Any Day in Planate 2nd Quarter 2022

ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022

ANY DAY IN
April – June 2022

PLANATE
The Official Newsletter of Planate Management Group

OVMUAR FECAVMAORTITOIEORNIES

AND TRADITIONS

HSE Article STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Playing Safe in the LOISE WACHIRA

Summer Sun ISOA
INNOVATION

AWARD

TRAVEL EDITION

1

FROM THE PRESIDENT CONTENTS

Dear Planate Colleagues: 04

Over the last six months we have consistently NEW CONTRACT
produced great work for our clients and continued AWARDS
to add to our most important resource — you,
our people. At 243, we currently have the highest 06
number of staff since the start of Planate; this
number is reflective of our current trajectory. ISOA
INNOVATION AWARD
I am pleased to share we’ve already been awarded
contracts for the year, and anticipate more as we are 10
in the thick of proposal season. I am proud of the
diligence our staff shows in winning contracts for HSE ARTICLE
Planate.
PLAYING SAFE IN THE
We continue to move forward in the aftermath SUMMER SUN
of COVID-19 and the ongoing Russian invasion in
Ukraine. We are providing support for our evacuated 12
staff and remain in contact with one who chose to
remain. We will continue to monitor the situation OUR FAVORITE
and keep you updated. VACATION MEMORIES

As we look forward into the remaining half of the 15
year, I have no doubt that our continued award-
winning work for our clients and solution-driven COMPLETED
staff will take this organization to even greater TRAININGS
heights.
16
Thank you for your continued effort.
ANNIVERSARIES
Very Respectfully, AND AWARDS
Chris Decker
18
EDITORIAL TEAM
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Brittany Alley
Editor LOISE WACHIRA

Glenn Escribano
Graphic Designer

Libby Muiruri
Communications

Caryll Orcales
VP Business Support Group

2 Second Quarter 2022

ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022

Planate Management Group was
named to the University of Florida’s 2022
Gator100 list during a virtual ceremony
Friday, April 22. Of the 100 businesses
recognized, Planate was ranked 29th, a
steep rise from their 2021 ranking of 78.
The Gator100 recognizes the world’s
fastest-growing Gator businesses owned
or led by UF alumni.

3

NEW Planate awarded mechanical/
electrical contract at Boise, ID
CONTRACT VA Medical Center
AWARDS
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Planate Management
Group has been awarded a contract to
provide Architect-Engineer Services to correct
mechanical and electrical deficiencies at the
VA Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. With this
contract, Planate will provide professional
services to include investigative services,
planning consultations and visits, design
work, preparation of contract drawings and
specifications, preparation of cost estimates,
construction period services, follow on site
visits, and other services as necessary. The
project will correct deficiencies noted in the
current Facility Condition Assessment of the VA
Medical Center.

Planate to revamp facilities at
Subic Bay, Philippines shipyard

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Planate Management
Group has been awarded a contract to provide
Facility Maintenance Services at a shipyard in
Subic Bay, Philippines, a strategically important
maritime facility with access to the disputed
South China Sea. Also an important employer,
the shipyard at one time employed 30,000
workers.

With this contract, Planate will update and
maintain facilities and associated equipment,
including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and
carpentry. A broad range of infrastructure
improvements are planned for the shipyard
facilities including upgrading buildings to meet
modern operational and safety standards.

4 Second Quarter 2022

ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022

Planate to remodel prosthetics
and physical therapy room at
Portland VA Medical Center

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Planate Management
Group has been awarded a contract to remodel
the prosthetics and physical therapy room at
the VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland
campus.
Planate will be providing plans, specifications,
construction bid documents, solicitation phase,
and construction period services required to
renovate 7,000 gsf of prosthetics and physical
therapy space to increase functionality
and efficiency. The objective is to combine
redundant and underutilized areas such as
waiting rooms, admin space, and storage areas
to gain exam rooms and improve patient flow.

5

ISOA
INNOVATION
AWARD

PLANATE MANAGEMENT GROUP
RECOGNIZED FOR ITS INNOVATIVE
SOLUTIONS IN ENGINEERING SERVICES

Planate receives ISOA Innovation Award.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Planate Management Group, It means so much to us that the work we are
the premier trusted partner for Architecture and passionate about also resonates with others.
Engineering Design, Facilities and Master Planning, This accomplishment was a team effort created
Engineering Support, and Environmental Services by our expertise. I would like to thank my team
worldwide, Planate is pleased to have won the ISOA at Planate and our client, USACE Innovation
Innovation Award in the small company category. Summit, who allowed us to find solutions
The ISOA Global Impact Awards Program, run by to urban flooding. Planate will continue to
the International Stability Operation Association, innovatively provide solutions to our clients in
aims to recognize the superlative performance of its its core services, including facility and master
ISOA member companies. planning, architecture and engineering
design services, engineering support services,
“I am grateful to have Planate Management Group and environmental services. Building and
selected to receive the ISOA innovation award infrastructure projects can become more
under the small company category,” said Chris complex; embracing innovation will be
Decker, president of Planate. “Many hours went essential to increasing efficiency, reducing
into creating an immersive virtual environment cost, and adapting to change.”
for flood modelling, visualization, and mitigation.

Planate president Chris Decker received
the ISOA Innovation Award from Tom
Lampley, ISOA board chair, and Howie
Lind, ISOA president.

6 Second Quarter 2022

ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022
Planate president Chris Decker gave
a heartfelt speech thanking ISOA for
recognizing Planate with the award.

7

PLANATE DESIGNS
NEGATIVE PRESSURE
MAIL ROOMS

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Planate Management Group
has added to their extensive list of services, now
offering both design and construction services
to create Negative Pressure Mail Rooms. These
services optimize mail room operational flow,
creating a seamless system to accept packages
and feed them through carefully designed
negative pressure spaces, each encompassing
a different phase or action in the screening
operation. Planate has developed systems
for companies with small, medium, and large
operations.
The flow of these newly designed spaces includes
moving through receiving and sorting, x-ray, and
finally opening and screening. Planate works
with clients from beginning to end, providing
full engineering design services, design, and
construction support, operational installation,
and commissioning, through full completion
with operator training and operations support.
They also offer client staff training for operator
and facility safety.

8 Second Quarter 2022

ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022

U.S.
NAVAL
HOSPITAL

Pasquale Lombardi, support contractor at PWD
Naples, Italy, shared a photo of the completed
renovations at the U.S. Naval Hospital support center
at Gricigniano, Italy. Pictured with Pasquale are Lt.
Derek Wilson and Lt. Kyle Flack, both construction
mechanics for the renovations to the Sterile
Processing Department and operating rooms.

CAMP LEMONNIER

DJIBOUTI

Paul Osterhout shared a photo of a recently started project at
Camp Lemonnier Djibouti.
The project’s base CLIN 0001 includes design and construction
of a force main to convey effluent from the wastewater
treatment plant (WWTP) around the Combat/Cargo Airfield
Load Area (CALA) ditch to a point outside the secured
perimeter.
The project installs piping through CALA for conveyance
of effluent from the Reverse Osmosis Water Purification
Unit (ROWPU) and WWTP. Additionally, it improves outfalls,
including gate valves to control water during high tide and
rain events at CALA, and raises/replaces eastern perimeter
security fencing.

9

HSE ARTICLE:

Playing Safe in the

Summer Sun
By Rogene Veluz

As summer approaches, people troop to the beaches, lakes, and swimming
pools to cool down with family, relatives, and friends. While flocking to the
water for splashes of fun, note the following information to ensure swimmer
safety:

Swimming
Health Risks

The most common health risks of swimming are Things to Observe Before Taking the First Step
the ill effects of ultraviolet ray exposure — sunburn into the Water
and skin cancer. However, these can be avoided by
applying lotion with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) > Is a lifeguard on duty?
of 50+, wearing sun-blocking clothing, and reducing > Are there dead animals near or in the water?
exposure time to the sun. > Is the water discolored, heavily infested with

Whether at the beach, lake, or swimming pool, algae, or foamy?
the water in these places play host to various
microorganisms which enter the body mostly > Are there any pipes leading into the water?
through ingestion or minute cuts on the skin. It’s > Are the surfaces surrounding the water too
best to keep your mouth closed when in the water
to avoid drinking it. When finished swimming, take slippery for walking?
a shower to wash off and dry your ears thoroughly.
> If any of these factors are present, it is best to
avoid entering the water.

Depending on the health condition of a person, Tips for Swimming Safely
these microorganisms may cause immediate or
delayed reactions such as swimmer’s ear, rashes, > Apply SPF 50+ lotion.
cramps, headaches, nausea, or diarrhea. Children, > Wear a Coast Guard-approved life vest or
pregnant women, and people with health issues are
at risk for swimming-related illnesses. flotation device.

If you become ill after swimming, see a doctor at > Take a shower before entering and after
once. coming out of the water; dry your ears
thoroughly.

> Keep your mouth closed when in the water.

10 Second Quarter 2022

ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022
Swimming Etiquette
> Wear proper swimming clothing.
> Trim your toenails.
> Do not swim if you have open wounds, rashes,

or bandages over your wounds.
> Do not relieve yourself in the water; use the

restroom.
> Avoid splashing.
> Check the area for proper depth before diving.
All set? Great! Grab your swimming gear and
let’s enjoy the water, safely.

11

Darryl
Doughty

BrAittlalenyy Prior to traveling to the Antarctic for work,
Darryl and his family spent time together
Brittany and her family live far away from visiting historic Charleston, South Carolina.
extended family, so they spend most
vacations traveling to visit grandparents. Enesh
Their two most recent family trips included Easlick
visits to Disney World in Orlando, Florida,
and to Rocky Mountain National Park in Enesh and her family enjoy
Colorado. traveling through their
home country of Ukraine.
Any Day in Planate: Here they are pictured
Travel Edition visiting St. Andrew’s Church
in Kyiv.
OVURAFACVOARTITEION

MEMORIESAND TRADITIONS

Paul shared two of his favorite Paul
travel memories with us — seeing Osterhout

the Aurora Australis (southern
lights), followed by landing in a C-17

military cargo jet on sea ice.

12 Second Quarter 2022

Caryll and ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022
Dennis Orcales
The Orcales family explored the beauty of
the Philippines during a family getaway in
May. They are pictured here enjoying an
island tour in Cebu, Philippines. According
to Caryll, due to COVID restrictions, “This
was our first domestic travel in three years!”

Esther Ngoiri

MAnanrjZuaripeanta

Marjurie and her family steal away for a Esther and her famiy recently took
vacation together at least twice per year. a vacation to Mombasa, where they
They love any opportunity to nurture their visited the giant aluminum tusks along
relationships and bond during getaways. Moi Avenue. The tusks were built to
commemorate a royal visit to Mombasa by
Miroa Princess Margaret.
Ramirez
13
This past Mother’s Day, Miroa and her family
were excited to take a quick family vacation.
They spent time together swimming and
scouting out different types of fish in the
clear ocean waters. Miroa writes, “A family
getaway is always worth it!”

PERSONAL
MILESTONES

Paul Osterhout and his bride, Helen
Isidro, were married June 8, 2022 in their
Parish church. Paul commented that
their marriage “will be our life’s best
vacation as we spend our days as one
exploring each new day.”

14 Second Quarter 2022

HAPPY ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022

BIRTHDAY
CHRIS

DECKER!
April 30

COMPLETED

TRAININGS

MIROA RAMIREZ

COMPLETED 30-APR-22
CERTIFIED LEARNING AND
DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

(CLDP) PROGRAM

MAPET SANTOS

COMPLETED 1-JUN-22
CERTIFIED RECRUITMENT AND
SELECTION PROFESSIONAL
(CRSP) CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

LINDSAY BARBER

COMPLETED 8-APR-22
WRITING AND MANAGING FEDERAL

PROPOSALS

KENNETH PUNLA

COMPLETED 15-MAY-22
PROJECT PLANNING,
SCHEDULING, AND CONTROL
USING PRIMAVERA P6

15

HAPPY
PLANATEAVERSARY!

14yrs 11 yrs 8yrs 8yrs 8yrs 7 yrs

Jonathan Larson Greer Fry Dennis Orcales Kryz Magbanua Iris Naranjo Reese Mangaran

EVP-Business Support Assistant Human IT Consultant Senior CAD Designer Senior CAD Designer Senior VP for Business
Services Resources Specialist Services Services Development Group

6 yrs 6 yrs 5 yrs 4yrs 4 yrs 4 yrs

Christine Joanne Arthur Corsano Mapet Santos James Alban Lindsay Barber M. Hashim
Zaf ra Paiman
Consultant - Project Sr. Technical Construction Manager EVP-Business Support
Contracts Manager Management Recruitment Officer Services Operations Director

4yrs 4yrs 4yrs 3yrs 3yrs 3yrs

Maryna David Reindl Richard Williams John Cris Brownlow Genevieve Gozalo
Gavrylova Yonemori-Antal
Waste Water Treatment Electrical Engineer Project Manager Capture Manager
Business Analyst Engineering Consultant Mechanical Engineer
3yrs 2 yrs 2 yrs
3yrs 3yrs 3yrs

Roja Mae Manabat David Kramer Samuel Clark Jr. David Ersek Teena Nartea Mercy Ndirangu

Marketing Manager Structural Inspector Mechanical Engineer Business Development VP - Financial Country Manager
Analyst Management Group Af rica
2 yrs
2 yrs 1yr 1yr

Alexander Diez Phanuwat Gwen Fabian John Dait
Gatesing
IT Project Manager Project Financial Analyst Electrical Engineer

1yr Engineering Technician 1yr

1 1yr yr

George Brezna Stephen Airis John Fabella Marc Knapp
Williamson
Consultant Senior Mechanical Senior Financial Mentor
Ship Repair and Shipyard Engineer
16 Second Quarter 2022 Expert

ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022

OFPD RECOGNIZES
PLANATE EMPLOYEES
FOR EXCELLENCE

TIMOTHY The Office of Facility Planning and Development of the VA Palo
STUFFT Alto Medical Center recently recognized nine Planate employees
VP - ENGINEERING for their hard work and dedication in the workplace. The OFPD
SERVICES recognizes employees and contractors each month for exceeding
expectations in their respective projects. The following Planate
LINDSAY employees were recognized in May 2022.
BARBER
JUNIOR PROJECT Tim Stufft and Lindsay Barber were recognized for highly
MANAGER competent project management, service delivery, and
administration of professional staff services to OFPD. They
SHIRLEY LO were praised for being “high caliber candidates for FTE roles
INTERIOR DESIGN and consultants/partners for engagements,” as well as for their
CONSULTANT “responsiveness, flexibility, and innovation to novel and evolving
requirements.”
PRIYA
SATHIYANARAYANAN Shirley Lo was recognized for ongoing efforts to complete CWT
House, including extra efforts to ensure appropriate privacy
MEDICAL window coverings in all areas.
EQUIPMENT PLANNER
Priya Sathiyanarayanan was recognized for Attainia Contract
IRWIN GOZALI support, including Boot Camp coordination and facilitation. She
was also recognized for offering support to the VMU, Radiology,
MEDICAL and SPS projects.
EQUIPMENT PLANNER
Irwin Gozali was recognized for his tireless efforts on the
TIMOTHY Stockton CBOC team. The OFPD remarked that Gozali is “an
MO’UNGA outstanding team player who produces wonderful work products
and outcomes.” They continued, he is “always willing to lend a
SENIOR helping hand with a pleasant and happy disposition. He stepped
CONSTRUCTION up to be a key player with CFM/USACE/JSA meetings and user
coordination in all things related to equipment.”
INSPECTOR
Tim Mo’unga was recognized for his great assistance during the
RAY WAGNER flooring and restroom renovation project.
PROGRAM
ANALYST Ray Wagner, Lakshmi Eeataram, and Yvonne Todd were
recognized for their efforts to expedite OFPD’s SharePoint
LAKSHMI migration, “despite an unbeknownst compressed timeline and
EETRAM significant technical challenges.” They were also praised for
PROGRAM “improvement in synchronization, communication, and reporting
ANALYST of individual, disparate efforts while geographically dispersed
across three different time zones.”
YVONNE
TODD 17
SENIOR PROGRAM
ANALYST

STAFF

Spotlight

Where did you grow up?

Embakasi, Kenya

What are your favorite pastimes?

Traveling and swimming

How many kids do you have?

Three girls,
Ages 13, 4, 16 months

Have you always wanted to
work in travel?

Yes!

Share a favorite
vacation memory:

A safari through Uganda,
Tanzania, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, and Kigali
with the highlight being
bungee jumping at
Victoria Falls. The scenery
was breathtaking!

18 Second Quarter 2022

ANY DAY IN PLANATE Second Quarter 2022

LOISE

WACHIRA

By Brittany Alley, editor

Welcome to Staff Spotlight — An opportunity to get the trip well worth it — even if she had to endure endless
to know Planate employees on a deeper level, and see bragging from the ice cream shop owners about their
how their talents and expertise help Planate flourish. This superior cows. (We had a good laugh about all the reasons
quarter’s spotlight shines on Loise Wachira, Planate’s travel someone would brag about their cows, nearly veering off
coordinator. the interview topic while talking of organic farming and the
ice cream making process.)
After more than two years of cabin fever, COVID
restrictions continue to lift, allowing those filled with Loise’s love for travel didn’t wain when she started a
wanderlust to once again venture out into the world. Once family — she and her husband booked trips to Singapore,
such vagabond is Planate’s very own Loise Wachira, a Kuala Lumpur, and Canada before COVID, and while those
woman whose love for travel goes far beyond her job title trips have been delayed, they are still on the docket for
— it’s in her very bones. When asked to describe herself, future travel.
Loise said, “If travel were a person, I would be it.”
Travel aside, Loise finds both adventure and fulfillment in
Born and raised in Embakasi, Kenya, the youngest in a spending time with her husband and raising her daughters.
family of seven, Loise developed a desire to explore early Raising a child and working in a conventional office setting
in life. Her closest sibling is eight years her senior, so she was not easy, and now as a mother of three she is grateful
spent her upbringing as both one of many, and one alone. to be home with her four-year-old and sixteen-month-
With so much distance between her and her siblings, Loise old toddlers. Her oldest daughter, age thirteen, attends a
spent much of her time by herself, dreaming of travelling boarding high school, and Loise now gets to enjoy every bit
outside her home to explore all the world has to offer. of time with her during school breaks instead of having to
leave for work each morning.
Her high school and college years only strengthened
her love of travel, leading Loise to an internship and then Loise shared that she met her husband while working
a career in travel coordination. She first traveled all over for the same airline — both of them work in the industry and
Kenya, including a visit to Masai Mara to see ‘the big five’ their shared love of travel helped to draw them together.
(lion, leopard, elephant, black rhinoceros, and African After COVID furloughs, it was her husband who learned of
buffalo) and the seventh wonder of the world — the the job at Planate and encouraged her to apply. Her many
wildebeest migration from Serengeti. years of experience and sunny disposition made Loise the
best candidate for the job, and the rest is history.
Once settled in her career, Loise’s job with an
international airline afforded her the opportunity to travel “I love the work/life balance I have working for Planate,”
abroad. And travel she did — Loise took advantage of Loise said. “You can plan around your life and still work.”
her career perks, traveling both to London, England, and As far as Loise is concerned, she has the perfect setup. A
Toronto, Canada. While in Canada, Loise visited the famous job she loves, spending her working hours taking care of
Niagara Falls, noting that day was “the coldest I’ve ever been every detail for Planate travelers, and the life of a stay-at-
in my life!” She definitely prefers more tropical climates, but home mom, not missing out on any of her girls’ childhood
without the trip to snowy Canada she’d never have tasted experiences.
“the best ice cream I have ever tasted!” That alone made
Loise explained that life is a puzzle, and there are so
many important pieces to the puzzle. Rather than her
work causing her to neglect important pieces of herself
and her life, she commented that Planate understands
how important each puzzle piece is, adding that “Planate
enables you to be a whole person,” not just an employee.

Loise, we couldn’t agree more.

19

ANY DAY IN

PLANATE
The Official Newsletter of Planate Management Group
April – June 2022
TRAVEL EDITION

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