Innovation Alley focuses on technology innovations that impact our industry and can be applied to infrastructure projects to best serve our clients. Our podcast is co-hosted by Tim O’Rourke, Chief Technical Officer, and Dave White, Wet Weather Practice Lead, who are dedicated to advancing our firm’s technical skills and use of technologies. They are joined by expert guests to explore topics like cyber security, components of smart cities, and how we can help communities plan for and navigate climate change.
Find Innovation Alley on all major streaming platforms or watch it on YouTube.
EPISODES
1: AEC Key Technologies
Marcus Quigley, Partner at Environmental Financial Consulting Group, discusses how advanced technologies can be applied throughout the life cycle of architecture, engineering, and construction industry projects.
2: Reality Capture
Brian Gombos, PE, Advanced Design Technology Lead, and Jason Yoscovits, Reality Capture Specialist, discuss how AEC professionals use reality capture to level up their offerings to clients.
3: Cyber Security
Jason Sting, Director of IT, and Brandon Pritz, IT Security Manager, talk about new developments in cyber attacks, biggest threats companies face, and innovative approaches to cyber security, including user training. Ralph Picano, CFO, joins as a guest host.
4: Marriage Between Innovation and Business Development
Tom Brzezinski, PE, Chief Business Development Officer, discusses how to apply existing technologies to projects in innovative ways, team with technical staff to spark innovative solutions, and convey the value of new technologies to clients.
5: One Water (Part 1)
Vin Rubino, PE, Water/Wastewater Treatment Practice Lead, and Glen Daigger, Ph.D., University of Michigan Civil/Environmental Engineering Professor, discuss the concept and evolution of the water management approach known as One Water. They also address water equity, resiliency, and sustainability.
6: One Water (Part 2)
Vin Rubino, PE, Water/Wastewater Treatment Practice Lead, and Glen Daigger, Ph.D., University of Michigan Civil/Environmental Engineering Professor, continue their discussion, focusing on how communities determine the best ways to manage their water and wastewater systems. They also address water reuse and the importance of communicating the value of water.
7: Collaborative Delivery (Pt. 1)
Andy Franosz, Water Resources Client Services Director, and Colin Groff, PE, St. Johns County Florida Utilities Director, talk about the concept and evolution of the collaborative delivery project delivery model. They also address challenges, pros and cons, methods for managing risks, and the future of the project delivery method.
8: Collaborative Delivery (Pt. 2)
Andy Franosz and Colin Groff, PE, continue their conversation on the collaborative delivery project delivery model. Discussed in this episode are the benefits of collaborative delivery, lessons learned, funding challenges, and how utilities work together and learn from each other.
9: Research and Innovation at The Water Tower (Pt. 1)
Chris Impellitteri, Ph.D., Director of Research and Development at water industry innovation hub The Water Tower, joins the podcast to discuss the critical drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water reuse research and innovation happening at The Water Tower in Gwinnett County, GA, where Wade Trim’s Atlanta-area operations are also located.
10: Research and Innovation at The Water Tower (Pt. 2)
Melissa Meeker, CEO of The Water Tower, talks about the idea behind the creation of the research and water solutions hub, the biggest obstacles in the space, and strategies tied to connecting public and private sectors of the water industry with academia and nonprofits to tackle water industry challenges.
11: The Evolution of Engineering
Glen Daigger, Ph.D., University of Michigan Civil/Environmental Engineering Professor, returns to contemplate the evolution of engineering, tools various stakeholders bring to the decision-making process, and the advancement of AI and automated processes in the industry.
12: Artificial Intelligence
Mehdi Nourbakhsh, Ph.D., and Sam Zolfagharian, Ph.D., of tech consulting firm YegaTech, along with Wade Trim Corporate Technology Lead Rob Sinclair, join a discussion on how AEC firms can navigate the world of AI and leverage this important tool to enhance business and bring value to clients.
13: Innovations in Wastewater Treatment
Joe Tardio and Terry Reid, PE, of water management solutions supplier Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc., along with Ryan Messer, PE, of HDR, share insights and experiences with innovative wastewater treatment solutions such as aerobic granular sludge. Wade Trim Water/Wastewater Treatment Practice Lead Vin Rubino, PE, guest hosts.
14: A Comparison of Innovative Regional Water Authorities
Suzanne Coffey, Chief Executive Officer of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) in Southeast Michigan, and Diana Smillova, Division Manager of Water/Wastewater Capital Programs of the City of St. Petersburg, Florida, discuss how they collaborate with stakeholders, plan for long-term sustainability, and leverage technology to improve efficiency and resilience.
15: New Regulatory Drivers and Emerging Technologies in PFAS Treatment
Terry Reid, PE, Director of Research & Development for Aqua-Aerobic Systems. Inc., and John Dyson, Aqua-Aerobics’ Product Manager, join a Wade Trim panel of experts to talk about regulatory drivers and emerging technologies aimed at treating and destroying PFAS, which are often referred to as “forever chemicals.” Wade Trim experts joining in the discussion include Water/Wastewater Treatment Practice Lead Vin Rubino, PE, and PFAS Task Force Lead Natalie Betts, PE.