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TRANSACT IONS INTERPLAN JOINS PARAMETRIX Parametrix (Seattle, WA) announced that InterPlan has merged with the company, establishing a permanent presence in Utah and expanding the firm’s capabilities in the intermoun- tain region. InterPlan, founded in 2001, specializes transportation planning and traffic engineering, pro- viding services to public and private clients through- out Utah and the Rocky Mountain area. This expan- sion allows Parametrix to provide a broader range of complementary services and solutions to clients throughout the intermountain region. “The merger with InterPlan brings together two very complementary firms and establishes a significant presence in Utah for Parametrix. InterPlan’s highly regarded client reputation strengthens the firm’s overall transportation planning and traffic engineering practice throughout the western states and provides Parametrix the platform to expand our core practices into a new geography,” said Jeff Peacock, Parame- trix’s CEO. ”We are excited to embark on the partnership in which our two firms’ cultures and technical areas of expertise complement each other so well,” comment- ed Andrea Olson, owner of InterPlan.

BUSINESS NEWS ENR HONORS GILBANE’S CHARLIE NELSON WITH LEGACY AWARD Gilbane has announce that Charlie Nelson, senior project executive at Gilbane, is the 2015 recipient of the second an- nual Engineering News-Record Legacy Award. The Legacy Award recognizes experienced industry veterans with extensive contributions to their profession and community. Each nominee’s history of innovation, outstanding ca- reer highlights, and an engagement within the industry and the surrounding community were evaluated by the award committee. Nelson has more than 54 years of experience in the construction industry and has held positions ranging from engineer to president. He joined Gilbane in 1995 and has extensive experience as a project executive on complex projects throughout Texas, particularly major renovation projects. He most recently led both the Kinder Morgan (formerly El Paso) Tower Renovations and the North Cypress Medical Center projects. Over the course of his career, Nelson has received several awards and recognition and served with various industry associations, having been on various AGC Houston commit- tees, on the Board of Directors for AGC Houston and as president of AGC Houston in 1993. “Over the course of his career, Charlie has defined leadership not only for his business suc- cess, but also for what he has given back to the industry and community both in our local communities and nationally,” said Dan Gilbane, senior vice president at Gilbane, “For all he has achieved, Charlie has remained a servant leader, for many in our industry he has been the true measure of that description, a person as generous with his time as he is humble about his many accomplishments and that is an incredibly high bar.” Nelson will be honored at ENR Texas & Louisiana’s 2015 Best Projects luncheon in Houston on December 8.

DOING GOOD, from page 11 Williamsport, Maryland: Built a Habitat for Humanity home and routinely help elderly neighbors with home repairs. Dominican Republic: Helped rebuild soccer field bleachers and donated $50,000. Giving back is something Ryan likes to keep quite. This is a habit that both frustrates and awes his company’s corporate brand manager, Sarah Harne. “You would think I would know about these events to use in a public relations capacity,” Harne wrote when nominat- ing this modest man for the award. “But, Mr. Ryan quietly supports and completes these amazing and impactful works with no fanfare.” “We are proud to recognize Dan Ryan for his commitment to giving back to those in need and to helping people live a better life.” And, while the builder might think more than $500,000 in donations since 2010 is not a big deal, his staff and commu- nity feel differently. In fact, the Frederick Rescue Mission recently named its annual fundraising 10-mile road race af- ter Ryan to thank him for being its lead sponsor. And the organization’s executive director, Arnold Farlow, applauds him for being “generous with his treasure.” His charitable focus, although not exclusively, is low-in- come housing. Ryan’s main project is the Frederick Res- cue Mission – a Christian organization that serves meals to poor, homeless, and working-class locals, and houses up to 32 men at a time in its Changed Life Recovery Program. The program is an effort to help recovering drug addicts and ex-

convicts earn their high school equivalency diplomas, find jobs and permanent housing, reconcile with their families, and connect with a local church. This year, the mission will open an eight-bed residential program to do the same for homeless women and children. Ryan donated $100,000 to the effort and helped Farlow navigate some local zoning obstacles. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. Despite his modest behavior, Ryan is well aware that his company’s generosity has paid off in local good will, as well as home sales. “It is imperative that we have a personal touch within our community in as many aspects as we can,” he says. “We’re the friendly builders. We’re not the Goliath, but we care a little bit more than maybe the builder down the street, and this charity work is an example of our caring. That is ex- tremely beneficial for everyone in our company. It’s hard to quantify, but people like doing business with people who they know and like. I’d like to think that people know and like us.” Ryan’s next charitable effort will be away from home. He’s heading back to the Dominican Republic. “The housing conditions are horrid, with dirt floors, hole- riddled tin roofs, and corrugated tin walls,” he says. He plans to build four, one-room concrete structures to start. Peter Goldstone, CEO of Hanley Wood, says, “This award is meant to honor those in our industry who invest their time, energy, and resources to helping others. We are proud to recognize Dan Ryan for his commitment to giving back to those in need and to helping people live a better life.” In addition to the award, the Dan Ryan Foundation will also receive a cash donation.

THE ZWEIG LETTER DECEMBER 7, 2015, ISSUE 1130

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