Author name: teammdg

Every day, millions of people drive across bridges, turn on the tap for clean water, walk on sidewalks, and travel roads without giving much thought to the engineers behind them. They simply trust that these systems are safe, reliable, and built to last. That trust is exactly what the Professional Engineer (PE) license represents. While earning a PE is often viewed as a career milestone, our engineers describe it differently. To them, becoming licensed isn’t about adding two letters after their name. It’s about accepting a greater responsibility—to their profession, their clients, and most importantly, the public. “Being a professional engineer means using my knowledge, experience, and integrity to improve communities while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public.” Jeremy Frydrych, PE VP, Residential, Georgia Those words reflect a principle that every licensed engineer is sworn to uphold. Whether designing a highway interchange, improving stormwater infrastructure, or delivering safe drinking water to a community, every decision has real consequences. A PE’s seal isn’t simply a signature—it represents accountability. Katie Johnson sees that responsibility every day. “Having my name, my seal, and my signature attached to my work gives me a very strong motivation to make sure everything is of the highest quality.” Katie Johnson, PE Sr. Project Engineer That commitment doesn’t happen overnight. Every Professional Engineer remembers the long nights spent studying after work, the weekends devoted to practice exams, and the sacrifices made by their families along the way. For Austin Hungate, those sacrifices became part of the journey. “The most challenging part was the amount of hours I spent studying. I studied every night and on the weekends while my wife took care of our daughter. It all worked out in the end.” Austin Hungate, PE Project Manager, Water/Wastewater Engineering For Dustin Barth, the biggest lesson was learning that there would never be a perfect opportunity. “It never is a perfect time to start studying. You just have to realize the sacrifice is temporary.” Dustin Barth, PE Director of MEP, Indiana Those sacrifices ultimately prepare engineers for something much bigger than passing an exam. They prepare them to lead projects, make difficult decisions, and serve communities with confidence. Coraggio Maglio believes that’s what makes engineering so rewarding. “I like solving problems and working with municipalities and state and federal agencies to develop solutions that are holistic, safer, better, and more cost-effective for communities and the public.” Coraggio Maglio, PE VP, Water & Coastal Resources Business Line Leader The impact extends far beyond a single project. Every roadway that improves safety, every utility that delivers clean water, and every piece of resilient infrastructure contributes to a stronger community. As Katie Johnson puts it: “Making sure everybody has access to safe drinking water, safe roads, and accessible sidewalks is incredibly motivating and fulfilling.” Katie Johnson, PE Sr. Project Engineer Becoming a Professional Engineer also opens doors—not simply because of the credential itself, but because it demonstrates readiness for greater responsibility. “Getting your PE puts you in the best position to succeed. You can’t control when opportunities arise, but you can control whether you’re ready for them.” Dustin Barth, PE Director of MEP, Indiana That mindset of continuous growth is something every engineer who shared their story emphasized. The journey requires discipline, perseverance, and confidence. Ali Samani’s advice to future PEs is simple: “Be calm. Be confident. It’s 100% doable.” Ali Riahi Samani, PE Modeler On Professional Engineers Day, we celebrate more than technical expertise. We celebrate the people behind the profession—individuals who dedicate themselves to solving complex challenges, improving communities, and protecting the public every single day. At DCCM, we’re proud of our Professional Engineers and grateful for the leadership, integrity, and commitment they bring to every project they touch. Interested in building your career with DCCM? Visit our website to learn more about our company and explore current opportunities on our Careers page.

Every July, communities across the country celebrate Park and Recreation Month, recognizing the essential role parks, trails, recreation spaces, and public greenspaces play in everyday life. Established in 1985 by the National Recreation and Park Association, Park and Recreation Month highlights the impact of parks and recreation on community health, connection, resilience, and quality of life. This year’s theme, “The Power Of,” celebrates the many ways parks and recreation shape stronger, more connected communities. At DCCM, we understand that parks, trails, and greenspaces are more than public amenities. They are important community infrastructure. These spaces support recreation, mobility, environmental stewardship, economic activity, and access to the outdoors. Public Spaces That Serve Everyday Needs Parks and recreation spaces help define how people experience their communities. They provide places to walk, bike, gather, play, compete, relax, and connect with nature. They also support broader community goals by improving mobility, enhancing public access, managing stormwater, and creating more welcoming and resilient public environments. Behind every successful park, trail, or greenspace is thoughtful planning and technical coordination. Site layout, grading, drainage, utilities, pathways, accessibility, landscape design, parking, lighting, and construction support all influence how a space functions and how people use it over time. DCCM’s multidisciplinary teams help communities plan, design, and deliver public spaces that are functional, lasting, and connected to the people they serve. Connecting Communities Through Trails and Greenways Trails and shared-use paths expand the reach of parks and recreation by connecting neighborhoods, schools, public facilities, downtown areas, waterfronts, and natural spaces. These connections support active transportation while giving residents more ways to safely move through and enjoy their communities. Well-designed trail systems can strengthen access between destinations, reduce gaps in pedestrian and bicycle networks, and create safer, more comfortable routes for everyday movement. They can also support recreation, tourism, placemaking, and healthier lifestyles. When integrated with parks, open spaces, and surrounding infrastructure, trails and greenways become more than paths. They become community connectors. Greenspaces That Support Resilience Parks and greenspaces also play an important role in community resilience. Open spaces, natural areas, stormwater facilities, tree canopy, and detention areas can help manage rainfall, reduce flooding impacts, improve comfort, and create opportunities for public benefit when thoughtfully planned and designed. These spaces can serve multiple purposes at once, supporting drainage, habitat, recreation, and visual character while contributing to a more sustainable built environment. DCCM approaches parks and greenspace projects with a focus on both function and long-term value, helping communities create spaces that respond to site conditions, support public use, and remain maintainable over time. Recreation Spaces That Strengthen Community Identity Parks and recreation facilities often become landmarks within a community. Athletic fields, neighborhood parks, waterfront spaces, playgrounds, trails, plazas, and open lawns all contribute to a sense of place and provide residents with spaces to gather across generations. Successful recreation spaces reflect the priorities of the communities they serve. They balance active and passive uses, accessibility, safety, maintenance, environmental conditions, and future flexibility. From planning and site design to access, drainage, utilities, landscape design, permitting, and construction-phase support, DCCM helps turn community goals into buildable, lasting places. The People Behind the Places Park and Recreation Month also recognizes the professionals who plan, operate, maintain, and champion these spaces every day. Their work helps ensure parks, trails, facilities, and greenspaces remain safe, accessible, inclusive, and ready to serve the public. DCCM is proud to support the agencies, municipalities, and community partners who invest in parks and recreation as essential pieces of community infrastructure. Celebrating the Power of Public Spaces The power of parks can be seen in the connections they create, the wellness they support, and the resilience they help build. That same power extends through trails, greenways, open spaces, athletic facilities, waterfronts, and other public places that make communities more livable. As we celebrate Park and Recreation Month, DCCM recognizes the lasting value of parks, trails, and greenspaces and the people who make them possible. Through planning, engineering, landscape architecture, surveying, construction services, and related expertise, we help communities create public spaces that are practical, resilient, and meaningful. Explore our website to learn more about DCCM’s work and connect with our team to see how our services can support your next community-focused project.

Behind every thriving community is a collection of thoughtfully designed spaces — parks that bring families together, infrastructure that keeps people connected, and buildings that support growth, safety, and opportunity. From concept to completion, DCCM’s multidisciplinary approach helps transform ideas into environments that serve real people in meaningful ways. Across the country, we partner with municipalities, developers, and organizations to create places that are functional, durable, and built with community needs at the forefront. Designing with Purpose Successful places don’t happen by accident — they are intentionally designed with a clear understanding of how people will use and experience them. At DCCM, our teams integrate engineering, planning, landscape architecture, architecture, and construction services to deliver spaces that balance aesthetics, functionality, and long-term sustainability. Whether it’s improving accessibility, enhancing public safety, or creating vibrant gathering spaces, our work is guided by one central goal: making a positive, lasting impact on the communities we serve. Creating Places for Connection and Recreation Public spaces play a vital role in fostering community connection. Parks, sports facilities, and open spaces provide opportunities for recreation, wellness, and social interaction while enhancing the quality of life for residents. At Lake Ariana Park in Auburndale, Florida, DCCM helped revitalize a cherished community resource through improvements that enhanced recreational opportunities, strengthened waterfront access, and created a more welcoming experience for visitors. The result is a park that continues to serve as a gathering place for residents and families throughout the region. Similarly, the Northeast Regional Park Baseball Complex Expansion in Davenport, Florida, demonstrates how strategic planning and design can support both local recreation and economic development. The project expanded the existing sports complex with additional tournament-quality baseball facilities, helping the area accommodate regional events while providing high-quality amenities for local athletes and families year-round. Building Spaces That Support Growth and Experience Beyond recreation, thoughtfully designed buildings contribute to economic development, community identity, and memorable user experiences. The Hall at Bourbon Brothers Event Venue in Gainesville, Georgia, exemplifies how design can create a destination that supports both community engagement and local business activity. DCCM provided engineering services for the venue, helping bring to life a flexible event space designed to host everything from corporate functions and weddings to community gatherings and entertainment events. Large-scale developments, such as the U.S. Soccer Federation Headquarters and National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia, further demonstrate the value of integrated design and coordination. The nationally significant project includes world-class training facilities, administrative offices, and event spaces that will serve athletes, coaches, and visitors for generations. Complex projects of this scale require collaboration across multiple disciplines to achieve exceptional performance, accessibility, and user experience. Strengthening Infrastructure and Connectivity Thriving communities depend on reliable infrastructure to function efficiently and safely. DCCM’s work extends beyond buildings and recreation into the essential systems that connect people and support daily life. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) St. Johns River Ferry Improvements in Jacksonville, Florida highlights the importance of investing in critical transportation assets. DCCM’s work helped modernize infrastructure associated with the ferry system, supporting safe and reliable service for commuters, residents, and visitors while preserving an important transportation link across the St. Johns River. Supporting Residential and Community Development As communities grow, the need for thoughtfully planned residential developments becomes increasingly important. DCCM works alongside developers to create environments that are not only livable but also integrated into the surrounding community. At Southpointe Village Apartments in Fishers, Indiana, DCCM contributed engineering and site development services for a multifamily residential community designed to accommodate growth while providing residents with convenient access to amenities, transportation, and community resources. Projects like this help meet evolving housing needs while supporting long-term community development goals. Protecting Communities Through Essential Services Public safety and emergency response facilities are critical components of resilient communities. These spaces must be designed for efficiency, durability, and rapid response. The Northstar Highlands Fire Station in Placer County, California, serves as an example of how thoughtful design supports essential services. DCCM provided engineering expertise for a modern fire station designed to meet the operational needs of first responders while supporting emergency preparedness and response capabilities throughout the surrounding community. A National Impact, A Local Focus From Florida to California to Indiana, DCCM’s projects reflect a consistent commitment to improving the places where people live, work, and gather. While each project is unique, they all share a common thread: delivering solutions that strengthen communities and improve everyday experiences. Our ability to bring together multiple disciplines under one roof allows us to approach every project holistically — anticipating challenges, enhancing efficiency, and delivering results that stand the test of time. Designing for What Matters Most At DCCM, we understand that our work ultimately comes down to people. The parks where families spend weekends, the facilities that support local economies, and the infrastructure that keeps communities moving all play a role in shaping daily life. By designing buildings and places with intention, collaboration, and innovation, we help create environments where communities thrive. Explore our website to learn more about DCCM’s impact on communities across the country and connect with our team to see how our portfolio of services can support your next project.