Richard AlcocerLand Surveying Director
Richard Alcocer, RLS, became a Land Surveying Director in March 2017, previously a Project Manager in the survey department. He has over 37 years of experience in boundary surveying, topography, ALTA, and construction staking. Mr. Alcocer oversees 10 survey crews and directs his crews to perform with the upmost integrity and to always have the client’s best interest at heart.
What professional accomplishments give you the most pride and what makes that accomplishment so rewarding?
My most rewarding accomplishment was to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a Registered Land Surveyor.
If you could have one super power what would it be and why?
I already have one- being a great role model to my children, nieces, and nephews.
Carolyn Both, CPAChief Financial Officer
BS Accounting
Arizona State University</span?
Ms. Both obtained her BS in Accounting from Arizona State University. Ms. Both is proud to be an Arizona native and has seen firsthand the positive impact of CVL’s exceptional planning and design talent as our state has changed and grown. Ms. Both joined CVL’s team in 1985 and has been her home ever since. In addition to directing CVL’s Financial Accounting and Reporting, she provides Human Resources leadership.
What professional accomplishments give you the most pride and what makes those accomplishments so rewarding?
I am most thankful for CVL’s culture, which allowed me to raise a family while continuing my professional growth. My goal is to provide the same friendly environment to CVL’s employees and provide stability for their families.
If you could have one super power what would it be and why?
Genius mind…I’d like to earn an engineering degree and pass the P.E. test in one month, and then try that part of our business.
Paul HaraDirector of Energy
Mr. Hara has over 12 years of experience in consulting, project management, and account management experience in the energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy capital infrastructure space. His engagements span from strategy to implementation, leading projects related to capital infrastructure, transmission and distribution, asset management, customer engagement, operating model, and energy efficiency programs at various utilities.
Mr. Hara has led new business development and account management efforts for public clients and private clients in the energy sector across the West Coast. Currently, Mr. Hara is leading the capital infrastructure development for a cutting-edge semi-conductor facility. In his free time, Paul likes to go on culinary adventures through new cities with his fiancée, when he isn’t cheering on the Dodgers. He also enjoys golfing and ocean fishing.
Tracy GrundenDirector of Water/Wastewater
Coe & Van Loo Consultants, Inc. (CVL) is pleased to announce that Tracy Grunden has joined the CVL team as the Assistant Director of Water/Wastewater Department. Mr. Grunden has more than 26 years of experience in water and wastewater engineering, comprising planning, modeling, condition assessment, design, project management, construction inspection, and construction management. He has delivered water/wastewater projects for clients throughout Arizona; including City of Phoenix, City of Tempe, City of Mesa, City of Peoria, City of Goodyear, City of Yuma, Town of Carefree, Town of Gilbert, and Town of Queen Creek.
He has also provided outstanding service to EPCOR Water, Arizona State University, ADOT, Community Water Company, Salt River Project, Gila River Indian Community, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Rosemount Copper, Freeport-McMoRan, Roosevelt Irrigation District, Adaman IWDD, Luke AFB, Far West Water and Sewer and many private clients. Tracy is known for his commitment to the highest standards in customer care and performance, making him an ideal fit for CVL.
Kristina LockeDirector of Business Development
University of Missouri
Kristina Locke obtained her BS in Journalism from University of Missouri. She has over 20 years of experience in marketing, branding, and business development achievements. She has assisted in acquiring numerous high-profile accounts, developed strategic marketing initiatives, and launched multi-media campaigns nationally and locally. Ms. Locke leads CVL’s business development efforts, drives brand recognition, and business expansion.
For the past 7 years, she concentrated her efforts on the civil engineering industry where she was successful in developing and implementing new marketing initiatives to break into dozens of highly competitive sectors to increase profit gains. Ms. Locke continues to pursue new business opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
Ms. Locke is active in the community as the Co-Chair of the Valley Partnership Events Committee, Co-Chair of the Programs Committee for Arizona Public Works Association, and Chair of AAED’s Charity Luncheon.
Jason Kelley, PE, CFM, LEED APStormwater Department Manager
BS Civil Engineering
Arizona State University
Jason Kelley, PE, obtained his BS in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University. He has approximately 23 years of public works experience and two years of private development experience focused on floodplain and watershed management, regulatory approvals, hydrologic study and drainage design. Mr. Kelley is licensed in both Arizona and California. He joined CVL in 2015. His specialties include drainage master planning and the evaluation and design of drainage infrastructure using the newest technologies, such as two-dimensional modeling.
What professional accomplishments give you the most pride and what makes those accomplishments so rewarding?
I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to have both expert mentors and challenging projects that helped to develop my technical skills. The most rewarding part has been mentoring and supporting others in their careers.
If you could have one super power what would it be and why?
Ability to fly. Could avoid traffic…
Phoenix Canstruction
This past weekend a few members from CVL participated in an event called Canstruction. They partnered with Affiliated Engineers (MEP), Skanska USA Building, and SPS+ Architects to design and build a structure entirely out of cans. The structure is currently on display in the West Building of the Phoenix Convention Center.
Preparations for this build began in May, with the design process taking place all summer long. See the attached photos of the structure.
You can help us win an award for our structure! Votes are being tallied through Facebook and in person at the Convention Center. To vote on Facebook search “Phoenix Canstruction”. They have an album that contains all the structures for the “People’s Choice”. Simply “Like” the photos of our structure and that counts as a vote! To vote in person, visit the structure any time before 8/16 to cast a paper ballot.
If you have any questions about the structure, or how to vote, you can ask Matt, Veanette, Miranda, or Cassandra who all helped at build day.
The CVL Service Committee would like to invite all of you to participate in events such as this. We will be holding a quick meeting in the coming weeks to discuss possible events for the holiday season as well as future events you think would be good opportunities for CVL to participate in. If you would like to be a part of the CVL Service Committee please email Matt or Cassandra so they can add you to the list!
“Best In Decorative Concrete” Awarded for Arizona Fallen Firefighter Memorial
Coe & Van Loo prepared preliminary and final design documents for the memorial. This included storm water retention, site grading, drainage design, utility locating, and topographical elevations. Construction documents were prepared to support the architectural plans for the project. The memorial consists of a concrete walkway that leads to a center courtyard. The center courtyard is emblazoned with the fire fighters Maltese-emblem etched in the concrete. The courtyard is surrounded by a low curved wall clad in black granite with the engraved names of the fallen personnel. The focal point of the memorial is a 30ft tall bell tower that is also clad in granite that is surrounded by a long tapered circular solid concrete wall clad in a black granite veneer that is engraved with names of those who died in the line of duty. There are custom bronze statues that surround the center courtyard. The statues represent different branches of the firefighters and emergency medical responders. The memorial itself is landscaped with grass, decorative slate rock, and trees. When the trees reach maturity, a quaint sanctuary will be created for the families and friends to mourn the fallen.
Project design and construction team included McCarthy Building Companies (general contractor), SmithGroup JJR (architect), PK Associates (structural engineer) and Coe & Van Loo Consultants (civil engineer).
https://cem-az.com/arizona-fallen-firefighter-memorial-earns-best-in-decorative-concrete-award/
Ritz-Carlton Residences Dubbed Largest Real Estate Event In Arizona
Image courtesy of Mason Architects
Offering a “resort within a resort” experience, Coe & Van Loo Consultants (CVL) provided comprehensive engineering services for Paradise Valley’s Ritz-Carlton master plan to design a new generation of luxury resorts combined with fully-serviced homes and high-end shopping all in one location. Valued at $2 billion, the Ritz-Carlton Resort and Ritz-Carlton Residences project consists of 105 acres with 200 rooms surrounded by 91 single-level villas and 45 single-family homes.
In addition to providing Survey, Land Planning, and Civil Engineering services, CVL mastered complex water, roadway, and utility challenges to bring forward top-tier amenities for both resort visitors and residence owners. They will enjoy North America’s longest pool on record, world-class spa, modern health and fitness center to name just a few. Additionally, CVL’s landscape architecture design includes a citrus orchard and garden with seasonal produce for on-site restaurants and lush walking paths. Jan Bracamonte, spokesperson for Five Star Development, describes the villas as “the most sophisticated, full service resort real estate offering in Arizona to date.”
Feed My Starving Children
We were honored to participate in a volunteer services with Feed My Starving Children.
Our wonderful staff at CVL packed 109 boxes at the charity location in Mesa that will be delivered to children in underdeveloped countries. As usual, we had an enjoyable time.
Feed My Starving Children has seven packing locations in Minnesota and Arizona where volunteers pack food that is delivered to hungry children in 81 countries around the world.
Resort Development in Paradise Valley
Image courtesy of Allen + Philp Architects + Interiors
Phoenix has seen five years of increasing demand for luxury hospitality with no increase in supply. Mountain Shadows and Ritz Carlton resorts aim to raise the bar on high-end hospitality developments in Paradise Valley with a boutique and ultra-luxe experience. Taking trends further will be the coveted single-family residential homes near both properties where families will have access to all the resort amenities, previously reserved for resort clients. CVL is serving as Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect for all phrases of these five star developments. Read the full article here.