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Recent Events

We are excited to announce that we moved into our very own space at the end of June. Effective July 1, Aqua Engineering's Arizona office is located in the Ahwatukee Executive Plaza at 11022 South 51st Street, Suite 104. Our phone number will remain the same at 480.222.0360, but calls to that number will now be routed to our automated system. To reach our Phoenix office directly, dial 130 upon hearing our automated greeting.

Aqua Engineering Vice President and Principal Doug Macdonald has been appointed to the American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) Board of Directors. Together with three other members, Doug will be responsible for development of policies and strategies for the association, attendance at bi-annual meetings, and marketing of the organization. His three-year term began in early June.

Click here for more information on ASIC.

During their annual conference in April, the American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) honored Aqua Engineering with three Excellence in Irrigation Awards. The awards are given based on the quality of project planning and design in functionality, environmental responsibility and relevance.

Camelback Ranch Spring Training Facility in Glendale, Arizona was recognized with an Honor Award in Commercial and Public Works. The Honor Award is the highest-level award presented by ASIC, and recognizes Aqua Engineering for designing an efficient irrigation system, utilizing an alternative water source, for 60 acres of desert landscape surrounding the LA Dodgers/Chicago White Sox spring training facility.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, Texas was recognized with a Merit Award in Commercial and Public Works. This innovative outdoor learning center is irrigated by harvested water, and achieved LEED Platinum status in 2008. It was the first project in Texas, and the 50th project in the United States, to achieve that rating.

Fairgrounds Park in Loveland, Colorado was recognized with a Merit Award in Commercial and Public Works. An underutilized fairgrounds property was renovated into a multi-purpose City park, with such irrigation innovations as subsurface drip irrigated active turf areas, well pond water source, and mainline connection via an existing bridge structure.

Click on the project photos for more information!

Aqua Engineering is excited to announce the appointments of Doug Macdonald and Darren Salvador to the position of Vice President. In addition to current production and marketing responsibilities, both Doug and Darren have a position on the firm's Board of Directors and join their executive team members in overseeing company operations.

Elaine Bustos, current Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, will also take on the responsibility of Secretary/Treasurer for the firm.

Rich Belt is Aqua Engineering's newest principal, and has the added responsibility of top-level project oversight and market sector management. Rich oversees the agricultural engineering market and is currently pursuing opportunities in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

Bob Beccard, President of Aqua Engineering for over ten years, continues his position as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The remaining members of the ownership and management group include Terry Little, Senior Project Manager; and Cullen Kinoshita, Project Manager.

After founding Aqua Engineering 35 years ago to become an internationally renowned irrigation engineering firm, Stephen Smith and co-founder MaryLou Smith have left the firm, having sold their shares to Aqua Engineering's seven remaining partners. Those partners will continue their roles in the management of the company.

Robert Beccard, PE joined the company in 1981 and has been the firm's president for over ten years. He and the other partners are well-prepared to lead the firm in 2010 and beyond, anticipating a swift and seamless transition. "We will continue to provide our diverse client base with innovative strategies to irrigate landscapes and agriculture, with emphasis on conserving the world's limited supply of water," he said.

 Having long been active players in national and regional irrigation and water activities, both Stephen and MaryLou have immediate plans for the future. Stephen will undertake joint efforts with others, including a founding investment in Regenesis Management Group, LLC, a start-up high technology irrigation and water optimization venture. MaryLou will continue her efforts in facilitating collaboration on water policy issues in Colorado and the West through an association with the Colorado Water Institute.

Firm Principal Doug Macdonald said, "Aqua Engineering has always been about looking to the future - using the latest technology and the best professional experience to solve complex irrigation problems. We are excited about what the future holds for both Aqua Engineering and for the Smiths."

Three of Aqua Engineering's senior managers recently authored an article for Plumbing Systems and Design magazine discussing the elements of a well-engineered golf course irrigation system. The article takes an in-depth look at the importance of hiring a professional irrigation consultant to design an integrated, water-conserving system for an industry that is consistently in the spotlight for water use. Click here to read the article.

The September issue of ASLA's Landscape Architecture magazine contains a feature article on Shangri La Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, a LEED Platinum certified project in Orange, Texas for which Aqua Engineering provided irrigation engineering services. The article is framed by the impact of Hurricane Ike on the facility's construction, and how the project team turned a disaster into a sustainable solution. Click here to read the article.