We would all like to think that dimming lights signals the start of an exciting movie or show. However, there are frequently times in our daily lives that our lights dim at home or work while electronic devices thankfully continue unabated. Given recent weather events in the East--the June derecho and the October hurricane, not to mention the occasional passing wind gust (not gas) or thunderstorm, many of us have experienced a lack of electricity, stopping us in our tracks so to speak. Power or electricity is delivered to our homes and workplaces for the most part on a multi-phase basis. Oftentimes, power loss is preceded by a dimming of lights--followed by a complete blackout, or for the fortunate, immediate restoration to full power. If one line goes down due to tree limbs or other debris, human or animal damage or gusts of wind, single-phasing comes into play resulting in dimming until full power comes back or all power goes...

The start of a new school year brings to mind SAI Engineering's long-standing relationship with Minnieland Academy which currently has 10,000 children enrolled in its various programs and employs 2,000 people.  We are proud of our affiliation with Minnieland resulting in over a dozen new facilities, including the new Minneland at Belmont in Loudoun County.  SAI Engineering would like to take this opportunity to express well-deserved congratulations to the folks at Minnieland on their 40th anniversary and thanks for their many contributions to the community.  Our CFO, Maria Paslick, serves with Minnieland's COO, Chris Schuster, on the board of SPARK, the Education Foundation of Prince William County Schools. SAI Engineering is also proud of its collaboration with Colonial Webb on the addition of a new cooling tower and two new chillers at Lake Ridge Middle School.  The school's air conditioning broke down in the spring and the p...

A perfect example of a successful design-build approach is SAI's partnership with Lantz Construction out of Broadway, Virginia, on the expansion/upgrade to the Rubbermaid Commercial Products manufacturing facility in Winchester. The company is adding high-tech, energy-efficient injection molding machines at the site where Rubbermaid Commercial Products has had its headquarters since 1968 and continues as one of the city's largest employers. The project is featured in July's Virginia Business magazine on page 19.

Yes, we have all heard the jokes about the boring, meticulous engineers. Recently, however, another example of one of SAI's interesting projects was featured in the news (above the fold no less and with a color photo) in the Washington Post (June 7, 2012, page A-1). It showed the new fiery attraction at Six Flags in all its glory, Apocalypse, which debuted this summer. It is the theme park's first new coaster in a decade and SAI's design of mechanical systems in partnership with contractor GMS (General Mechanical Systems) out of Annapolis helped make it possible. SAI has previously partnered with GMS on a number of major projects including data centers at the US Naval Academy, several for US Pharmacopeia, the Maryland Dept. of Transportation and others. It is especially gratifying for Maury to work with a fellow Blue Jay, a lacrosse player at that. Congrats to GMS's President, Greg Lilly, on the 20th anniversary of his championship team.

The new National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is scheduled to open in late 2015 with groundbreaking to take place this week. SAI President, Maury Paslick, advised Allen Kennedy of BIP, Inc., a Woodbridge-based construction company, on best practices for providing temporary power during the construction effort to be led by Clark Construction. After the contract was signed, SAI has continued to collaborate with BIP, Inc. to provide review drawings for each step of the process. The 374,000 SF NMAAHC, which will be located between the Washington Monument and the National Museum of American History, has been designed as a seven-level structure, with 60% of its square footage located underground and 40% aboveground. Other unique features include the "Corona", an inverse truncated pyramid, a central water feature and a sloped lawn and hedge forming the South Plaza. SAI's efforts on this project add to a portfolio of museum-related experien...

SAI Engineering Mechanical Engineer George Preston recently passed his Professional Engineering examination. George has been with SAI his entire career since graduating from Virginia Tech in 2005. We are very proud of him and wish him continued success in his career. He and wife Shanna are expecting their first bundle of joy in February. So, it is looking as if 2011 is a banner year for the Prestons!

As we come to the close of another successful year, midway through our 15th year, we are grateful to our many clients some of whom have been with us from the beginning. While expressions of thanks are always welcome and appreciated, we recently received an extra delicious thank you from Georgetown Cupcakes in the form of two boxes of their goodies. We wish them great success with their new bakery in Sterling!

SAI Engineering has been mentioned in the News and Messenger for its assistance in obtaining an energy star for Prince William County's A.J. Ferlazzo building. Maury Paslick is a registered energy star professional who has been called upon by various entities to assist in this endeavor. Ferlazzo is one of only 6,200 buildings nationwide to earn the Energy Star.

It's official. SAI Engineering has shortened its legal name and is now a certified woman-owned business with the same pride and attention to best practices in mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering design and consulting services that has been the case for the 15 years of its existence. So if your business could benefit from a small, woman-owned engineering firm on your team, you now have a proven choice. Simply put, as our slogan states, "We Make Buildings Work Better"!

SAI has a long-standing practice of supporting community non-profits. Most recently, SAI was a sponsor for the American Red Cross Prince William Chapter Annual Fundraiser, themed this year as "Rockin' the Red". Guests were entertained by a terrific red-clad Elvis impersonator. This benefit is particularly critical for the Prince William community as proceeds are used locally to help victims of fires, floods and other disasters. On Friday, May 14th, the Prince William Education Foundation, now known as SPARK or Supporting Partnerships and Resources for Kids, held its annual Gala at which heros in education were honored. SAI also served as a sponsor for this event the proceeds of which are used to host a Salute to Student Stars held later in the month. Our firm continues to serve on the Board of this very successful foundation supporting innovative programs in Prince William County Public Schools. Our firm's CFO, Maria Paslick, has also been asked by the newly forme...