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President’s Message
Building
A Deep
Foundation
By Van Hogan
Pile driving contractors are deep foundation specialists.
They are well-known for their expertise in constructing
driven pile foundations. Pile driving contractors,
however, often specialize in another type of deep foundation
– the community foundation.
Community foundations, like building foundations,
provide a platform on which to build. When we build a
structure we want to make sure that it has a strong, dependable
foundation. We want our foundation to be stable and
unyielding even under difficult conditions.
If we want to build something of permanence and we
don’t have the luxury of ideal site conditions, then we need
to install a deep foundation.
Deep foundations are needed for a number of reasons,
but the primary reason is dependability. They are something
that you can build upon. Deep foundations provide stability.
When you build upon a deep foundation, you can rely on it.
It will remain steady. It will be able to withstand the forces
of change and destruction.
Driven pile foundations are a type of deep foundation.
They are installed by pile driving contractors. That is what
they do.
Pile driving contractors, however, build other types of
deep foundations. They build deep economic and social
foundations in their communities. They get deeply involved
in their communities and, by their involvement, make them
stronger, more stable and better able to prosper. Communities
are constantly buffeted by the winds of social and economic
change. When it comes to communities and the lives of its
citizens, a shallow foundation just won’t do.
Following is a brief overview of the commitment and
service of a few individuals that have been instrumental in
the success of not only the PDCA and our industry, but of
their communities as well.
A former PDCA president and one of the founders of
the PDCA, Mr. D.R. Jordan (D.R.), of Jordan Pile Driving
Inc. in Mobile, Ala., exemplifies this involvement. Jordan
Pile Driving has been a fixture in Mobile since 1946. D.R.
is a second generation pile driver. In addition to the PDCA,
he has served as president of the Alabama Road Builders
Association and as president of the Deep Foundations
Institute. He is an alumnus of the University of Alabama
and serves on its president’s cabinet and its business school
board of visitors. He also serves on the board of directors
for a local bank and is a member of the Warrior-Tombigbee
Waterway Association, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
and the Seaman’s Club Foundation. He is also an active supporter
of the Boy Scouts of America.
Mr. Wayne Waters of Ed Waters & Sons Contracting
Co. in St. Augustine, Fla., is another second generation pile
driver and a past president of the PDCA. He served the local
construction industry as a member of the board of directors
and also as president of the Greater Florida Chapter of the
Associated General Contractors. He also served as chairman
of the Senior Tournament Players Championship and continues
to serve on that tournament’s charities board. He also
served on the board of directors for a local hospital.
Harry Robbins of Palmetto Pile Driving in Charleston,
S.C., and past president of PDCA, is also involved in his
community. He led the effort to found the South Carolina
Chapter of the PDCA and served as its president and in
other capacities, as well. He also served as president of
his local American Subcontractors Association, served as
a member and chairman of the board of trustees for the
Pinewood Preparatory School. He is a member of The
Exchange Club of Charleston and a member of the board of
directors for the Coastal Carolina Fair, which raises money
for charitable causes.
These men are special, but not unique. They are typical
of pile driving contractors throughout the world. Pile driving
contractors are part of their communities and they are
invested in their communities. They are role models, mentors
and community leaders.
Through their businesses, jobs are provided. Jobs provide
stability. Communities thrive on stability. It is not
uncommon for pile driving contractors to have many loyal
employees with many years of service. Pile driving contractors
participate in trade associations to improve business
practices, foster relationships, enhance communication,
improve education and promote equitable legislation. They
2 • Q4 • 2008