February 2013, Vol. 68 No. 2
Features
NASTT Enhances Focus
The year 2012 proved to be another strong year of growth and expansion for the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT), reports George Ragula who is wrapping up his two-year term as the NASTT chairperson and as representative for the society’s international affiliate, the ISTT.
Founded in 1990 as an engineering society of individuals, public organizations and private companies with strong beliefs in the practical, social and environmental benefits of trenchless technology, NASTT’s membership today includes 1,400 members throughout the United States and Canada. Currently, NASTT offers more than 20 in-depth courses covering trenchless topics such as cured-in-place pipe, horizontal directional drilling, pipe bursting, laterals and new installation methods.
Throughout the year, Ragula said NASTT continued its mission to expand and move the society forward in the trenchless industry. The society was successful partnering with the American Public Works Association (APWA) to help expand its membership to include municipalities and utility owners; completing the Carbon Calculator to promote the benefits of trenchless technologies as a “green” alternative for use by municipalities and utilities; and broadening NASTT’s education and training efforts to reach a wider audience with a new webinar series and updated website.
According to Ragula, NASTT’s training partnerships with the APWA and American Gas Association continues to provide important benefits to its members by expanding their reach to owners to create a more diverse membership that will increase trenchless awareness throughout North America.
“NASTT has certainly grown faster than the general construction industry,” said Ragula. “The society is growing by leaps and bounds due to the high level of interest owners have for trenchless construction.”
Looking ahead to 2013, Ragula said that the society will continue its owner outreach efforts through NASTT’s new webinar series that will allow NASTT to bring education to municipalities who are unable to travel to a workshop; and through their alliance with APWA which is scheduled to provide a training session on “Trenchless – New Installation” at the association’s 2013 Annual Congress to be held in Chicago. Further involvement with the gas industry will include training at the annual AGA Conference in Orlando, FL, in May 2013 to review horizontal directional drilling, pipe bursting and cured-in-place liners.
Ragual said members participated in regional industry meetings, including the annual No-Dig Conference held in Nashville, TN, March 2012, which proved a success with record exhibitor space sold and increased sponsorships. In addition, the auction contributed $100 thousand to NASTT’s education fund.
Ragula’s commitment to the ever-growing technologies used in trenchless construction has been ongoing for the past 18 years. He serves as the distribution technology manager for Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G), responsible for evaluating cutting-edge technologies that increase efficiency and effectiveness of operations for the company. Taking over as chair will be Derek Potvin, P.E., president of Robinson Consultants Inc., a multidisciplinary engineering firm.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
NASTT: 315-409-7552, www.nasst.org
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