March 2010 Vol. 65 No. 3
Features
Association’s New Name Better Reflects Its Role
The Gulf Coast Trenchless Association has launched a new name to better reflect the association’s role within the underground construction industry.
Now known as the Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA), the group has long been at the forefront of educating its members situated in the Gulf Coast region in all methods of trenchless applications.
Association officials say this name change was a strategic decision to broaden the scope and services of the trade association into all aspects of underground construction, generating additional support from the national level.
“We believe the name change will appeal to a larger membership group in other regions that will provide a broader network among engineers, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, owner/operators and academia,” said Vision Committee Chairperson Rod McCrary, P.E., vice president – U.S. Southwest and Mountain Region for AECOM.
“The founding mission and purpose for the association has been achieved; however we need to move forward in order to grow and expand both geographically and in scope,” McCrary explained. “Clearly the name change to Underground Construction Technology Association will allow the organization to expand from the Gulf Coast area into other regions and to share our expertise in all methods of underground construction in addition to the trenchless applications.”
Founded in May 1992, the UCTA is a nonprofit organization now entering its 18th year of operation. UCTA has grown from the original 12 members to nearly 50 corporate sponsors. The largely volunteer group maintains its operations through time contributions.
“The association was originally formed as a result of the Greater Houston Wastewater Program when tunneling contractors needed a forum to collaborate on means and methods as well as the latest technology for trenchless installation for sanitary sewer lines,” said McCrary. “UCTA’s new purpose will be to fulfill the role of the governing nonprofit organization that will facilitate local chapters in other metropolitan areas to service the needs of the underground construction community.”
Instrumental in establishing a new association name and mission, former UCTA President Patrick L. Mann, chief operating officer, Magnum Tunneling LLC, went on to explain that, “while the intent of the new UCTA is to expand to regional chapters, there has not been any timetable set for this expansion nor are there any concrete plans for locations and/or chapters.”
The process to change the name began more than one year ago in December 2008 with the convening of an ad-hoc committee of former board members. After extensive discussion by the board of directors, the association received approval for the name change in April 2009. According to Mann, the complete branding package is still under development, and is expected to be available by the second quarter of 2010.
Mann said, “Changing the association’s name to more accurately reflect its mission will help ensure that it remains a leading education source for infrastructure professionals for years to come.”
Benefits
UCTA’s purpose is to advance the science and practice of installing, repairing, maintaining and replacing utility lines and related facilities through construction and rehabilitation techniques. This includes municipal water, sewer and wastewater, gas distribution, oil gas transmission and gathering, telephone, electric and cable systems. The UCTA also serves to promote education, training, research, development and information concerning underground construction technology and to promote the use of that technology.
The new focus of the organization is nation-wide where companies face similar problems in the construction and maintenance of their underground piping systems.
The UCTA believes that education and technology development are the keys in underground utility work and that this, in turn, will enable our cities and towns to effectively manage their underground infrastructure with a minimum of disruption to the environment and the public.
“Organizations should join the new UCTA to gain information on existing and emerging technology in the trenchless industry,” said Mann. “They will gain insight into the direction trenchless technology is headed, from the point of view of municipalities, vendors, engineers and contractors.”
“UCTA is the most comprehensive organization for underground construction technology,” added McCrary. “Members can stay abreast of the latest developments through UCTA sponsored events such as the WaterWorks Conference, bi-monthly meetings, as well as current research conducted at the University of Houston and Louisiana Tech University.”
Current activities and support
- UCTA holds bimonthly general luncheon meetings in the months of February, April, June, August, October and December on the first Tuesday of the month. At each meeting, a keynote speaker addresses issues pertinent to the growing underground construction industry;
- The UCTA annually donates funds to the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University, gaining a seat on the TTC’s Industrial Advisory Board. Also, the UCTA donates funds annually to CIGMAT (Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology) at the University of Houston;
- The Underground Construction Technology (UCT) Conference & Exhibition is held annually in January. The UCTA helps to develop educational sessions and workshops for the conference and organizes networking and recognition events at the conference including the UCTA/UCT Golf Tournament;
- The UCTA co-sponsors, along with Underground Construction magazine, the annual Most Valuable Professional Award; and
- The UCTA Scholarship Program provides scholarship support to the children and spouses of active UCTA members for a full-time course of study. The scholarships are funded through the proceeds raised from UCTA activities.
2010-2011 leadership
Utility companies, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, sales distribution, academia and research and the trade press represent the governing board of directors.
The UCTA officers include: President Terry Meador, BorTunCo; Vice President Eric Wilson, City of Galveston; Treasurer Tommy Mazingo, Boyer Inc.; Secretary Kirk Eager, Hobas Pipe USA; Past President Patrick Mann, Magnum Tunneling LLC; and Administrator Ginger Coleman.
The board of directors are comprised of: Mike Garver, BRH Garver; Gregory Henry, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam; Madhu Kilambi, HDR/Claunch & Miller; Traci Read, Oildom Publishing; Jerry Williams, Rain for Rent; Tom Lytle, Vermeer Texas; Matt Werth, PM Construction; and Wayne Brown, Compliance EnviroSystems.
Board advisors include: Dr. Rob McKim, TTC-Louisiana Tech University; Dr. Cumaraswamy Vipulanandan, CIGMAT-University of Houston; Ravi Kaleyatodi, City of Houston; Dr. Hani Tohme, City of Beaumont; and Gary Oradat, Coastal Water Authority.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
UCTA: 713.839.0808, www.uctaonline.org
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