Carina Perez Joins R&M’s Construction Services Dept.

&M Consultants, Inc. announced in July that Carina Perez joined R&M as an engineering associate in the firm’s Construction Services department. In this role, Perez provides office engineering on Alaska infrastructure construction projects, assuring construction work is completed in accordance with plans, specifications, and established procedures.

Perez has seventeen years of construction experience in Alaska. She spent the past fifteen years as an office engineer for the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Central Region.

In this position, Perez provided technical support and coordination on construction projects, which included cost control and estimating; maintaining project records and documentation; reviewing construction drawings, specifications and other project documents; and ensuring compliance and conformance with all applicable regulations and permits. She is also experienced in pipe installation, paving, guardrail, curb and gutter, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, and stormwater pollution prevention plan inspections.

Vanairsdale Named President of Bettisworth North

racy Vanairsdale was elected in July as president of Bettisworth North Architects and Planners. She succeeds past president Roy Rountree, who is transitioning to a supporting leadership role with the company.

A lifelong Alaskan, Vanairsdale was born in Fairbanks, joined Bettisworth North in 1997, and has managed the Fairbanks office for ten years. She is a licensed architect with a bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Idaho. Vanairsdale helped establish Bettisworth North as Alaska’s Community Builders with a commitment to excellent northern design that embraces the state’s diverse cultural heritages and traditions.

“Passing the reins to someone as qualified and capable as Tracy is a real privilege,” says Rountree. “As she builds upon the firm’s four-plus decades of strong leadership, we are going to see Bettisworth North continue offering new ways to problem-solve with innovative design and unique services and support that help our clients reach their business goals.”

“It’s a true honor to lead a team of talented Alaska professionals so dedicated to delivering design excellence,” says Vanairsdale. “Together we will discover even more opportunities to listen, learn, collaborate, and create what our clients envision.”

Throughout her professional career Vanairsdale has managed projects across Alaska. Most recently she led the design and engineering team that completed expansion and renovation of Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation’s Delta Regional Hospital in Bethel; at $330 million, this was the largest construction project in Alaska at the time. Other well-known works include the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, Ryan Middle School, Ketchikan Public Library, and Mat-Su Borough’s Dena’ina Elementary School. Vanairsdale is currently leading the new Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center for University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Fairbanks animal shelter.

Coffman Engineers Announces Staff Achievements, New Hire, Award

offman Engineers, Inc. recently announced several staff achievements and new hires.

In April, the company announced Deanna Nielson earned her Alaska Professional Engineering license in electrical engineering.

Nielson has been with Coffman’s electrical engineering department for more than seven years. Her background includes designing medium and low voltage power distribution systems and industrial instrumentation and control systems primarily for the oil and gas industry, as well as commercial and residential projects.

In May Coffman announced Michelle McGinnis earned her Project Management Professional certificate. She is a Project Manager in Coffman’s Corrosion Control Engineering department.

McGinnis joined Coffman in 2014 and has provided project controls and management services for numerous projects in the oil and gas, commercial construction, and hospitality industries.

In June, Coffman welcomed Spence Carter to their fire protection team.

Carter has ten years of experience as a fire protection engineer in the oil and gas and nuclear industries. He is a licensed professional engineer in fire protection in Idaho and earned his Bachelor of Science in fire protection and safety technology from Oklahoma State University.

In his last role at the Idaho National Laboratory, Carter was the fire protection engineer at the Advance Test Reactor facility, which provides national priority nuclear fuel and materials testing capabilities. He oversaw the inspection, testing, and maintenance programs for fire suppression and detection systems, as well as fire hazard analyses.

In July Coffman Engineers announced its Anchorage civil and corrosion control engineering groups were part of the team that received Alyeska Pipeline Service’s Atigun Award for Teamwork.

Coffman played an integral role on the team that earned the award for its role in the Mainline Integrity Investigation project at Pipeline Mile Post 781.14 of the 800-mile trans-Alaska pipeline that transports oil from Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope to Valdez.

Alyeska’s Atigun Award recognizes people, teams, and their work to make the Trans Alaska Pipeline System and those around it safer and more efficient, responsible, and innovative.

The long-anticipated pipeline integrity investigation project took place above Keystone Canyon, just north of Valdez, under challenging conditions. The investigation required a deep excavation in an area with steep terrain and loose ground with a pipeline depth of cover of more than 40 feet. Other challenges included unknown subsurface water conditions, inclement weather, and lengthy and steep site access. Through the efforts of all involved, the investigation was completed safely, on time, and without environmental issues.