Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

As we observe Hispanic Heritage Month, we take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Hispanic individuals who have made lasting impacts in engineering, science, and space exploration. Among them are three pioneers whose achievements continue to inspire generations around the world.

o Franklin Chang-Díaz – Costa Rican-American Astronaut and Physicist
Born on April 5, 1950, in San José, Costa Rica, Dr. Franklin Chang-Díaz broke barriers in both science and space. After completing his early education in Costa Rica, he moved to the United States, where he finished high school in Connecticut. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1973, followed by a Ph.D. in Plasma Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1977. Dr. Chang-Díaz became a NASA astronaut in 1981. Over his distinguished career, he completed seven spaceflights, which were missions STS 61-C, STS-34, STS-46, STS-60, STS-75, STS-91, and STS-111 before retiring in 2005. His work contributed significantly to space technology.

o Ellen Ochoa – First Hispanic Woman in Space
Ellen Ochoa, born on May 10, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, is a proud Mexican American who made history as the first Hispanic woman to go to space. A highly accomplished engineer, she earned both her master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Her journey into space began on April 8, 1993, with the STS-56 mission. Ochoa would go on to complete four spaceflights in total, which were missions STS-56, STS-66, STS-96, and STS-110. Beyond her work as an astronaut, she later became the Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, becoming a role model for women and Latinas in STEM fields.

o Zoilo Hermógenes García Peña – Aviation Pioneer from the Dominican Republic
Born on December 21, 1881, in La Vega, Dominican Republic, Zoilo Hermógenes García Peña holds a foundational place in the history of Dominican aviation. After studying civil engineering and aviation at the Institut Industriel du Nord in France, he returned to his homeland and was officially recognized with the exequatur, allowing him to practice engineering in the Dominican Republic. In 1911, García Peña designed and built his first aircraft, which he named the Poliplane, meaning “multiple wings” in Spanish. He successfully flew his plane in the United States, earning recognition as the first Dominican pilot. His pioneering work led him to be remembered as the father of aviation in the Dominican Republic.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!


 

Celebrating National Aviation Day

Today, August 19, 2025, is National Aviation Day, an annual observance dedicated to honoring the men and women who pioneered human flight and made significant contributions to aviation history. This day serves as a reminder of the incredible advancements in aviation and offers a chance for everyone to appreciate how far we’ve come in the field of flight.

Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or simply curious about flying, there are many meaningful ways to observe and celebrate National Aviation Day.
Here are some great ways to get involved:

1. Visit an Aviation Museum
Explore the rich history of flight by visiting an aviation museum such as the Intrepid Museum, the Cradle of Aviation Museum, or the Space Shuttle Pavilion. These institutions often feature vintage aircraft, interactive exhibits, and educational programs that highlight aviation’s evolution over time.

2. Attend an Airshow
Experience the thrill of aviation firsthand by attending an airshow in your area. Watch stunning aerial displays and aerobatic performances by skilled pilots. These events are both exciting and educational, showcasing the capabilities of modern and historic aircraft.

3. Take a Flight
Feel the excitement of being in the air by booking a scenic flight or taking a flying lesson. Many flight schools and aviation centers offer introductory flights, giving you a chance to experience what it’s like to be behind the controls or simply enjoy the view from above.

4. Volunteer with Aviation Organizations
Support the aviation community by volunteering your time and skills. Whether it’s helping at an airshow, assisting with aircraft restoration, or participating in outreach programs, your involvement can help promote and preserve the aviation industry.

5. Learn About Aviation History
Take the opportunity to dive deeper into aviation's fascinating past. Read books, watch documentaries, or join an online course to learn about the pioneers, innovations, and challenges that have shaped modern aviation.

On National Aviation Day, let’s come together to celebrate the remarkable achievements in flight and honor the legacy of the Wright brothers and other aviation pioneers. Whether you're in the air or on the ground, there's something for everyone to appreciate on this special day.


 

Celebrating Infrastructure Week 2025: Progress and the Road Ahead

Every May, communities, policymakers, and industry leaders come together to recognize Infrastructure Week, which is a national event that highlights the importance of investing in and modernizing America’s infrastructure. This year, Infrastructure Week took place from May 12 to May 16, 2025, offering a platform to reflect on progress, raise awareness, and encourage action across the country.

Infrastructure Week is more than a celebration; it's a call to action. From highways and bridges to water systems and broadband access, our nation’s infrastructure plays a vital role in our daily lives and the health of our economy. Throughout the week, events were held nationwide, including public forums, site visits, and social media campaigns, all aimed at engaging citizens and decision-makers in conversations about the future of infrastructure.

A major highlight of this year's observance was the release of the 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The report card showed encouraging signs of improvement in several key areas, thanks to recent investments and bipartisan support for major infrastructure legislation. However, the overall grade remains short of where it needs to be, signaling that while we’ve made progress, much work still lies ahead.

So, how can you get involved? Supporting Infrastructure Week doesn’t require technical expertise, just a willingness to engage. You can attend local or virtual events, advocate for sustainable funding solutions, support infrastructure-related policies, or even explore careers in construction, engineering, and transportation. Sharing information on social media using hashtags like #InfrastructureWeek and #BuildForTomorrow also helps raise awareness.

As we look beyond Infrastructure Week 2025, it’s clear that continued collaboration and long-term commitment are essential to build a safer, more resilient, and more efficient infrastructure system for future generations. Let’s keep the momentum going—not just one week a year, but every day


 

We’re Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary!

This month we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC). So, it’s a perfect occasion to look back and celebrate KC’s achievements over the years and thank everyone who contributed to them.

As we have always envisioned, KC continues to grow rapidly, taking on and successfully completing major projects throughout the mid-Hudson Valley and the New York metropolitan area. This success is thanks to our vision to always provide the best results for our clients. We are able to provide the best results on each project we take on by staying up-to-date with the latest technology and continually training our personnel in the latest standards and procedures. Our personnel are always learning on and off the field, and their dedication to professional growth and excellence is evidenced with each project and the results we achieve. We have successfully completed multiple multi-million-dollar projects on time and within budget, and we are looking forward to continuing to deliver successful projects for years to come. We believe there is always room to learn and never stop improving, which is why our employees also continue to grow professionally and personally. As a token of appreciation, every year we announce in our newsletters the personnel that we promote, any licenses they have obtained, and/or any personal achievements they want to share with KC. We are grateful to have such talented, dedicated, and passionate employees who value KC's mission and what we stand for. We also recognize the importance of our clients and colleagues, who have trusted us for many years and have contributed to our success. We are honored and thankful, and we truly value all KC employees, clients, and colleagues for being part of our success over the years.

To stay up-to-date on all of KC’s achievements and news, please visit kcepc.com.

Best wishes for another successful year!


 

It’s Our Anniversary!

This month we are celebrating the 39th anniversary of KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC). So, it’s a perfect occasion to look back and celebrate KC’s achievements over the years and thank everyone that contributed to them.

As we have always envisioned, KC rapidly continues to grow, taking on and successfully completing major projects throughout mid-Hudson Valley and New York metropolitan area. This success is thanks to our vision to always provide the best results to our clients. We are able to provide the best results on each project we take by staying up-to-date with the latest technology and continuously training our personnel with the latest procedures. Our personnel are always learning on and off the field and their dedication to grow is evidenced with each project and the results we achieve. We have successfully completed multiple multi-billion-dollar projects on time and within budget, and we are looking forward to continuing delivering successful projects. We believe there is always room to learn and to never stop improving, which is why our employees also continue to grow professionally and personally. As a token of appreciation, every year we announce on our newsletter each personnel that we promote, any licenses they have obtained, and/or any personal achievements they want to share with KC. We are grateful to have such talented, dedicated, and passionate employees who value KC and what we stand for. We also recognize the importance of our clients and colleagues who have trusted us for many years and contributed to our success. We are honored, thankful, and value all KC employees, clients, and colleagues for being part of our success over the years.

To stay up-to-date on all of KC’s achievements and news, please visit kcepc.com.

Happy anniversary KC!