tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40400994581141110862024-02-18T22:05:11.679-08:00Make a Powerful DifferenceWe are engineers and consultants dedicated to influencing and shaping the secure energy future by unleashing the power of the nation's top talent.Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-90532619698561639232018-01-31T11:30:00.001-08:002018-01-31T11:32:14.328-08:00We've Moved!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEULjLCZ1S2EkfiTTy-4_pM-9cLFPrXWLVc6yKB-70uvdNnSP7vBQKDoSmcufWF1qt5IDD0Y_AT0p_7-dyQm81mFJ1er7sKPmQOlKGGTS-taaeB85r8g4KQJ599L_O1AwI0Y6mTVeb04A/s1600/New+Vision+Blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEULjLCZ1S2EkfiTTy-4_pM-9cLFPrXWLVc6yKB-70uvdNnSP7vBQKDoSmcufWF1qt5IDD0Y_AT0p_7-dyQm81mFJ1er7sKPmQOlKGGTS-taaeB85r8g4KQJ599L_O1AwI0Y6mTVeb04A/s320/New+Vision+Blog.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Please visit us at our new blog home on cai-engr.com at <a href="https://www.cai-engr.com/vision/">https://www.cai-engr.com/vision/</a>! We've got fresh content and perspectives on the electric power industry -- stop by and see us.<br />
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<br />Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-27508628615055112362017-06-20T10:27:00.002-07:002017-06-20T11:46:42.528-07:00<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thanks for visiting our archived blog. Our new blog and website are currently in development and will launch in late Summer 2017! Please check back for more details.</b></span>Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-49029503190389602412014-04-30T08:11:00.002-07:002014-04-30T08:13:44.381-07:00Getting energized<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3OQ2hpdBbq9DiqgzZIOX6y_e8jgSUGma1l4lKm6_qRwk3m3Kh5eXCHyFatyoqoby7y4MaWnqVzSP0BtD2_UzbbEDg-0Gc7V0Bb-5hYaXrnD7S7yhJAsLPBfWrMEbkYc2fHnK9QUvSfg/s1600/PSEG+Susq+to+Roseland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3OQ2hpdBbq9DiqgzZIOX6y_e8jgSUGma1l4lKm6_qRwk3m3Kh5eXCHyFatyoqoby7y4MaWnqVzSP0BtD2_UzbbEDg-0Gc7V0Bb-5hYaXrnD7S7yhJAsLPBfWrMEbkYc2fHnK9QUvSfg/s1600/PSEG+Susq+to+Roseland.jpg" /></a></div>
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Commonwealth is proud to have provided engineering, environmental permitting support, and right of way acquisition to help turn PSE&G's vision for this new 500 kV transmission line into reality: <br />
<a href="http://pseg.com/info/media/newsreleases/2014/2014-04-29a.jsp#.U2ERK41OXcs">http://pseg.com/info/media/newsreleases/2014/2014-04-29a.jsp#.U2ERK41OXcs</a><br />
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-----Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-41044588571351802862014-04-25T12:00:00.002-07:002014-04-25T12:01:50.765-07:00Top Design Firms Named<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sOy31-myQTnbx3ltxmURMxyDKMZdgTe6sye1Qpq92kIaTuTRkNhetqzezkwue5XX4RBQccN2rtugWZ-wL5AeicLaz93Gdf145QL2JFyLKnDG9n-5mEdI7-N83PeN2KnZCrsnyvtjr6A/s1600/trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sOy31-myQTnbx3ltxmURMxyDKMZdgTe6sye1Qpq92kIaTuTRkNhetqzezkwue5XX4RBQccN2rtugWZ-wL5AeicLaz93Gdf145QL2JFyLKnDG9n-5mEdI7-N83PeN2KnZCrsnyvtjr6A/s1600/trophy.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></div>
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Congratulations to the team for again being listed among the <em>EC&M Magazine </em><a href="http://ecmweb.com/design/turning-point-ecms-2014-top-40-electrical-design-firms" target="_blank">Top 40 Electrical Design Firms</a> and the <em>Engineering News-Record</em> <a href="http://enr.construction.com/toplists/Top-Design-Firms/001-100.asp" target="_blank">Top 500 Design Firms</a>! This year, Commonwealth was particularly excited to be <a href="http://ecmweb.com/design/announcing-ecms-2014-top-10-electrical-design-firms" target="_blank">profiled among the <em>EC&M</em> Top 10 firms</a>, coming in at #8. <br />
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It is always an honor to appear alongside such talented and impressive firms! We certainly are passionate about what we do and proud to serve the electric utility industry, municipalities, industrial clients, and some of the world's most prestigious educational, healthcare, and research institutions.<br />
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Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-88892586600276200602014-03-31T09:38:00.001-07:002017-06-20T10:25:29.002-07:00IEEE in the Windy City <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In just a few short weeks, we'll be in Chicago for </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">IEEE PES T&D Conference and Expo 2014</b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">! If you're planning to join us for some </span><a href="http://www.tdworld.com/ieee-pes-update/green-screen-fun-commonwealth-associates-booth" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">green screen fun</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> and a complimentary souvenir photos, and haven't already done so, you might want to check out and download the official </span><a href="https://app.core-apps.com/2014tandd" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">app</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. With the app, you can:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Easily locate Commonwealth at Booth 8033 (hint, hint!)</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Populate a schedule of other things you’d like to attend/see </span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Explore a list of exhibitors with information about each and the ability to “favorite” the exhibitor, schedule a visit with them, and/or get directions to their booth</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View various maps -- exhibits, halls, hotels, etc.</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View technical program session info, locations, duration and more</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See a list of speakers, their employers, and when/where they’ll be speaking</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Access general information about shuttles, the schedule, special events, etc.</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View and contribute to a photo gallery </span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Follow and contribute to a live Twitter stream using the hashtag #TandD2014</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Download and view handouts and videos </span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scan QR codes for more information</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Figure out where you are in relation to another point</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View an easy-to-follow ordered map of the exhibitors you choose to bookmark to make the most of your time</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Discover local Chicago attractions</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Follow “IEEE PES T&D Conference” on Facebook, and check-in on Facebook when you arrive, for the latest postings there and to contribute to that page</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Post on LinkedIn regarding the conference </span></li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a great resource -- I hope you'll check it out! See you in Chicago!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-----</span>Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-15017000934224900192013-12-23T08:57:00.001-08:002013-12-23T08:57:29.001-08:00Short and sweet <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6ciGnj_c2gNviYuvUvBnzB42ZjeTwpEyFXt8wurA8TOk8SLCMW_lRZeX0vVOw3BPsov1R0A3si_Hvv9daaTvlm2e-L2pTIEFUixaLBumvFUl4WvsJiamid7DIz3oAtTdTXeCZueV6lQ/s1600/Merry+Christmas+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6ciGnj_c2gNviYuvUvBnzB42ZjeTwpEyFXt8wurA8TOk8SLCMW_lRZeX0vVOw3BPsov1R0A3si_Hvv9daaTvlm2e-L2pTIEFUixaLBumvFUl4WvsJiamid7DIz3oAtTdTXeCZueV6lQ/s400/Merry+Christmas+2014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-67453634192786872302013-11-25T13:05:00.003-08:002013-11-25T13:09:12.469-08:00Giving thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC0L21RZZjH2m0ZNWljdBHuli5AKXgpYOWDSuViqxewvisXtVA4cq18jsM6DDSHpZ60kkT37_jvUbBY5AdIgY87adbyLmOmcYg1LTozF403yqvKPAQusKQ5u9uWmCOJ9HsL_GzHNkpxc/s1600/AEdwards_SoVeryThankfulWordArt_edited-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC0L21RZZjH2m0ZNWljdBHuli5AKXgpYOWDSuViqxewvisXtVA4cq18jsM6DDSHpZ60kkT37_jvUbBY5AdIgY87adbyLmOmcYg1LTozF403yqvKPAQusKQ5u9uWmCOJ9HsL_GzHNkpxc/s320/AEdwards_SoVeryThankfulWordArt_edited-1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Maybe it's because Thanksgiving is right around the corner, or maybe it has something to do with the great news we received recently, but Commonwealth is just bursting at the seams with gratitude these days!<br />
<br />
First, let us just say how very much we appreciate <em>you</em> -- our clients, employees, future employees, retirees, friends, and...most of all...our families.<br />
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To our <em>clients</em>...thank you for the opportunity to provide you with engineering and support services. We enjoy getting to know you on job sites and golf courses, at restaurants, and in your offices or ours. We value your time and work to continually earn the trust you place in us. <br />
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To our <em>employees</em>...thank you for your commitment to Commonwealth and for giving your very best every day to achieve our shared vision of being a <strong>recognized leader</strong>, the <strong>preferred consultant</strong>, and the <strong>employer of choice</strong> in the markets we serve.<br />
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To our <em>retirees</em>...thank you for the extraordinary 25 years we celebrated this summer! We are grateful for your participation in our events and for your willingness to mentor others.<br />
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To our <em>future employees</em>...thank you for considering employment with Commonwealth. We can't wait to see what the future holds.<br />
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To our <em>friends </em>and <em>family...</em>a very special thank you for your support and encouragement as we pursue a career we love, even when it takes us on the road or keeps us at work a bit later than planned. You make it all worthwhile.<br />
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Lastly, one more thank you to our employees. It's a big one! THANK YOU for your wonderful feedback on the Workplace Dynamics survey. Because of you driving us to be the very best and your willingness to share your thoughts and feelings, Commonwealth can proudly say we are a <strong><a href="http://www.freep.com/assets/freep/pdf/C42152031117.PDF" target="_blank"><em>Detroit Free Press </em>2013 Top 100 Workplace</a></strong>! <br />
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What are you most thankful for this year?<br />
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From the Commonwealth Family to yours --<br />
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Have a very happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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_____Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-43002094436427812082013-08-28T07:34:00.002-07:002013-08-28T07:36:34.578-07:00Teaming up to reduce emissions<span class="userContent">We're excited to be part of a collaborative groundbreaking project to provide information which ultimately empowers energy consumers in their daily decision-making about environmental stewardship. <a href="http://engineering.wayne.edu/wsuwater/about/hero.php" target="_blank">Get the HERO (Home Emissions Read-Out) app HERE.</a></span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent">As Commonwealth's Steve Miller recently put it,“If we are successful, one outcome might be a service which (people) can employ with their appliances. To choose the time of day or place where using their appliance will cause more or less emissions.”</span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2013/08/commonwealth_associates_part_o.html#comments" target="_blank"><span class="userContent">Click HERE to read the full </span>MLive article.</a><br />
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-----Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-22351077026299161022013-08-14T08:15:00.000-07:002013-08-14T10:19:35.258-07:00Shining the light on outage prevention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Buyrdpew7GqLp9jxlPkQddsHB3v6G47ZsdUI3pTaujS1qdxNH-_fMcd-hTjTQGTnlm3J277zcXHUtf0O50p_rsZfALKwqps3XO5b8pabrlWjattE2YgyXumsRNTJWkl_DSIhOZgsAuQ/s1600/topics_blackout2003_395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Buyrdpew7GqLp9jxlPkQddsHB3v6G47ZsdUI3pTaujS1qdxNH-_fMcd-hTjTQGTnlm3J277zcXHUtf0O50p_rsZfALKwqps3XO5b8pabrlWjattE2YgyXumsRNTJWkl_DSIhOZgsAuQ/s320/topics_blackout2003_395.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today marks the infamous 10th anniversary of the August 14, 2003 blackout of the eastern United States. The massive outage, or megablackout, determined to be the result of a tree branch in Ohio initially taking out a 345kV line, compounded by cascading failure, affected over 50 million people with an economic fallout estimated at ten billion dollars. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Over the past decade, a great deal of effort has gone into reducing the chances of a similar widespread outage occurring in the future. Areas of success include the creation
and strengthening of standards associated with the planning and operation of
power systems, and the application of new technologies, particularly Phasor
Measurement Units (PMU) -- a technology driven by the same GPS technology driving the universal mapping functions in our phones and other
applications -- to situational awareness. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Despite these advances, as more recent incidents demonstrate,
more work remains to be done. Fundamental components,
such as transmission lines and transformers that make up the grid, need to be
updated and added to meet current needs and the desire to support new
generation sources including wind, solar and natural gas fired plants. When it comes to the potential for cascading outages of the grid, techniques for
consistent analyzing these events prior to their occurrence and identifying cost
effective remedies are still in their infancy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Commonwealth Associates is
an active participant in planning, identifying, and implementing such solutions and we always welcome opportunities to discuss techniques and collaborate in creating solutions. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">For information about our Transmission Grid Analytics - Cascade Analysis (TM) software that helps to prevent future blackouts, click <a href="http://www.cai-engr.com/software/" target="_blank">here</a>. In a nutshell, it provides:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A verifiable and complete list of “breaker-to-breaker” contingencies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Identification of ALL contingencies that cause violations and a direct or indirect assessment of all double (Category B and C) contingency combinations</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Analytical methodology to supplement your engineer’s experience and judgment</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Objective, repeatable, and reasonable classification of contingencies that cause A/R violations into those that will not cause outages beyond a predetermined area and those that cannot be eliminated as potential causes for widespread outages</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Priority list of trouble facilities that identifies and suggests root causes for contingencies that may initiate widespread outages</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Independent evaluation of your system suitable for use as compliance documentation that management can include in their "due diligence" reporting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Custom solutions</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-----</span></div>
Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-19866930046451960332013-08-01T09:46:00.000-07:002013-08-01T10:52:22.990-07:0025 Years...and Counting!This July, Commonwealth celebrated 25 years of being an employee-owned engineering firm providing world-class consulting expertise to the electric power industry and our utility, municipal, institutional, and industrial clients. You can read more about this particularly meaningful milestone on p. 28 (p. 30 of the .pdf) of <em>Jackson Magazine's </em><a href="http://online.jacksonmagazine.com/publication/?i=168889" target="_blank">August issue</a>. <br />
<br />
The festivities included monthly fun activities, the official unveiling of new glass panels in our hallway of history; a Friday evening gala at the newly renovated Robert Snyder Hall in Jackson College's impressive Potter Center, where we recognized our founding shareholders and employees; and a spectacular day full of food, frolicking, and fun at our employee family picnic on the grounds of our headquarters in Jackson, Michigan. <br />
<br />
We feel truly honored to work with such accomplished colleagues, many of whom serve on the committees setting tomorrow's industry standards, and even more honored to be given the trust and loyalty of our outstanding clients -- among them major utilities, industrial leaders, and some of the world's most prestigious educational and healthcare institutions. <br />
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Here is a look back at some of the best memories from this past week...we hope you enjoy them!<br />
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On Thursday, President Dennis DeCosta proudly revealed<br />
two new commemorative panels representing the past 25 years.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday evening's gala attendees enjoyed the culinary delights of <br />
Continental Services before the program.</td></tr>
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Guests raved about the humorous delivery of keynote speaker, author, <br />
and former professional comedian, Garrison Wynn.</div>
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Saturday's family picnic included: two bands, one dessert contest, a pinewood </div>
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derby championship, inflatables for kids, and the Great Anniversary Giveaway.</div>
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25 years meant 25 lucky employees took home 25 very cool prizes.</div>
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The other winner was the fight against cancer, as President DeCosta <br />
and the VPs took to the dunk tank to raise money for Relay for Life.</div>
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Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-2681807554321799882013-06-19T08:20:00.000-07:002013-06-19T09:07:10.185-07:00Utilities and system protection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Protective
relaying work directly impacts system reliability. In fact, you could say that it's the insurance policy for
protecting the assets of a utility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
why it’s vitally important that the consultant a utilities hires possesses the necessary expertise
and judgment to make the right call, and can easily adopt the preferred
standards and protection practices used at that utility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protective
relaying is not something learned in a standard electrical engineering curriculum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes years of practice to become
competent. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #439639; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Expertise<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Charles
Mason aptly described protective relaying as both an art and science. That’s
because there is not a singular, scientifically-proven “best approach” to
setting relays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, there occasionally
are circumstances in which perfect coordination and protection simply cannot be
achieved and the engineer is required to make a judgment call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (Fortunately for our clients, C</span>ommonwealth's roots in the industry date back to
1888 and we have engineers with over 40 years in the business, so we bring a wealth of knowledge
to client projects and have a proven track record of making the right call.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #439639; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Insight<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Modern
digital relays are complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each client
will have unique features used, philosophy, settings criteria, and relay set
up. This “tribal knowledge,” developed over the years, may not even be
known to all internal engineers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are helping clients to capture and document
this knowledge, and providing a more rigorous, standardized format for
presenting study results. We also help translate this knowledge into standards that enable consistent relay setting by utility
employees or consultants.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #439639; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Software<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">There
are two major protection software programs in the electric utility transmission
system arena – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">CAPE </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ASPEN OneLiner<sup>TM</sup></i>. With
nearly a 2-to-1 utility market share, ASPEN is considered quite user-friendly.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>CAPE is more robust in modeling
capability and running system simulations, but requires a steep learning curve
and is more difficult to learn compared with ASPEN. Commonwealth is one of a very few consultants highly experienced with
both. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Here are the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #f89828;">Top 10</span></b> reasons to connect with Commonwealth
for system protection services:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We
can be a seamless extension of your staff, following your utility’s philosophy
and settings criteria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">You
get the benefit of our extensive experience with CAPE & ASPEN.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">You
can trust us to review your settings or utility practices for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NERC compliance.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We
can perform your system wide upgrades, including <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">design work</b>, updating protection standards, and relay <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">studies and analysis</b> to provide the
relay settings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">You
can address the increasingly important <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">arc
flash</b> issues by using the automated process we developed in CAPE to
efficiently perform calculations in the utility environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">You
can tap into our experience with analyzing event files from digital relays for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">troubleshooting or independent review</b> of
relay settings to diagnose misoperations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We
can provide <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">databases and data
management</b> to build combined short circuit models using data from both CAPE
and ASPEN users.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We
have extensive field experience with commissioning and testing of new relaying
systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We
can provide protection studies, coordination, arc flash, and troubleshooting
for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">power plant electrical systems</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We
can help you with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">overflow </b>work or
get you through a period of new staff development.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">-----</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-86850973017866955782013-06-14T07:18:00.000-07:002013-06-14T07:48:11.821-07:00Commonwealth New Board Members Announced<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">June 13,
2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Contact: Kelly
Engler (517) 768-7137</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Commonwealth
Welcomes New Board Members<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">JACKSON, MI - Commonwealth is pleased to announce that <strong>Samuel R. Barnes, P.E. </strong>and <strong>Robert J. Millies, P.E. </strong>have been newly elected to the company's Board of Directors.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Samuel R. Barnes, P.E.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">With
over 22 years in the industry, Barnes is Vice President of Power Generation and
Energy at Commonwealth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He currently
serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Jackson College, as JC’s
Representative on the Board of Directors for The Dahlem Conservancy, and as President
of the Jackson Cascades Lions Club.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Robert J. Millies, P.E.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span> <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Millies,
a civil engineer, is a Section Manager in Commonwealth’s Transmission and
Distribution Line Engineering Department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has been with Commonwealth for over 15 years and in the industry for
over 20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Millies serves as Secretary for
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Transmission Line
Construction Working Group.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Commonwealth
is proud to recently have been ranked 9th in the nation among the 2013 Top 40 Engineering
Design Firms by EC&M Magazine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We provide
solutions for utilities, municipalities, industrial clients, and world-class
educational and healthcare institutions. This year the corporation celebrates its 25th Anniversary as an employee-owned company. Headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, the company has offices in Mount Vernon, Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; Columbus, Ohio; and Roanoke, Virginia.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Commonwealth Associates, Inc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I PO Box 1124, Jackson, MI 49204 I
517-788-3000 I www.cai-engr.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">For
more information, please visit: </span><a href="http://www.cai-engr.com/"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.cai-engr.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">On
Facebook at: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/commonwealthassociates"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.facebook.com/commonwealthassociates</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">On
Twitter at: </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/caiengr_dot_com"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.twitter.com/caiengr_dot_com</span></a></div>
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Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-54543594275058202902013-05-31T14:03:00.000-07:002013-05-31T14:07:55.436-07:00Top Design Firm Rankings AnnouncedLast month, we learned that we had again made <em>Engineering News-Record's </em>Top 500 Design Firm list, so the question became how could we possibly repeat such excitement this month? <br />
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By making the <a href="http://ecmweb.com/design/2013-top-40-electrical-design-firms" target="_blank">2013 Top 40 Design Firm list</a> put out by <em>EC&M Magazine</em>, of course! This year, we come in at 9th in the nation...not too shabby!<br />
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Of course, this would not be possible without the loyal support of our clients, and the absolute passion for, and commitment to, technical excellence in engineering by our dedicated staff of employee-owners. To them all we say a very big, very heartfelt THANK YOU!Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-38767831977864588902013-04-26T14:27:00.001-07:002013-04-26T14:30:10.037-07:00New rankings out today!<br />
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Most days around here are really good (although we almost unanimously agree that real "Spring" can arrive any time now), but you know it's going to be a particularly exceptional day when you see your name up 39 spots in the Top 500 Design Firm List put out by McGraw Hill's <em>Engineering News-Record. </em><br />
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We think the formula's really pretty simple...combine technical excellence with world-class client service, all for a fair price. <br />
<br />
To see the complete list: <a href="http://enr.construction.com/toplists/Top-Design-Firms/001-100.asp">http://enr.construction.com/toplists/Top-Design-Firms/001-100.asp</a><br />
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-----Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-73759522931374810512013-02-14T07:17:00.000-08:002013-02-14T07:21:22.673-08:00Valentine SparksToday is <span style="color: red;">Valentine's Day </span><span style="color: black;">-- </span>a day to celebrate all of the powerful and heart-warming forms of love displayed on this planet by mankind. A cute article on the various celebrations around the globe can be found <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/02/valentines-day-around-the-world/100009/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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Today, paper hearts with beginner's penmanship touch the hearts of mothers and fathers the world over,<br />
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men (and women) with sweaty palms make promises of forever with that certain someone they can't imagine life without, <br />
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and life-long couples reflect back upon the deep abiding friendship that kept the romance alive during years of sacrifice and struggle...couples like <a href="http://www.timescall.com/milestones/longmont-anniversaries/ci_22356839/abiding-deep-friendship-is-backbone-longmont-couples-marriage" target="_blank">this one</a>.<br />
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We demonstrate our affection in a myriad of ways, from handmade cards to chocolates and flowers, <strong>but sometimes"sparks" on Valentine's Day are not always a good thing and the gifts we give can actually cause harm.</strong> Learn more here: <a href="http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/02/12/video-metallic-balloons-popular-but-they-pose-a-valentine%E2%80%99s-day-hazard/">http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/02/12/video-metallic-balloons-popular-but-they-pose-a-valentine%E2%80%99s-day-hazard/</a><br />
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-----Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-871035936612454622013-02-13T07:25:00.000-08:002013-02-14T07:22:03.457-08:00Getting the green light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susquehanna-Roseland line</td></tr>
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Just this week, a project in which we are involved was in the news as having received court approval to proceed: <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_court_OKs_transmission_line_upgrades_in_the_Highlands.html?c=y&page=1">http://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_court_OKs_transmission_line_upgrades_in_the_Highlands.html?c=y&page=1</a>. <br />
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This project involves designing a new 45-mile double-circuit 230 kV/500 kV steel pole transmission line to replace an existing 230 kV transmission line on a narrow 150-foot-wide right-of-way. A portion of the line has to remain energized during construction to keep a substation fed from two sources. The remaining line will be constructed in a way that will allow the re-energization of the line in a 14-hour turn-around time frame.</div>
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Commonwealth has provided an electrical effects analysis; assistance with permitting; and design that entails traversing the Delaware Water Gap area, crossing existing transmission lines, and interconnecting to a new 500 kV switching station. Commonwealth also was involved with the alternative route analysis and the preferred route evaluation. A feasibility report and cost estimates were prepared initially for the preferred route, and then the design began. Commonwealth also assisted in the permitting documentation phase.</div>
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The final deliverables will be a construction package for the entire line and support by Commonwealth during construction. The structures are double-circuit tubular steel poles, sometimes mini-legged design, and double-circuit lattice towers. The 500 kV circuit consists of four-bundle 1590 kcmil “Falcon” ACSR. The heights of the structure were required to be less than 200 feet. This project began in 2008 and is ongoing.</div>
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We are pleased to be a part of the work taking place to help the client meet reliability standards while being good environmental stewards. <br />
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Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-69241497191276518102013-01-23T10:41:00.002-08:002013-01-23T10:48:54.570-08:00DeCosta named 2012 Outstanding Engineer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>DeCosta to
Receive Southeast Michigan </strong></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>IEEE Power and Energy Society Award<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<v:rect alt="Craig Tapley" id="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 138.85pt; margin-left: 360.05pt; margin-top: 0.35pt; position: absolute; width: 110.5pt; z-index: -2;" wrapcoords="-112 -80 -112 21520 21712 21520 21712 -80 -112 -80"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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</w:wrap></v:fill></span></v:rect><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Commonwealth is delighted to announce that President <strong>Dennis F. DeCosta, P.E.</strong>, will receive the 2012
Outstanding Engineer Award from the Southeastern Michigan chapter of the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Power and Energy Society
(IEEE-PES).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The award will be presented
on January 28, 2013 in Southfield, Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">DeCosta
has a long history of involvement in establishing new standards for the
industry, including chairing a Substation Committee Working Group and authoring
articles in industry publications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>DeCosta was among the founders of Commonwealth when it began in
1988.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He assumed the role of President
in 2001.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under his leadership, the
company has grown to 260 employees in six states: California, Georgia,
Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I enjoy what I do and sharing that passion with others,” said DeCosta,
“I thank the chapter for their industry leadership and for this honor."</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We are proud of Dennis' accomplishments and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">For more information ab</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">out
the award, please visit: <a href="http://ieee-pes.org/chapters/resources/awards/power-and-energy-society-awards/outstanding-engineer-award"><span style="color: blue;">http://ieee-pes.org/chapters/resources/awards/power-and-energy-society-awards/outstanding-engineer-award</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"># # #<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-58774653334353264352012-12-31T10:20:00.000-08:002012-12-31T10:47:31.162-08:00A very special year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK11sg857ihMCsjCCx_AOY-NN-5L3-rP-0JFILFNe0nmPsuUCOseEYzuNSNf2Pg95I-R_Gn5DqyRrwvkTtR_xpzaim0fZygIqowLvN1QnyVGyS2V2nIo22GpFECMSGZe3u272532Q1WnE/s1600/2012_new_years_eve-wallpaper-2560x1600ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK11sg857ihMCsjCCx_AOY-NN-5L3-rP-0JFILFNe0nmPsuUCOseEYzuNSNf2Pg95I-R_Gn5DqyRrwvkTtR_xpzaim0fZygIqowLvN1QnyVGyS2V2nIo22GpFECMSGZe3u272532Q1WnE/s320/2012_new_years_eve-wallpaper-2560x1600ed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
When the ball drops as tonight turns into January 1, revelers the world over will be celebrating the successes of 2012 and the opportunities that lie ahead in the New Year. Commonwealth will have an extra special reason to celebrate -- 2013 marks our <strong>25th Anniversary</strong> of being employee-owned.<br />
<br />
Beginning in January, and running through mid-July, we'll be kicking off the festivities with fun monthly activities for employees at each of our locations. On July 26th, we'll be hosting a party and hearing from dynamic speaker <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/GarrisonWynn" target="_blank">Garrison Wynn</a> at Jackson Community College's <a href="http://www.experiencejackson.com/business/310" target="_blank">Potter Center</a>, in the newly-renovated Robert Snyder Dining Hall. A legacy gift will be presented honoring all founding shareholders and original employees. The celebration will conclude on July 27th with a casual employee family picnic on the grounds of our headquarters in <a href="http://www.cai-engr.com/aboutus/locations/jackson.php" target="_blank">Jackson, Michigan</a>. We couldn't be more excited! We hope you will take a few minutes now and again to visit our pages -- on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, and here -- to watch as this exciting year unfolds.<br />
<br />
Whether 2012 year was your best year ever, saw some struggles, or landed somewhere in between, we now close the book on another chapter and, with gratitude and optimism, wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!<br />
<br />
-----Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-47026563982626402052012-12-03T10:19:00.000-08:002012-12-03T10:23:36.729-08:00Wishing You Joy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVv77U6Dy2MOiTr91c8WBmjqK52SztkzL2L5mXBMeLuXs4BpDgxnsWluEpk6hdXmQ8HDXPU7K4JsJ2ReT9ZUnURDlZ0j3hfKR5iy7AZpufmyukeWlbIr9hRuGlrQS-0G2x2C0jhNG4bs/s1600/Christmas+Card+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVv77U6Dy2MOiTr91c8WBmjqK52SztkzL2L5mXBMeLuXs4BpDgxnsWluEpk6hdXmQ8HDXPU7K4JsJ2ReT9ZUnURDlZ0j3hfKR5iy7AZpufmyukeWlbIr9hRuGlrQS-0G2x2C0jhNG4bs/s640/Christmas+Card+2.jpg" width="363" /></a></div>
<br />Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-65414231096077538142012-11-19T10:23:00.000-08:002012-11-19T10:30:13.683-08:00Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPO-CbsVo01GE-wRxs2DJas14Eg0ZG6NO22tqOTh9CRvEFTdKtTEdgC1jZhdAl_cu41qX050vgzYog5iNM_wQbvNFPb9p1GYUVa_aqeQWGk2X4ACOceoM0dNhxV6ug52mmYyTYuN4rrk/s1600/Thankful9-1-of-1-e1321853331650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPO-CbsVo01GE-wRxs2DJas14Eg0ZG6NO22tqOTh9CRvEFTdKtTEdgC1jZhdAl_cu41qX050vgzYog5iNM_wQbvNFPb9p1GYUVa_aqeQWGk2X4ACOceoM0dNhxV6ug52mmYyTYuN4rrk/s320/Thankful9-1-of-1-e1321853331650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This Thanksgiving, we here at Commonwealth have a lot for which to be thankful... <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We have the privilege of providing services for some truly outstanding companies with whom we enjoy working. Our clients are our raison d'être.</li>
<li>We get to work on some very interesting and important projects that power people's lives. </li>
<li>We are an employee-owned company and tight-knit team who like our work and each other.</li>
<li>We have the opportunity to make a difference with wonderful holiday programs like Operation Good Cheer, Toys for Tots, Cascades Humane Society Winter Drive, Angel Tree Giving, and more.</li>
</ul>
<br />
And now there's one more reason...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP9Et_YqUitI7O5ajGQVPkvMwl5mT42YA-GZbzgJAM33wxqfYxgyLnpKJmo9uolqhAaRoCe_dMxtp_UfbE6vDGJor99SBDUlf9Hsi6Z879_l9gv7waAsjuMaWDs9v0pfyL7nExwUhdIE/s1600/Top+Workplace+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP9Et_YqUitI7O5ajGQVPkvMwl5mT42YA-GZbzgJAM33wxqfYxgyLnpKJmo9uolqhAaRoCe_dMxtp_UfbE6vDGJor99SBDUlf9Hsi6Z879_l9gv7waAsjuMaWDs9v0pfyL7nExwUhdIE/s320/Top+Workplace+graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.topworkplaces.com/frontend.php/regional-list/company/freep/commonwealth-associates">http://www.topworkplaces.com/frontend.php/regional-list/company/freep/commonwealth-associates</a><br />
<br />
We're proud to be named a <strong>2012 Top Workplace</strong>! Congratulations to all the terrific companies on the list and the incredible people behind them.<br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-26289036996884109092012-11-05T11:02:00.002-08:002012-11-05T11:24:49.888-08:00An Event to Remember....Sure, we're a <strong>Top 30 Design Firm</strong> and we work hard to get there. That said, we also have a fun side. As you may have read in last month's post, October was our "Fall Fun Month." It was chock full of activities designed to bring employees together for a time of fun, fellowship, and good food. Our talented team works hard to bring world-class solutions to our clients' toughest challenges, and a bit of levity helps to maintain the balance that keeps us at our very best. We are committed to being an <strong>Employer of Choice</strong> and this is just <em>one</em> way that we work at it every day. <br />
<br />
Here's the story in pictures:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; height: 381px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 317px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MVXx99ZCynYv4Ol7qr0nSpLW_6Ga0hQpqhYXa0AWq2ktKioOdoICpgWEoFvweLHbKN6TFkCrXdpzKRhA2UQkAh2QbnUDyoAaIFTCGenFHCSGkSdYffFTynN_WQYW0DH81o1hLZv-Ikk/s1600/oktoberfest+keg+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MVXx99ZCynYv4Ol7qr0nSpLW_6Ga0hQpqhYXa0AWq2ktKioOdoICpgWEoFvweLHbKN6TFkCrXdpzKRhA2UQkAh2QbnUDyoAaIFTCGenFHCSGkSdYffFTynN_WQYW0DH81o1hLZv-Ikk/s320/oktoberfest+keg+h.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Oktoberfest</strong> was a blast with festive music, freshly-grilled brats, homemade potato salad, soft pretzels with <br />
choice of toppings, and a keg of ice-cold root beer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNSNJ8PfM1rElv0R3iRKHsRxfpg09kpdgQMfgJFDxB7N2wmZuMr78YCW_oIN-GTty1GQYZBWxbWVYtdtZRuV6LJaQh4TG6rpNb640NWeZhFX_La0LHkQkq6FMJSZn8yqHpEeusKNB2KU/s1600/golden+potato+award+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNSNJ8PfM1rElv0R3iRKHsRxfpg09kpdgQMfgJFDxB7N2wmZuMr78YCW_oIN-GTty1GQYZBWxbWVYtdtZRuV6LJaQh4TG6rpNb640NWeZhFX_La0LHkQkq6FMJSZn8yqHpEeusKNB2KU/s320/golden+potato+award+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Data Management's Diane Wilkie, won first place <br />
in the Oktoberfest homemade potato salad contest,<br />
securing the coveted "Golden Potato Award."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvH3z5zokJMI_tNvuQNOfTbGjlaRpCUMw7Q_VJxfIiEWLHN5JYHmQI74AaDOqZnEYt3KQt8FeN2NjmG_4qBfxU9xoFSh4EhMKJuqctr6WU5qs8IY5d8ZAcsvs1Sg7KXY1Aynn9HAhHmM/s1600/pumpkin+entries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvH3z5zokJMI_tNvuQNOfTbGjlaRpCUMw7Q_VJxfIiEWLHN5JYHmQI74AaDOqZnEYt3KQt8FeN2NjmG_4qBfxU9xoFSh4EhMKJuqctr6WU5qs8IY5d8ZAcsvs1Sg7KXY1Aynn9HAhHmM/s320/pumpkin+entries.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entries arrive in advance of lunchtime voting in<br />
our <strong>2012 Pumpkin Decorating/Carving Contest</strong>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTJYe07Yzb1bfpm4hzrUNXpyal0-zkRlok4xAB-cYh3ZCL2cd6KdWmCOwGPW6G1JcJ0SUeUfAsuigLYKz4rmJkN2oG0JSI5Cm558zwWZ1oYvhUUJHa-tLFeRI9BRRp2RctvX4qaBsEVM/s1600/pies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTJYe07Yzb1bfpm4hzrUNXpyal0-zkRlok4xAB-cYh3ZCL2cd6KdWmCOwGPW6G1JcJ0SUeUfAsuigLYKz4rmJkN2oG0JSI5Cm558zwWZ1oYvhUUJHa-tLFeRI9BRRp2RctvX4qaBsEVM/s320/pies.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No pumpkin decorating contest would be complete <br />
without yummy pie with which to feed our employee-judges.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w2sm3FvLNpxJjZ9YxyM36jcAFCMI_p-y98YvZkfVE2CMnPyZL0K2C_S1RNBwiRQiikrV_UR8xuMm9iffQ5MmQ3UxPZsowOnZpojFh4NtLbLD2z4_f7U36Pll5TKr7Mw5Gy7K4zgZBzM/s1600/hallway+faces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w2sm3FvLNpxJjZ9YxyM36jcAFCMI_p-y98YvZkfVE2CMnPyZL0K2C_S1RNBwiRQiikrV_UR8xuMm9iffQ5MmQ3UxPZsowOnZpojFh4NtLbLD2z4_f7U36Pll5TKr7Mw5Gy7K4zgZBzM/s320/hallway+faces.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Employees were invited to participate and vote in a <strong>Halloween </strong><br />
<strong>Hallway & Office/Cube Decorating Contest</strong>. Team Lower Level <br />
welcomed visitors downstairs with fun pictures of team members.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBHdCU7zE_C1p-wNozjh8eP3znsTjcKNhRZSK1pqs71Evp5pNDbEiJtTRA7MTQOvCF8u_IoZWrHMdAeS-R-4gi676y0bf3Tt8mOSkNsHXERkysrezyGXSCl8v9tI8MV5VFqV8LXypTSU/s1600/haunted+forest+ghosts+d31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBHdCU7zE_C1p-wNozjh8eP3znsTjcKNhRZSK1pqs71Evp5pNDbEiJtTRA7MTQOvCF8u_IoZWrHMdAeS-R-4gi676y0bf3Tt8mOSkNsHXERkysrezyGXSCl8v9tI8MV5VFqV8LXypTSU/s320/haunted+forest+ghosts+d31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having previously inhabited the lower level before relocation <br />
to the East Building, the Electrical Systems Department's <br />
presence could still be felt in the Haunted Forest.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODdI40Lqeeb4p-fuVIwHK03lBQ7J_jjtzjzBnX0U_2iZuYc297nJE0pvZzgcK7rSVonebuQUTKel54slItLXcCU_BgZTRVEiexFatzeOtv-qTA88kbnBRD_Sw0_3znM3sSdvRO20zsS8/s1600/haunted+hallway+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODdI40Lqeeb4p-fuVIwHK03lBQ7J_jjtzjzBnX0U_2iZuYc297nJE0pvZzgcK7rSVonebuQUTKel54slItLXcCU_BgZTRVEiexFatzeOtv-qTA88kbnBRD_Sw0_3znM3sSdvRO20zsS8/s320/haunted+hallway+cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If visitors survived the other creatures in the Haunted Forest,<br />
this fierce animatronic feline was just waiting to pounce on his next meal.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuVz1PKcCWmXYymoySy_Mx7-8g7fbiAvu8Sdcm7z_OSgwp-igpaAWcOudFpzDdxi8dfFizm_2hnib7jdOEzH1kKHqVo6JBzzRWr9Mu_twKEJtJ7tTof1C0QDChO7S5QRxzKEyOlSjBw8/s1600/haunted+hallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuVz1PKcCWmXYymoySy_Mx7-8g7fbiAvu8Sdcm7z_OSgwp-igpaAWcOudFpzDdxi8dfFizm_2hnib7jdOEzH1kKHqVo6JBzzRWr9Mu_twKEJtJ7tTof1C0QDChO7S5QRxzKEyOlSjBw8/s320/haunted+hallway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The East Building's Haunted Hallway completely transformed <br />
this Substation cube farm into a spooktacularly fun place for <br />
employees and kids alike with a haunted hay ride and treats.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sffHvSzriPuEGdI8wkimFF9Rovdd1rwXwQXlK2hsKSTZ9eiMcMOwvfPWBClLllyoh8qtX4K8wxND2Nj5nKAfJ1sifCOzcX_b6TRZKaCrxpDz6UZskDpJ1dVHbYdGUEbQTYGK8Wd9JGM/s1600/gorilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sffHvSzriPuEGdI8wkimFF9Rovdd1rwXwQXlK2hsKSTZ9eiMcMOwvfPWBClLllyoh8qtX4K8wxND2Nj5nKAfJ1sifCOzcX_b6TRZKaCrxpDz6UZskDpJ1dVHbYdGUEbQTYGK8Wd9JGM/s320/gorilla.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, the whole experience would not be complete without <br />
a good old fashioned scare from Substation's Pat Keene.<br />
</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfURU2k1yJv3kvc_SUH9-njwLGVNLRJRhOUWFuKzHOi_EfDcQjEa4i8buAXPiRXcTfFQ0hfB4Fd4B2pFQ-btL5D1sOm3zefnGNl6sMEzB5V0dRXcA7XyaQ91QGkEOoZo8GP50ZKlN6ZE/s1600/haunted+forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfURU2k1yJv3kvc_SUH9-njwLGVNLRJRhOUWFuKzHOi_EfDcQjEa4i8buAXPiRXcTfFQ0hfB4Fd4B2pFQ-btL5D1sOm3zefnGNl6sMEzB5V0dRXcA7XyaQ91QGkEOoZo8GP50ZKlN6ZE/s320/haunted+forest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visitors to the Haunted Forest for the<strong> annual Marketing Department </strong><br />
<strong>Halloween Party</strong> enjoyed delicious and nutrious treats.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="height: 231px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 389px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jf_T8eSmeOBBl33rVQ8olfySSek17l6UbPsCEW8f1RnfFTE8ewiweWXM1d0U0LeBk8VQZovm-67HuQhi-58ULgohyKlXrlGQ7RsdkzjwCt1aLWD_kq3eA6VV6TzsSz6zWkb33vdnIBw/s1600/halloween+party+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jf_T8eSmeOBBl33rVQ8olfySSek17l6UbPsCEW8f1RnfFTE8ewiweWXM1d0U0LeBk8VQZovm-67HuQhi-58ULgohyKlXrlGQ7RsdkzjwCt1aLWD_kq3eA6VV6TzsSz6zWkb33vdnIBw/s320/halloween+party+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folks lined up waiting for the party to start and the food to flow.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzRGpENJRn0tU8RTzOW4mu2aQKy9xmPKJ6YgPu8QgRrZOtX71CyTQinvUHRthQmEnWy0bUVT4aF1cmqZgj-ga7UXUjnLPZnboEi01WRxaZcKN6N75aMJ7ZXUAM1IQdh2B-9_DS86x36g/s1600/halloween+party+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzRGpENJRn0tU8RTzOW4mu2aQKy9xmPKJ6YgPu8QgRrZOtX71CyTQinvUHRthQmEnWy0bUVT4aF1cmqZgj-ga7UXUjnLPZnboEi01WRxaZcKN6N75aMJ7ZXUAM1IQdh2B-9_DS86x36g/s320/halloween+party+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knows who one might meet in the Haunted Forest?<br />
Substation's Bob Uddin made it out just in the nick of time.<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAq3xjv5_fAUx0k5kDq9c2FOAfIqYRozN8E4Pc1XlR7T2M3hf1rkiHu7trlT_yfJUYavM14fmoh02TYY1k0ZyXHAEX7yqDmnxYoHWaJY3sQuJRLG5NV5ezIFue2ogYOOwV4QtD-dBuhk/s1600/dead+witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAq3xjv5_fAUx0k5kDq9c2FOAfIqYRozN8E4Pc1XlR7T2M3hf1rkiHu7trlT_yfJUYavM14fmoh02TYY1k0ZyXHAEX7yqDmnxYoHWaJY3sQuJRLG5NV5ezIFue2ogYOOwV4QtD-dBuhk/s320/dead+witch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone wasn't so fortunate. She apparently flew straight<br />
into Purchasing's wall. This is a shot of the fresh crime scene.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This week, Linda Gray (VP of Business Development) and Rich Collins (VP of Transmission & Distribution) are in Columbus, Ohio, for the <strong>Electrical Transmission and Substation Structures Conference</strong>. Attendees are invited to stop by Booth 3 to register to win a hot new Kindle Fire!<br />
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Tomorrow is <strong>Election Day</strong> in the United States and lots of important races and proposals will be decided around the country. No matter how you vote, it is important that you participate in this great facet of our republic democracy. </div>
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Sunday, November 11th is <strong>Veterans Day</strong>. This very special day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. We owe them a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay. </div>
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Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-47311328317729688772012-10-01T13:46:00.001-07:002012-10-01T13:46:27.021-07:00Summer May Be Over, But Fall's Heating UpHope that you've had a fantastic final summer hurrah, gotten in your golfing/fishing/gardening/traveling/what-have-you, and that you're ready for a busy fall full of projects that need to happen before year-end and school activities that ensure no week is ever boring.<br />
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Commonwealth wrapped up a very busy summer and welcomed fall with numerous college recruitment fairs, dynamic industry conferences, and our successful, semi-annual Rockin' Roadside Clean-up - Fall Edition! (Pictures below.)<br />
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October is looking pretty exciting, too...<br />
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On the 3rd, we'll be holding an <strong>Alumni Day</strong> and wearing our school colors to show our spirit. On the 10th, we'll be hosting Commonwealth's own <strong>"Oktoberfest"</strong> fall brat cookout and Potato Salad Contest, where the winner will receive "The Golden Potato" award and a small prize. On October 17th, employees will have the opportunity of competing in lunchtime <strong>Minute-to-Win-It-style games</strong>. During the week of the 22nd through the 26th, teams will be decorating their respective hallways and office spaces and enjoying the <strong>Pumpking Carving/Painting Contest</strong> which will take place on the 24th, while we eat pie and cast our votes. Finally, we'll celebrate Halloween with Marketing & Business Development's annual <strong>Halloween Party</strong> where we'll announce the decorating contest winners. <br />
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Stay tuned to see funny pictures, hear true stories, and learn more about Commonwealth and why we think it's such a great place to work.<br />
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And now for some pictures of this weekend's Rockin' good time...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuown6wp_SgbqtdKjtptgNb8rg6ydKbYGX3TuFV5-BO908MWv6NYlO-CuGQjkq8yWoWcdjCYkGCkxTSHDnvnzfNyzXrDGZktjbGcYooBhsZi0Krin5XiVUelKjA71-HRVQS-tSUorWsU/s1600/Rockin+Roadside+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuown6wp_SgbqtdKjtptgNb8rg6ydKbYGX3TuFV5-BO908MWv6NYlO-CuGQjkq8yWoWcdjCYkGCkxTSHDnvnzfNyzXrDGZktjbGcYooBhsZi0Krin5XiVUelKjA71-HRVQS-tSUorWsU/s320/Rockin+Roadside+Banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql2tliIahlz0IvrvJ-Zpu6SftnMskIoqFkxMiNCqhDpEzGayq46gRf8Ce8QtgMF6K-a5YzBk-l_aT3Cj_vEeU67h3ytkMpSnUapoJT9RpemqJjyKa8AwFNNGbrDdIXFYsTmksmUNEB1o/s1600/JRod+with+K1053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql2tliIahlz0IvrvJ-Zpu6SftnMskIoqFkxMiNCqhDpEzGayq46gRf8Ce8QtgMF6K-a5YzBk-l_aT3Cj_vEeU67h3ytkMpSnUapoJT9RpemqJjyKa8AwFNNGbrDdIXFYsTmksmUNEB1o/s320/JRod+with+K1053.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J-Rod from K-105.3 FM, Jackson's Hit Music Station</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL3GDaMVJLQNv1XKs1sCHOl1dwlmAnuHX13-zScGO6X2RJL4TK6Ty7AR07QVGSXY8H3EHGPdKC_igyIFSXLE15sBwWSqxgtQHqLyGNUBpW_UVUNcMzisypqoNAXYX8d6LDoL0r-TclsA/s1600/Registration+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL3GDaMVJLQNv1XKs1sCHOl1dwlmAnuHX13-zScGO6X2RJL4TK6Ty7AR07QVGSXY8H3EHGPdKC_igyIFSXLE15sBwWSqxgtQHqLyGNUBpW_UVUNcMzisypqoNAXYX8d6LDoL0r-TclsA/s320/Registration+table.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers at the registration table</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv50EyRSw24CtIE6R_Hqgz8XRQlAQxxAWVJ-Mvr-NL9eyCn7FUYzjSvp9_cgr2WOtFK2KoleznMX1iacCZOQWawIo4ibT2Zi0aC9albjDJzBMET0EMCPSsQ0sLPTRYenHjYBlIVT9uNgA/s1600/Safety+talk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv50EyRSw24CtIE6R_Hqgz8XRQlAQxxAWVJ-Mvr-NL9eyCn7FUYzjSvp9_cgr2WOtFK2KoleznMX1iacCZOQWawIo4ibT2Zi0aC9albjDJzBMET0EMCPSsQ0sLPTRYenHjYBlIVT9uNgA/s320/Safety+talk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The safety talk</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3b6S3Ryg1kJc6BwwvLHMJ70qhP2c7GgiK1gKR1ghEsTgHJkb30LVHaNJZnmcTOoFgtYbWxsznAj-yWogfnCghe81dHBNKHXG_37YTzRQX4wQ3mXT91fwaMgx5fTs5sXOXM-yJXsPbjg/s1600/County+Cafe+Lunch+for+volunteers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3b6S3Ryg1kJc6BwwvLHMJ70qhP2c7GgiK1gKR1ghEsTgHJkb30LVHaNJZnmcTOoFgtYbWxsznAj-yWogfnCghe81dHBNKHXG_37YTzRQX4wQ3mXT91fwaMgx5fTs5sXOXM-yJXsPbjg/s320/County+Cafe+Lunch+for+volunteers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers worked up an appetite for lunch by Country Cafe</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHuJTn3T2qOjA0Zy6AarnvesOcUtDutg1itXIEmNu4EytAaXdiJEE9qr1ISpTaP5ZvoukiFR1NpbapRIuExBfAo1HlTJ5AaMQzqVoNYzxP7dtTzHuaZC6vEjyFdsN8jgHs2zJmUHC4Gc/s1600/Students+Noah+and+Ryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHuJTn3T2qOjA0Zy6AarnvesOcUtDutg1itXIEmNu4EytAaXdiJEE9qr1ISpTaP5ZvoukiFR1NpbapRIuExBfAo1HlTJ5AaMQzqVoNYzxP7dtTzHuaZC6vEjyFdsN8jgHs2zJmUHC4Gc/s320/Students+Noah+and+Ryan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was great to have students with us from area schools.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXuF_25zlIx2Hn3eA4ktbyLS5lX-mpeCAK3sDV2-PbMXaAJXif_5YSfpRfTNQAK2YMycVLx3jNCpjR8MkhlzfUgyK9-SSSFlgW-Wuxk6m1qz3UsrnjME9HLSGul7e8Dx-uR8VOwQHHk0/s1600/Natl+Tech+Honor+Society+volunteers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXuF_25zlIx2Hn3eA4ktbyLS5lX-mpeCAK3sDV2-PbMXaAJXif_5YSfpRfTNQAK2YMycVLx3jNCpjR8MkhlzfUgyK9-SSSFlgW-Wuxk6m1qz3UsrnjME9HLSGul7e8Dx-uR8VOwQHHk0/s320/Natl+Tech+Honor+Society+volunteers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These teens are members of the National Technical Honor Society.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAg7_RJ-WZr4UtXvaDQsmSE_-UF1LVY35E4zMjG6PT7okC4Miw0elQNqKUl9O8lBSlvgUslYDLuq7rmD8lgey30H_wOqkwdMo_cTsOy9k2b90OP53QlXUxJp-pS2xfxi9gz2UWiTXRxdw/s1600/Volunteer+by+hot+tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAg7_RJ-WZr4UtXvaDQsmSE_-UF1LVY35E4zMjG6PT7okC4Miw0elQNqKUl9O8lBSlvgUslYDLuq7rmD8lgey30H_wOqkwdMo_cTsOy9k2b90OP53QlXUxJp-pS2xfxi9gz2UWiTXRxdw/s320/Volunteer+by+hot+tub.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three lucky individuals qualified to be entered to win K-105's hot tub giveaway!</td></tr>
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Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-46140953539666220052012-08-28T10:51:00.000-07:002012-08-28T11:34:12.680-07:00The World According to GARP<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of us let's call it seasoned enough to have been watching films when <em>The World According to Garp </em>came out back in 1982, the post title might have conjured up an image of Robin Williams, as seen below.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3585d8NEhOnbTW2TVVSzp4ZomPWKSFm6Okjvj_xWFwP0PRT0M3vfaQCnvyMfPH5pD9czEPkBQbT2w4NhXCDnIwRRRwM2rv2S4xsFeLegO-GGiind-FQ6I_jYEujZjUvIs_L8CI7OZtc/s1600/GARP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3585d8NEhOnbTW2TVVSzp4ZomPWKSFm6Okjvj_xWFwP0PRT0M3vfaQCnvyMfPH5pD9czEPkBQbT2w4NhXCDnIwRRRwM2rv2S4xsFeLegO-GGiind-FQ6I_jYEujZjUvIs_L8CI7OZtc/s320/GARP.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Irving's best-selling novel about, what else? A novelist.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is <u>NOT</u> the Garp to which I'm referring. Instead, today's GARP reference is about best practices when it come to record keeping. That's because <strong>Diane Wilkie</strong>, Commonwealth's Manager of Data Management, is laser-focused on seeing the the world according to GARP in order to provide our clients with the highest quality service.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bJtAWrJgh6yWluPzlcha4r8J87V-V-a1-JSp8q0VjG-mQQRKXtq1lfR83UsbS6EZ28JkV2YVJ8Bz0Ne8xdAIfxn22kQuPq5sWzY1jXo_MMODZvQN8o-E2ZqKra2Spoz0clJoRXb_K94/s1600/DCW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bJtAWrJgh6yWluPzlcha4r8J87V-V-a1-JSp8q0VjG-mQQRKXtq1lfR83UsbS6EZ28JkV2YVJ8Bz0Ne8xdAIfxn22kQuPq5sWzY1jXo_MMODZvQN8o-E2ZqKra2Spoz0clJoRXb_K94/s1600/DCW.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diane Wilkie, ECMP, ERMP</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diane writes:</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a few weeks I’ll be attending the annual ARMA conference
in Chicago, September 23-25. This is THE annual event for records and data managers.
I always look forward to the big glitzy opening, the diverse choices of
educational sessions, and, of course, walking the gauntlet through the expo hall
and trying not to come home with 20 pounds of pens, pads, stress balls, and
assorted other free stuff the vendors are handing out that somehow makes its
way into my conference bag. </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While this conference doesn’t give me much chance to connect
with our clients, it does give me the chance to connect with other records and
data management professionals, share some of my experiences, and learn from
some of theirs. Most importantly, it provides three days in which to completely immerse myself
in learning and gathering information on the latest data management tools, so
that I’m better prepared to provide the best possible service to our clients -- a goal to which I'm deeply committed.</span></em></div>
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</span><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year my focus will be on using <strong>GARP® (Generally
Accepted Record-Keeping Practices)</strong> to build better records retention policies,
project strategies, and social media governance. As we all continue to store
more and more data, organization, retrieval, and, ultimately, destruction,
become more and more difficult to manage. Proper polices and strategies can
help every organization better maintain their data and provide peace of mind to
records and data managers everywhere.</span></em><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can learn more about the services Diane and the Data Management team provide by clicking </span></strong><a href="http://www.cai-engr.com/services/data_management.php" target=""><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HERE</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></strong><br />
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Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-14736390298034507612012-08-27T12:16:00.000-07:002012-08-27T12:17:30.856-07:00E-Waste Day 2012<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mOTPqTa8dxcf_rD6cKSvTqJN-t5azSsZLjGPkKdLsd4_2rLCBkxTDxa6NB6JGhcTp8GhyphenhyphenLgr_vAdD3cvjtTe-I3jOTepYE8hiO7S4fJF8kolPC2os_6k6H7QSxwmQoy1EeHjIIbLN9E/s1600/ewaste+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mOTPqTa8dxcf_rD6cKSvTqJN-t5azSsZLjGPkKdLsd4_2rLCBkxTDxa6NB6JGhcTp8GhyphenhyphenLgr_vAdD3cvjtTe-I3jOTepYE8hiO7S4fJF8kolPC2os_6k6H7QSxwmQoy1EeHjIIbLN9E/s400/ewaste+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers getting ready to pack up another load.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been another successful E-Waste drive for Commonwealth! This past Friday, we </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">delivered over
6 loads and 150 items to <a href="http://recyclingjackson.com/" target="_blank">Recycling Jackson</a>. That's 150 items, including CPUs, monitors, printers, TVs, VCRs, and other items not destined for a landfill somewhere. </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A big THANK YOU goes out to all who participated either by donating or loading and hauling, especially: </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gary Higbee, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tim Weeks, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chuck Walker, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeff Arnett, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joe Lowden, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dan Heider, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brandon Kroth, and </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greg Rupprecht.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Extra kudos go</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> to Gary, Chuck and Dan for providing a truck.
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Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040099458114111086.post-15369647669089644502012-08-14T08:28:00.004-07:002012-08-14T09:39:35.164-07:00Latest HappeningsSo much has been going on around Commonwealth this past month!<br />
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In a nutshell, we've:<br />
<ul>
<li>added staff in multiple <a href="http://www.cai-engr.com/aboutus/locations/" target="_blank">offices</a></li>
<li>started a number of exciting new projects</li>
<li>been speaking at industry <a href="http://www.cai-engr.com/news/upcoming_events.php" target="_blank">conferences</a></li>
<li>begun planning our Silver Celebration, which will take place on July 26 & 27, 2013</li>
<li>organized our upcoming fall <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2012/04/about_50_brave_rain_cold_to_cl.html" target="_blank">Rockin' Roadside Cleanups</a> in our Jackson, MI and Columbus, OH communities</li>
<li>exceeded our Commonwealth Cancer Crushers <a href="http://www.cai-engr.com/aboutus/community.php" target="_blank">Relay for Life</a> goal </li>
<li>harvested our employee veggie garden to raise money for charity </li>
<li>won a softball championship (see team photo below)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWZDpu1Ld-fEimpPK7LzR88Hu3zgkP9vW9oMFteTu2uxUrqsT27NsB8mCvpXFY7empcNkN35NXLg_QQVf0sNwfMi1aDRf-mmdzbTz3E9Ojgd-s8v18WK_4lCbxDGATNJ9mPH5gOkEU1M/s1600/softball+team.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWZDpu1Ld-fEimpPK7LzR88Hu3zgkP9vW9oMFteTu2uxUrqsT27NsB8mCvpXFY7empcNkN35NXLg_QQVf0sNwfMi1aDRf-mmdzbTz3E9Ojgd-s8v18WK_4lCbxDGATNJ9mPH5gOkEU1M/s320/softball+team.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's been a great summer here and we hope it's been equally terrific for <strong><em>you</em></strong>! <br />
<br />-----Commonwealthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840747690275937664noreply@blogger.com0