Dieter Engineering Services, Inc.
Site and Drainage Engineering Services, Surveying
Orlando, Florida
June 1989 - June 1991
First Job out of school.
3-person Engineering Office. Barry Mathews, four years my senior (currently a Development Manager at Bentley), and Steve Dieter, our PE/PLS Boss and Patriarch.
Day 1: "Barry, who does our Survey?" "You and me!"
We had good equipment and good software (at the time: AutoCAD 10 and DCA Civil Engineering Software).
We did Shopping Center Design (several 20-acre K-Mart anchors in West Virginia) and Residential Subdivision layout and grading. Topo and Stakeout Surveys. Lietz SDR2 Total Station.
My favorite job there: Spring Creek Square - 1991 Primary technical resource over the length of the project including drainage and pond design. I assumed most of the managerial duties over the last eight months of design. This included significant re-engineering due to changing anchors, management of change orders, estimates, client management, and meetings with the developer, contractor, and regulatory and utility agencies.
Worked crazy hours and sped to the airport with a Fedex Tube several nights a week. A great first job, and Barry and Steve are still like family.
BTW, Steve's daughter, Beth Torina, is the renowned Softball Coach at LSU! I used to punch the deltoid muscle on her throwing arm when she pitched in high school: "Trust me, it's good for you." I'm so proud of her and so impressed.