John J. Peirce Named 2019 Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year
Peirce Honored During 2019 Delaware Valley Engineers Week, February 14-23
Philadelphia, Pa (February 2019) – The Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia announced that John J. Peirce, P.E., D.GE, founder and principal of Peirce Engineering, Inc., has been elected as the 2019 Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year.
This distinguished award recognizes a standout local engineer who emulates the qualities and talents that define professional excellence, civic duty, society leadership, and community stewardship.
Peirce was selected by representatives of local, multi-disciplinary, engineering and technical societies and was recognized during Delaware Valley Engineers Week, February 14-23, 2019, which is part of the national observance of Engineers Week.
“John’s contributions to the community have made a direct impact on the Delaware Valley,” said Bob Wright, co-chair, Delaware Valley Engineers Week Committee. “We admire John’s continued commitment to educating the next generation for our industry and his emphasis on continuing education among professionals. It is encouraging to see how John has engrained his love of engineering into his children. His passion is undeniable, which has been paramount to his progress throughout his career.”
With over 45 years of design-build, Civil, Geo-Structural and Construction Engineering experience, Peirce provides his clients with a wide range of engineering services for their building, highway, bridge and marine projects. His combination of construction and engineering experience has resulted in several thousand safe, successful and economical designs.
Prior to co-founding Peirce Engineering, Peirce held positions with The Conduit & Foundation Corporation and the Schnabel Foundation Company working in heavy and highway construction, excavation support and underpinning, respectively. His diverse experience at both companies inspired Peirce to found his own business, Peirce Engineering, which specializes in construction and geo-structural engineering, and has worked with numerous contractors which do not have their own in-house engineering capabilities.
Peirce Engineering is a family business operated by Peirce, his eldest daughter, son and wife, and boasts a number of notable projects, including the restoration of the Historic Fairmount Waterworks, the Comcast Innovation Tower, New York City’s World Trade Center Ground Zero Access Bridges, underpinning and excavation support for the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, and excavation support for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), which at 72-feet deep is perhaps the deepest building excavation ever in the city.
“At this point in my career, I am thankful to be able to continue to do what I love, every day,” Peirce said. “It’s a surreal feeling to be able to see the culmination of my education, experience and passion on display throughout the city of Philadelphia, although others may not recognize it. I’ve been fortunate to learn from my superiors to establish my own footing in the industry, leading me to become my own boss. And as much as I owe my success to my teachers, peers and mentors, I also have to thank my wife, Beth, for her unwavering support, which allowed me to build Peirce Engineering.”
In response to being elected as the Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year, Peirce said, “It’s exciting, but it’s still hard to believe because my firm is so small. My focus is on such a small niche, and my work literally gets buried. It makes me proud to be recognized by my peers and other professionals in the industry. Their recognition is an honor that I am truly thankful to have received.”
Peirce earned his Bachelor of Science degree in soil mechanics and a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from Drexel University. Within the industry, Peirce has held several membership and board positions, earned honors and served as an advisor for a variety of professional organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Academy of Geo-Professionals, the American Society of Highway Engineers, the Moles, the International Association of Foundation Drilling, the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association, the Pile Driving Contractors Association, the Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Association and the Eng-Tips Round Table. In addition to his extensive involvement, Peirce serves as an Adjunct Professor at Villanova University’s College of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
When not at work, Peirce spends his time sailing his boat, Knot at Work, on the Chesapeake Bay and keeping up with his four children and six grandchildren. He and his wife, Beth, reside in Collegeville, Pa.
About Delaware Valley Engineers Week
A part of National Engineers Week, Delaware Valley Engineers Week has been held since 1953 and honors the approximately 100,000 engineers locally and 1.6 million engineers nationally who work to protect our health and safety, restore and defend the environment, make factories run and contribute to our economic future and more. Engineers Week informs the public on the value of engineers, celebrates engineering marvels, technology and innovation, and works to inspire youth to consider a career in engineering. The Delaware Valley Engineers Week Committee, a committee of the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia, handles the planning, awards, events and other aspects of Delaware Valley Engineers Week.
About the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia
The Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia was formed in 1877 to provide a means for engineers to network and share information. The Club’s vision is to be the unifying club for engineers and related professionals in the Greater Philadelphia Region. It is dedicated to relationship building and networking among technical professionals, communication and collaboration among engineers, raising the awareness of engineering in our society, and the professional development of its members. The Club has been organizing the celebration of Delaware Valley Engineers Week since 2008.
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