Archive

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TFMoran Announces Two Survey Technicians

TFMoran is pleased to announce the addition of two Survey Technicians, Najad Ghanbari and Benjamin Krisik.

Mr. Ghanbari recently joined TFMoran as a Survey Technician in the Bedford office. Ghanbari has over 18 years of experience in the field of land surveying, most recently as a party chief for another local firm. His experience includes ALTA/NSPS surveys, existing condition surveys, and field operations management.

Mr. Krisik joined TFMoran’s Bedford office in 2022 as a Field Technician, primarily collecting data with State-of-the-Art Leica GPS Systems and Total Station instruments. Krisik will now oversee the preparation of fieldwork for our survey field crews.

In their new roles, Ghanbari and Krisik process field-collected data into CADD for applications such as town tax mapping, utility mapping, topography, wetlands, and zoning. With their extensive backgrounds and accomplishments, Ghanbari and Krisik will be great assets to the TFM Survey team.

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Valente Earns NH Professional Engineering License

Zachary Valente, PE recently earned his Professional Engineer license for the State of New Hampshire. Mr. Valente serves as a Structural Project Engineer in the Bedford office and joined TFMoran in 2022. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from the University of New Hampshire. Mr. Valente’s structural design experience includes commercial, industrial, and residential buildings utilizing steel, timber, and concrete.

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TFMoran Supports St. Gianna’s Place

TFMoran is supporting St. Gianna’s Place with sponsorship of their annual banquet.

St. Gianna’s Place offers long-term transitional housing for women facing crisis pregnancies and their babies. In addition to a loving, Christ-centered home, they provide job and life skills training, parenting classes, spiritual and emotional support, and educational opportunities.

St. Gianna’s Place provides shelter for homeless pregnant women and their babies. Facing a crisis pregnancy without housing, financial resources, or emotional support is frightening, but St. Gianna’s Place can help. We offer a safe home, job and life skills training, and emotional support to pregant women in need. Our vision is to promote healthy familes by providing expectant moms with resources to give birth to their babies and move their lives forward in a positive direction.

stgiannasplace.org

TFMoran is proud to make this contribution to help provide a welcoming home, emotional support, and education for expectant mothers.

The St. Gianna’s Place fundraising banquet will occur on May 23, 2024, at the Event Center in Nashua, NH. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the event.

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Celebrating Land Surveyors Week

Surveyors Week is March 17-23! Put on by the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), Surveyors Week is a time to recognize professionals in the industry and educate the public.

TFMoran is proud to recognize National Surveyors Week. Our history of combining the best in Survey with the best in Engineering stretches back over 55 years! We’re celebrating this week by recognizing our team:

Leadership Team: J. Corey Colwell, LLS | Michael Dahlberg, LLS, RPLS, PLS | Brenda Kolbow, LLS, PLS
Licensed Land Surveyors: Thomas Berube, LLS, RPLS, PLS | Stephen Bibeau, LLS
Survey Technicians: Robert Bradshaw | Najad Ghanbari | Benjamin Krisik | Phillip Trombley
Field Crews: Todd Emerson | Marty Gavin | Morgan Hershey | Jonathan Rahilly | Richard Ward | Thomas Wood

Many of our surveyors are members of the New Hampshire Land Surveying Association and we are grateful to the association for their support.

The New Hampshire Union Leader is also recognizing Surveyors this week with a special edition! 
Check it out and keep an eye out for TFMoran!

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TFMoran Enjoys a Night at the BOB Awards

Members of the TFM staff turned out at the NHBR Best of Business (BOB) Awards Celebration on Thursday, March 14th at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. This year’s theme was “Carribean”, encouraging guests to wear their best vacation attire! TFM sponsored the photobooth at the event – attendees enjoyed stopping by to strike a pose!

TFMoran was honored to receive our TWELFTH straight BOB Award as “Best Engineering Firm” in New Hampshire Business Review’s reader’s survey.

A portion of the proceeds from the event benefited Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, a local nonprofit organization that grants “wishes” to children with critical illness.

Thank you NHBR Readers! And congratulations to all the BOB Award winners!

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Taylor Joins TFMoran

TFMoran is pleased to welcome Luke Taylor as an Environmental Permitting Specialist in our Portsmouth office. Taylor recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire, with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability and a Minor in Community Development and Planning. Taylor’s coursework included environmental policy, environmental resource economics, and ecology. With his extensive academic background, Luke will be a great asset to TFMoran’s Environmental Permitting team.

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Celebrating Women In Construction Week

It’s National Women In Construction Week! Put on by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), ‘WIC’ week, March 4-11 celebrates women in the construction industry including women builders, engineers, surveyors, project management, administration, and leadership.

Women in Construction (WIC) Week raises awareness and celebrates the work of women in the construction industry across the country. NAWIC founded WIC Week in 1998 to continue its mission of strengthening and amplifying the success of women in the industry. This year marks 25 years of celebrating Women in Construction!

Just in time for this week of celebration, TFMoran’s own Mahreana Hopson, PE, Structural Project Manager had a featured profile in High Profile’s Women in Construction special issue. Also in this issue- TFMoran’s team of Professional Women are recognized for their contribution to the Construction Industry!

Check out Mahreana’s profile in High Profile’s Women In Construction supplement, or continue reading below.


Mahreana Hopson, PE
Structural Project Engineer, TFMoran, Inc.

Published in High Profile Magazine
March 2024

Mahreana Hopson, PE is a structural project manager at TFMoran. When asked how she navigates the unique challenges women face in the construction industry, Mahreana says, “Although I was only able to participate in a single official mentorship program, I have really enjoyed the opportunities I have had in my career to mentor younger women in the industry. Any new college graduate feels uncertain at the start of their first job, but I feel women have a greater need to prove themselves.” She says there is a struggle with the balance of asking enough questions to be successful yet not too many to make one appear less qualified from a male counterpart. Then as women advance in their careers, there is the challenge of how to approach the older male generation that often is not comfortable taking direction from younger women. She continues, “I only hope to pass on the knowledge I have gained from my own experiences and provide the much-needed sounding board I could have benefited from having during those times. I think mentorship for women by women is the key to our continued success in the construction sector.”

When asked what changes or progress she has witnessed in the industry regarding gender diversity and inclusion, Mahreana says, “Most recently, I have noticed a shift in the amount of attention that is being brought to metrics on gender diversity and inclusion in our industry.” She says it is so wonderful to see companies acknowledging the discrepancies and possible deficiencies within their organization and then the drive that the younger workforce has to see these rectified with visible change. “It provides me with a lot of hope for our future,” she adds.

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Ghanbari Joins TFMoran

TFMoran is pleased to welcome Najad Ghanbari as a Survey Technician in the Bedford office. Mr. Ghanbari has over 18 years of experience in the field of land surveying, most recently as a party chief for a local firm. His experience includes ALTA/NSPS surveys, existing condition surveys, and management of field operations. With his extensive background and accomplishments, Najad will be a great asset to the TFM survey team.

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Jen Porter Featured in New Hampshire Business Review’s Ask the Experts: Women In Construction Overcome Obstacles, Innovate for Change

New Hampshire Business Review‘s February 23rd issue features a women in construction spotlight, with input from Jen Porter, PE. Read Jen’s insights below:

(Ask the Experts) Women in construction overcome obstacles, innovate for change

Women in Construction Week takes place the first full week in March, celebrating the history of women in the industry who faced tremendous challenges in a traditionally male-dominated field. In this issue of NH Business Review, we learn from an expert in the field who shares insights and perspectives on what it’s like for women in construction today, and how they’re helping to foster inclusivity, develop talent and innovate for the future.

Our expert: Jennifer F. Porter, PE, senior project engineer for civil/traffic, TFMoran Inc.

Q: What led you to choose a career in engineering?
A: Throughout high school I always thought my future career would be in the sky, as I wanted to be a pilot and go to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to study.

Sometime during my junior year in the early ‘90s, I attended a Women in Engineering Symposium at New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, NH. That day inspired me and shifted my interests back on the ground to the field of engineering.

When I enrolled at Bucknell University, I was unsure if civil or mechanical engineering was the correct path for me. Luckily, Bucknell requires all potential engineering students to take Engineering 101, a class that explores all disciplines of engineering with weekly hands-on problem-solving labs. It didn’t take long for me to decide to pursue civil engineering.

These early opportunities and hands-on learning not only taught me the skills required for my course work but also set the foundation for my future in engineering. The many hours of traditional academics and practical labs, in addition to my collegiate sports career — I was a member of the Track and Field team — helped me sort priorities and budget time; attributes that would serve me well in my profession. My engineering class had a very high percentage of women enrolled, and it’s where I developed some of my best friendships, many of which went on to be very successful women in the field of engineering.

Q. How can the construction industry attract and retain more women professionals, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce that enhances creativity and productivity?
A. Providing opportunities that introduce girls/women to construction and engineering opportunities can be the spark that changes the course of thinking for a young person. Many women do not consider the construction industry based on the simple lack of knowing it is an option. Having a sound understanding of basic construction and engineering principles and receiving proper training early in your career is key to establishing confidence and comfort in the construction environment. Providing resources for mentorship, male or female, can also make a tremendous difference to a new engineer starting out, so providing this resource is pivotal to women entering into the profession and staying with it.

I’ve had the pleasure of working for my current employer, TFMoran, for over 25 years. It has been my first (and only) engineering job since college graduation. I started at entry level in the office, running errands, making prints and reading regulations. I asked a lot of questions.

At TFM, I have had great mentors to educate and support me in my career. Teaching by example, showing patience, providing opportunity and pushing me to be a problem-solver by asking the right question and seeking out the answer. They provided me with challenges and the support I needed to grow as an engineer and a person. I am proud to be part of the team at TFM.

With the good also comes the bad, as I have had encounters in my career where my job experience appeared to be questioned due solely on my gender. When confronted with such a moment, I have felt I had two choices: deflect or stand tall. I have not let those moments define me, and have used each opportunity to build confidence and a greater belief in myself. To treat others with respect, setting boundaries to form positive relationships based on trust, and to project the confidence my experience and knowledge should garner after 25 years in the field of engineering. Much like the values my parents instilled in me, and I hope to inspire in my children, I choose to be fair and respectful to others. We should all expect nothing less. Treat everyone as you want to be treated.

Q. What initiatives or programs have proven effective in breaking down barriers and biases, promoting skill development, and providing equal opportunities for women pursuing careers in construction?
A. Educating men and women that intelligence is not defined by gender. Providing a company culture that brings everyone on the team to the table on equal ground and treated with respect. Engineers are engineers, period.

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Celebrating Engineers Week 2024!

February 18-24 is National Engineers Week, and TFMoran is celebrating the hard work of our over 30 Civil, Structural, and Traffic Engineers! This week is promoted annually by Discover E, an ASCE partner, to promote the profession and celebrate engineers by showing the world the essential work engineers contribute to our everyday lives.

This year’s theme “Welcome to the Future”, is about celebrating today’s achievements and paving the way for a brighter and more diverse future in engineering.

Engineering is at the forefront of innovation and is instrumental in designing and creating the solutions that are shaping the world of tomorrow. From the development of the internet and smartphones to space exploration and renewable energy solutions, engineers have been at the forefront of progress, making our lives more efficient, comfortable, and connected. Through their creativity, expertise, and dedication, engineering teams are addressing global challenges, driving technological advancements, and making a positive impact on society’s future. 

Discover E Engineering

Our local publications including the New Hampshire Union LeaderNew Hampshire Business Review, Concord Monitor and the Seacoast Papers published special sections this week to help celebrate the profession. Check out TFMoran’s contributions!

A special thanks to all our engineers and support staff! Happy Engineers Week!