Santa Maria Firm’s Advanced Technology and Grit Overcome Project Challenges
Washington, DC (March 4, 2013)—Penfield & Smith Engineers, Inc. (P&S), of Santa Maria, Cal., has earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 47th annual Engineering Excellence Awards for conducting a boundary survey of a 900-acre tract in Tepusquet Canyon for JET Investment Trust of Santa Maria.
JET required a comprehensive boundary survey to resolve complex legal and technical issues in order to sell the rugged, undeveloped land. Even with the benefits of all-terrain vehicles, the surveyors still had to traverse difficult trails to reach their work areas, and contend with seasonal temperature extremes, rattlesnakes, poison oak, and the occasional hostile landowner.
The surveyors utilized advanced GPS surveying equipment, which efficiently produced accurate data to pinpoint the tract’s boundaries. The technology helped reduce costs during the four-year project, providing sound data that will allow the sale to proceed.
All 146 National Recognition Award winners will be honored as preeminent 2013 engineering achievements at the black-tie Engineering Excellence Awards Gala—known as the “Academy Awards of the engineering industry”—to be held Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. Each award winner is also eligible for one of EEA’s top 24 awards—16 Honor Awards, 8 Grand Awards and the prestigious “Grand Conceptor Award” for the year’s most outstanding overall engineering achievement.
Judging for the top awards took place in February, conducted by a nationwide panel of more than 30 engineers, architects, government representatives, media members, and academics. Awards criteria included uniqueness and originality, technical innovation, social and economic value, complexity, and success in enhancing the practice of engineering. All top award winners will be announced shortly before the Gala, except the Grand Conceptor Award winner—which is chosen from the eight Grand Award winners and only revealed the night of the Gala.
About ACEC
The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the business association of America’s engineering industry, representing more than 5,000 independent engineering firms and more than 500,000 professionals throughout the U.S. engaged in the development of America’s transportation, water and energy infrastructure, along with environmental, industrial and other public and private facilities. Founded in 1909, ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations.