DFI Awards

DFI annually showcases and celebrates the achievements and contributions of individuals, teams and companies in the deep foundations industry.

We encourage you to submit your work and nominate your colleagues for recognition.

Award Listings

Ben C. Gerwick Award for Innovation in the Design and Construction of Marine Foundations

ben c gerwick
Ben C. Gerwick, Jr.
The Ben C. Gerwick Award for Innovation in the Design and Construction of Marine Foundations, established in 2008, is awarded to an individual, team or company, and pays tribute to Ben Gerwick, recognizing his innovative spirit and his many contributions to the design and construction of marine foundations. Gerwick had a 62-year professional career as a contractor, educator and construction engineer. Ben C. Gerwick, Jr. represented the highest level of engineering excellence both personally and professionally. The phenomenal achievements of his 62-year career include world-class innovations in marine foundations. He reached the pinnacle of his profession as a contractor, an educator and a construction engineer. The award is presented annually at the SuperPile conference or every third year at the International Foundations Conference & Equipment Expo (IFCEE). DFI provides an annual donation to the DFI Educational Trust General Fund from the proceeds of these conferences.

Ben C. Gerwick Award Honorees

Year Recipient Project
2020
Sapir Engineering
2019
Robert Mast, P.E., S.E. • senior principal, BergerABAM
Arthur R. Anderson, ScD • Concrete Technology Corporation (posthumous)
2018
Akio Kitamura • founder and president of Giken
2017
Robert B. Bittner, P.E. • Bittner-Shen Consulting Engineers
2016
Traylor-Massman-Weeks • Joint Venture
2015
Proserve
2014
Professor Gray Mullins and his research team • University of South Florida
2013
BAUER Maschinen GmbH
BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH
2012
Patrick Bermingham • Bermingham Foundation Solutions
2011
George G. Goble, Ph.D.
2010
David Anderson • Kiewit Corporation
2009
Loadtest, Inc.
2008
Menck, GmbH (An Acteon Company)

C. William Bermingham Innovation Award

The C. William Bermingham Innovation Award was founded in 2012 to recognize the innovative spirit of Bill Bermingham, DFI past president, and his contributions to DFI and the deep foundations industry. The award encourages and recognizes innovative contributions to deep foundation technology.
construction equipment working on side of cliff
2018 Award recipient Geostabalization International for the SoilNail Launcher.

C. William Bermingham Innovation Award Honorees

Year Recipient Project
2018
Al Ruckman • Geostabilization International
Bob Barrett • Geostabilization International
2015
SFI Joint Venture:Shimmick Construction
FCC Construction
Salini Impregilo
2014
Crux Subsurface, Inc.
2013
Foundations and Geotechnical Engineering LLC
Pile Dynamics, Inc.
2012
Luca Barison • Nicholson Construction Company
Larry Goff • Nicholson Construction Company
Laurent Lefebvre • Nicholson Construction Company

Distinguished Service Award

john r wolosick
John R. Wolosick, P.E., S.E., D.GE, F.ASCE

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) was started in 1981 to recognize individuals who have made exceptionally valuable contributions to the advancement of the deep foundations industry.

John R. Wolosick, P.E., S.E., D.GE, F.ASCE, Life Member ASCE, of Keller North America, is the recipient of DFI’s highest award bestowed to an individual, the Distinguished Service Award (DSA). This award recognizes individuals who have made exceptionally valuable contributions to the advancement of the deep foundations industry. The award is being presented at the Awards Banquet during DFI’s 48th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations, being held October 31–November 3, in Seattle.

“If there is one word that best describes John, it is enthusiastic. Whether it’s baseball, old Porsches or geotechnical innovations, John’s enthusiasm and willingness to share his knowledge is always evident,” says Theresa Engler, DFI executive director. “ As a technical expert, an engaging speaker and a champion of DFI, John embodies the essence of the DSA. On behalf of DFI, I am excited to celebrate John and his service to the industry at our annual conference.”

Wolosick is senior advisor for Keller North America, Atlanta, Georgia. From this home base, he works on projects across the U.S. He has almost 45 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and contracting and is the author of more than 35 technical papers.

Wolosick is a past president of DFI (2014-2016). He was the DFI Traveling Lecturer in 2018-2019 and the trustee liaison to DFI’s Micropile Committee. He is the recipient of the 2008 ASCE Geo-Institute Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award. In addition, he was named the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers ‘Engineer of the Year – Industry’ in 2017 and awarded the George F. Sowers Piedmont Award by the Georgia Geo-Institute in 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Distinguished Service Award Honorees

Year Recipient
2023
John Wolosick • Keller North America
2022
Jerry DiMaggio • Applied Research Associates
2021
Dale Biggers • Boh Bros. Construction
2020
Kalavacharla Sree (K.S.) Rama Krishna • DFI of India
2019
Tom Richards • Nicholson Construction
2018
Garland E. Likins, Jr. • Pile Dynamics Inc.
2017
George K. Burke • Hayward Baker
2016
David (Dave) Weatherby • Schnabel Foundation Company
2015
Bernie Hertlein • GEI Consultants
2014
Scot Litke • ADSC
2013
Arturo L. Ressi Di Cervia • Kiewit Infrastructure Co.
2012
David Coleman • Underpinning & Foundations Skanska Inc.
2011
Dan Brown • Dan Brown and Associates PC
2010
Richard Short • Richard D. Short, Consulting Geotechnical Engineer
2009
Joel Moskowitz • Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
2008
M. Byrl Williams • Foundation Constructors Inc.
2007
Charles J. Berkel • Berkel & Company Contractors Inc.
2006
Larry Rayburn Richard • Goettle Inc.
2005
John E. O’malley • Case Foundation Company
2004
Alexander J. Verstraeten • Fundex Piling Contractors
2003
Frank Rausche • Grl Engineers Inc.
2002
Michael W. O’Neill • University of Houston
2001
Stanley Merjan • Underpinning & Foundation Constructors Inc.
2000
William F. Loftus • William F. Loftus Associates
1999
George J. Tamaro • Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
1998
Manuel A. Fine • Bermingham Construction Limited & DFI Executive Director
1997
Jack Dougherty • Pileline Publishing
1996
Ben C. Gerwick, Jr. • Ben C. Gerwick, Inc.
1995
George G. Goble • Pile Dynamics Inc.
1994
G. Robert Compton, Jr. • MKT Geotechnical Systems Inc. & DFI Executive Director
1993
Bengt Fellenius • University of Ottawa
1992
C. William Bermingham • Bermingham Construction Ltd.
1991
Richard J. Goettle III • Richard Goettle, Inc.
1990
M. Tom Davisson • M.T. Davisson Consulting Engineers
1989
Jorj O. Osterberg • Northwestern University
1988
Thomas E. Candler • The Millgard Corporation
1987
Clyde N. Baker, Jr. • STS Consultants, Ltd.
1986
Frank Fuller • Raymond International
1985
Patrick A. Eric O'Neill • New England Foundation Co.
1984
Ralph Peck • University of Illinois
1983
Elio D'Appolonia • D'Appolonia Holding Corp.
1982
Hal W. Hunt • Associated Pile & Fitting Corp.
1981
Charles L. Guild • Guild Drilling Co.

Legends Award

The DFI and the DFI Educational Trust established the DFI Legends Award to honor three practitioners – an engineer, contractor and manufacturer/supplier – that have made significant contributions and advancements to the research, design, construction, manufacturing and use of deep foundations.

The following criteria are considered by the committee in selecting the recipients:

  • Impact, value and sustainability (contributions they made are still pivotal to the technological advancements we have today) of achievements
  • Legacy
  • Pioneering contributions
  • Exceptional industry leader; visionary, mentor
  • Technological ingenuity, innovation and/or application of advancements of design, construction or equipment
  • Steadfast professionalism, character and integrity
  • Ingenuity of design and construction techniques
  • Broad impact on industry

3 men holding plaques
2023 Legends recipients: Bjorn Ischebeck for his father, Ernst; Samuel Clemence; Seth Pearlman for Pete Nicholson.

DFI Legends Award Honorees

Year Recipient
2023
Engineering Legend:Samuel Clemence, P.E. • Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University
Contractor Legend:Pete Nicholson • Consultant
Manufacturer / Supplier Legend:Ernst Friedrich Ischebeck (posthumously) • Former president and owner of Friedr. Ischebeck GmbH
2019
Engineering Legend:Dr. Bengt H. Fellenius • Former professor of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa
Contractor Legend:Thomas J. Wysockey (posthumously) • Chairman emeritus, Thatcher Foundations
Manufacturer / Supplier Legend:Thomas Bauer • Past chairman of the supervisory board, BAUER Group
2015
Engineering Legend:George J. Tamaro, P.E. • Consultant, Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
Contractor Legend:Charles J. Berkel (posthumously) • Past chairman of the board of Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc.
Manufacturer / Supplier Legend:Davide Trevisani • President and founder of TREVI Group

Outstanding Project Award

The Outstanding Project Award (OPA) was established in 1997 to recognize the superior work of DFI members. Each year, a project is chosen from several geotechnical projects submitted for consideration by DFI members.

group of 8 posing with awards
2022 OPA Winners: Mosul Dam Rehabilitation Project by Trevi

DFI Outstanding Project Award Honorees

Year Recipient Project
2023
Thornton Tomasetti
2022
Trevi, S.p.A. service foundation division of Trevi Group
2021
Stantec
Ames Construction
Case-Bencor Jv
Missouri River Energy Services
Rembco Geotechnical Contractors
Schnabel Geostructural Design & Construction
2020
Langan Engineering And Environmental Services
Malcolm Drilling Company
Condon-Johnson & Associates
2019
HDR
PCL Civil Constructors
North Carolina Department of Transportation
2018
Malcolm Drilling
Arup
Brierley Associates
2017
Berkel & Company Contractors
2017
Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco)
And Advact
2016
Hayward Baker, Inc.
2015
T.Y. Lin International
Moffatt & Nichol Joint Venture
2014
Crux Subsurface, Inc.
2013
U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers (USACE)
The Treviicos-Soletanche Joint Venture (TSJV)
2012
Port Authority of NY & NJ
2011
Traylor-Massman-Weeks, LLC
The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Floodwall
2010
Brasfond Fundações Especiais S/A
Estaleiro Atlântico Sul
2009
Case Foundation Company
Chicago Trump International Tower and Hotel
2008
Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
Creating the opening for The New South Ferry Station
2007
Langan Engineering & Environmental Services Pc
Rion Antirion Bridge
2006
Schnabel Foundation Company
Reno ReTRAC
2005
Arup
Moorhouse Redevelopment
2005
Massman Construction Company
Olmsted Approach Walls, Ohio River, USA
2004
Treviicos Corporation
The Deep Cut-Off at the Walter F. George Dam
2003
Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
Waterfront Foundation Design and Construction in Variable Rock
2002
Case Foundation Company
River East Center, Chicago, Illinois
2001
Wagner Komurka Geotechnical Group
Miller Park Stadium
2000
Kvaerner Cementation Foundations
Geotechnical Works at Harrods of Knightsbridge, London
2000
Richard Goettle Inc.
Kentucky Route 9 - Licking Pike Widening
2000
TDCI - A Division Of Hayward Baker
Shedd Aquarium Amazon Project
2000
Wagstaff Piling Pty. Ltd.
Yarra River Crossing, Melbourne, Australia
1998
Deep Foundations Contractors Inc. and Isherwood Associates
Tbm Rescue Shaft - St. Clair River Tunnel
1997
Richard Goettle Inc.
Underpinning & Earthquake Isolation Project

President’s Award

Established in 2016, the DFI President’s Awards are given at the discretion of the DFI president to recognize the efforts and service of DFI members to advance the work of DFI.

massimo mucci with gianfranco di cicco
2023 Presidents Award recipient Massimo Mucci with DFI President Gianfranco Di Cicco.
helen robinson and meeok kim
2023 Presidents Award recipients Helen Robinson and Meeok Kim.

DFI President’s Award Honorees

Year Recipient Article
2023
Meeok Kim, Ph.D., P.E. • Thornton Tomasetti
Massimo Mucci • Keller Group
Helen Robinson, P.E., PMP, D.GE • GEI Consultants
2022
Paul Axtell, P.E., D.GE • Dan Brown and Associates
Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero, P.E., Ph.D. • American Geotechnical & Environmental Services
Chris Woods, P.E., G.E., D.GE, LEED AP, BD+C • Densification
2021
Hannah Iezzoni, P.E. • Keller - North America
Mary Nodine, P.E. • GEI Consultants
Tim Siegel, P.E., G.E., D.GE • Dan Brown and Associates
2020
Peggy Hagerty Duffy, P.E., D.GE • Hagerty Engineering and ADSC-IAFD
Lucky Nagarajan • Giken America
Ben Turner, Ph.D., P.E. • Dan Brown and Associates
Andrew Verity, P.E. • Terracon
2019
Gerald Verbeek • Allnamics Pile Testing Experts
David Paul, P.E. • Paul GeoTek Engineering
Karen Dawson, P.E. • Jacobs
Matt Conte • Conte Company
2018
Antonio Marinucci, Ph.D., MBA, P.E. • V2C Strategists
Matthew Meyer, P.E., D.GE • Langan
Seth Vaidya, P.E. • Langan
2017
Dr. K.S. Rama Krishna • Consultant, DFI trustee and chair of DFI of India
Morgan NeSmith, P.E. • Berkel and Company Contractors
Peter Faust • Malcolm Drilling
Anne Lemnitzer, Ph.D., P.E. • University of California, Irvine
2016
Lori Simpson, P.E., G.E. • Langan Treadwell Rollo
Gary Seider, P.E. • Hubbell Chance Civil Products
Victor Donald • Terracon
Bob Simpson, P.E. • Loadtest
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