News

Mike Adams Retires after 33 Years at R&M

Type
News
Date
April 12, 2021
Projects Mentioned
Seward Highway Reconstruction: Canyon Creek Bridge, Palmer Station Pier Replacement
Author or Mentioned
Len Story

After 33 years of dedicated service to R&M, Mike Adams is setting his sights on a well-deserved retirement by spending more time doing the things he loves.

“All of us here will miss Mike, and will not forget his contributions and dedication to R&M. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Len Story, PLS – Chief Executive Officer

Mike performed a variety of duties over the past three decades and provided support on hundreds of projects. He began his career as an Architect and received B.S. and Master of Architecture degrees in 1977 from the University of Michigan. Mike joined R&M on June 28, 1988 as a Drafting Technician.

“When I first started, R&M was in the old building on Cordova Street,” said Mike. “It was a pretty small operation at the time. Only 20-30 employees.”

The first project Mike worked on after joining R&M was the U.S. Navy Submarine Testing Facility, located on a remote island near Ketchikan. “It was a really interesting project, which included a deep water dock and ramp,” said Mike. “It also had numerous buildings and testing equipment constructed to be hidden as best as possible among the large trees located on the island.”

Mike was promoted to Head of Drafting on March 12, 1990. In this position, he supervised the production of deliverables for nearly every major project designed by R&M. Some of these include the Seward Cruise Ship Dock, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Aircraft Refueling and Maintenance Facilities, Eagle River Reservoir and Water Improvements, and Seward Highway Reconstruction – Canyon Creek Bridge Reconstruction.

In 2002, Mike moved into a Staff Engineer and Engineer-in-Training role where he played an integral part in the development of numerous project documents for a wide range of civil infrastructure projects, including industrial, institutional, highway, airport, school, church, medical and private facilities. Some of the notable projects he worked on include:

  • Fairbanks International Airport Runway Expansion and Taxiway Improvements
  • Skagway Ore Terminal Reactivation
  • City of Valdez New Harbor Development
  • Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Facility, Battle Creek Design
  • Ship Creek Water Treatment Facility Heat Exchanger Project
  • UAA Alaska Airlines Center
  • Kotzebue Shore Avenue

“The most interesting project I worked on over the years was the ray dome north of Fairbanks located on military property. It was a research facility on top of a mountain that had been converted from an old radar site. They raised the site up and placed a dome over it.”

Mike Adams

Mike finished out his career at R&M providing support to the Antarctica Palmer Station Pier Replacement project team.

“I really enjoyed working on the Palmer Pier project,” said Mike. “It was quite interesting with lots of unique components and being in Antarctica, outside of the norm.”

During his retirement, Mike plans to work on his house, which will keep him busy for several years. He will also continue to attend dogs shows and has several on his schedule for this summer.


Services Mentioned

Type
News
Date
April 12, 2021
Projects Mentioned
Seward Highway Reconstruction: Canyon Creek Bridge, Palmer Station Pier Replacement
Author or Mentioned
Len Story
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