The Region
Mountains surround the small community of Pabellón in the southern portion of the Cochabamba region of Bolivia. The local community is made up largely of subsistence farmers who cultivate potatoes, onion, corn, wheat and tomatoes.
Without a safe connection, residents are cut off from reaching the nearest hospital, government services and schools when the Rio Pabellón becomes impassable. On average, families are cut off from the critical resources that they need for five months out of each year. When the crossing becomes significantly more dangerous during the extended rainy season, it is the root cause of death and injury each year.
The Project
For two weeks this summer, our team of 10 worked with B2P’s in-country staff and local community members to build a suspension footbridge to serve more than 200 local residents. The project was guided by a design provided by B2P that was tailored to the job site and the rugged terrain of the region. The team accomplished every aspect of bridge superstructure construction, from prepping the job-site to setting the main cables to installing the decking and fencing. Once the bridge decking and fencing were installed and debris was cleared from the job site, the project was considered complete.
In addition to dramatically improving mobility, the new bridge helps to greatly reduce the number of injuries that are caused each year as a result of residents attempting dangerous crossings through the flooded river.
Our Impact
For the opening ceremony, the bridge was decorated with vegetated arches, flower petals and colorful paper clippings. Local and regional leaders joined our team to deliver remarks recognizing the hard work and dedication of the community and the importance of the bridge. The community graciously presented our team with a Charango, a traditional 10-string miniature guitar made in the nearby town of Aiquile. We will forever treasure the beautiful piece of local art and culture that the community gifted us.
The bridge and opening ceremony served as a humbling reminder of how just one project can have a profound and immediate impact on people’s lives. The look of gratitude on the faces of the community members as they crossed their bridge for the first time was something we will never forget. Working alongside B2P and local community members, young and old, filled us with such pride and energy. The experience gave us a new perspective on how transportation infrastructure, something that we take for granted in the United States, can have such a positive impact by providing opportunities for people to grow and thrive in other parts of the world.
Dana Hoffman is a city planner based in Michael Baker’s downtown Oakland, Calif., office. Her practice is focused on delivering long-range plans for cities and counties that provide comprehensive coverage of land use, circulation, conservation, safety and other issues facing jurisdictions in the long-term. Dana is especially passionate about finding climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions for communities to succeed though changing conditions.
Dana hails from Denver, Colo., where she procured her love of mountains and snobbery towards peaks lower than 6,000 feet in elevation. She also has lived in Texas, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., and enjoys every opportunity to explore places outside the U.S., as well. Dana is an avid cycler, jogger and hiker, and partakes as often as possible with her friends, family and partner. She also enjoys hands-on projects and art when she finds the time. She, mournfully, has no animals but will gladly play with yours.
Cyle Cantrell is Michael Baker’s Regional Aviation Lead for the Great Lakes region and the states of Texas and Colorado. Based in Chicago, his primary focus is business development and strategic teaming. He occasionally finds himself engaged as a project manager or discipline manager for specialized airfield projects.
Aviation became an early passion for Cyle, which led him to pursue his degree from the University of North Dakota’s Center for Aerospace Science Department in Airport/Business Management. While there, Cyle was able to acquire his private pilot certificate as part of the curriculum. Before joining Michael Baker, Cyle served the Chicago Airport System for twenty years in multiple capacities and brings a broad perspective of airport management and capital improvement experience to the table.
Although Cyle enjoyed his upbringing in a small Central Wisconsin town, he now has lived most his life in the “not so small” city of Chicago with his wife and three children. He is an active parent and volunteer in his community, local church and local men’s club. He also has thoroughly enjoyed more than 15 years of serving as a volunteer football, volleyball and softball coach.
Joseph Brach is based out of Michael Baker’s Fort Washington, Pa., office. Joe supports the company’s national bridge inspection group and has inspected major river crossing bridges across the United States. Mr. Brach is SPRAT Level 3 certified and uses his rope access skills on bridge inspections as well as to inspect building façades. To accompany his inspection experience, he also works on highway and structure designs.
Joe obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Widener University in Chester, Pa. Upon graduating in 2010, Joe began working full-time for Michael Baker.
Joe was born, raised and continues to live in the Philadelphia surrounding areas. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, exploring nature, and most importantly, traveling and experiencing different parts of the world.
Polly Boardman, PMP, is currently an associate vice president in Michael Baker’s Reno, Nev., office. She started with the company 15 years ago as a GIS technician and worked her way up to being a GIS specialist, then Project Manager, and now fulfills the office/operations management role for the Reno office. Her office focuses on civil and environmental engineering, architecture, water resources, GIS and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data collection and processing.
Polly is a native Nevadan, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Nevada, Reno. She obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and was voted as a Top 20 Under 40 Young Professional by Engineering News-Record in the Reno-Tahoe area. She serves on the board of Nevada GIS and several committees for the Washoe County School District.
Polly is a proud mom of four kids. She coaches a competitive travel U14 girls’ soccer team in most of her spare time. She also teaches and plays piano, enjoys travelling, kayaking on Lake Tahoe, hiking with her golden retriever, downhill skiing, volunteering with various charities, people watching, book clubs and wine tasting.
Claudia Lopez is a project control specialist in the environmental and natural resources group at Michael Baker. Based out of Ontario, Calif., Claudia has worked in the environmental, planning and natural resources industry for 10 years and is currently working on obtaining her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Claudia is a 17-year freelance photographer. She lives in the Inland Empire with her two sons, Matthew and Nicholas. The three of them like to spend the weekends exploring city bike trails or helping with the family’s three horses. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, snowboarding, editing photographs and videos and spending time in the heart of California’s South Coast wine region, exploring the rolling hills covered in vineyards and learning about the wine making process.
Roger Cain is a structural engineer in Michael Baker’s Tallahassee, Fla., office. He primarily designs concrete and steel highway bridges and other highway structures.
Roger also is a project manager for the local Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency where he is involved in civil projects that transform stormwater facilities into parks and useable spaces. As a project manager for Blueprint, he has been able to work on world class park projects, stormwater projects, trails, a skatepark and interactive fountains.
Roger loves heavy metal music, pretending to play awesome guitar, mountain biking, kickboxing, skateboarding, wakeboarding, snowboarding and surfboarding. He’s a line cook, a chimney sweep, a carpenter and a woodworker. He loves climbing trees and rocks, hiking mountains to see from the top and diving the ocean to see the bottom.
Sarah Cathcart has worked in the architectural/engineering/construction industry for 16 years; however, she is not an architect, engineer or have much of a technical background to speak to other than a strong interest in the built environment and years of building relationships in the industry. She currently serves as a business development associate supporting Michael Baker’s Gulf Coast region.
Sarah was raised in Southern Arizona, but spent much of her childhood traveling across the country – from California to New England, with many stops in between to visit family. She worked her way through college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona. After graduation, she took a year off to travel Central and South America. When the money ran out, she returned home and took a job with Michael Baker in Phoenix and then, after one year, transferred to Dallas, where she currently lives.
Getting out of town is one of Sarah’s favorite things to do – whether it’s catching a flight to see family or planning a weekend road trip – there is always somewhere on her must-see list.
Isamar Escobar is a civil associate in Michael Baker’s surface water group at Michael Baker. Originally based in Santa Ana, Calif., Isamar worked on various stormwater management projects. Her primary areas of focus includes hydrology and hydraulic analysis, modeling, planning and the design of storm drain systems and channels. She has worked on projects throughout northern and southern California. She recently transferred to Michael Baker’s Dallas, Texas, office to work on construction services projects.
Isamar graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. She is passionate about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) and dedicates much of her time to various nonprofit organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Engineers Without Borders (EWB).
Kevin Sigg is a Project Manager in Michael Baker’s aviation group. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Kevin has been working as a civil engineer in the aviation field since 2010. His primary roles include the planning, design and construction inspection of civil engineering projects at airports, including the construction and rehabilitation of runways, taxiways, aprons and the adjacent paved and unpaved areas.
Kevin has lived in Ohio for most his life, and graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Ohio Northern University, where he also played baseball all four years. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Kevin currently lives just outside of Cleveland with his wife and dog. They are avid baseball fans, and try to take advantage of the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park as often as the northeast Ohio weather allows. They are active in their church and enjoy travelling to new places in their spare time.
Tom Zagorski is Michael Baker’s Construction Services National Practice Lead. He is responsible for business development and technological advancement as well as overseeing the development of staff at the management, operations and inspection levels. He also is responsible for improving and sharing industry knowledge, fostering innovation in project delivery and continual improvement of quality management.
Tom is well-versed in the various modes of construction – transportation, facilities, civil and environmental. He is very familiar with DOD, DOT, FAA, FHWA and FTA standards and specifications, as well as construction operations, scheduling, cost estimations, claims avoidance and partnering. Previously, he was a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force for four years.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science degree. in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America. He is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania and Virginia. He is an active member of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and the Master Builders’ Association (MBA).
Dana Hoffman is a city planner based in Michael Baker’s downtown Oakland, Calif., office. Her practice is focused on delivering long-range plans for cities and counties that provide comprehensive coverage of land use, circulation, conservation, safety and other issues facing jurisdictions in the long-term. Dana is especially passionate about finding climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions for communities to succeed though changing conditions.
Dana hails from Denver, Colo., where she procured her love of mountains and snobbery towards peaks lower than 6,000 feet in elevation. She also has lived in Texas, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., and enjoys every opportunity to explore places outside the U.S., as well. Dana is an avid cycler, jogger and hiker, and partakes as often as possible with her friends, family and partner. She also enjoys hands-on projects and art when she finds the time. She, mournfully, has no animals but will gladly play with yours.
Cyle Cantrell is Michael Baker’s Regional Aviation Lead for the Great Lakes region and the states of Texas and Colorado. Based in Chicago, his primary focus is business development and strategic teaming. He occasionally finds himself engaged as a project manager or discipline manager for specialized airfield projects.
Aviation became an early passion for Cyle, which led him to pursue his degree from the University of North Dakota’s Center for Aerospace Science Department in Airport/Business Management. While there, Cyle was able to acquire his private pilot certificate as part of the curriculum. Before joining Michael Baker, Cyle served the Chicago Airport System for twenty years in multiple capacities and brings a broad perspective of airport management and capital improvement experience to the table.
Although Cyle enjoyed his upbringing in a small Central Wisconsin town, he now has lived most his life in the “not so small” city of Chicago with his wife and three children. He is an active parent and volunteer in his community, local church and local men’s club. He also has thoroughly enjoyed more than 15 years of serving as a volunteer football, volleyball and softball coach.
Joseph Brach is based out of Michael Baker’s Fort Washington, Pa., office. Joe supports the company’s national bridge inspection group and has inspected major river crossing bridges across the United States. Mr. Brach is SPRAT Level 3 certified and uses his rope access skills on bridge inspections as well as to inspect building façades. To accompany his inspection experience, he also works on highway and structure designs.
Joe obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Widener University in Chester, Pa. Upon graduating in 2010, Joe began working full-time for Michael Baker.
Joe was born, raised and continues to live in the Philadelphia surrounding areas. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, exploring nature, and most importantly, traveling and experiencing different parts of the world.
Polly Boardman, PMP, is currently an associate vice president in Michael Baker’s Reno, Nev., office. She started with the company 15 years ago as a GIS technician and worked her way up to being a GIS specialist, then Project Manager, and now fulfills the office/operations management role for the Reno office. Her office focuses on civil and environmental engineering, architecture, water resources, GIS and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data collection and processing.
Polly is a native Nevadan, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Nevada, Reno. She obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and was voted as a Top 20 Under 40 Young Professional by Engineering News-Record in the Reno-Tahoe area. She serves on the board of Nevada GIS and several committees for the Washoe County School District.
Polly is a proud mom of four kids. She coaches a competitive travel U14 girls’ soccer team in most of her spare time. She also teaches and plays piano, enjoys travelling, kayaking on Lake Tahoe, hiking with her golden retriever, downhill skiing, volunteering with various charities, people watching, book clubs and wine tasting.
Claudia Lopez is a project control specialist in the environmental and natural resources group at Michael Baker. Based out of Ontario, Calif., Claudia has worked in the environmental, planning and natural resources industry for 10 years and is currently working on obtaining her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Claudia is a 17-year freelance photographer. She lives in the Inland Empire with her two sons, Matthew and Nicholas. The three of them like to spend the weekends exploring city bike trails or helping with the family’s three horses. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, snowboarding, editing photographs and videos and spending time in the heart of California’s South Coast wine region, exploring the rolling hills covered in vineyards and learning about the wine making process.
Roger Cain is a structural engineer in Michael Baker’s Tallahassee, Fla., office. He primarily designs concrete and steel highway bridges and other highway structures.
Roger also is a project manager for the local Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency where he is involved in civil projects that transform stormwater facilities into parks and useable spaces. As a project manager for Blueprint, he has been able to work on world class park projects, stormwater projects, trails, a skatepark and interactive fountains.
Roger loves heavy metal music, pretending to play awesome guitar, mountain biking, kickboxing, skateboarding, wakeboarding, snowboarding and surfboarding. He’s a line cook, a chimney sweep, a carpenter and a woodworker. He loves climbing trees and rocks, hiking mountains to see from the top and diving the ocean to see the bottom.
Sarah Cathcart has worked in the architectural/engineering/construction industry for 16 years; however, she is not an architect, engineer or have much of a technical background to speak to other than a strong interest in the built environment and years of building relationships in the industry. She currently serves as a business development associate supporting Michael Baker’s Gulf Coast region.
Sarah was raised in Southern Arizona, but spent much of her childhood traveling across the country – from California to New England, with many stops in between to visit family. She worked her way through college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona. After graduation, she took a year off to travel Central and South America. When the money ran out, she returned home and took a job with Michael Baker in Phoenix and then, after one year, transferred to Dallas, where she currently lives.
Getting out of town is one of Sarah’s favorite things to do – whether it’s catching a flight to see family or planning a weekend road trip – there is always somewhere on her must-see list.
Isamar Escobar is a civil associate in Michael Baker’s surface water group at Michael Baker. Originally based in Santa Ana, Calif., Isamar worked on various stormwater management projects. Her primary areas of focus includes hydrology and hydraulic analysis, modeling, planning and the design of storm drain systems and channels. She has worked on projects throughout northern and southern California. She recently transferred to Michael Baker’s Dallas, Texas, office to work on construction services projects.
Isamar graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. She is passionate about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) and dedicates much of her time to various nonprofit organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Engineers Without Borders (EWB).
Kevin Sigg is a Project Manager in Michael Baker’s aviation group. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Kevin has been working as a civil engineer in the aviation field since 2010. His primary roles include the planning, design and construction inspection of civil engineering projects at airports, including the construction and rehabilitation of runways, taxiways, aprons and the adjacent paved and unpaved areas.
Kevin has lived in Ohio for most his life, and graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Ohio Northern University, where he also played baseball all four years. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Kevin currently lives just outside of Cleveland with his wife and dog. They are avid baseball fans, and try to take advantage of the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park as often as the northeast Ohio weather allows. They are active in their church and enjoy travelling to new places in their spare time.
Tom Zagorski is Michael Baker’s Construction Services National Practice Lead. He is responsible for business development and technological advancement as well as overseeing the development of staff at the management, operations and inspection levels. He also is responsible for improving and sharing industry knowledge, fostering innovation in project delivery and continual improvement of quality management.
Tom is well-versed in the various modes of construction – transportation, facilities, civil and environmental. He is very familiar with DOD, DOT, FAA, FHWA and FTA standards and specifications, as well as construction operations, scheduling, cost estimations, claims avoidance and partnering. Previously, he was a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force for four years.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science degree. in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America. He is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania and Virginia. He is an active member of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and the Master Builders’ Association (MBA).
