Otak Blog

Ozone was a monthly email newsletter that provided insights into how Otak works with clients to help any project achieve a measure of sustainability. Each issue included brief project reviews, resources, suggested reading and notices, articles written by various Otak staff, as well as other pertinent sustainability information. We are very proud of this online newsletter and were recognized this August in Denver at the National Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) conference. At the 31st annual awards gala, Otak was given a 2008 National Marketing Communications Award in the category of Newsletter External. Not only were we given this prestigious award, but we came in First Place! These awards are given out to honor excellence in marketing communications for professional service firms around the country.

Click here to read the April edition of Ozone

197 miles
28 hours and 23 minutes
12 runners
2 vans
And lots of dancing on the side of the road while cheering on runners.

The Hood to Coast race began for team “Heart-O-Tak” on Friday August 22, 2008 at 9:15 in the morning. Team members from multiple Otak offices came together to collectively run 36 legs, ultimately completing the journey from Mt. Hood all the way to the beautiful Oregon coast and the finish line. It was a wonderful adventure – team members bonded over bagels in the dark, foggy hours of the early morning and slept between vans in dew-coated fields. It’s one of those experiences that a person has to be slightly crazy to take on, but it’s so rewarding and fun it’s nearly an addiction. I can’t wait to drive a van and cheer on fellow Otakians again next year.
-Kaitlin Beatty

This year the Fourth Annual Fall Flat-water Paddling Trip (FOAFFPT) took place on the Willamette River between River Miles 84 to 50. The Otak paddlers started the trip near downtown Salem and traveled downstream through a beautiful stretch of the river dodging the Wheatland Ferry to camp overnight at the Grand Island River Trail takeout (River Mile 70). After a night of great food, a roaring campfire, and a sound night’s sleep, the paddlers set out for the second leg of the trip to Newberg. As the group of canoers and kayakers enjoyed the sunny and warm weather they watched osprey fish and startled many blue heron. After a mid-day lunch break the flotilla arrived in Newberg without a single mishap. Our only oversight: we forgot the keys for the shuttle vehicle in Salem! A fun time was had by all.

Located on the Frontage Road that was once the Old Oregon Trail Highway, the Perry Arch Bridge was constructed in 1924 by the famous bridge engineer, Conde McCullough. Otak’s bridge engineers assessed the structural integrity of the existing bridge through scientific investigations, and were able to determine that saving the historically significant structure was a viable solution. Otak prepared final plans and specifications to rehabilitate this unique bridge. In July and August, Otak bridge engineers In-Tae Lee, David McCurry, and Melissa Robelo visited the site and identified portions of the concrete that will need to be removed. During the rehabilitation, crews discovered remnants of a corncob pipe in the old concrete – Conde McCullough was known to smoke them while onsite!