Understanding the work
A member of the Pile Driving Contractors Association since the
late 1990s, Peirce said the association is a good source of referrals
and networking opportunities.
“It’s a chance to get in front of some of these people and let
them know who we are and what we do,” he said.
There’s no doubt Peirce has done a lot – and many of those
jobs involved driven piles.
He recalled a challenging project that involved designing a
cofferdam next to a riverfront casino.
“We had to put 1,500 linear feet of deep-sheeted trench in,
ending in a cofferdam out in the river. I had to design the cofferdam
– I had to build flapgates in it so that during a storm they
could open and allow stormwater and raw sewage from a treatment
plant to go out in the river. It had to be able to pass through
at a rate of 900,000 gallons per minute.”
Challenging jobs like that allow Peirce to exercise his expertise
– but he said not everyone these days is happy to see an engineer
called in.
“The big change I have seen in my career is that when I started
in the 1970s and into the late 1980s, people were glad to see a
specialty contractor come on the jobsite and take care of the
problem,” he said. “You were the expert; you came in and you
did it – few questions asked! Then, some companies began using
more temporary techniques for permanent applications, and
everything these expert contractors were doing for years was
being discounted.”
With more specialized equipment available to rent or buy,
Peirce said things can be done much quicker than in the past.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people now are winging it who
shouldn’t be winging it,” he said, adding that price has become
more important than ever before when it comes to winning bids.
“Provision of specialty engineering services is becoming more
of a commodity. People are basing a lot of decisions on price
alone. I’ve lost design jobs by as little as $1,000, only to find out
the designs that beat me weren’t economical. In the future, it’s
going to be tough because that’s going to continue.”
Peirce says it’s crucial to really understand the work, and it’s
important to take the time to build that knowledge.
“Don’t be in a big hurry to be a designer,” he said. “Learn how
to build something first. Get a well-rounded background with
some construction and some engineering. There is plenty of time
for designing.”
Peirce tries to pass this lesson along to students taking the
Foundation Engineering graduate-level class he teaches at
Villanova University.
“I will often run into a student who says they’re going to
graduate and open their own firm,” he said. “But you must learn
on the job – get out in the field and see it. College just gives you
the background.”
Sailing into the future
While Peirce, 68, continues to find fulfilment in his professional
career, he is also beginning to carve out a bit more free time.
“This summer during boating season, from late May to mid-
October, I told the kids I’d be taking off on Fridays.”
On those days, he and Beth drive down to Chesapeake Bay,
where their 33.5-foot sailboat, aptly named “Knot at Work,”
is moored.
But now that sailing season is finished for this year, the Peirces
are turning their attention to sports.
“When my kids were growing up, the four of them played all
kinds of sports. They’ve been very successful at school and also in
athletics. I spent all my time running around to sporting events.
“Now, I have grandkids,” said Peirce. “Two grandsons and two
granddaughters are playing sports, and two more are coming up.”
Although retirement is a notion that pops into his head more
and more these days, Peirce still enjoys the time he spends in
the office.
After serving his time out in the field, he has come full circle.
“Being out on the job site is important and still enjoyable, but
the office is just a lot more comfortable these days.” t
CONSTRUCTION CAREER
John and Beth
Pierce like to drive
to Chesapeake Bay,
where their 33.5-
foot sailboat “Knot
at Work” is moored
Your resource for the use of treated timber piles
P.O. Box 1784, Starkville, MS 39760
Phone: (833) 745-4647
E-mail: kevin@spta.org
www.timberpilingcouncil.com
Strong ▪ Affordable ▪ Sustainable
60 | EDITION 6 2019 www.piledrivers.org
/www.timberpilingcouncil.com
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