HNTB hosts 3rd Annual Engineering Challenge to benefit The Salvation Army
CONNECTICUT – HNTB’s CT office hosted its 3rd Annual Engineering Challenge among Connecticut engineering firms between April 1st and April 30th. The event was organized by the CT office’s Community Involvement Group led by William Edberg, Lauren DiGovanni, Susan Bakulski, Maklye Hawk, and Pina Leone. Funds collected will be used to support The Salvation Army’s Greater Hartford feeding program and will greatly help those in need.
In the first year of the challenge, there were a total of seven companies that participated. This year, there were a total of 12 teams, which is up from 11 last year, all striving to take first place! The ten returning CT engineering firms were Jacobs in Wethersfield, Lochner in East Hartford, HNTB Corporation in Rocky Hill, GM2 Associates in Glastonbury, Alfred Benesch & Company in Glastonbury, VN Engineers in North Haven, CHA Companies in East Hartford, WSP in Glastonbury, AECOM in Rocky Hill, Michael Baker International in Rocky Hill, and Mintz + Hoke in Avon. They were joined by newcomer KS Engineers in Rocky Hill.
A total of 423 employees participated this year as they proudly topped last year’s total by raising $20,111. Corporate matches were contributed by GM2 Associates, Lochner, HNTB, KS Engineers. AECOM, Alfred Benesch & Company, Michael Baker International. Congratulations are in order once again to GM2 Associates, Inc., who have now taken 1st place in back-to-back-to-back years! A true dynasty!
In three years, the Engineer Challenge has raised almost $50,000 for The Salvation Army of Greater Hartford’s programs.
“GM2 genuinely believes its people who make the difference and defines its culture. We are proud and humbled by the trust of our clients, teaming partners, and of those whose communities we work within. It is with that fortune we choose to give back to help those in need rise above their challenges to succeed. The Salvation Army’s Engineering Challenge has become a window to the compassion that lives within GM2,” said Shawna Bartkus, Vice President, GM2.
“We at HNTB are so proud this annual event has become such a success. HNTB focuses on connecting communities. The ability to connect with our consultant partners to give back to our local community where we live, and work aligns directly with our values as a firm. It is HNTB’s way to live each day exploring, growing, and connecting with those around us. A heartfelt thanks to all the local Connecticut consulting firms that show their support year after year for this wonderful cause. We are already looking forward to surpassing our goals in next year's Engineering Challenge,” said Jacob J. Argiro, Vice President, HNTB Connecticut Office Leader.
“Our collective efforts are indispensable in achieving our mission. In Greater Hartford alone, we provided nourishment to over 300,000 individuals. Your invaluable assistance made this possible, as we cannot transform lives without your support," said Major Migdalia Lavenbein, officer for The Salvation Army of Greater Hartford.
“VN Engineers joined The Salvation Army Engineer Challenge again this year because helping is what we do. We are a small woman and Hispanic owned firm that embraces giving back. Our firm operates like a family, we take care of each other and look out for our neighbor. We are delighted to join other engineering firms to help those who have less and will continue to participate in this awesome program in the future,” said Bridget Moriarty, Public Involvement, VN Engineers Inc.
“This is Benesch’s third year participating in this event, and we are honored to do so, especially in the company of our Connecticut engineering colleagues. Giving back to the communities we serve is a large part of who we are as a firm—we appreciate the opportunity to support The Salvation Army and help those in need,” said Anna Cruz, Project Assistant for Benesch.
“Jacobs Engineering Group is proud to participate in the Salvation Army Engineering Challenge benefiting the Greater Hartford Feeding Program,” said Larry Murphy, Vice President, Jacobs.
“All of us at Lochner are extremely proud to again take part in The Salvation Army Engineering Challenge. It’s a great feeling to join our generous colleagues from the Connecticut engineering community in supporting The Salvation Army’s Greater Hartford Feeding Program and helping out those in our local community who have fallen on tough times,” said Roy Merritt, Jr., Resident Engineer /Vice President, Lochner.
“KS Engineers, P.C. (KSE) is excited to have joined our fellow engineering firms in the 3rd Annual Engineering Challenge to support The Salvation Army’s Greater Hartford Feeding Program in its mission to feed the hungry in the Greater Hartford area, home to our Connecticut branch office in Rocky Hill. KSE is very conscious of the importance of making a difference in the communities where we live and work, and we are pleased to have been a part of the Engineering Challenge. It’s also very exciting that we are among the top-ranked firms this year! Congratulations to the Connecticut office team! We are very proud of their efforts,” said Andy Chakraborty, PE, PTOE|Vice President, KS Engineers.
“We participate in the Engineering Challenge because we recognize there is a need, and we have what it takes to fulfill it. Our communities provide us with great projects and we, collectively as an engineering community, have chosen to give back in ways that will change people’s lives for the better, in the same way those great projects changed our lives and careers. We at HNTB are thankful to The Salvation Army for getting our contributions to those who need it most,” said Pina Leone, CT Office Finance Lead and Sr. Project Analyst, HNTB.
