BSK Associates Bakersfield-Grand Opening Event

/in , /by

BSK Associates Bakersfield-Grand Opening Event

On April 3, 2025, BSK Associates proudly celebrated the grand opening of our new Bakersfield office located at 4820 Rosedale Lane. It was a day filled with excitement, community connection, and a shared sense of accomplishment as we officially opened the doors to our expanded facility.

The event kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30am, hosted in partnership with the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. We were honored to welcome local dignitaries, clients, vendors, and industry partners who joined us throughout the day. Attendees enjoyed guided tours of our new construction materials testing laboratory, our brand-new analytical laboratory, and our updated office spaces. With snacks, refreshments, giveaways, and great company, the grand opening was a wonderful success and a meaningful milestone in our ongoing relationship with the Kern County community.

Additionally, we want to extend our sincere thanks to the Chamber of Commerce and everyone who attended or helped make the event so memorable. Your support means the world to us!

 

A New Chapter: BSK Bakersfield Analytical Lab

One of the most exciting additions to our new facility is the Bakersfield Analytical Laboratory, which recently received its first certification under California ELAP for microbiology testing. This certification marks a major step forward in our mission to expand high-quality analytical services in the region. With this new capability, BSK is now better equipped than ever to serve our local clients in the agriculture, manufacturing, homeowners, drinking and wastewater industries. We’re proud to be growing alongside the Bakersfield community and delivering scientific excellence right here in our local neighborhood.

 

A Legacy of Service in Kern County

BSK has proudly served the Kern County community since 1972, supporting projects that shape and strengthen the region. We proudly support award-winning transportation infrastructure and essential facility improvements in schools and hospitals by providing engineering, environmental, analytical, and materials testing services that ensure safety, compliance, and quality service. We work across a diverse range of sectors, including water, facilities, commercial, education, transportation, government, agriculture, and energy—and we’re always looking ahead to what’s next.

 

Over the decades, we’ve supported projects such as:

  • The City of Bakersfield’s Thomas Roads Improvement Program, including Centennial Corridor and Westside Parkway
  • Kern High School District’s Del Oro High School, California State University Bakersfield’s Golden Empire Transit Center, Bakersfield College’s Renegade Athletic Complex, and Taft College’s Student Center
  • Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, Kern Medical Center, and Mercy Southwest Hospital
  • California High-Speed Rail
  • Meadows Field Airport
  • Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
  • And many more vital community initiatives

The capabilities and services provided by BSK on these projects include:

  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Environmental Site Assessment
  • Construction Materials Testing
  • Special Inspection Services

These services reflect BSK’s commitment to safety, quality service, and professionalism assuring every project we’re part of is built on a strong foundation.

We are incredibly excited for the future of BSK Bakersfield. Furthermore, we would like to thank everyone who has supported our journey. Here’s to continued growth, stronger communities, and meaningful partnerships!

Check out this short video clip featuring clips of our BSK Associates Bakersfield-Grand Opening Event.

BSK Associates: Celebrating a Journey of Growth and Expansion
For more like us on Facebook. Also, follow us on LinkedIn. Have a question about the services we offer? Check out our webpage @bskassociates.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hexavalent Chromium Monitoring Testing in California Deadline

/in /by

Upcoming Deadline: Hexavalent Chromium Monitoring Compliance by April 1, 2025

California’s new Hexavalent Chromium Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 µg/L goes into effect on October 1, 2024. To comply with California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 64432, community and nontransient-noncommunity water systems must complete initial monitoring by April 1, 2025, unless they are using previously approved monitoring data, as outlined below.

What You Need to Know

Who Needs to Monitor?

  • All community and nontransient-noncommunity water systems.
  • Active groundwater and surface water sources must be tested.
  • Standby sources must also be sampled.

Monitoring Requirements

  • Initial monitoring: One hexavalent chromium sample must be collected from all active sources.
  • Samples must be analyzed by a certified laboratory using either analytical method 218.6 or 218.7.
  • If a sample exceeds the MCL, the system must begin quarterly monitoring for that source.

Using Previous Monitoring Data

  • Water systems that previously sampled groundwater sources for hexavalent chromium before October 1, 2024, may qualify to use these results if:
    • The sample was collected after October 1, 2022.
    • The sample was analyzed using an approved method.
  • To request approval, systems must submit a request to the Division of Drinking Water (DDW).
  • Deadline recommendation: Submit your request by November 10, 2024, to allow time for review.
  • Important: Previously collected surface water source samples cannot be used to satisfy the initial monitoring requirement.

Key Deadlines to Remember

Upcoming Deadline: Hexavalent Chromium Monitoring Compliance by April 1, 2025

Need Assistance?

For more details, visit the State Water Board FAQ or contact your BSK project manager at (559) 497-2880.

Stay ahead of the deadline and ensure compliance—schedule your hexavalent chromium monitoring today!

For more Meet the BSK Staff Segments, like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn. Have a question about the services we offer? Check out our webpage @bskassociates.com.

 

BSK Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

/in , /by

BSK Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting – Join Us in Bakersfield on April 3, 2025!

BSK will be hosting a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate our new location at 4820 Rosedale Lane Bakersfield, CA 93314. Local dignitaries have been invited to attend. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday April 3, 2025, at 10:30am. Our facility will remain open to our clients, vendors, and industry partners until 6pm and we will be having snacks, drinks and giveaways for attendees. There will also be tours of our new office space, construction material testing laboratory and our new analytical laboratory. Please join us anytime throughout the day to celebrate with us.

BSK Associates has been in business in the Kern County Community since 1972. Since our inception, BSK has worked on numerous projects throughout the county and thrives on making our communities safer by assuring the projects we help design and/or work on meet all state, local and federal guidelines. Some examples of projects we are proud to have assisted to a successful completion are transportation and infrastructure-related projects such as the award-winning Thomas Road Improvement projects, Centennial Corridor project, California High-Speed Rail, numerous upgrades and additions for educational projects at local school districts, and a wide-range of healthcare projects at our local hospitals. BSK maintains active clients from many sectors of the community including but not limited to oil and gas, water and wastewater, utilities, education, transportation, agriculture, alternate energy and many more.

 

BSK Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting – Join Us in Bakersfield on April 3, 2025!

Meet The Staff: Veronica Rager, Livermore Project Manager

/in , /by

Meet The Staff: Veronica Rager, Livermore Project Manager

Meet Veronica Rager, Livermore Project Manager. Learn more about her journey, her role at BSK, and some fun facts about her life. With a 14-year career with BSK, Veronica’s story is filled with growth and plenty of camaraderie.  Let’s dive in!

Meet The Staff: Veronica Rager, Livermore Project Manager

Interviewer: Hi Veronica! Can you tell me a little about where you are from. Where is your hometown and where did you go to school?

Veronica: I was born in Livermore, CA and grew up in the Bay Area. I went to San Lorenzo High and transferred to Livermore High before I started 11th grade where I graduated from in 95’.

Interviewer: How long have you worked for BSK and what do you do for the organization?

Veronica: I’ve been with BSK for 14 years, I was hired for the receptionist position in 2010, moved on to dispatching (which I really enjoy doing) and then did project assistant and now I’m a project manager. It’s been such an exciting journey with all different types of emotions.

Interviewer: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Veronica: I enjoy working with our BSK team, they are amazing! I love how management and coworkers help push you in the right direction that is best for you, they are the best support system.  I enjoy working with our clients, and I have built some good relationships.

Interviewer: Can you tell us your favorite on the job story?

Veronica: I have so many fun memories, like when we started our Wall of Shame, or back in the pre-COVID days when the office would get together after hours for appetizers and drinks. The banter and camaraderie in our office make it such a great place to work.

Interviewer: Thank you so much for answering all these questions today. Can we leave off by you relaying some fun facts about yourself?

Veronica: I have two boys, I’m a baseball mom, I have 20+ tattoos. You can find me at I’m at the baseball field cheering and watching my youngest son living his best life. In my spare time (I don’t have much of it) I also enjoy crafting and making quilts.

 

 

For more Meet the BSK Staff Segments, like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn. Have a question about the services we offer? Check out our webpage @bskassociates.com.

 

Celebrating Excellence at the APWA Annual Awards!

/in /by

BSK is thrilled to share some exciting highlights from the recent APWA Annual Awards for the Central Valley! Not only did several projects we had the privilege of contributing to receive awards – Hidden Lakes Emergency Tank Replacement (Prime: CCME), Mendota Stormwater Improvement Project (Prime: Provost & Pritchard), and Woodlake Storm Drain Pipeline Project (Prime: QK) – but we also celebrated a proud moment for our team.

Neva Popenoe, PE, GE, BSK Associates’ Fresno Branch Manager, was officially sworn in as the new Vice President of the Central Valley Chapter of APWA! 👏

This event was a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our incredible partners and team members. We couldn’t be prouder to see Neva stepping into this leadership role, representing our shared commitment to advancing public works and making a meaningful impact in our community.

Congratulations to all the award winners and to Neva for this well-deserved recognition! 🎉

Hidden Lakes Emergency Tank Replacement (Prime: CCME)

Mendota Stormwater Improvement Project (Prime: Provost & Pritchard)

Woodlake Storm Drain Pipeline Project (Prime: QK)

 

BSK Sponsors Redwood High School’s Ranger Band

/in /by

BSK Sponsors Redwood High School’s Ranger Band

At BSK Associates, we believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work. This commitment is at the heart of our quarterly sponsorship program, which aims to support local organizations making a difference. For the first quarter of this year, we were thrilled to sponsor the Redwood Ranger Band from Redwood High School in Visalia, California.

BSK Sponsors Redwood High School’s Ranger Band 

Why Community Engagement Matters

We were delighted to receive a heartfelt thank you video from the band, expressing their gratitude for the support. It’s moments like these that remind us why giving back is so important. It is also important to note that the Redwood Rangers won first place at their WBA 4A competition at SoFi Stadium. Congratulations Redwood Rangers!

BSK Associates understands that the well-being of our communities directly impacts our success as a company and the personal growth of our employees. By investing in local initiatives like the Redwood Ranger Band, we strengthen the fabric of the communities we serve.

Our commitment goes beyond sponsorships. We actively encourage our employees to make a difference through individual volunteer efforts, office-wide initiatives, and firm-sponsored activities. From educational programs to environmental cleanups, our goal is to have a lasting, positive impact.

Examples of BSK’s Community Involvement

Our sponsorship of the Redwood Ranger Band is just one of the many ways we contribute to the communities we serve. Other initiatives include:

  • Educational Outreach: Supporting schools and STEM programs to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.
  • Environmental Projects: Partnering with local organizations to protect and preserve natural resources.
  • Charitable Giving: Donating time, resources, and funds to causes that align with our company values.

Partnering for a Better Future

At BSK Associates, we view community involvement not as a responsibility but as a privilege. We’re proud to support initiatives like the Redwood Ranger Band and look forward to sponsoring more outstanding organizations in the future.

If you’d like to learn more about our community efforts, please follow the links below. Together, we can make a lasting impact. Don’t forget to join our Facebook and LinkedIn for more useful information.

Michael Brechmann’s 100th Blood Donation! – BSK Associates

Support for American Red Cross – BSK Associates

BSK Pays it Forward – BSK Associates

Redwood Rangers won first place 4A when they competed at SoFi Stadium.

BSK Associates was proud to sponsor the 2024 Taber Drill Class at Fresno State!

/in /by

BSK Associates was proud to sponsor the 2024 Taber Drill Class at Fresno State!

BSK 2024 Taber Drill Class at Fresno State!

As sponsors of the 2024 Taber Drill Class, BSK Associates had the privilege of engaging with students and professionals from across the Central Valley and Central Coast, sharing insights about Geotechnical Engineering and its vital role in our industry.

The BSK Associates team hosted a hands-on experience, showcasing soil samples and connecting one-on-one with attendees from CSU Stanislaus, Cal Poly, Fresno State, and even professionals from Madera County Environmental Health. Neva Popenoe, PE, GE, Fresno Branch Manager, and Adrian Sizemore, Fresno Staff Professional II, found the event especially inspiring as they witnessed so much interest and enthusiasm for the field.

A special thanks to Popenoe and Sizemore for their support and dedication to this event. We appreciate their efforts in fostering the next generation of engineers and environmental scientists.

The Taber Drill Foundation has a long history of bringing college students and geoprofessionals together to provide valuable experience in the geotechnical field. Through events like the Annual Free Drill Class, the foundation offers students and emerging professionals hands-on learning opportunities in geotechnical drilling and subsurface exploration. These events unite students from regional universities, professionals from public and private sectors, and industry experts who generously volunteer their time and expertise.

The H. Ray Taber Foundation plays a vital role in shaping the future of geotechnical engineering by investing in the next generation of professionals and promoting community-focused education. BSK is proud to contribute to this meaningful process!

Let us know if you stopped by our table—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

 

Meet The Staff: Kevin Grove, Sacramento Environmental Group Manager

/in /by

Meet The Staff: Kevin Grove, Sacramento Environmental Group Manager

Kevin’s journey is rooted in his upbringing in Gilroy, California, famously known as the “Garlic Capital of the World. With a degree in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from UC Davis, where he also excelled on the NCAA baseball team, Kevin has brought his passion and expertise to BSK for over a decade as the Sacramento Environmental Group Manager.

Kevin Grove, Sacramento Environmental Group Manager

Interviewer: Hi Kevin! Can you tell me a little about where you are from. Where is your hometown and where did you go to school?

Kevin: I was born and raised in Gilroy, California. (Garlic Capital of the World!) I attended UC Davis and received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning and minored in Managerial Economics. I also played on the NCAA baseball team while I attended UC Davis.

Interviewer: How long have you worked for BSK and what do you do for the organization?

Kevin: This is my 12th year with BSK, and I am the Sacramento Environmental Group Manager.

Interviewer: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Kevin: I love the variety of projects that we work on, the people we work with, and seeing a blank piece of land turn into something because of the work we do.

Interviewer: Can you tell us your favorite on the job story?

Kevin: I do the bulk of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) for BSK. One of the Phase I ESAs from 2018 was a vacant lot in Sacramento. This vacant lot eventually turned into a rehabilitation hospital that housed both my grandmother and my father when they were recovering from major surgeries. When I went to visit them, I was blown away that the work we completed turned into something that was finally tangible.

Interviewer: Thank you so much for answering all these questions today. Can we leave off by you relaying some fun facts about yourself?

Kevin: I am a father of 2 wonderful boys, Fortunato (Forty) and Brooks. Forty is 2 and Brooks is 5 months. I have an amazing wife, Samantha, who is the attending veterinarian at Charles River Laboratory where she treats and works with monkeys. Lastly, I am an avid golfer so please reach out if you need me for a golf tournament!

Meet the Staff:

For more Meet the BSK Staff Segments, like us on Facebook. Also, follow us on LinkedIn. Have a question about the services we offer? Check out our webpage @bskassociates.com.

 

Meet The Staff: Neva Popenoe, Fresno Branch Manager

/in /by

Meet The Staff: Neva Popenoe, Fresno Branch Manager.

Meet Neva, a dedicated leader at BSK Associates, who brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for community-driven projects. After earning her civil engineering degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, she moved to Fresno, where she’s now the Fresno Branch Manager, Geotechnical Group Manager, and Engineering Manager. Since joining BSK in 2017, Neva has thrived in leading teams and tackling complex challenges.

Interviewer: Hi Neva! Can you tell me a little about where you are from. Where is your hometown and where did you go to school?

Neva: I like to say I grew up in Spokane, WA, that’s where I lived until I graduated from high school. But my family moved there when I was 8 years old from a small town in southeast British Columbia, Canada, which was only 3 hours from Spokane.

I went to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, to study civil engineering, then moved to Fresno after graduating and getting married.

Interviewer: How long have you worked for BSK and what do you do for the organization?

Neva: I’ve been working for BSK since 2017. I serve as the Fresno Branch Manager. I am also the Fresno Geotechnical Group Manager and serve as the Fresno Engineering Manager, overseeing our Laboratory and Inspections for our DSA and HCAI work.

Interviewer: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Neva: My favorite part of my job is working through challenges to deliver successful projects or programs. I love getting to work on teams, both within BSK and with our many teaming partners, where we bring our diverse skills and perspectives to come up with the best solutions. I am proud to work on projects that make our community stronger and increase the quality of life for Central Valley residents.

Interviewer: Can you tell us your favorite on the job story?

Neva: My favorite stories are the ones where we all work together to solve a complex challenge. The most recent example is when we had a job-site kick-off meeting for a slope remediation project in the foothills. Alongside the Contractor, Owner, and design team, we were able to discuss the issues at hand and work together to build the right solution for this particular project site. Not only was it a beautiful day in the Sierra Nevadas, but it was also beautiful how we each brought our skills to figure out how to provide a safe road to support a low-income housing community.

Interviewer: Thank you so much for answering all these questions today. Can we leave off by you relaying some fun facts about yourself?

Neva: When I’m not at work, I’m trying to stay connected to my neighbors and my community here in the Lowell neighborhood of Fresno. We’re gearing up for our annual Halloween event where we serve hot dogs and hot chocolate and have games and crafts for kids in my front yard. I’ve been enjoying spending time with my neighbors on our local kick-ball team – struggling to not drop the ball and practice my Spanish-speaking skills. It’s been a joy to raise my 2 kids here in this beautiful community!

Meet the Staff:

For more Meet the BSK Staff Segments, like us on Facebook. Also, follow us on LinkedIn. Have a question about the services we offer? Check out our webpage @bskassociates.com.

Meet The Staff: Danny Palmer, Construction Services Division Manager

/in /by

Meet the Staff: Danny Palmer, Construction Services Division Manager
Danny joined BSK Associates 17 years ago as a special inspector while studying at Fresno State. Now, as our Fresno Construction Services Division Manager, Danny uses his wealth of experience to lead construction projects and ensure the safety of our community. His dedication and problem-solving skills have been a cornerstone of his career at BSK.

Danny Palmer, Construction Services Division Manager family photo

Interviewer: Hi Danny! Can you tell me a little about where you are from. Where is your hometown and where did you go to school?

Danny: I was born in San Diego and moved around a little because my dad was in the Navy. After my dad got out of the military, we moved to Oakhurst, CA. That is where I consider my hometown. I was homeschooled from 2nd grade through graduating high school (Mountain Home School and Glacier High School), with the sole exception of my freshman year, which I attended Yosemite High School. I graduated valedictorian, ASB President, and Cross-Country Team Captain (although that wasn’t the hardest thing because I had a graduating class size of 7). I was accepted to West Point and Fresno State University, but I decided to stay out of the military and go to Fresno State. I received a B.S. degree in Construction Management.

 

Interviewer: How long have you worked for BSK and what do you do for the organization?

Danny: I actually started working for BSK as an independent special inspector shortly after starting college at Fresno State in Fall of 2007. I was uniquely placed because I was living in the dorms on campus, and BSK needed a fireproofing inspector for the Henery Maden Library that was under construction on campus at the time. After that project, I was officially hired as an “intern” at BSK the following summer. So, I have been working for BSK 16 years officially, but technically 17 years. I just turned 36, so I am right at the cusp of being at BSK for half of my life. I am presently the Fresno Construction Services Division Manager. I help get and manage construction projects that we perform special inspections and material testing for. When needed I still go out in the field and perform special inspections and testing to make sure we get the work covered.

Interviewer: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Danny: I enjoy solving problems and being an advocate for my employees. I get great satisfaction in helping to keep our community safe by being a part of the team that makes sure that structures are built to code.

Interviewer: Can you tell us your favorite on the job story?

Danny: How can I choose only one? While I wouldn’t call many of my stories “fun”, there were definitely some crazy things that have happened over the years. From driving by a truck that was in flames on the side of the road that happened to be one of BSK’s (it had spontaneously combusted while driving), to a dead body being found on a jobsite, it has not been a dull time here. I guess if I must choose…

A long time ago, when I was still out in the field as a technician/inspector, I was on a project from hell. For the first year of the project BSK was only allowed to have one person performing the work. It consisted of several hundred yards of concrete almost every single day, where I had to test every single truck (approximately every 15 minutes), even if it was blazing hot or freezing cold. Some of the other field personnel tried covering the project, but all of them ended up refusing to cover the work because it was so taxing. By the second year of the project, I was finally allowed to have a second person helping. One of those people was Jim Growdon. Jim gave me the nickname Taz because I was just a whirling blur with how fast I was performing the work. It was some tough work, but there was also some down time occasionally waiting for concrete trucks to show up. In those short gaps of time, I got to connect with Jim and hear about his son that had passed away. BSK has basically been like family, and despite the difficulties of the work itself, this was a time that I really felt that closeness.

Interviewer: Thank you so much for answering all these questions today. Can we leave off by you relaying some fun facts about yourself?

Danny: I am an Eagle Scout. I have 5 kids (including 1 set of mirror image identical twins), 5 cats, and 2 dogs. I own and drive a school bus known as the Cool Bus, for my family vehicle. I still play competitive soccer (both indoor and outdoor adult coed leagues). My wife just recently got legally adopted (her parents died, we found a couple that wanted grandkids,…). I enjoy tinkering/designing/inventing. I enjoy cooking, art, camping, and playing sports (although not a big fan of football or baseball).

Meet the Staff:

For more Meet the BSK Staff Segments, like us on Facebook. Also, follow us on LinkedIn. Have a question about the services we offer? Check out our webpage @bskassociates.com.