With the transition of NASSCO’s current technical director, Lynn Osborn, into his new role as president of UESI (American Society of Civil Engineers’ Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute), NASSCO has formed a Technical Advisory Council, which was recently announced at NASSCO’s semiannual membership meeting during WEFTEC. The council is made up of five industry leaders, all representing different backgrounds and areas of expertise:

Christopher Garrett, P.E., Vice President, Brown and Caldwell, Virginia Beach, Virginia
As co-leader of Brown and Caldwell’s National Aging Infrastructure Initiative, Garrett is an advocate of providing objective recommendations for all trenchless technologies. One of NASSCO’s first Pipeline Assessment and Certification Program trainers, he has trained more than 1,200 industry professionals since 2002 and will serve as the council’s chair to successfully lead its members.

Chris Macey, P.E., America’s Practice Leader for Condition Assessment and Rehabilitation, AECOM Canada
Inducted into the North American Society for Trenchless Technology’s Hall of Fame earlier this year, Macey brings to NASSCO 40-plus years of experience in material failure assessment for gravity and pressure service; knowledge in pipeline materials, pipe/soil interaction and pipeline deterioration processes; and a deep understanding of all condition assessment and rehabilitation technologies.

Lynn Osborn, P.E., Owner, LEO Consulting
Serving as NASSCO’s technical director since 2015, Osborn is a leader in CIPP technologies, having worked for Insituform starting in 1984, when the technology was attempting to gain traction in North America. A trainer of NASSCO’s Inspector Training and Certification Program-CIPP since 2016, he was named Trenchless Technology magazine’s Person of the Year in 2016 and Underground Construction magazine’s 2019 MVP.

Kaleel Rahaim, pursing master’s in Civil Engineering
Formerly employed (from 1989-2018) by Interplastic, Rahaim, who currently holds a bachelor’s in chemical engineering, is continuing his education and wishes to give back to the industry through his role as a council member. An instructor of NASTT’s CIPP Good Practices course and a member of NASTT’s Hall of Fame, he is also a highly committed and active NASSCO committee member.

Jerry Weimer, Owner, Jerry Weimer Consulting
Having worked for more than 30 years for the city of Cincinnati’s Metropolitan Sewer District — where he developed the city’s cross-bore program — Weimer brings a well-rounded perspective to the council. A highly active NASSCO committee co-chair and PACP trainer/Manhole Assessment and Certification Program trainer, he was named NASSCO’s Trainer of the Year in 2019.

“This is truly a dream team,” says Sheila Joy, NASSCO’s executive director. “Each member brings a unique value, and I was extremely grateful that, with the promise of fewer hours, Lynn Osborn agreed to continue to serve NASSCO as a member of this council. This will provide continuity and consistency to this star-studded team of respected professionals who are eager to share their many years of experience and deep knowledge with our industry.” 

Combined, NASSCO’s Technical Advisory Council represents:

• 200 years of experience in the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure
• 30-plus years of experience in PACP and ITCP training
• 2,000-plus miles of condition assessment performed
• 20,000-plus miles of pipe rehabilitation, design and construction
• 2,000-plus manholes rehabilitated, designed and constructed
• 20,000-plus vertical linear feet of MACP manhole inspections.

“Above all else,” Joy says, “this council is committed to remaining objective, representing all trenchless solutions, staying current on new and emerging technologies, and reaching out to NASSCO members and other industry leaders who may have more detailed knowledge in specific technical areas — all designed to achieve NASSCO’s goal to become the industry source for education, technical resources and advocacy.”

To learn more, visit www.nassco.org, or contact NASSCO’s Technical Advisory Council directly by email at tac@nassco.org.