Awards – Delaware Valley Geo-Institute

Welcome to Delaware Valley Geo-Institute!

Delaware Valley Geo-Institute Geotechnical Project of the Year Award

We want to hear about the work YOU do! Each year, DVGI recognizes a distinguished geotechnical project recently completed in the region based on submissions by its member organizations. The recipient of the DVGI Geotechnical Project of the Year (GPOY) Award has the opportunity to present their project and receive their award at our September 2026 meeting.

Submissions are featured in the DVGI Newsletter in the order received. DVGI will announce the winner at its May Dinner Meeting on May 19, 2026 at Valley Forge Casino Resort’s Parkview Ballroom (registration details to be provided at a later date). Project submissions will be accepted through May 1, 2026. Best of wishes in preparing your submissions – we look forward to seeing them!

You may download the submission template for your 2026 GPOY submission by clicking the button below. Project submissions will be accepted through May 1, 2026.

Download the Submission Template

Application Questions

Project Description

Describe the role of your company and provide a general account of the overall project. (Max. 300 words)

Geotechnical Challenges

Tell us about any geotechnical challenges encountered or lessons learned during this project. (Max. 200 words)

Photos/Figures/Tables

Submit a minimum of 2, maximum of 5, to be included in your newsletter feature. Be sure to include figure and table captions as text in this document.

2025 DVGI Geotechnical Project of the Year Winner

Roberts Children’s Health at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Peirce Engineering, Inc.)

DVGI members are always working on challenging and rewarding projects in the region. DVGI is proud to announce that Roberts Children’s Health at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia by Peirce Engineering, Inc., is its 2025 Geotechnical Project of the Year. Congratulations, Peirce Engineering, on your well-deserved recognition! We look forward to formally presenting the award, and hearing you present on the project, at our September 2025 DVGI dinner meeting!

DVGI 2025 GPOY Peirce Eng. Roberts Children’s Health Download the Submission

Aerial rendering of Roberts Children’s Health
(Credit: Ballinger/ZGF/AEI from chop.edu)

Low overhead clearance inside the existing Osler Garage.

Osler Garage foundation wall soil nailed with existing floor slab removed.

North view of existing foundation wall with floor and roof slabs removed, concrete soldier beams, rock excavation, and temporary SOE construction access ramp. Proximity of adjacent Research Facility and actual work area.

East Service Drive support of excavation in low overhead conditions required steep tieback anchors to clear CHOP Main Hospital basement foundations.

Past DVGI Geotechnical Project of the Year Winners

2023-24: SPARK – Gene Therapy Innovation Center by Pennoni (Philadelphia, PA)
2022-23: The Laurel Rittenhouse Square by GeoStructures (King of Prussia, PA)
2021-22: uCity Square Development by Pennoni (Philadelphia, PA)
2020-21: FMC Tower at Cira Center South by GeoStructures (King of Prussia, PA)
2019-20: Penn First Pavilion by Peirce Engineering (Phoenixville, PA)

ASCE Philadelphia Section Geotechnical Engineer of the Year

The ASCE Philadelphia Section Geotechnical Engineer of the Year Award is presented to an individual who is judged to have contributed substantially to the civil engineering profession in the specialty area of geotechnical engineering. The nominees to be considered for the award are typically a section/division lead, project manager, senior/supervisory engineer or similar level of responsibility with 10-15 years of experience minimum and with significant project direction/contributions. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is preferred. Similar professional certifications (PMP) and ASCE Institute or similar specialty certifications/recognitions may be considered in placed of a PE on an individual basis.

2025 ASCE Philadelphia Section Geotechnical Engineer of the Year Awardee

Mike Giovannitti, P.E. (American Geotechnical and Environmental Services, Inc.)

DVGI is proud to announce that Mike Giovannitti, P.E., of American Geotechnical and Environmental Services, Inc., is its 2025 Geotechnical Engineer of the Year. Congratulations, Mike, on your well-deserved recognition!

Mike received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995. Today, he is a Senior Geotechnical Engineer at American Geotechnical and Environmental Services, Incorporated (AGES) and serves as the Branch and Office Manager at the firm’s office in King of Prussia. He has been with AGES in various capacities for 26 years and has held the position of Branch Manager since 2005. He started at the firm as a core boring inspector and has risen through the ranks to his current capacity as Geotechnical Project Manager, where he leads the firm’s efforts and assistance for geotechnical aspects and assignments in transportation projects totaling over $1.5 billion. He provides geotechnical and related soil and foundation design and construction services to an extensive list of clients and consultants. He additionally leads the firm’s local efforts in technical oversight and business development. His current construction projects locally include PennDOT projects on the I-95 CAP effort in the Penn’s Landing area, I-95 reconstruction sections in lower Northeast Philadelphia, including Section BS2, and SR 61 reconstruction in Schuylkill County. He is additionally managing the development of a geotechnical laboratory at his office. He has professional engineering licensure in four states and the District of Columbia and has been active in our Section’s Delaware Valley Geo-Institute as well as a presenter for the Structural Engineering Institute. He is also a member of the American Society of Highway Engineers.

DVGI looks forward to honoring you at our Annual Student Night in March 2026!

Mike Giovannitti, P.E., 2025 Geotechnical Engineer of the Year, poses with his award alongside Bob Wright of the ASCE Philadelphia Section at the chapter’s spring 2025 awards banquet.

Past ASCE Philadelphia Section Geotechnical Engineer of the Year Recipients

2024: Ernest (Ernie) Hanna, P.E.
2023: Helen Robinson, P.E., BC.GE
2022: Jennifer Peirce-Brandt, P.E.
2021: Rick Brinker, P.E.
2020: Sarah McInnes, P.E.
2019: M. Ayub Iqbal, Ph.D., P.E.
2018: Melissa Logan Gillespie, P.E.
2017: Bob Crawford, P.E.
2014: William K. Peterson, P.E.
2012: Richard Mabry, P.E.
2011: Ara Mouradian, P.E.
2010: Theodore Thomson, Ph.D, P.E., BC.GE
2009: Robert Sabanas, P.E.
2008: Andrea Welker, Ph.D., P.E.
2007: Joseph Wartman, Ph.D., P.E.
2006: Philip Gauffreau, P.E.
2005: Allen Cadden, P.E., BC.GE
2004: George Koerner, Ph.D., P.E.
2003: Michael Byle, P.E., BC.GE
2002: Dennis Mohan, P.E.
2001: Jonathan Cheng, Ph.D., P.E.
2000: John Volk, P.E.
1997: Arthur Dvinoff, Ph.D., P.E.
1996: Pedro Repetto, P.E.
1995: Anthony Eith, P.E.
1994: Craig R. Calabria, Ph.D., P.E.
1991: Charles Sutphen, P.E.
1990: Joseph P. Martin, Ph.D., P.E.
1989: Cetin Okcuoglu, P.E.
1988: Antal Partos, P.E.
1986: William Gardner, P.E.
1985: Robert M. Koerner, Ph.D., P.E.

Delaware Valley Geo-Institute