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MESSAGE FROM RICK
With Thanksgiving still fresh in my mind, I write this message with much to be thankful for.
In spite of the starts and stops in our economy, we've had a very good year at RPA. Business has been good, we continue to work for clients with whom we've enjoyed a long relationship, and we've welcomed several new clients.
We've always prided ourselves on providing our clients with great engineering and great service. And with more than 85% of our business from repeat clients, I like to think we've succeeded at both.
But as we move into a new year, all of us at RPA are going to dig deeper. We don't want to settle for good or even great service. Our goal is to make innovation second nature and make "wow"-ing you part of our daily routine. We want to produce work that elevates you and your organization, and we want your insights to help us get there.
I thank all of our clients and partners who have allowed us to work with you throughout 2011. And we couldn't have done it without the support of every RPA employee. Their passion for excellence and desire to help our clients be successful truly make RPA what it is.
Happy holidays to you and your family. I wish you a happy and healthy 2012.
Sincerely,
Richard P. Aulenbach, P.E.
President
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COMPLEX PROJECT DEMANDS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
RPA Engineering recently worked with one of our major utility clients on the replacement of two aging 480VAC electrical switchgear units critical to the company's 150MW generating station.
While many projects don't always require a complex multi-discipline approach, this project mandated a high level of collaboration between
RPA's Electrical, Structural, Mechanical and Project Management engineers.
- Electrical: New switchgear units were specified and control circuits were designed to integrate the new units into the operating plant. After installation of the new equipment, detailed start and test procedures were prepared and all testing oversight was provided prior to start-up.
- Structural: Once designed, the new switchgear units needed a place to go. Our structural team analyzed and designed improvements to steel structures to accept the new equipment.
- Mechanical: Installation of the new switchgear equipment required modifications to a steam vent pipe. RPA mechanical engineers stepped in to design the alterations.
- Project Management: Responsible for moving the project forward, the project manager and project engineer prepared detailed project schedules, developed construction cost estimations and coordinated client, vendor and construction activities.
This project required RPA to utilize the full breadth and depth of its multiple disciplines. These assets, combined with the commitment and creativity of our team members, insured successful execution from beginning to end. |
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FALL PROTECTION: KEEPING YOUR EMPLOYEES SAFE
The imperative for adequate fall protection, however, is more than regulatory. Employers have an obligation to keep their employees safe, and as Edward A. Korab, PE, RPA's Manager of Civil Engineering notes: "The use of properly planned and designed fall protection will not only enhance worker safety, it will improve worker productivity." Safe employees can focus on getting their job done right.
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DAVID STERNER JOINS RPA
RPA is pleased to announce the hire of David Sterner as Senior Electrical Engineer. Dave works out of our Wyomissing office and specializes in the power generation industry.
Dave has extensive experience in system design, start-up testing, and analysis of power and control systems for combustion turbine, fossil and nuclear generating stations, as well as industrial facilities. He has helped clients with load flow and short circuit calculations, and grounding and protective device coordination. From writing specifications to maintaining capital budgets, Dave can offer support throughout the life of a project.
He received his electrical engineering degree, with an emphasis in power and control from The Pennsylvania State University. Please contact us to discuss how Dave can help you with your power generation needs. |
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RPA HIRES JOODY THOMAS
 Joody Thomas of Springfield, Pa., has joined RPA Engineering as an electrical engineer. In her new role, Thomas will work with RPA's electrical and controls staff, providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing design for facilities engineering. Thomas is a 2011 graduate of Villanova University, Villanova, Pa., where she received her Master of Science degree in electrical engineering, with concentrations in power distribution and sustainable engineering. In addition, she holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Karunya Institute of Technology and Science in Karunya Nagar, India. |
RPA PRESIDENT RECEIVES EXECUTIVE SPOTLIGHT AWARD
Richard P. Aulenbach, Jr., P.E., president and founder of RPA Engineering, is among 10 business leaders recently recognized by the Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal (EPBJ) with its 2011 Executive Spotlight Award. Presented by John Moore, editor of EPBJ, on Oct. 5 at EXPO 2011, the award honors business leaders in eastern Pennsylvania for their dual commitment to business excellence and community service.
"I am honored to be recognized by our region's premier business publication and flattered to be counted among such an accomplished group of business leaders," Aulenbach said.
The RPA team congratulates Rick on an honor well-earned! |
RPA PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
 This fall, RPA Engineering organized a variety of community service opportunities to facilitate employee involvement. The outpouring of enthusiasm and generosity from RPA staff was overwhelming. Throughout the last three months, employees donated over one hundred pounds of food, two dozen units of blood and thousands of dollars to assist families and organizations across Pennsylvania.
RPA would like to thank our valued partners in these efforts. The following organizations make great strides every day to improve the quality of life in our communities:
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COMPANY SNAPSHOTS
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Sawyer Romich and Ian Eason represented the company at a Lehigh University career fair--one of three fall recruiting events. |
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Bryan Fluke (pictured), Sarah Wilson, and Melissa Breidenstein attended the ISPE Annual Meeting in Dallas, TX. |
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