E. Mitchell Swann, Consulting Engineer at MDCSystems®, presented at the ASHRAE Baltimore Chapter Meeting on Thursday, May 2nd.  

Main Meeting:

Design-Build Executing the Project
Synopsis: The growing popularity of design-build provides businesses with a unique opportunity to re-position their firms in a changing marketplace. With these opportunities come unique challenges. For many firms, the design-build role is a new one which results in changes in their ‘custom and practice’ and requires a shift in focus in order to execute projects smoothly. This segment will address some of the ideas, issues and concerns that arise in the design-build execution model that differ from traditional design or construction and differ for the owner as well.

Peter Vander Heide has worked with MDCSystems since 2005.  During this time he has been involved in a wide variety of cases relating to the built environment including schools, hotels, office buildings, hospitals, apartments, condominiums, single family homes and even a bridge.  Peter has addressed numerous issue for MDC clients including construction defects, moisture intrusion, design defects, termite damage, rotting oriented strand board, building demolition and life safety code issues.

Peter prides himself on finding the evidence that adds up to meaningful conclusions, and then illustrating that evidence so that it can be easily understood by judge and jury if the case is tried.  His theory is the more convincing the report, the less likely the trial. So far most of his cases have settled, but he did testify as a certified expert in architecture in the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania last month.

Building science is becoming more and more important in some cases as architect’s and manufacturer’s understandings of buildings and their long-term performance is increasing.  Peter has become proficient with using the building envelope modeling program (WUFI) to help analyze problems with walls and roofs. He was recently certified as one of the first non-developer instructors for WUFI-Pro by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Fraunhofer Institute of Building Physics.

Dan Sporer has worked for MDCSystems® since 2000. During that time, he has provided expertise in project control system evaluations and claims analysis on a variety projects. Some of these projects included Highway Construction, Power plants, Refineries, Airports, and Tunnel projects

MDC’s clients rely on Dan’s knowledge and experience concerning:

• Schedule analysis and delay mitigation
• Change Order review and evaluation
• Lost Productivity studies due to delays, overtime and trade stacking
• Evaluation of damages and claims analysis

Prior to joining MDCSystems®, he worked for 25 years for a large Architect/Engineering/Construction Company and gained practical knowledge both in the engineering office and in the field.

Click here for a detailed look at Dan's professional resume, accomplishments and contact information.

Ms. Delehanty is a newcomer to the MDCSystems® team, bringing with her over a decade of experience in construction management, engineering, and operations across a variety of industries, primarily healthcare and energy.  Michelle has practical knowledge in the areas of project controls, risk management, cost analysis, civil engineering, as well as construction scope, cost, and schedule management. 

Since joining the MDC® team, Michelle has provided expertise to clients for claims analysis in the following areas:

- Construction Standard of Care
- Change Order Cost Evaluations
- Schedule Investigation and Delay Assessment

In addition to the services listed above, Michelle also provides MDC® clients with:

- Project Management Oversight / Support for complex or small project
- Capital Project Budget and Schedule Planning
- Construction Project Risk Assessment

Click here for a detailed look at Michelle's professional resume, accomplishments and contact information.

MDCSystems® Consulting Engineer

Larry has worked for MDCSystems since 1986. During that time, he has provided expertise in construction management services, system evaluations and claims analysis on a variety of industrial, institutional, residential and public projects, both domestic and international. Larry also oversees the operation, maintenance and upgrades of MDC®’s data network and telecommunications.
 
MDC’s clients rely on Larry’s knowledge and experience concerning:

-  Detailed evaluation of mechanical systems
-  Code and standards compliance
-  Construction inspection services
-  Schedule analysis and delay mitigation
-  Evaluation of damages and claims analysis

In addition to working at MDCSystems®, Larry’s career includes experience working for a world leader in engineering and construction and a nationally recognized general contractor.

Click here for a detailed look at Larry's professional resume, accomplishments and contact information.

MDCSystems® wants to thank all of the MDC Advisor recipients who participated in the online survey regarding the effectiveness of our monthly electronic newsletter. This survey was conducted in June and July 2012 by Kramer Communications.

MDC® is pleased to share the following statistical results with you.

• Over 90% of respondents report reading the MDC Advisor newsletter
• Over 56% of respondents like receiving the newsletter monthly
• 71% of respondents report finding the information “useful”
• 24% of respondents said the information was “very useful”
• 80% of respondents want more industry trend information
• 48% of respondents seek  advice on improving project performance
• 25% of respondents would like more industry headlines

MDCSystems^®  Consulting Engineer

Donald Keer has worked with MDCSystems^®for over eight years providing project support and leadership.  His career includes over 25 years of process design, construction and operations experience in multiple industries.  His unique skill set includes chemical engineering, business and legal experience.   The majority of his experience focuses on water treatment, petrochemicals and industrial processes.  MDC’s Clients rely on Don’s expertise for review and recommendations concerning:

• Water Treatment process and performance issues
• Engineering Standard of Care
• Code and Standards interpretation
• Piping construction analysis
• Detailed evaluations of construction rebuild processes

Don’s water expertise is world renowned with numerous publications and lectures to his credit.  Most recently he contributed the chapter on Water Treatment to the American Bar Association’s publication “Civil Engineering for Attorneys”.

Bob McCue, PE, MDCSystems Consulting Engineer, is quoted by the Orlando Sentinel in its article on the VA Medical Center project delay (June 26, 2012)

Click here for the full article.

MDC's Bob McCue, PE is published in ENR, June  25, 2012.

ENR published the following article, Complexity Is Often the Culprit in Project Overruns, Delays.

Click here to go to the article.

MDC’s E. Mitchell Swann was installed as the President of the Engineers Club of Philadelphia for the 2012 -2013 Program Year.  On June 20, 2012 The Engineers Club held its annual “Members Meeting.” The annual meeting included a recap of the Club’s activities and progress over the past year and identified and installed the new Board members and new Executive team.

Mr. McCue will be available during this conference to meet with you to discuss your current and future construction projects. Please contact him directly at 610-640-9600, x12 or via email at mccue@mdcsystems.com

Click here for more information on the 2012 Midwinter Meeting in Houston

MDC SYSTEMS® Principal Presents at ASHRAE Event - Connecticut - JAN. 2012

E. Mitchell Swann, Principal and Consulting Engineer at MDC Systems ® made two presentations at the ASHRAE Connecticut Chapter's January 12th event at The Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell, CT, on Green Building Projects.

Tech Topic:
The successful execution of a green building project entails a more integrated approach throughout both the design and construction processes. A key component of green design is the merging of the architectural and engineering design effort to yield a more holistic design. Another movement in the industry is in project delivery. Design Build and partnering have become much more commonplace project execution techniques even in public sector projects. This program will highlight some of the key ideas, elements and issues that are inherent in both approaches and where and how they interface on a project.

Mitchell Swann, of MDCSystems®, has been appointed to serve on the Board of The Philadelphia Energy Authority. Mitch's term on the Board will begin 1 May 2011 and will run until January 2016.

March 24, 2011 - Paoli, PA

MDCSystems® launched a new and improved website on March 23, 2011, http://www.mdcsystems.com, featuring improved navigation and search ability, print-friendly versions of all pages on the site and new layouts and images to provide visitors greater accessibility of useful information along with superior visual appeal.