David Evans and Associates, Inc.’s Post

DEA hosted its annual Small Business Fair in Portland, connecting local small businesses with DEA staff to foster opportunities and partnerships. This event is part of our commitment to supporting disadvantaged, emerging, woman-owned, and minority-owned businesses. By bringing together clients, project managers, technical staff, and small business representatives, we aim to build strong teams for future projects and reduce barriers to contracting. Thank you to all who attended and contributed!

Happy Independence Day! Today, we celebrate freedom, opportunity, and the communities we serve.

Welcome DJ Wright, DEA’s new Director of Talent Acquisition and Retention. With over two decades of leadership experience in Human Resource Management, DJ has an impressive track record of building award-winning recruiting organizations and leading technical and non-technical recruiting teams focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this newly created role at DEA, DJ will provide leadership, guidance, and support to DEA’s recruiting team, advancing an environment where they can excel. She will also drive the development of effective tools, processes, and materials to support our talent acquisition strategy and programs, with a focus on senior positions and early career development.

DEA is a proud sponsor and participant at the 2024 WTS Capital Summit at the University of Maryland, College Park campus, coinciding with International Women in Engineering Day! Our team members, Barbara Moffat, PE, Sr. Project Manager, and Renee Koester, PE, Project Manager, will represent DEA at this event. They will also be joined by Renee's high school mentee (Kelly Lau, Franklin High School). The WTS Capital Summit offers a fantastic opportunity for young women to meet thought leaders and women leaders in the transportation industry, perfectly aligning with one of the goals of International Women in Engineering Day to inspire young women to consider a career in engineering. Stay tuned for more pictures and information from the event!

Happy World Hydrography Day! In 2024, DEA is partnering with Exail to deploy the DriX uncrewed surface vehicle for over-the-horizon supervised autonomous hydrographic surveys. This effort will gather both seafloor bathymetry and wide-swath high-resolution imagery. The advancements in hydrographic technology are impressive, and DEA is proud to be at the forefront with autonomous operations and innovative mapping techniques. #WorldHydrographyDay

We’re proud to introduce our next community champion, Gaetan-Dauphin Nzowo, DEA Construction Inspector/Designer. Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaetan is dedicated to promoting peace and democracy in Africa. As the President of NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) Pro-PDX, he strives to empower Black engineers and foster diversity and equity in partnership with DEA. The mission for NSBE Pro-PDX is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. The NSBE Pro-PDX hosts a variety of events throughout the year to empower, support, and create an ecosystem for Black students and professionals in the Portland Metropolitan area. As a member of DEA’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) Committee, Gaetan has enhanced collaboration between DEA and the NSBE Pro-PDX. This collaboration was highlighted in DEA’s partnership in providing volunteers and funding for the NSBE Pro-PDX’s Infrastructure Fair. Furthermore, Gaetan collaborated with DEA to provide a Spring Break “externship” at DEA which provided hands-on experience to spur interest in not only DEA, but also the A/E industry. “True community impact comes from dedicated action, fostering diversity, and unwavering commitment to equity,” said Gaetan. “Together with partners such as DEA, we build bridges that uplift and inspire.” Gaetan is also involved in humanitarian and social justice initiatives, reflecting his commitment to making a meaningful community impact. Learn more about community stewardship at: https://bit.ly/DEA_CSR #DEAcommunitychampion #CommunityChampions #CommunityService #GiveBack

Happy World Ocean Day! Let's celebrate the beauty and importance of our oceans. DEA staff joined the international hydrographic community at the Canadian Hydrographic Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where advances in ocean mapping and the Nippon Foundation – GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project were discussed. Progress has been made, but there's still much to do to achieve the goal of mapping our oceans. Remember, every small action can help preserve these incredible ecosystems for future generations. #WorldOceanDay #MappingTheSeas #SaveOurOceans #ProtectOurPlanet

Jon Dasler, DEA’s Director of Marine Services, and Denis Hains, CEO at H2i, coauthored an insightful article on becoming a Certified Hydrographic Surveyor. Last week, Denis Hains presented the article at the Canadian Hydrographic Conference in St. John's, Newfoundland/Labrador. We are proud to see our team's contributions making waves in the hydrographic community! Check out the article and discover the benefits of this career in the HYDRO International Magazine article “International Recognition as a Certified Hydrographic Surveyor." - https://ow.ly/aJTB50S6Oan. #HydrographicSurveyor

As DEA observes National Safety Month, it’s a fitting time to take action to safeguard workplaces and communities against the rising rate of safety-related incidents. While safety should always be a priority, June serves as a reminder to put safety first. • Did You Know? In 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) designated June as National Safety Month to promote safety and health awareness and reduce injuries and fatalities at work and home. • Summer Safety: Emergency room injuries nearly double during the summer months. Injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 1-40. However, prevention is possible, and safety is a choice we can all make. • Take Action: Spread the word and actively engage in reducing injury risks. Encourage everyone—coworkers, employees, and family—to identify, report, and correct unsafe conditions. Make a difference in your community by committing to safety today! #NationalSafetyMonth