Popli Design Group

The career fair season has officially begun!   Today, September 15th, the PDG team is attending the Clarkson University Career Fair from 11 am to 4 pm at the Cheel Campus Center.   Stop by to say hello and discover more about PDG, including our internship and career opportunities.

A new space. A new chapter.   After over three decades at our previous location, we have relocated to our new headquarters in the City of Rochester.   Designed by PDG to support our continued growth, the new office features enhanced workspaces, upgraded technology infrastructure, and improved collaboration areas to better serve clients and support our multidisciplinary teams.   We're excited about this new chapter and look forward to sharing more of our new space with you.   📍220 Alexander Street, Suite 700, Rochester, NY 14607

Please join us in congratulating Scott Loforte on becoming a licensed Professional Engineer in New York State and his promotion to Project Engineer.   Scott joined PDG’s Bridge Design Group in June 2022 after graduating from the University at Buffalo with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Since then, Scott has demonstrated a strong eagerness to learn and has quickly earned the trust and respect of colleagues across the company. These attributes have led to his involvement in a diverse array of projects, ranging from culvert replacements to complex long-span bridge rehabilitations. Scott remains a valuable team member and a reliable colleague. We look forward to his continued growth as a licensed engineer and his future achievements.   Congratulations, Scott Loforte, P.E.!

PDG is pleased to announce that James Luft has recently become a Professional Engineer in New York State and is being promoted to Project Engineer, Bridge Inspection. James has nine years of bridge inspection experience and joined PDG in 2024. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering Technology from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in May 2017. James is based in PDG’s Albany office when he’s not in the field, primarily working on projects for the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Thruway Authority. With the addition of his PE, James has also been approved to be a Team Leader for bridge inspection projects. Congratulations on reaching this outstanding career milestone, James!

On Thursday, May 21st, teams from our Rochester and Albany offices took part in two corporate race events. The Rochester office joined the annual J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in Downtown Rochester. This year's 3.5-mile race included more than 4,300 employees from 211 companies. Notably, PDG's Scott Loforte placed first in the Men's Division, making this his third win in the Rochester Corporate Challenge! The Albany office participated in the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge. With over 8,000 participants, this was the first time a team from PDG in Albany completed this annual corporate challenge. Congratulations to all the finishers!

PDG was a Platinum Sponsor and attended the ASCE 2026 New York State Convention & Region 1 Assembly on May 12th and 13th in Albany. This statewide event serves as a platform for leadership, knowledge exchange, and professional collaboration, bringing together civil engineering professionals, academia, and government officials. It featured technical presentations with PDHs, legislative updates, and networking opportunities. 

We are excited to extend our congratulations to our newest Professional Engineer, James Sykas!   James joined PDG after earning his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University in 2020. Since then, he has been an integral part of the Electrical Group. In recent years, James has grown into a Project Manager role on key projects, including Buffalo State College, Albion and Wende Correctional Facilities, and two Rochester Airport projects. With the addition of his PE, he will take on greater technical leadership responsibilities with the projects he is involved in.    Congratulations on this remarkable career milestone, James!

Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Steven D’Rummo, who recently became a licensed Professional Engineer in New York State. Steven joined PDG’s Bridge Design Group in November after relocating from Maryland, where he worked with the Maryland State Highway Administration. With eight years of experience in final bridge design, we look forward to utilizing his expertise on projects throughout the state. Congratulations, Steven!

We are excited to announce that Michael Bobin, EIT, Kyle Kang, EIT, and Andy Luong, EIT, from our bridge inspection team, have successfully obtained SPRAT Level 1 Rope Access certifications. SPRAT is an organization that provides standardized training and certification in rope access. This method offers a safe, versatile, and efficient alternative for inspecting structures. Furthermore, Austin Chudyk, PE, and Garner Sammons, EIT, have been recertified after initially receiving their certifications in 2022. Congratulations to everyone!

Happy Holidays from all of us at PDG!