January 4, 2023

Jerry A. DiMaggio, P.E., D.GE, M.ASCE, senior principal engineer − associate at Applied Research Associates (ARA), is the 2022 recipient of DFI’s highest award bestowed to an individual, the Distinguished Service Award (DSA). This award recognizes individuals who have made exceptionally valuable contributions to the advancement of the deep foundations industry. The award is being presented at the Awards Banquet during DFI’s 47th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations, October 4-7 in National Harbor, Maryland.

“Jerry was selected for this honor because of his strong advocacy for the industry,” says Theresa Engler, DFI executive director. “He has had a distinguished career providing leadership in the development and implementation of numerous innovations over several decades; most notable among these has been his lead in the implementation of load and resistance factor design (LRFD) methods for geotechnical applications.”

Mr. DiMaggio received his geotechnical engineering degrees from Clarkson University and is licensed in Maryland.  His key professional experience prior to ARA includes being the Transportation Research Board Implementation Manager of Second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2) in Washington D.C. SHRP2 is a specially funded research program which addresses Critical Issues in Transportation related to safety, renewal, capacity and reliability and will result in approximately 130 products to serve the needs of transportation agencies, and highway users and stakeholders.

Mr. DiMaggio is a certified Master Trainer and licensed Contract Arbitrator (AAA). He has provided consulting technical design and construction assistance on over 1000 transportation projects in all 50 states, throughout Central and South America, and several Middle Eastern countries. He has presented over 350 seminars and workshops for professionals on design and construction of bridges, retaining walls and engineered earthworks. He also has worked on numerous forensic studies on an international basis associated with earth retaining structures, subsurface corrosion, deep foundations and contracting and specification methods.

Mr. DiMaggio has facilitated several strategic planning workshops for National and regional clients to assist them in the development of strategic plans, marketing plans and business plans and has presented several communication workshops for engineering clients.

Mr. DiMaggio has been a member of several national committees and task forces for the development of Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) based technical guidelines, specifications and testing standards related to geotechnical and foundation practice. He is a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Delaware, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and The University of Akron in Ohio. He has been the invited Keynote speaker at over 30 national meetings and conferences around the Nation. Mr. DiMaggio has authored 35 technical papers and publications and edited three civil engineering books.

Mr. DiMaggio has received numerous National and International recognitions and awards including: the U.S. Department of Transportation's Silver Medal, the International Geosynthetics Society Achievement Medal (presented in Nice France), FHWA's "Engineer for the Year", and recently (2007) he received special awards for his career contributions from the Transportation Research Board, the 2007 Schnabel Engineering Lecturer of the Year, and The International Association for Foundation Drilling. Mr. DiMaggio served on the ASCE Geo-Institute National Board of Governors (2005-2007).