When a structural failure at the Demopolis Lock and Dam in Alabama brought barge traffic to a halt on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), R&D Maintenance, and J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) joined forces to deliver a fast, high-stakes solution. The breach—described by Colonel Jeremy Chapman of USACE as “a hole the size of a school bus”—stopped commercial navigation across two major waterways and threatened economic losses in the millions each month.

The Port of Davisville, located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, has a rich history as a former Naval Air Station dating back to World War II. The Quonset Development Corporation (QDC), responsible for overseeing port operations, is undertaking a major project to rehabilitate Pier 1. Originally built during the 1940s, the pier has served its purpose for decades but now requires significant updates to support ongoing port activity.

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) was selected as the prime contractor for the project, tasked with carefully demolishing and reconstructing portions of the pier. “The overall objective is to allow the Port of Davisville to berth an additional car carrier on the south berth of Pier 1,” said Brennan Senior Project Manager Alex Baittinger. “The improvements we’re making will extend the life of this pier easily into the 2070s.”

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) is proud to announce that it has been recertified as a Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the eighth consecutive year. 89% of employees affirm the company as a great workplace, a 2% increase from last year’s 87%, underscoring Brennan's commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture.

Over 80% of Brennan employees participated in the Great Place to Work third-party survey, providing valuable feedback highlighting the company’s ongoing dedication to its team. The survey revealed strong results across several key areas, including justice, corporate image, and camaraderie, which have been central to Brennan’s success.

Brennan embarked on a vital restoration project for the middle section of the Lake George Canal. The primary goal was to protect aquatic organisms by separating them from contaminated sediment through a multi-layer sediment cap.

Initial Site Challenges

Hydrographic surveys revealed areas of varying slope and stability as the first layer of cap material was placed over the canal bottom. These issues were attributed to soft underlying sediment within the canal footprint. The success of this project hinged on effective collaboration between Brennan and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to address these types of challenges.

Nuclear diving demands unwavering safety measures. Every action, from meticulous planning to employing advanced technology, prioritizes the divers' well-being. While water offers a natural shield against radiation, divers operate in a realm where the invisible poses the greatest threat. Dive deeper with us as we answer questions about the intricacies of nuclear diving, where safety protocols are paramount both in and outside the water.

We were contracted to replace flashboards and perform apron scour repairs at a hydroelectric dam along the Rock River in the Upper Midwest. Our client is a privately owned entity that owns and operates 80+ hydroelectric facilities throughout the United States.

The project’s significant goals involved increasing the dam’s retainage capacity, protecting the existing spillway structure, and providing an aesthetically pleasing spillway for the community's residents. This project was scheduled for the summer months when flow rates are at their lowest, mainly due to the volatility of the Rock River and the need for a slow-moving current to keep our divers safe. 

This year, Brennan's blog posts garnered an impressive readership of over 27,000. An analysis of our most searched topics identified the most significant issues in the environmental and marine construction industries, including those most relevant to our company's operations. This leads us to the question: What were our industry's most frequently researched topics?

We've examined Brennan's most popular articles of the year -- let's count them down!

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) is honored to accept this year's award for Outstanding Philanthropic Organization from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter. The chapter represents nonprofit organizations throughout Southwestern Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, and Southeastern Minnesota.

Brennan’s work brings us all incredible pride and purpose as we serve clients throughout the inland and purpose as we serve clients throughout the inland and coastal waterways. Through this work, we receive opportunities to truly become part of the fabric of the communities in which we operate by giving back." says Chief Operating Officer Mike Binsfeld. 

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) collaborated with The Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse (Boys & Girls Club), Wieser Brothers General Contractor, Inc., and Mathy Construction to bring the expansive construction world to Boys & Girls Club members. The annual event is called Kids in Construction.

Club members explored Brennan’s amphibious equipment and commercial dive gear, tested out life as a chemist working in a water treatment lab, and experienced a career working in a support role in the construction industry. Our Brennan team members were on hand to answer all their questions and share more about the exciting world of construction. In this video, Boys & Girls Club CEO Jake Erickson shares his views on Brennan and the benefits of Kids In Construction.

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the 7th year in a row. The respected award is based entirely on current employees' experience working at Brennan. 87% of employees said it's a great workplace – 30 points higher than the average U.S. company.

"By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Brennan stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work.