Allen Cadden began his career with Schnabel Engineering as a Virginia Tech civil engineering co-op student in 1984. Following his graduation with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1986, Mr. Cadden's experience with geotechnical work and field construction activities encouraged him to return to school to complete a Masters of Engineering degree with Dr. Thomas Brandon. Mr. Cadden was one of the  first students to complete this task in only 9 months. He then returned to Schnabel where he has been ever since.



Mr. Cadden has  completed a variety of engineering assignments and has ascended the levels of responsibility within the organization-becoming a Branch Leader, then Director of Geotechnical Engineering. Most recently, he has taken on the role of Director of Strategic Development with overall responsibility for business development, training, and strategic growth.



Some of the more significant technical projects Mr. Cadden has participated in include a re-evaluation for the Northern Solid Waste Management Center for Delaware Solid Waste, which was constructed over soft alluvial soils and dredge deposits; quality assurance review of the Indian River inlet bridge in Bethany Beach, Del.; rehabilitation of the seawall for Ellis Island in New York; remediation of a sinkhole and near failure of the Swinging Bridge Dam near Port Jervis, N.Y.; and the Bryce Jordan Convocation Center at Penn State.



Mr. Cadden has contributed tremendously to the development of the geo-industry. He has fostered the free exchange of ideas between competitors, and among contractors and suppliers. Mr. Cadden believes that sharing knowledge benefits the public and the professional community, and has always worked towards this end. He is active in professional societies at every level and has served in a leadership role for many of these organizations including Director for the International Association of Foundation Drilling, Governor of the ASCE GeoInstitute, Chairman of the International Society for Micropiles (ISM), and a national leadership position for the ASCE Young Members  Committee. His numerous awards include the Shamsher Prakash Prize for Excellence in Practice, the ASCE Delaware Valley Geotechnical Engineer of the Year, and the ADSC President’s Award, which he was awarded twice.



Mr. Cadden has been supportive of the Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering throughout his career. This support has become more quantifiable over the past 10 years with his involvement in the Center for Geotechnical Practice and Research (CGPR). As a result of this engagement, he has led Schnabel’s effort to host an annual lecture series bringing distinguished industry leaders to the campus each fall. This has grown to include a social gathering for the graduate students prior to the lecture, a reception for the nearly 200 attendees, and a closing dinner with University faculty.



When he has a free moment, Mr. Cadden enjoys spending time with his family, including four teenage children, and his farm which includes chickens, goats, dogs and cats. A former white water rafting guide, Mr. Cadden now limits his water activities to enjoying the beach and canoeing on local creeks with his family.