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As part of Soltesz’s ongoing commitment to professional development for its employees, the firm recently sponsored a class titled “Speaking with Confidence.” Presented by Christine Clapp, the focus of the class was on building executive presence and developing impromptu speaking strategies, with the goal to provide tools and tips to ensure clarity and composure whenever expressing oneself.Christine Clapp is an author, speaker, consultant, and former professor whose workshops and consulting engagements have helped thousands of people craft memorable presentations and deliver them with confidence. The seminar hosted for Soltesz employees was no exception, delivering an interactive, dynamic, and resourceful platform to assist participants with public speaking techniques and strengthen their leadership qualities.The seminar received very positive feedback from Soltesz employees:“Well done and very useful. I would recommend it for everyone here. The techniques germane to both personal speaking and telephone conversations.”“This was the best seminar I have ever taken. Christine had just the right balance of presentation and hands on practice, and she was really easy to listen to and hear because of her skills.”Soltesz is a leading regional design firm providing civil engineering, environmental sciences, and surveying services. Training and professional development are a focal point of Soltesz’s efforts to continuously build employees’ skills both technically and personally, providing the best civil engineering services to clients throughout the Washington Metropolitan Region.For more information about Soltesz’s Professional Development initiatives and career opportunities, contact Kris Pettit, Director of Human Resources, at kpettit@solteszco.com. Information is also available online at www.solteszco.com/careers.

Soltesz, Inc., as a member of the Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, LLP team, has been selected to provide site civil design for the new visitor entrance and security screening facility at the Washington Monument. The new facility will replace the existing temporary facility at the east façade of this National Historic Landmark. Specifically, Soltesz will provide site grading, utilities (including water, sanitary sewer, electric, and communication), and stormwater related permitting. This project was issued as part of a five-year IDIQ contract that Beyer Blinder Belle currently holds with the National Park Service. Soltesz is proud to be the lead site civil engineer on the Beyer Blinder Belle team. Leading the Soltesz civil team is Ankur Patel, PE of the firm’s Rockville office. For more information regarding this project, contact Tom Chicca, Soltesz Vice President and General Manager, at 301-948-2750 or tchicca@solteszco.com.

Soltesz has had wonderful participation this year from college students in the firm’s Internship Program. The program draws students from colleges throughout the Mid-Atlantic who are currently pursuing civil engineering majors. Students collaborate with Soltesz employees of all skill levels, assisting with basic design, construction and maintenance of a wide variety of projects throughout the region. The Internship Program is part of Soltesz’s commitment to excellence, starting with interns and employees who are talented, energetic, and driven professionals. The firm has recently welcomed the following engineering interns: Abdul Arnous – University of Maryland Alisha Chan – University of Maryland Virginia Detrick – North Carolina State University Tyler Moyer – University of Delaware Kip Soltesz – Villanova UniversitySoltesz is a successful civil engineering firm specializing in the areas of civil design and planning, landscape architecture, environmental sciences, and surveying. The firm has six offices throughout Maryland and Washington, DC, and has teamed on many groundbreaking projects in the Washington Metropolitan Area.To learn more about Soltesz’s Internship Program as well as full-time opportunities, contact Kris Pettit, Director of Human Resources, at kpettit@solteszco.com or visit www.solteszco.com/careers.

In celebration of Earth Day 2016, Soltesz participated in a stream cleanup organized by the Anacostia Watershed Society and Corvias, part of a larger organized efforts for dozens of local stream cleanups around the DC Metropolitan Area.Members of the extended Soltesz team spent Saturday morning assisting in the cleanup, loading and hauling dozens of trash bags full of garbage from the stream system. Soltesz has eagerly participated in cleanups at various sites in years past and this year was no exception.Soltesz believes we have a powerful role to play in strengthening the places that surround where we work and live. Our employees strive to make impactful decisions each day that benefit and support the community. This approach is executed through responsible design, volunteer efforts, advocacy, and supporting of local charities and organizations. Soltesz is proud of our employees’ continued efforts and dedication to serving the local community.

Jim Gotsch, Associate of Soltesz’s Leonardtown office, has been selected to join the Leadership Southern Maryland’s Executive Program. This program brings together business, community and public leaders in the three Southern Maryland counties for a year-long mentoring experience.The class participants are taken through several different sectors of the Southern Maryland (SoMD) government, industry, and business. The intent is to have participants consider what they do globally and how it impacts SoMD as a whole. Leadership Southern Maryland requires participants to complete a “project” independent of the class time, something that primarily benefits a non-profit, based on personal interests. The program has several projects preselected that can help the participants in their selection. The group is very much service-oriented.Mr. Gotsch had the following words to share regarding this opportunity:“My hope is that through this process, I’ll be able to form new relationships, become actively involved in all aspects of the SoMD economy, and work with other participants to do so.”Mr. Gotsch is joining in the fall of 2016 and will graduate with the Class of 2017. He is the second Soltesz employee from the firm’s Southern Maryland offices to be nominated and accepted into the program.For more information about the Leadership Southern Maryland and the Executive Program, visit: http://www.leadershipsomd.org/programs/executive-program/

As part of Soltesz’s efforts to continuously train and educate its employees, the firm recently hosted a training class on “Making Meetings Work,” discussing effective tools and strategies to make meetings more successful.The course was attended by mid and senior-level employees representing different offices and hosted at Soltesz’s Corporate Office in Rockville, Maryland. The course is one of many classes hosted throughout the year by specialized consultants to provide professional and technical training to Soltesz employees.The course instructor was Amanda Haddaway, SPHR, SHRM-SCP. Ms. Haddaway is the Managing Director of HR Answerbox, which is a consultancy that focuses on helping organizations with their human resources training challenges.Soltesz is an award-winning civil engineering firm with offices throughout the Washington Metropolitan Region. The firm provides civil design, planning, environmental sciences, and surveying services.

Soltesz is pleased to announce the winners of the firm's 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Challenge! The winners for this year's challenge are: 1st Place: Patrick Fitzgerald, Project Manager at Soltesz's Rockville office 2nd Place: Ed Carroll, Vice President & Director of Environmental Engineering at Soltesz's Southern Maryland office 3rd Place: Chris Weaver, Senior Designer at Soltesz's Rockville office 4th Place: Joe Wilson, CAD Technician, and Jake Jarboe, Engineer, both located at Soltesz's Lanham officeAll of our winners each received restaurant gift cards ranging from $25 to $100. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who participated in our tournament challenge! This year's tournament was an exciting one!This annual tournament challenge is one of many exciting events Soltesz sponsors for its employees. Other events that Soltesz hosts every year include chili cook-offs, parking lot BBQs, as well as various raffles to local sporting events. If interested in learning more about the employee culture at Soltesz or employment opportunities, please contact Kris Pettit, Director of Human Resources, at kpettit@solteszco.com or 301-948-2750.

The Maryland Building Industry Association (MBIA) held a members-only networking event on March 8, 2016 to welcome WSSC’s New General Manager & CEO, Carla Reid.Soltesz was the corporate sponsor for the event. Jim Soltesz, Soltesz President & CEO, introduced Ms. Reid.The event had excellent attendance. Representing WSSC at the event were Tom Street (Deputy General Manager), Joe Mantua (Deputy General Manager), and Mike Harmer. Ms. Reid spoke about her role in the agency and issues impacting the building and development industry, followed by a Q & A discussion for all members.Soltesz is a leading civil engineering firm in the Washington Metropolitan Area and an active member of MBIA.

Soltesz once again celebrated and supported Red Nose Day, a national campaign dedicated to benefitting children in poverty. Through comic relief and entertainment, the day raises awareness and funds to support children and young people in poor and needy communities throughout the U.S. and the world.Soltesz employees from each of the offices joined in the effort, sporting red noses and laughter throughout the day. Today’s activities are one of the many ways the firm gives back to the community, a commitment that carries throughout the organization’s efforts of design, volunteering, advocacy, and investment.To learn more about Soltesz’s steadfast commitment to the community, visit the firm’s webpage: http://solteszco.com/inside-soltesz/community-involvementMore information on the Red Nose Day campaign is available here: http://rednoseday.org

It is with great sadness that we inform you that one of our beloved Associates, Jeff Retterer, has passed away. Jeff had been an employee of Soltesz since 2014, but more importantly, he had been a friend of the firm for more than 30 years. He was a terrific guy, a well-respected colleague and a strong mentor for all of us here at Soltesz. He will be sorely missed.Per Jeff’s wishes, the family will have a private, family only, gravesite gathering. Rather than flowers or other gifts, the family is suggesting donations to the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health: http://johnritterfoundation.org/Please keep Jeff’s family in your thoughts and prayers.