CSA Group, Architects and Engineers

Last week we celebrated our first Cultural Diversity Week at CSA. We are committed to live by one of our respected guiding principles: We treat people with respect and value their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and opinions. We proudly seek diverse cultures, diverse voices, and diverse talents. This pursuit is a hallmark of our success.    We set aside time for our employees to engage in thoughtful conversations and share individual stories about where our people live or their cultural origins. We look forward to this celebration every year to learn more about our colleagues, their families, and their homes. Our employees were engaged and curious as colleagues shared their foods, clothes, music, and traditions to entertain and delight us all. The week is an annual reminder that at its core, cultural diversity is about connections. We have more in common than one might think based on a map.    CSA’s people really do bring a global perspective. And we showed our international footprint by plotting all of our employees’ home countries on a world map. It was an enlightening as well as awe-inspiring confirmation of our company’s diversity and how it serves as a bedrock to CSA’s success as a preeminent architectural and engineering firm. We are diverse! We are CSA!    The map is pictured below. #TeamCSA #CSAGroup #DEI #CulturalDiversity #multicultural #diversity #inclusion #equity #equality #WeAreCSA #MakingADifference

Happy 4th of July from all of us at CSA Group! Today let’s enjoy family, friends, and remember that what makes this country great is the resilience of its people. #july4 #independenceday #happyindependenceday #redwhiteandblue #USA #CSA #TeamCSA #CSAGroup

CSA Group is continuing to establish its global foothold in energy. Fernando M. Padilla, CSA’s VP of Business Development for the Program and Project Management Business Unit, is attending the Global Energy Transition Congress and Exhibition, July 1-3 in scenic Milan, Italy. This seminar complements the previous energy sector meetings we’ve participated in this year like #PuertoRicoEnergyWeek, for which Fernando moderated a panel discussion on the island’s energy sector, key challenges, and the blending of ongoing infrastructure developments with innovative and sustainable solutions at various sites on the island, and we also cohosted in March; and the #CaribbeanRenewableEnergyForum (#CREF) in April where attendees examined Puerto Rico’s energy modernization and transformation towards renewable and sustainable energy. Attending conferences with creative thinkers and industry professionals broaden our knowledgebase in energy and other disciplines. When we engage in meaningful exchanges with the brightest minds in various industries on the latest innovations and forecasts, our clients and our people benefit.    The Global Energy Transition Congress and Exhibition brings thought leaders and changemakers in energy, finance, and startups committed to reducing carbon and its impact on the environment. GET provides a platform for bold ideas and critical thinking about decarbonization and energy transition worldwide for a more sustainable, livable planet. The Milan event will feature presentations from global champions for climate awareness and energy transition. The highlight will be speech by the Right Honorable former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Tony Blair, who will deliver the keynote address.     Each symposium CSA attends makes our team and our portfolio of work and clients more diverse. We will always seek opportunities to engage and learn. After attending GET, we know that Fernando’s shared insights from seminars and opportunities to network with other professionals will be integral to our success maintaining our role as a highly regarded industry leader, serving our clients, and expanding the technical and professional capacities of our teams at CSA.     #TeamCSA #CSA #CSAGroup #GETCongress #GET2024 #Decarbonisation #NetZero #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #makingadifference #bethechange

Happy Juneteenth! On this day we honor the lives of those who suffered through slavery and celebrate the resilience and achievements of Black people in America today! We hail their indomitable spirit and will to persevere!    Black achievements in science and technology, the arts, and their contributions to American culture that are too numerous to count, honor the masses of enslaved Black people. So, we proudly recognize the impact that Black people have made in this country and thank our staff for making diversity a meaningful part of CSA’s success.    #Juneteenth #Juneteenth2024 #EmmancipationDay #CSA #TeamCSA #equality #diversity #equity #inclusion

Happy Father’s Day from all of us at CSA to all the incredible and hardworking dads! May you have a wonderful Sunday.   #FathersDay #HappyFathersDay #TeamCSA #Family #Love #CSA #CSACares

CSA’s iljoong kim, AIA, LEED AP, CPHD, New York’s Discipline Manager for Architecture, is speaking at the American Institute of Architects New Jersey Chapter, Equity in Architecture Committee’s Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month celebration. This year’s theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation.”   Originally from South Korea, IJ previously worked with other New York firms and as a solo practitioner. He is a visionary architect registered in multiple states with over 25 years of experience in building design, engineering, inspections, and project management. A lauded designer, he has master’s degrees from McGill University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Architecture and Urbanism, and the The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has published and publicly exhibited his work. His comprehensive portfolio includes rehabs, conversions, large-scale multi-story high-rise buildings as well as work at #JFK Terminal 6 and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).   IJ is a member of AIA New York | Center for Architecture and will share his experiences and insight gleaned from years as an architect and his passion for mentoring others to increase the numbers of AAPI talent and leadership in architecture.   CSA is proud to have professionals who are not only committed to contributing to the industries and communities where we live, but who are also fervently paving the way and empowering future #AAPI and other #multicultural professionals.   #TeamCSA #CSAGroup #CSA #AAPIHeritageMonth #AIANJ #Architecture #DEI #Leadership #MakingaDifference #BetheChange

Let us reflect on the selflessness and courage of those in the military who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country. The final act of duty for these resolute individuals was one of valor and an unshakable faith in their purpose to protect us all here at home. CSA honors their lives and their dedication to serve this nation. We are grateful to these brave souls and their families who answered the call for their heroism and love of country. #MemorialDay #thanksmilitary #CSA #CSAGroup #TeamCSA #nationalmilitaryappreciationmonth #NMAM #thankyou

Recently, several CSA team members were invited by the student chapter of #PRWEA at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico to speak on new the new technologies in water engineering.   Our Water Resources Engineer from the Water Discipline, Samuel Rivera, made a spectacular presentation titled: “Hydroinformatics: Redefining what's possible for water resources planning and management.” Samuel discussed cutting-edge technology, including hydroinformatics that served as an example of the automated/machine learning capabilities that are now available to professionals and developing professionals like the students. He also explained how these tools have real-world applications for CSA in support of recovery projects from the impacts of the hurricanes and earthquakes recently observed in Puerto Rico.   Hans X. Figueroa Sweet, PE, BCEE, ENV SP, our Resiliency Manager and Water Practice Leader, explained how CSA serves several infrastructure agencies that are already using or planning to use these advanced tools soon for the development and maintenance of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure. Today's students will be the ones managing these technologies tomorrow.   Surey C. Meléndez Pascual, our Human Resources Talent Acquisition Specialist, greeted the students, shared promotional material, and engaged directly with the organizers to help review resumes and/or letters of interest to apply for internship, CO-OP, and employment opportunities at CSA. Thank you to the PRWEA Student Chapter at the Polytechnic University. CSA is proud to be part of the development of the future’s industry professionals.   #TeamCSA #CSAGroup #MakingADifference #FutureProfessionals #Engineering #Water #PuertoRico #BetheChange

On Tuesday May 7, 2024, the City of Fort Lauderdale launched their “Reimagining Fort Lauderdale City Hall” Campaign with the ceremonial demolition of the old City Hall Building, and our team attended this event after receiving a special invitation from the mayor’s office.    Last year, a historic flash flood occurred in #FortLauderdale and the surrounding areas. A record 25.6” of rain fell within approximately 12 hours causing extensive flooding, which prompted Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis to issue a state of emergency. At Florida Governor Ron Desantis request, the federal government declared the flood event a federal disaster on April 28, 2023. The declaration made incident-related damages eligible for funding through #FEMA’s Public Assistance Program (DR-4709-FL). The City Hall Building received extensive flood related damages to not only structural and architectural elements, but also electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection systems. CSA Group, as a sub-contractor WSP, was contracted by the City of Fort Lauderdale to perform a damage assessment of the City Hall Building followed up with a damage estimate.    CSA sent a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and architects to conduct the damage assessments and estimates. Upon completion and submittal, CSA received a follow-on task to act as the owner’s representative during the demolition of the damaged structure. Additionally, CSA was asked to perform storm related damage assessments and estimates for six additional sites. These locations will also require CM responsibilities as the City’s Owner’s Representative for the repair of multiple City Parks.   CSA’s Juan Melgarejo, Senior VP of Business Development, Kiko Morillo VP of Business Development for Federal and Emergency Management and John Turner, Project PM attended the demolition ceremony where one of the highlights was Mayor Trantalis opening a time capsule that was set in the cornerstone of the city hall building by the Freemasons when it was constructed in 1978. Our partners from WSP in the U.S., Richard Bauer, Deputy Project Manager; Miguel Torres-Diaz, PE, MEM, VP Federal and EM, Adelmarie Bones,MSPH,CIH, CSP, Lead Industrial Hygienist, and colleague Jason Fawcett, Project Manager, from AshBritt also attended the ceremony.   Thank you, Melissa Doyle, Director Solid Waste City of Fort Lauderdale, and COL (RET) Alan Dodd, Col (R), PE, Director of Public Works, City of Fort Lauderdale, for the special invitation. We are proud to be part of such an important project and to contribute to the “Reimagined” City Hall of Ft. Lauderdale and its bright future.   #CSATeam #CSA #CSAGroup #Florida #FtLauderdale #ReimagingtheCityHall #Engineering #Architecture #Sustainability #MakingADifference #BetheDifference

CSA honors the dedicated engineers and surveyors of Puerto Rico who play a vital role in improving and sustaining the infrastructure and environment on the island. This Engineers and Surveyors Week 2024 we recognize their commitment and professionalism to making sure that Puerto Rico thrives, and its people have safe, sustainable infrastructures that are in harmony with the environment.   Thank you for everything you do to make Puerto Rico strong and help to improve the quality of life for all of us on the island.    #TeamCSA #engineer #landsurveyor #engineering #PuertoRico #CIAPR #CSA #CSAGroup #teamwork #Makingadifference #BetheChange