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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.

A template for your project submission will be made available this fall. Submissions are featured in the DVGI Newsletter in the order received. DVGI will announce the winner at its May 2026 meeting. Project submissions will be accepted through May 1, 2026. Best of wishes in preparing your submissions – we look forward to seeing them!

A template for your 2026 GPOY submission will be made available this fall. Project submissions will be accepted through May 1, 2026.

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

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)

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.

2025 ASCE Philadelphia Section Geotechnical Engineer of the Year Awardees

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

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! We look forward to formally presenting it and honoring you at DVGI’s Annual Student Night in March 2026!

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.

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.

Delaware Valley Geo-Institute