2020 gets underway, John Kosnak, P.E., NTH Principal Engineer, begins his term as the ICRI Michigan Chapter President. The International Concrete Repair Institute is a professional organization with a mission to improve the quality of concrete restoration, repair and protection through education of, and communication among, the members and those who use their services. The organization began forming in 1988 as the International Association of Concrete Repair Specialists and changed to the International Concrete Repair Institute in 1993. 

The Michigan Chapter formed in 2007 to bring together concrete repair specialists within the State of Michigan.The Michigan Chapter membership consists of engineers, contractors, suppliers, owners and students scattered throughout the state. They host a Demo Day in the spring where vendors can show off new products or processes to interested professionals, as well as technical meetings and other informational or training meetings throughout the year. The chapter also hosts as least one social event throughout the year, typically in June or July so members can spend time together in a fun setting and build friendships.The Michigan Chapter has been awarded as an Outstanding Chapter from ICRI National every year since 2008.

NTH Consultants has had engineers involved with the group since 1988. Mr. Kosnak joined the Board of Directors in 2009 and has held positions as secretary and vice president in past years. Joining ICRI has helped Kosnak build friendships with other industry professionals, which has in turn helped advance his career as a concrete repair specialist at NTH.

​Singh Development Company, a nationally ranked U.S. builder, is currently constructing a major mixed-use development in Royal Oak, Michigan consisting of five-story buildings, an open-air courtyard, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, and a six-story precast concrete parking deck, surrounded by residential units. In addition, plans include retail shops along Woodward and Washington Avenues. The site for this development was purchased through a request for proposal process from the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority (DDA) after being vacant for years

Prior to construction however, Singh required assistance in evaluating the soil conditions encountered at the project site. Due in part to Singh’s ongoing relationship with NTH, we were contacted to assist with exploration and evaluation of the soil conditions and provide foundation recommendations for the various project elements. 

Due to the heavy loads and the compressible nature of the underlying soils, NTH recommended that the project utilize a Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) deep foundation system to support the precast concrete parking deck. Shallow strip / spread footings and wood frame construction were utilized for the residential structures. The development also included the installation of below grade utilities as well as the construction of pavements and driveways.

In addition to providing engineering evaluation and consultation to the design team, Singh retained NTH during the construction process to provide construction observation and materials testing services for the foundation systems, parking deck erection, concrete slabs, pavements, and more.  The Griffin Apartments development is on schedule to be completed in 2020. When complete, the Griffin will be an avant-garde complex featuring 245 apartment homes above 10,000 square feet of commercial retail space.
 
More information about The Griffin can be found here:  https://www.thegriffinroyaloak.com/

​NTH Consultants, Ltd. (NTH), today announced the promotions of two key leaders within the company to support the firm’s growing transportation and energy initiatives. 
 
Philip A. Rasor, P. E. has been tasked as the lead for NTH’s Strategic Market Initiative (SMI) for Transportation.  He will take on the vital role championing and growing NTH’s professional service offerings within this market.    Prior to joining NTH in 2019, Mr. Rasor served as VP of Operations for an Engineering News-Record Top 100 Design Firm’s Transportation Discipline and has served as a Project Principal/Project Manager on a variety of transportation infrastructure projects for state and municipal agencies, including several signature bridge projects throughout the Midwest.  He has served as a Board Director for the American Society of Highway Engineers and has been an active member of the American Public Works Association, the Michigan & Ohio Water Environment Associations, the County Road Association of Michigan, the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners, WTS Chapters in both Michigan and Ohio and the Society of Military Engineers.
 
“We are confident that Phil’s expertise and experience will help NTH continue our history of sustained growth within the great lakes regional transportation market,” said Jeff Jaros, Chief Operating Officer. He is an important asset, serving our clients in their efforts to improve our region’s bridge and roadway infrastructure.”
 
Brett Schwenke, who has been instrumental in strengthening NTH’s efforts in the renewable energy market, will now be tasked with providing overall leadership for the NTH Energy Strategic Marketing Initiative.  Mr. Schwenke is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience in environmental consulting, wetland ecology, habitat restoration, site selection, due diligence, and project management. Prior to joining NTH in 2019, Mr. Schwenke held various leadership positions within engineering and environmental services firms where he developed an environmental / construction services division and led teams of compliance specialists, engineers, and surveyors. He has also served as Principal and Senior Consultant for a natural resources consulting firm focusing on state and federal permitting, regulatory resources, inland lakes and streams, petroleum conveyance, natural gas conveyance, non-metallic mining, solid waste, roads and bridges, multi-use trails, renewable energy, and overhead and underground utilities corridors.  
 
“Brett’s depth of experience, vision and drive will be vital to NTH as the renewable energy market grows within the great lakes region”, said Jaros. “We are confident that his leadership and expertise supporting clients with innovative environmental solutions will help move NTH forward.”