NEWS

Life in Denver: Whatever You Want It to Be

Established in 2016 as our newest branch, Anvil is proud to operate out of Denver, Colorado. As a company of enthusiastic engineers, it’s an honor to contribute to the city’s rich history of manufacturing excellence.

“Living in Denver allows me to ride my bike to and from work and still have enough time to spend with my family in the evenings,” Jason Davis, Piping Engineer, says. “I can escape the city life over the weekend without spending countless hours in my car, leaving me more time to enjoy my getaway.”

Engineer Pass, a historic road which takes drivers through the San Juan Mountains. Photo courtesy of Jason Davis.

Established in 2016 as our newest branch, Anvil is proud to operate out of Denver, Colorado.

“Living in Denver allows me to ride my bike to and from work and still have enough time to spend with my family in the evenings,” Jason Davis, Piping Designer, says. “I can escape the city life over the weekend without spending countless hours in my car, leaving me more time to enjoy my getaway.”

Having grown up near the area, Jason and his family have come to love the variety of sporting options in Denver.

“During an average week, I have the freedom to play sand volleyball one day, ice hockey the next day, and golf the day after that,” Jason says. “If you’re more of a sports fan, Colorado has just about every professional sport you can think of.”

Denver, and by extension Colorado, harbor strong cultural ideals; the area is home to an exciting list of engaging activities.

“Red Rocks Amphitheater is just minutes from our office,” Jason explains. “Concerts at Red Rocks cannot be beat – you have not lived until you’ve seen your favorite band play at Red Rocks. Downtown Denver also offers its own medley of breweries and fine dining. There are options for every taste.”

Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Photo courtesy of the venue.

Denver is also home to the Denver Art Museum, the American Mountaineering Museum, the Colorado Railroad Museum, and many more interesting spots to spend a rainy afternoon. However, when it comes to true recreational entertainment, the very best of Colorado lies just outside the city limits.

“Most people in Denver only live within an hour’s drive of world class skiing and snowboarding,” Jason shares. “Some of the ski-resorts even open to mountain bikes during the offseason, allowing people to ride a lift to the top of the mountain and bike down. If you enjoy riding in the mountains, there are more trails than you could ever ride in one lifetime. For campers such as myself, there are an endless number of camping spots with amazing views, not to mention countless hiking trails, that will all take your breath away.”

“The outdoor activities in Denver are unmatched,” Marco Scofidio, Senior Structural Engineer, confirms. “Hiking, fishing, camping, the scenic mountains – it’s all great.”

Colorado is one of the country’s most popular fishing destinations. Photo courtesy of Ken Swalley.

Cradled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is naturally stunning.

“The Denver office looks out on mountains to the west and over the city to the east,” Jason explains. “I typically go for a walk during lunch to enjoy the view from the top of a nearby park. Sunrise from the office is not to be missed.”

“Denver offers something for everyone,” Jason adds. “Whether you prefer hanging out in the city, going to dance clubs, dining at fantastic restaurants, or if you prefer to camp in beautiful locations far away from the hustle and bustle and cook a hearty meal over a campfire – you will always have something to do.”

The city of Denver has a population of over 738,000 people. Photo courtesy of The Denver Post.

Ken Swalley, Denver’s Branch Manager, concurs.

“In my spare time, you’ll often catch me rafting, hiking, or biking,” Ken says. “I love living here.”

Life in Billings: The Great Outdoors

One of the important aspects of life at Anvil has always been the natural beauty of where we work. Our five branch locations, which are strategically placed across some of our country’s most scenic regions, often play a major part in how our employees enjoy their life away from work.

From fly fishing to snowmobiling, perhaps none of Anvil’s branch locations encapsulate the spirit of the outdoors more than our branch in Billings, MT. Located in the south-central portion of the state, the metropolis sits at the seat of Yellowstone County – cradled between seven different mountain ranges.

One of the important aspects of life at Anvil has always been the natural beauty of where we work. Our five branch locations, which are strategically placed across some of our country’s most scenic regions, often play a major part in how our employees enjoy their life away from work.

From fly fishing to snowmobiling, perhaps none of Anvil’s branch locations encapsulate the spirit of the outdoors more than our branch in Billings, MT. Located in the south-central portion of the state, the metropolis sits at the seat of Yellowstone County – cradled between seven different mountain ranges.

Rhonda Laughman and family in the mountains of Montana.

“The winter sports are great in Billings, with a lot of snow,” Brandon Crane, Control Systems Engineer, says. “We’re about an hour from the Beartooth Mountains, which obviously provides us with tons of opportunities to hike, camp, snowmobile, and fish.”

The Beartooth Mountains infamously feature Granite Peak – the highest point in all of Montana.

“Billings is a great hub for all the outdoor adventures Montana has to offer,” Rhonda Laughman, Anvil’s Project Management Department Manager, affirms. “We camp, mountain bike, hike, run, fish, play golf, ski, water-ski … it’s so much fun.”

Camping in the Beartooth Mountains. Photo courtesy of Troy Hand.

Whether you’re enjoying a hobby or exercising your body – if you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll struggle to find a city with more options than Billings.

“The sheer number of outdoor activities just outside my door helps support my work/life balance,” Toby Erickson, Senior Project Manager, shares. “My favorite thing about living in the area has to be riding my motorcycle through the mountains.”

Toby Erickson’s motorcycle photographed at Beartooth Pass.

While Billings sits very much in the shadows of the mountains which surround it, Montana is home to a wide range of natural environments.

“I enjoy digging for fossils,” Troy Hand, Civil Structural Designer, reveals. “In Billings, you’re only a couple hours drive from a variety of regions with differing and interesting geological features and petroglyphs.”

“There’s a lot to love about life in Billings,” Bridger Flynn, Civil/Structural Engineer, affirms. “Hiking in the Beartooth Mountains, fishing on the Bighorn River, the long summer days, and winters spent in Red Lodge.”

The great outdoors are fundamental to the lives of our employees in Billings. However, despite its reputation as an alfresco haven, Billings is also Montana’s largest city.

“Billings is the local epicenter of our area – everyone around us comes ‘into the city’ for our shops, districts, clubs, bars, and to just have fun,” Devon McHugh, Civil Structural Designer, shares. “However, since Billings isn’t this huge metropolis, it often still feels like a small town.”

As of 2022, Billings has a population of just over 117,000 people – the second smallest of all our branch cities.

Brandon Crane snaps a selfie while riding dirt bikes with his son.

“It’s big enough to have all the amenities I want while staying small enough to support a reasonable commute,” Bridger Flynn affirms.

“Nothing is too far from the office,” Devon McHugh adds.

Despite its comfortable size, Montana boasts an exciting collection of restaurants, museums, art galleries, and more.

“I love trying out the different breweries in town and around Montana,” Rhonda Laughman shares. “Billings has some great local eateries and bakeries. My favorites are Le Fournil and Veronika’s.”

“The downtown location offers a lot of choices to go out and eat after work,” Greg Nelson, a Senior Civil Structural Designer, agrees.

In addition to great eats, Montana is also home to the Yellowstone Art Museum, the Billings Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Museum of Women’s History.

“It feels much more like home than other office locations,” Brandon Crane shares.

Like many of Anvil’s branch locations, Billings has the potential to be whatever you want it to be – with the spirit of the outdoors at the heart of everything.

Life in Anchorage: Alaska’s Spirit of Adventure

Anvil is proud to offer business out of Anchorage, AK. Established in 1984, Anvil’s presence in Anchorage helps our company target projects that would otherwise be impossible. “I love how close we are to so many great hiking and skiing locations in Anchorage,” Alissa Engelby, Civil/Structural Engineer and Workgroup Lead, says. “Some of my favorite things about living in Alaska would have to be all of the great outdoor activities – hiking, fishing, camping.”

Photo courtesy of Alissa Engelby.

Anvil is proud to offer business out of Anchorage, AK. Established in 1984, Anvil’s presence in Anchorage helps our company target projects that would otherwise be impossible.

As the company’s first expansion beyond its headquarters in Bellingham, ‘Alaska Anvil’ operated as a subsidiary of Anvil for nearly thirty years – before merging with Doyon Emerald in 2013 to ultimately become Doyon Anvil, a joint venture company, expanding our reach into Alaska even further.

For over 35 years, Anvil’s team in Anchorage has participated in an extensive list of interesting projects. However – while innovative efforts on pipelines, drill sites, and oil refineries across the state ensures work always stays exciting – it’s the balance between work and play that makes life in Alaska so desirable.

Skiing is one of Anchorage’s biggest pastimes. Photo courtesy of Kelvin Simonson.

“Anvil’s Hybrid Office Work (HOW) Program has been incredible in Anchorage,” Kari MacDonald, Project Manager, says. “I’m often able to get out for a quick ski or bike during lunch, so my outdoor time has definitely increased a lot since 2020.”

Harboring the Gulf of Alaska, Anchorage sits comfortably between the arctic waters of the Cook Inlet and the steep slopes of the Chugach Mountain Range. These mountains – named after the Native Pacific Eskimos who once inhabited the same land as the people of Anchorage – receive more snowfall than any other location on the planet.

“I love how close we are to so many great hiking and skiing locations in Anchorage,” Alissa Engelby, Civil/Structural Engineer and Workgroup Lead, says. “Some of my favorite things about living in Alaska would have to be all of the great outdoor activities – hiking, fishing, camping.”

“There is some of the world’s best fishing in Alaska,” Kari MacDonald affirms. “We get salmon, shrimp, and, of course, halibut.”

Alaska is one of the most coveted fishing locations in the entire world. Photo courtesy of Kari Macdonald.

“We’re blessed with four incredible seasons in Alaska,” Kelvin Simonson, Electrical Engineer, says. “Crisp, cold, and clear weather in the winter, followed by a quick spring and long summer days. Fall might be my favorite though because the colors are awesome in the mountains, and it’s the season for berry-picking, fishing, and hunting.”

While life at Doyon Anvil obviously revolves around Alaska’s legendary frontier, both in the personal lives of our employees and the professional projects they pursue, Anchorage is still the urban center of Alaska and the state’s largest city.

Anchorage has a population of over 291,000 people. Photo courtesy of Anchorage Daily News.

When you fully account for all of Anchorage’s unique cultural offerings – Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage Museum, Alaska Aviation Museum, Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and Opera, International Gallery of Contemporary Art, and a plethora of exciting restaurants and breweries – it’s easy to see why there’s so much more to life in Alaska than just the outdoors.

A life spent in Alaska is one fueled by the thrill of discovery.  Anchorage is a place to explore the beauty of our planet and the future of renewable energy.

Life in Bellingham: The Perfect Juxtaposition

Anvil’s headquarters are in Bellingham, WA – the final major city before Washington’s border with Canada. Cradled between the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the slopes of Mount Baker, Bellingham is poised in the heart of the Pacific Northwest and is home to some of the area’s most exciting businesses and universities.

Mount Baker. Photo taken by Bret Macaleer.

Anvil has five full-service engineering, procurement, and project management branch locations. Set across five different states, with employees working on-site at client facilities as well, we’re proud to operate out of Anchorage, AK, Bellingham, WA, Billings, MT, Concord, CA, and Denver, CO. As “One Anvil” we operate as one seamless organization, sharing resources as required to execute programs and projects across the country for consistent engineering services – regardless of location.

While our branches were strategically placed near major clients and cities, they were chosen for a far more important reason: the work-life balance they provide our employees and the abundance of nature and activities they offer.

Anvil’s headquarters are in Bellingham, WA – the final major city before Washington’s border with Canada. Cradled between the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the slopes of Mount Baker, Bellingham is poised in the heart of the Pacific Northwest and is home to some of the area’s most exciting businesses and universities.

As one of our planet’s most beautiful locations, there’s always something to see in Bellingham. Whether it’s a hike through Whatcom Falls – a set of wooded trails woven through a series of small waterfalls – or even a trip down Chuckanut – a beautiful, twisting drive along the cliffsides of the Salish Sea – the city offers an incredible selection of breathtaking views.

“My favorite thing about living in the Bellingham area has to be our accessibility to the mountains – my family hikes, backpacks, skis, and climbs near Mt. Baker,” Michelle Hawkins, Anvil’s HR Manager, says. “I’m also a big fan of exploring tidepools. During low tide, the sea animal diversity is incredible.”

Bellingham is home to a variety of rare wildlife – including these underwater creatures photographed by Anvil’s own Michelle Hawkins.

“Living in Washington, you really can be outside, pretty much all year-round. Although we do get a handful of hot days in the summer and cold days in the winter, it’s nothing compared to other areas of the country,” Michelle continues. “I also enjoy landscape photography, and nothing beats a Mt. Baker sunrise or a Mt. Shuksan sunset.”

Featuring its own unique collection of mountains, ridges and foothills, Bellingham is practically surrounded by highlands; with Mt. Baker to the East, Chuckanut Mountain and Oyster Dome to the South, along with the best of what Canada has to offer (Whistler, anyone?) to our North, fans of winter sports are truly spoiled in Bellingham.

“Skiing at Whistler, Baker, Mission Ridge, Snoqualmie, Crystal, and Stevens Pass – there’s just so much to do in the winter,” Ben Taylor, Anvil’s Control Systems Resource Manager, says. “Growing up I dreamed of skiing at Whistler, and now I do. The North Cascades have the most remaining glaciers of any state in the Lower 48, and the mountains here are just spectacular.”

Bellingham’s Mt. Shuksan photographed at sunset by Michelle Hawkins. Bellingham is home to a handful of mountains, ridges, and foothills.

“Throw in the occasional trip to Seattle for a Seahawks or Sounders game,” Ben continues, “and it really is a pretty great place to live – we have such amazing access to so many activities.”

As Ben alludes, if the traditional outdoors isn’t really your thing, don’t worry – Bellingham is uniquely positioned between two of North America’s most exciting cities: Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C.

“We’re blessed with a high quality of cultural offerings right here in Bellingham, but we also have Vancouver and Seattle nearby too,” Lesley, Senior Process Engineer, affirms.

With Bellingham situated about two hours between both cities, a weekend spent in Seattle or Vancouver is a great escape for anyone wanting to spend some time away from home, do some shopping, or even catch a concert. However, despite the luxury of lying between these two major metropolises, Bellingham is very much its own city.

The City of Bellingham – as of 2022, Bellingham is estimated to have a population of over 92,000. Photo courtesy of the Bellingham Herald.

“Bellingham has its own art museum, the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, the Bellingham Music Festival, an Art Walk every month, Month Baker Theater, the Pickford Film Center, and so much more,” Lesley lists.

A haven for students – Bellingham is home to Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, and Bellingham Technical College – the city often pushes cultural boundaries and is home to a plethora of exciting restaurants and breweries.

“I believe Bellingham was voted to have the most breweries per capita of all local cities,” Danny Kaiser, Senior Piping Designer, says. “In my opinion, Bellingham is the perfect size for a city. It’s comfortable, small, but there’s always something to do. I’m also a member of the Bellingham Golf and Country Club, which is only five minutes away from Anvil’s campus!”

Even with a youthful identity, Bellingham has become an increasingly popular destination for families to settle down in recent years.

A busy downtown Bellingham. Photo courtesy of the City of Bellingham.

“Bellingham’s safe, has good schools, and provides children with plenty of room to grow and live,” Paul Duersch, Project Manager, says. “It’s a fantastic place to start a family.”

“My wife and I were drawn to Bellingham because we thought it would be a great place to raise our kids,” Jim Holien, Anvil’s Bellingham Branch Manager, confirms. “We’ve loved our time here and the longstanding family traditions we’ve developed.”

No matter how you like to unwind, you can do it in Bellingham.

“It’s a nice place to be weird,” Bret Macaleer, Civil/Structural Workgroup Lead, lovingly jokes.

Adoringly nicknamed the ‘City of Subdued Excitement,’ Bellingham has the potential to be just about whatever you want it to be; a progressive city, an outdoor haven ,or even a quiet town to raise a family – Bellingham will welcome you with open arms.

“Bellingham is the perfect juxtaposition between the hustle-and-bustle of city life and the serenity of the great outdoors,” James Song, Process Engineer, sums up.

​​​​​​​Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day

​​​​​​​Anvil is constantly evolving. Whether it’s expanding the scope of our projects through technological innovation or even improving the level of benefits we’re able to offer our employees, Anvil has always known that engineering and progress go hand in hand. With this belief in mind, it’s no secret that our industry, and company, have undergone many changes over the years.

​​​​​​​A Series of Interviews with the Women of Anvil

Anvil is constantly evolving. Whether it’s expanding the scope of our projects through technological innovation or even improving the level of benefits we’re able to offer our employees, Anvil has always known that engineering and progress go hand in hand. With this belief in mind, it’s no secret that our industry, and company, have undergone many changes over the years.

Alissa Engelby, a Lead Structural Engineer out of our Anchorage branch, has witnessed some of these changes first-hand.

“When I first started in engineering, I was usually the only woman in the room or even within a company,” Engelby said.

Alissa Engelby

An engineer for over twenty years, Engelby was forced to endure discrimination early on in her career before making her way to Alaska and Anvil.

“At my first job, my boss got a few phone calls that some clients didn’t want to work with me,” she shares. “He told them to give me two weeks, and to come back to him if there were any issues. I worked very hard to make sure there were no issues.”

Despite the adversity she’s faced, Engelby has enjoyed a successful career in our industry, and is hopeful for the next generation of female engineers.

“Have confidence in yourself,” she tells them, “and if you have a strong work ethic, you’ll succeed. When I first started, there was always the assumption that I didn’t know what I was talking about. I think the opposite is now true.”

Cynthia Greene, a Project Controls Lead in Billings, holds similar sentiments.

“The message that is given to women early on in education has changed,” Greene said. “Working together we can accomplish amazing things.”

Greene, who’s been with Anvil for nearly twenty years, has grown to appreciate the value of working on a unified and diverse team.

“At Anvil, we work for each other, and each person’s individual success elevates us all,” she said.

Cindy Greene

This sense of unity, shared among all women in the engineering industry, transcends work at Anvil. For Greene, professional inspiration is drawn from a figure from within her own family: her sister-in-law.

“She has accomplished so many things as an engineer and manager in the field of aerospace,” Greene said. “She is a leader, mentor, and inspiration to many. She has given me the renewed energy to continue to improve and achieve new accomplishments.”

As Greene alludes, a strong sense of ambition is a common trait among women in this industry. Kari MacDonald, a Project Manager in Anchorage, isn’t afraid to push boundaries whenever she can.

“Within this industry, initially, it seemed like women were only in administrative roles,” MacDonald said.

MacDonald recalls a story from early in her career, an instance where the extent of her skills weren’t being properly utilized.

Kari MacDonald

“I hate filing and, unfortunately, it was a large part of my first job in oil and gas,” she remembers. “However, my boss believed that the success of our team hinged on working together. He really enjoyed filing and felt I was better on the phone talking to candidates, so we divided and conquered. I’ll always remember this – it showed me the value of a team and not a position.”

As our industry continues to evolve, Anvil pledges to progress alongside it. On this International Women in Engineering Day, we applaud the careers of all women at Anvil – your unique experiences and unrivaled dedication make Anvil the company that it is today.

Whatcom Community College and Anvil Corporation Partner to Launch a New National Cybersecurity Training and Education Center on Anvil’s Campus

Bellingham, Washington – June 22, 2022, Whatcom Community College (WCC), the National Cyber Security Training and Education (NCyTE), and Anvil Corporation were joined by Mayor Seth Fleetwood on Anvil’s campus on May 18, 2022 for a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to launch an official Cyber Range training center on Anvil’s campus.

Bellingham, Washington – June 22, 2022, Whatcom Community College (WCC), the National Cyber Security Training and Education (NCyTE), and Anvil Corporation were joined by Mayor Seth Fleetwood on Anvil’s campus on May 18, 2022 for a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to launch an official Cyber Range training center on Anvil’s campus.

Attendees included Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown, WCC President; Dan Lewis, Anvil CFO; Joe Timmons, NW Washington Regional Representative, Office of Jay Inslee; Sean Connell, Whatcom County Liaison, Congressman Rick Larsen’s Office; Ann Larson, NW Regional Director, Senator Patty Murray’s Office; and Senator Simon Sefzik. Also, in attendance were Anvil clients and employees, WCC employees and students, and representatives from the National Cybersecurity Training and Education (NCyTE) center. Students enrolled in the WCC Computer Information System program provided real-time demonstrations on how to apply cyber security defense measures to thwart potential attacks on Industrial Control Systems (ICS) in manufacturing and refining facilities.

“Launching the Cyber Range training center in partnership with Anvil at their Bellingham campus is the perfect example of the power and momentum that can be achieved by collaborating with our industry partners. These relationships benefit our local community and beyond and are critical to preparing our students to enter the workforce with competitive skills. We are enormously grateful to Anvil’s collaboration with WCC.” said Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown, President of Whatcom Community College.

The purpose of the Cyber Range is to provide hands-on education and simulation environments to advance cybersecurity education and support WCC students to attain multiple WCC Computer Information Systems (CIS) program degrees offering WCC students high demand, high wage, high-tech occupations. The NCyTE Cyber Range also assesses and tests cyber vulnerabilities to Industrial Control Systems, advancing Anvil’s cyber defense engineering capabilities.

“Our clients know that the greatest risk is the one you cannot see. For Anvil, rapidly advancing a comprehensive set of engineering solutions to address ICS vulnerabilities will meet the needs and requirements of multiple clients across multiple industries,” remarked Cody Steinmetz, Anvil COO. “Anvil’s advanced controls and process teams incorporate industry standard cybersecurity defense methodology and techniques into processes our clients already use to reduce risk.”

“This partnership with Anvil is a unique opportunity to pair WCC’s CIS students with working industrial engineers, providing real-world, hands-on learning scenarios, and this type of learning environment is a significant advantage for students. NCyTE will seek to replicate this model across the nation to help other colleges and industry partners create similar environments that support the cyber defense of critical infrastructure,” said Corrinne Sande, NCyTE Principal Investigator and Director and Director of CIS and Computer Science at WCC.

“The NCyTE Cyber Range represents a commitment to the future of Whatcom County by creating internships and jobs in the engineering and technology sectors,” said Dena Lund, Anvil President & CEO. “The Cyber Range is also an asset that supports preparedness in the defense against cyber-attacks on the critical infrastructure that Anvil’s clients operate.”

About NCyTE: The National Cybersecurity Training & Education (NCyTE) Center is funded by the National Science Foundation. NCyTE’s mission is to advance cybersecurity education in the U.S. to support tomorrow’s workforce. The NCyTE Center is based in Bellingham, WA at Whatcom Community College. For more information visit www.ncyte.net.

Whatcom Community College is the host institution of two national centers, the CAE Candidates National Center (CCNC) and the National Cybersecurity Training and Education (NCyTE) Center. Funded by NSA the CCNC, is the entry point for all colleges and universities applying for CAE designation and provides mentoring, resources, advice, and support for applicants.

The National Security Agency (NSA) redesignates WCC as a CAE-CD. This signifies that WCC is committed to producing the cybersecurity workforce responsible for reducing vulnerabilities in our national infrastructure. WCC supports higher education and research in cybersecurity through their leading-edge Computer Information Systems (CIS) program. To achieve this designation, organizations must complete several, months-long application processes and meet rigorous curriculum and program requirement reviews.

About Whatcom: Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington is regularly recognized as one of the top community colleges in the nation for student outcomes. The College is a destination for cybersecurity, healthcare and business studies, and offers two Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, transfer degrees, career and workforce preparation, online courses, and community education classes. Whether a recent high school graduate, laid-off worker, seasoned employee, or future university student—all students count on WCC to support their academic and career goals. For more information, visit www.whatcom.edu.

WCC: Media Contact & Public Information Officer: Marni Saling Mayer, PIO and Director of Communications & Marketing, pio@whatcom.edu, Phone: 360.383.3312

NCyTE: Toyo Garber, NCyTE Center Marketing & Communications Manager, TGarber@whatcom.edu, Phone: 360.383.3176

About Anvil Corporation: For over 51 years, Anvil has provided clients across multiple industries and locations with innovative and quality engineering and procurement solutions to build, transform, and safeguard their critical infrastructure including, refineries, gas processing plants, and manufacturing facilities.

Anvil is a 100% ESOP-owned company that believes in building solid client relationships and meeting all stakeholder commitments. With five branch offices across the Western USA and deep expertise in revamping and retrofitting large-scale infrastructure, Anvil is the premiere engineering partner for clients looking for long-term dependability and results.

For more information visit www.anvilcorp.com.

Anvil Corporation: Derek E. Toffer Business Development and Marketing Manager, dtoffer@anvilcorp.com, Phone: 360.937.0333

 

Anvil Celebrates an All-Time Safety Record of 9 Million Hours

​​​​​​​Anvil achieved yet another safety milestone on April 8, 2022, by reaching 9 million hours without a lost time injury since 2011 – with over 1 million of those hours worked by Anvil employees inside client refineries, plants, and industrial facilities.

​​​​​​​Anvil achieved yet another safety milestone on April 8, 2022, by reaching 9 million hours without a lost time injury since 2011 – with over 1 million of those hours worked by Anvil employees inside client refineries, plants, and industrial facilities.

​​​​​​​“The dedication to safety that Anvil employees demonstrate every day in the workplace and at client locations is a benchmark of excellence in our industry,” said Dena Lund, Anvil President. “I am proud of what we have achieved and want to congratulate all of our employees for reaching this significant milestone.”

​​​​​​​As a result of an embedded safety culture and mindset, Anvil employees continue to remain alert in spotting possible hazards or near misses, both in the office and at client sites.

​​​​​​​“This impressive achievement is built on a foundation of people genuinely caring for each other,” noted Cody Steinmetz, Anvil Chief Operating Officer. “We share a cultural fabric with our clients that allows us to learn from each other, watch out for one another, and ultimately return home safely to our loved ones.”

​​​​​​​The company’s Anvil Target Zero program acknowledges employees who demonstrate exceptional dedication and leadership in advancing Anvil safety in the workplace. Since the launch of the program in 2014, 105 employees have been recipients of the Anvil Target Zero award.

​​​​​​​“Employee commitment to heightened situational awareness, safety training, and following safety protocols prevent incidents from happening and escalating into major events,” noted Eric Peterson, Anvil Safety Manager. “This not only reduces risk to daily business operations, but it also ensures employee and client safety and security and compliance with OSHA standards.”

​​​​​​​Whether preventing a slip hazard in the office, detecting a chemical leak in a refinery, noticing incorrect equipment installations in a gas plant, or identifying process safety issues in an industrial facility, Anvil employees watch out for each other and provide their clients with another level of safety oversight.

​​​​​​​Congratulations to all Anvil’s employees for achieving yet another major safety milestone in the company’s 51-year history.

Anvil Announces the Appointment of Emily Zanto to Board of Directors

Effective as of December 2, 2021, Emily Zanto joined the Anvil Board of Directors where she will serve a two-to-three-year term as a rotating Board member. Appointed by the Board, Emily will fill the vacancy left by Rhonda Laughman when she participates in her last meeting in March. Emily will serve as Board Secretary and as a member of the Governance Committee.

Effective as of December 2, 2021, Emily Zanto joined the Anvil Board of Directors where she will serve a two-to-three-year term as a rotating Board member. Appointed by the Board, Emily will fill the vacancy left by Rhonda Laughman when she participates in her last meeting in March. Emily will serve as Board Secretary and as a member of the Governance Committee.

She joins the Board with over a decade of process engineering experience in the oil and gas industry. As Process Work Group Lead in Anvil’s Billings office, she leads the Mountain Process Program for the Billings and Denver locations. Emily holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University. Her affiliations include the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Society of Women Engineers, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

“Emily brings a different perspective from years of experience working at multiple Anvil branches and for Phillips 66 at their Billings refinery,” noted Gordy Lindell, Anvil Chairman of the Board. “Her unique insight will infuse the Board with a deeper understanding of client needs and requirements, both short and long term, and future industry trends.”

“On behalf of the Board, I want to express our gratitude to Rhonda Laughman who served for three years as a valued Board member,” Lindell said. “As Anvil’s first internal director chosen from the staff, she is well-respected, intelligent, connected to our people, and knows how our business functions successfully. We wish her the very best in future endeavors.”

Emily brings in-depth industry knowledge and expertise in all phases of refining projects—from design conception and definition to detailed design. Her experience spans optimizing and running refinery process units, participating in plant-wide turnarounds, scope development, hydraulic analysis, refinery unit process hazards review, and PSV sizing and evaluation.

“As a Board member, I can bring a different voice to the conversation with my past experience as a client and now an Anvil employee,” said Emily. “I especially want to engage the younger demographic employees in the company who have an interest in new technologies and a fresh perspective.”

“We look forward to Emily’s leadership and counsel going forward,” said Lindell. “She is a valuable part of the Board’s conversation when discussing the direction Anvil should be going. She shares one more perspective that the Board would not have otherwise as Anvil continues to expand its portfolio and forge into new markets.”

Membership diversity is essential to the Board’s business and governance in a rapidly changing oil and gas industry. Anvil’s Board of Directors remains committed to bringing in new members with the unique expertise, insights, and perspectives needed to enhance the Board’s leadership and vision of continued growth and success.

Anvil Continues to Build Reputation as Wireless Infrastructure Experts at Multiple Client Refineries  

Anvil was recently awarded new contracts to design wireless system infrastructure at four additional client refineries throughout the United States.

A four-member Anvil team will kick off the project by conducting field evaluations of their field mounted access point, power sources, and fiber network infrastructure.

Anvil was recently awarded new contracts to design wireless system infrastructure at four additional client refineries throughout the United States.

A four-member Anvil team will kick off the project by conducting field evaluations of their field mounted access point, power sources, and fiber network infrastructure.

The path to the new contract began at the client’s WA refinery, where the Bellingham team successfully executed to plan, despite an aggressive schedule and slim budget. The client recognized the team’s creative and agile approach to accomplishing the project and subsequently awarded Anvil another of their refinery’s wireless infrastructure contracts, representing a larger scope of work and additional challenges.

Anvil’s team showcased their knowledge, expertise, and outstanding work to the point that the client awarded the team the contract to begin work at an additional site. Their high-quality performance led to the current multi-site award.

Anvil teams will be working in parallel at the four client sites, in addition to the two current sites they are already working at. Working simultaneously at six Client sites continues to elevate Anvil’s expertise and reputation in engineering digital infrastructure systems.

“These four client sites are brand new to us,” said Ben Taylor, Anvil Control Systems Manager. “Our “One Anvil” work speaks for itself. The team must be willing to drive solutions and adjust to real-time client changes and additional work. The client trusts us, relies on our expertise, looks for our guidance in the project’s early stages, and even asks for our team members by name.”

“This opportunity doesn’t happen very often,” Taylor noted. “We don’t usually get a shot at several jobs in different facilities all at once. Our long-term goal is to build our reputation and brand around our ability to do wireless infrastructure projects and market that capability throughout multiple industries.”

Anvil Promotes Jim Holien to Bellingham Branch Manager

Anvil is pleased to announce that Jim Holien will serve as Anvil’s Bellingham Branch Manager. Jim joined Anvil in 2000 and has over 20 years of program management, project management, project controls, engineering, and operations management experience in the energy industry. Most recently, he served as Anvil’s Cascadia Program Manager and has held diverse roles, including Project Controls Work Group Lead, Project Leader, and Assist Program Manager for various clients.

Anvil is pleased to announce that Jim Holien will serve as Anvil’s Bellingham Branch Manager.

Jim joined Anvil in 2000 and has over 20 years of program management, project management, project controls, engineering, and operations management experience in the energy industry. Most recently, he served as Anvil’s Cascadia Program Manager and has held diverse roles, including Project Controls Work Group Lead, Project Leader, and Assist Program Manager for various clients. He holds an M.B.A. in Finance from California State University Hayward and a B.S. in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

As the Bellingham Branch Manager, he will work closely with Anvil’s senior management to set branch strategies, goals and targets, and collaborate with Business Development, Program, Project, and Resource Managers to successfully execute project plans.

Please join us in congratulating Jim in his new role! We appreciate his willingness to accept these responsibilities and look forward to the continued growth and success he’ll bring Anvil.