Insights by Bergmann

Working with education clients across New York State, Bergmann education and energy experts discuss how thinking differently during educational facility planning can lead to a smarter and more efficient future.

In the latest epsiode of Insights by Bergmann, host Stacy Lake is joined by Education Practice Leader James Hickey, AIA, and Evan DeCotis, PE, CEM, CEA, a Project Manager with our Energy Conservation team to share insights into the world of educational facility planning. Jim and Evan discuss how they are helping schools across New York State think differently about their facility and campus planning to prepare for future disruptive events and create facilities that are adaptable to the different ways students learn, and to do so with future facility needs in mind.

Bergmann environment and ecology experts discuss recent changes to nationwide permitting requirements for projects with wetland impacts, and share important steps project owners should take to help streamline planning and permitting for such projects.

In the latest episode of Insights by Bergmann, host Stacy Lake is joined by Energy + Environment Practice Leader David Plante, AICP CEP, and Ecological Project Manager Rita Kozak, to talk about WOTUS (Waters of the United States). Dave and Rita provide important background on how WOTUS is defined and summarize a series of recent changes to nationwide permitting regulations and the Water Quality Certification Law, which have a direct impact on construction and development across the country. Listeners will benefit from learning important steps project owners should consider when planning and permitting projects with wetland impacts.

From the new wave of mobile shopping to self-serve checkout lanes, to dark stores and micro fulfillment models, the speed at which the grocery industry is changing cannot be underestimated. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a tremendous shift in consumer shopping behavior, and as a result, the way grocery stores and supermarkets are designed and operate.

In the latest episode of Insights by Bergmann, host Stacy Lake sits down with Andy Hart, Commercial Practice Leader with our Northeast region, Tom Reder, Principal with our Midwest design team, and Dana Reeves, the Commercial Practice Leader with our Atlantic region, to discuss the shifting trends and the impacts they’ve had, and how Bergmann’s multi-disciplinary team of professionals is supporting our clients with their evolving needs.

From policy to construction, a wholistic view of planning for a more resilient society.

Resilience is an important term in the world of architecture, engineering and planning, with increasing focus as companies, communities and regions respond to natural and manmade disturbances and disasters.  In this episode, host Stacy Lake sits down with Certified Floodplain Manager, AICP-certified planner and self-described “water nerd” Jayme Breschard Thomann, to delve into the world of resilience planning. Jayme discusses regional and economic impacts, recent projects, such as the Monroe County CLEAR Plan and Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), and the need to look wholistically at both the soft and hard aspects of resilience planning. A big topic, this is the first of a series of podcast episodes on the topic of Resilience Planning for the Built Environment.

Short line railroads are a critical part of the U.S. freight network, operating more than 47,500 route miles and providing the connection between farmers, manufacturers and other industries, and ultimately, the consumer.  

In the latest episode of Insights by Bergmann, host Stacy Lake is joined by Bergmann's Lucas Brewer, PE, PMP, SFPC, PSC, SAPPC, SPIPC, a project manager with Bergmann’s Northeast Infrastructure region, and resident expert on short line railroads. An integral role in the management of rail projects across Bergmann, Lucas also manages our short line and regional railroad grant writing program, helping railroads obtain more than $65 million in state and federal funding. 

In November 2020, Bergmann announced its inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Committee, tasked with looking at areas such as policy review and development, training, recruitment, and community efforts, with the goal of making a meaningful and lasting impact at Bergmann and in the community.

In the latest episode of Insights by Bergmann, host Stacy Lake is joined by Co-Chairs Micheline Diegan, Sr. Project Manager, and Mufuta Tshimanga, Discipline Leader, discussing the importance of a diverse and inclusive environment not just for Bergmann, but for our communities that we serve.

On this episode, we hear from two of Bergmann’s top executives on the topics and challenges on their mind as they lead a growing Architecture/Engineering/Planning firm -- Bergmann’s President and CEO Pete Giovenco, and Chief HR and Legal Officer Jennie Muscarella.

2020 has been no ordinary year for any company, and Bergmann is no different. From on-going cultural and organizational behavior efforts, to navigating a pandemic, to a greater focus on diversity and inclusion, Pete and Jennie are tackling these topics and more as they, along with other leaders, help shape our firm’s strategy and direction.

On September 17th, Bergmann hosted the virtual panel discussion Redefining the Future of Workplace and Building Design in partnership with The Urban Land Institute - Western NY Chapter and our corporate sponsor, Harris Beach PLLC.

The virtual panel discussion provided a number of insights related to the future of the workplace post-COVID-19, including the idea of a resilient workspace, the unforeseeable long-term effects and much more. The full panel discussion is available here, as well as a Q&A session that followed the event.

In the early-to-mid-1800's, the Erie Canal system had a rich history of supporting the movement of goods and people across New York State, and with the onset of the railroads and later, highways, the Canal was relegated from primarily a commercial waterway to a recreational waterway.

Recently, in May 2019, Governor Cuomo announced a sweeping initiative to examine how the Erie Canal system could be reimagined for the 21st century. Ken Avery, PE, CFM, D. WRE, Bergmann’s Water and Environmental Practice Leader, joins us to share history of the evolution of the Erie Canal, and how he and the team at Bergmann are contributing to important efforts to ensure the viability of the system for New York residents and visitors for years to come.

Learn more about the Reimagine Task Force Plan.

For our inaugural episode, we're joined by Eric Redding, Bergmann’s Solar Discipline Leader with our Energy and Environment Practice, who shares the latest on community solar projects and common public misconceptions.