Category Archives: Uncategorized

Vilbig & Associates Sponsors 2022 TSPE NE Texas Holiday Party & Dessert Competition

On Thursday, December 8th, 2022, Vilbig & Associates hosted the Northeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) annual holiday party and dessert competition. The event brought together engineers from across the region to celebrate the holiday season and engage in stimulating discussions on ethics and engineering practices.

The party featured a fajita buffet catered by Rustico’s, a local restaurant in Denison, Texas, that provided a variety of savory dishes for attendees to enjoy. The food was a hit among the engineers, and it was the perfect fuel to keep everyone going throughout the evening.

The highlight of the night was the dessert competition. With over 20 entries, the competition was more significant than in previous years, and the engineers were ready to show off their baking skills. After the first round of voting, there was a two-way tie for first place, which led to a second round of voting to determine the ultimate winner.

In the end, Gary Ballard, PE, emerged as the winner of the competition with his mouth-watering amaretto tiramisu. The dessert was a crowd favorite, and everyone enjoyed a slice of the delicious treat.

NE Texas TSPE Treasurer, Brittney Rouse, PE presenting the tropy and prize to Gary Ballard, PE. Congratulations, Gary!

Aside from the delicious food and dessert, the party also featured an ethics discussion that provided engineers in attendance with the required one hour of ethics continuing education credit. The discussion centered around several recent cases from the National Society of Professional Engineers Board of Ethical Review, prompting thought-provoking debates and discussions on the ethical responsibilities of engineers.

Overall, the event was a great success, bringing together engineers from various fields and specialties for a night of networking, fun, and education. The Northeast Texas Chapter of TSPE is already looking forward to next year’s event and hoping to make it even bigger and better.

Vilbig & Associates, PLLC Announces Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

Denison, Texas – Vilbig & Associates, PLLC, was granted Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The state program is a certification program for the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Programs in Texas.

The DBE certification adds another to our existing certifications, which are:

  • North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency – Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification No. WFWB07513N1020.
  • Historically Underutilized Business – State of Texas – HUB Certificate (VID Number): 14541206281000
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) – TxDOT
  • Federal Certified Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) DUNS 117494418

“After a lengthy certification progress and many delays, we are delighted to be recognized as a DBE” said Barbara J. Vilbig, PE, Managing Member. “We hope to expand our current services and continue the Vilbig tradition of building our communities while serving our clients, profession and country since 1886.”

About Vilbig & Associates

Founded in 1983, Vilbig and Associates, PLLC (VA) is a professional services firm specializing in the design and delivery of consulting civil engineering, land planning, construction management and surveying services. We serve our clients in the north Texas area and surrounding states for both the public and private sectors. We are a certified Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) providing services for NAICS 541330, Engineering Services and 541370, Surveying & Mapping. Our Cage Code is 8KH40 and Duns is 117494418. Our corporate office is located in Denison, Grayson County, Texas. Our second office is located in Plano, Collin County, Texas. We are well-positioned to serve clients throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex, the state of Texas and are also licensed civil engineers in Louisiana and Oklahoma.

Grayson County Approves Half Acre Lots. Approval from TCEQ pending

The Grayson County Commissioners Court passed an order on August 8, 2021 to modify the On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) Rules to allow for half-acre lots in certain circumstances. Read the full order here: https://agendasuite.org/iip/grayson/file/getfile/4094

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulates septic permits in the state of Texas. The last sentence of the order states: “This order shall be in full force and effect from and after its date of approval as required by law and upon the approval of the TCEQ”.

Since last year, TCEQ requested some changes to the wording, and another vote was held last month. Read the full amended order here: https://agendasuite.org/iip/grayson/file/getfile/8695.

The county is still waiting on a response from TCEQ.

A recent news article by KTEN reported on the approval. Read more here: https://www.kten.com/story/44494747/smaller-lots-could-bring-more-affordable-housing-to-grayson-county

Open House Celebration – Vilbig & Associates & Denison Chamber of Commerce

March 31, 2022 – Denison, Texas

Vilbig & Associates celebrated 5 years in Denison and 39 years in business with an open house and business after hours.  In conjunction with the Denison Chamber of Commerce we hosted nearly 100 visitors for light bites and drinks during the gathering on Thursday March 31, 2022.

The Sign Gypsies of Texoma decorated the front lawn with congratulatory signage. Local caterer, Knife and Whisk, provided excellent bites and local winery, Hidden Hanger, provided award winning wines. 

At the open house, we announced the opening of our second office location in Plano.

Now Open!

About Vilbig & Associates

Founded in 1983, Vilbig and Associates, PLLC (VA) is a professional services firm specializing in the design and delivery of consulting civil engineering, land planning, construction management and surveying services. We serve our clients in the north Texas area and surrounding states for both the public and private sectors. We are a certified Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) providing services for NAICS 541330, Engineering Services and 541370, Surveying & Mapping. Our Cage Code is 8KH40 and Duns is 117494418. Our corporate office is located in Denison, Grayson County, Texas. Our second office is located in Plano, Collin County, Texas. We are well-positioned to serve clients throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex.

We are continuing the Vilbig tradition of building our communities while serving our clients, profession and country since 1886.

Tour of American Spiral Weld Pipe Plant in Paris, Texas

Last week, David A. Vilbig, PE, RPLS and Barbara J. Vilbig, PE toured the American Spiral Weld Pipe plant in Paris, Texas with the Northeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Below is a gallery of pictures from the tour.

Video of steel pipe moving at the American Spiral Weld Pipe Plant in Paris, Texas

About TSPE

The Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) is a state society of the National Society of Professional Engineers.

The Texas Society of Professional Engineers, one of the largest state societies in the United States, was founded in 1936 to serve the interests of the individual engineer in Texas across all branches of engineering. Composed of 24 local chapters and eight student chapters, TSPE is the only active, established organization devoting its entire effort to the professional, ethical, economic, social and political aspects of engineering in Texas.

Our mission is to promote and enhance the profession and licensed practice of engineering.

About Northeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers

The Northeast Texas – Texas Society of Professional Engineers is a local chapter of the state society, see more below. The NE Texas TSPE Chapter meets monthly in various locations the the Grayson County area. The meetings are typically held on the second Thursday of the month. For more information and to be added to the chapter’s e-mail list, please send and e-mail to  NE.TEXAS.TSPE@gmail.com.

About AMERICAN PLANT

American Spiral Weld Pipe is a division of American Cast Iron Pipe Co. In addition to American Ductile Iron Pipe, American Darling and Waterous Valves and Fire Hydrants, they manufacture steel pipe per AWWA C200. The location in Paris, Texas, expanded operations in May of 2021, opening a steel pipe plant.

Jennifer Vilbig Lawson, PE Named 2021 Young Engineer of the Year by SAME Dallas Post

Jennifer Vilbig Lawson, PE, has been named the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year by Society of Military Engineers (SAME) – Dallas Post. The award recognizes younger members of the profession who have made outstanding contributions to the society and profession.

Ms. Lawson received her Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2007. She began her career in Dallas working for an international design firm on oil and gas and federal projects. She joined Vilbig & Associates in 2013 and progressed from a design engineer to her current role as a project manager.

“I am honored to be recognized as the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year for the Society of American Military Engineers, Dallas Post. I am very passionate about giving back to my community and advocating both for my country and profession.” Said Ms. Lawson.

Ms. Lawson currently serves as the SAME Dallas Post secretary. In addition, Ms. Lawson is the past president of the Dallas Section of the Society of Women Engineers, is a member of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) and serves on the state committee for young engineers for TSPE.

“Jennifer is an accomplished project engineer with a wealth of experience ideally suited to help grow and develop young engineers and architects. In a very short time, Jennifer has made a lasting and positive impact on the post’s K-12 STEM program. She has also strengthened our relationship with local university engineering programs, she is a true inspiration to young people interested in STEM careers.” stated SAME Post President/Member of the Year Noelle Ibrahim

Learn more about Ms. Lawson’s journey to become an engineer, SAME and Vilbig & Associates in the video.

Ms. Lawson enjoys leisure time with her husband Paul and long runs with her favorite running companion, Sadie, a Jack Russell terrier.

Ms. Lawson was honored at the annual TSPE Engineers Week annual awards luncheon in February. A gallery of pictures from the event is below.

About SAME

Founded in 1920, the Society of American Military Engineers builds leaders and leads collaboration among government and industry to develop multi-disciplined solutions to national security infrastructure challenges. With a National Office in Alexandria, Va., and more than 100 Posts and Field Chapters around the world, the Society unites public and private sector individuals and organizations from across the architecture, engineering, construction, environmental and facility management, cyber security, and contracting and acquisition disciplines. Through a vision to serve our nation as the foremost integrator for leadership development and technical collaboration within the A/E/C profession, SAME is committed to strengthening industry-government engagement and developing and sustaining the human capital needed to maintain America’s engineering capabilities throughout the 21st century.

About SAME Dallas Post

The Dallas Post of SAME builds upon the national organization to strengthen collaboration locally between government and industry. The Posts hosts monthly professional development and networking lunches, holds several annual summits and forums, awards scholarships and supports K-12 STEM outreach.

About Vilbig & Associates, PLLC

Founded in 1983, Vilbig and Associates, PLLC (VA) is a professional services firm specializing in the design and delivery of consulting civil engineering, land planning, construction management and surveying services. We serve our clients in the north Texas area and surrounding states for both the public and private sectors. We are a certified Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) providing services for NAICS 541330, Engineering Services and 541370, Surveying & Mapping. Our Cage Code is 8KH40 and Duns is 117494418. Our office is located in Denison, Grayson County, Texas; we are well-positioned to provide services to the Dallas-Fort Worth mextroplex and south central states with several team members based in Collin County.

We are continuing the Vilbig tradition of building our communities while serving our clients, profession and country since 1886.

Jennifer Vilbig Lawson, PE invited to speak at a joint SWE/ACET meeting at UNT

On Monday, November 22nd, Jennifer Vilbig Lawson, PE spoke to about 20 engineering students at the University of North Texas. The UNT Society of Women Engineers invited her to speak about leadership and team building for the joint meeting with the UNT Association of Construction Engineering Technology.

Special thanks goes to the Dallas Post of the Society of American Military Engineers for sponsoring the food for the meeting.

We also raffled off several goodies including one $25 Starbucks gift card!

Additionally, we announced to the students that we are looking to hire a graduate and interns for next summer. Interested applicants can find more information on the employment section of our website.

We are HIRING!

Calling all 2022 Graduates and current engineering students looking for a summer of 2022 internship!

VA hosts the Northeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers Holiday Party & Annual Dessert Competition

On Thursday, December 9th 2021, Vilbig & Associates hosted the Northeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, TSPE, annual holiday party and dessert competition.

We enjoyed a fajita buffet catered by Denison’s own Rustico’s, an ethics discussion and the always popular dessert competition. The competition field was smaller than in years past with only six entrants, but the competition was TOUGH. The first round of votes resulted in a four way tie for first place! Eliminating the runners up, the second round of voting yielded a winner, Tom Pruitt, PE with his almond joy cake!

The ethics discussion was very thought provoking and provided all engineers in attendance the required 1 hour of ethics continuing education credit. We discussed several recent cases from the National Society of Professional Engineers Board of Ethical Review.

Congratulations to Tom Pruitt, PE with the City of Sherman for winning the dessert competition!
The ethics discussion included a bit of Dilbert humor.

Salute to America’s Veterans – Rotary Club of Dallas – David A. Vilbig, PE, RPLS Volunteers

The 17th Annual Salute to America’s Veterans event was held November 10th – 11:30am – 1:15pm at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas with Ross Perot Jr as the Keynote Speaker.

David A. Vilbig, PE, RPLS volunteered with the Rotary Club of Dallas to coordinate the event. Below are some pictures of him volunteering during setup and as a greeter at the door for all the veterans and attendees.

David A. Vilbig, PE, RPLS has been a member and volunteer of the Rotary Club of Dallas for more than 35 years.

About The Rotary Club of Dallas

The Rotary Club of Dallas was founded on April 20, 1911. With more than 250 members quickly joining, it became the first Rotary club in Texas and the 39th club in Rotary International. During the next 100 years, many of the city’s civic and business leaders joined the club, meeting weekly for lunch and making a commitment to serve others.  Names of Rotary Club of Dallas members such as Stemmons, Miller and Thornton can be found throughout the city on the commercial buildings, hospitals, roads, bridges and schools that attest to their roles in making Dallas the great city it is today. Beyond the weekly meetings, these Rotarians did a world of good for the city and the world around them. They founded and funded a myriad of projects, programs, scholarships and initiatives, on their own and in concert with other groups and organizations. They also reached out to help launch many new Rotary Clubs locally and internationally spreading Rotary values throughout Texas and the world.