– Steve Hall, PDCA
PILING CANADA 65
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