GBA Graduates First Early Professional Class

This month, GBA graduated its first class of the Early Professional Class (EPC) of the Career Continuum, which was developed in direct response to our member firms’ need for efficient, career-long training, focusing first on those who are newest to geoprofessional consulting.

The EPC is designed to lay the foundation for successful geoprofessional careers, introducing those with less than five years of experience to key consulting fundamentals.

Graduates

Brian Ackerman, P.E. (Apex Companies) Kristen Kakascik (ANS Geo)
Omran Al Sulaimi (ANS Geo) Helen Kopscik, E.I.T. (Bunnell-Lammons Engineering)
Nickolas Annala (Jorgenson) Alexandra McCracken, P.E. (Shannon & Wilson)
Amanda Apicella (Geotechnical Consultants, Inc.) Layane Thuise Mester (ECS)
Kevin Benecki (Triad Engineering) Kaleb Meyer (UES)
Yingyi Blazer, P.E. (BSK Associates) Kelly Overturf, E.I.T. (Geocon)
Tyler Chapko, E.I.T. (TREK Geotechnical) Sharone Richards (CTL|Thompson)
Denis Diemer (ECS) Andrea Cano Sanchez (Verdantas)
Clay Faircloth, E.I.T. (S&ME) Michael Tchoumandrine (Froehling & Roberston)
Jimmy Fisher (Geotechnical Consultants, Inc.)

 

More About EPC Training

Unlike traditional technical training, the EPC focuses on accelerating professional maturity by strengthening communication, decision-making, documentation, teamwork, and ethical thinking—skills that are often underdeveloped in the early stages of a geoprofessional’s career.

Courses were conducted virtually, predominantly using existing GBA reference materials, and covered topics like professional communications, soft skills, proposals, risk management, and contracts. The EPC blends real-world scenarios with foundational professional competencies to ensure participants can immediately apply what they learn to their day-to-day work.

Feedback

Nickolas Annala described the EPC as transformative, reporting that his ability to invest in and engage with clients has increased dramatically, which coincided with a career promotion and improved interpersonal relationships.

Yingyi Blazer, P.E. credits the course with significantly expanding her perspective, saying that it gave her the tools for richer, more strategic conversations with her boss.

Overall, this class of early-career professionals reported feeling more prepared, connected, and capable in their roles after completing the EPC.

Future Early Professional Classes are being populated with those on our waiting list. We will accept nominations for additional classes in Fall 2025.

Focus on the Future: GBA Crystal Ball Workshop Underway

GBA leaders, industry partners, subject matter experts, and representatives of GBA member firms have convened in Olathe, Kansas, for the 2025 Crystal Ball Workshop (CBW) this week (June 24-25) to explore how emerging technologies can help firms bridge workforce gaps, meet the demands on our profession, and sustain profitable business growth.

The geoprofessions are undergoing a transformative period marked by two significant trends: a shrinking labor force and the rapid emergence of powerful automation and artificial intelligence (AI). These trends are converging in ways that will profoundly impact the industry – understanding this interplay is crucial for navigating our future.

The focus of this year’s CBW is:

“Addressing the impacts of the shrinking geoprofessional workforce with automation and artificial intelligence.”

While the decline in skilled professionals and higher demand for geoprofessional services poses significant challenges, AI offers tools and solutions that can mitigate these issues and even drive the industry forward. Embracing AI and adapting to the evolving landscape will be essential for geoprofessionals to thrive amidst these changes.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Tier 1: GBA, The California Geotechnical Engineering Association, Metafield by Agile Frameworks

Tier 2: American Council of Engineering Companies Geoprofessional Coalition, BoreDM, Deep Foundations Institute, Spectra QEST

Tier 3: The Canadian Geotechnical Society, Colorado Association of Geotechnical Engineers, Pile Driving Contractors Association

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

• Kevin Benedict – Futurist and Speaker, Future of Business | Tata Consultancy Services
• Dr. Enrique Farfan, P.E., ENV SP – Senior Engineer | HDR
• David Harwood – Senior Vice President for Business Transformation | Terracon
• Mark McKelvey – Head of Data and Automation Solutions Division | Creative Planning Business Services
• Brian Moynihan – CEO & Founder | Dreamspace AI Solutions
• Dr. Kenichi Soga – Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering | University of California, Berkeley
• Dr. Dimitrios Zekkos – Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering | University of California, Berkeley

GBA offers a special thank you to Terracon for hosting this event at their company headquarters.

The future of the geoprofessions will likely be characterized by a smaller and more tech-savvy workforce, enhanced by AI capabilities, that can meet the growing demands for infrastructure, environmental protection, resilience, and innovation. The CBW will serve as a catalyst for related action.

“You’ve Got to Be Uncomfortable”: Lessons from a Triathlon Coach Turned CEO

In the newest episode of GBA’s GeoHeroes podcast series, Verdantas CEO Jesse Kropelnicki, P.E., joins GBA past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C for a wide-ranging conversation about grit, growth, and the human side of engineering.

Jesse remembers the specific day his spark for engineering ignited – and you might be surprised what a New York winter had to do with it. Kropelnicki didn’t sow wild oats in college – he buckled down. He started sculpting cities on projects during Boston’s Big Dig before his passion for triathlons and entrepreneurial spirit collided, leading him to launch a coaching business for elite IRONMAN athletes. There, he pioneered a fully remote workforce model 20 years before COVID.

In 2018, Jesse returned to the geoprofessions with a renewed purpose and people-first mindset. He reminds listeners that – no matter how many samples you take, numbers you crunch, and spreadsheets you create, “at the end of the day, so much of it is about working with human beings.”

Under Kropelnicki’s leadership, Verdantas grew from 415 to 1,900 employees in just 2.5 years. Jesse discusses the role of private equity in the geoprofessions and technology’s evolutionary impact. He emphasizes that culture and human characteristics—not just technical knowledge—will be the key differentiators for future engineering firms.

Key quote:
“If you want to grow, if you want to move up in your career, if you want to grow as a human being, you’ve got to be uncomfortable all the time. And if you find yourself in a position, in a scenario where you’re not uncomfortable and you want to be growing, then you’ve got to find your way into a new position.” –Verdantas CEO Jesse Kropelnicki, P.E.

This episode of the GBA Podcast was produced by GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee Chair Ryan White, P.E., G.E. (Apex Companies).

About GeoHeroes
In this series from the GBA Podcast, Guy Marcozzi interviews past, present, and future leaders in the geoprofessional industry to explore their personal and career journeys. The goal is to understand what motivates these individuals and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The podcast will examine the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

 

GBA Safety Resource Roundup

June marks National Safety Month, organized by the National Safety Council since 1996. GBA has a variety of free resources for members to help them stay safe in their geoprofessional workplace. Not only is safety a top priority for GBA member firms, but also for their clients, who want to avoid work-related injuries or illnesses on their job sites and projects.

Here are valuable resources geoprofessionals can use to strengthen their safety culture, protect their teams, and manage risk:

Safety and Your Geoprofessional Practice
This GBA Best Practices guide provides important information essential to the development of an effective safety program, including:
• The direct and indirect costs of an inadequate safety program, ranging from higher insurance premiums and legal exposures to lost business and lower productivity.
• Key safety metrics
• An array of techniques for developing a “robust, proactive safety program that seeks to eliminate hazards and prevent injuries.”

 

Establishing a Cell-Phone Safety Policy for Your Firm
Cell phone safety policies can stave off the grave financial consequences of failing to pursue preventatives to cell phone-related incidents. This document cites an array of case histories (some of which occurred because employers assumed hands-free devices are safe) and outlines:
• Cell phone safety policies and techniques for implementing them
• Samples for firms to use to develop policies of their own
• Methods of delivering the policies and supplementing them through presentations
• Talking points for those who resist new policies
• Work-arounds for those who find long-term cell-phone-use addictions tough to break

Working Safely Outdoors in Warm Climates
Working outdoors when it’s hot can create an array of safety challenges that firms and individuals need to be aware of and plan for. This GBA Best Practices guide provides risk management guidance in relation to:
• Sun and UV-ray exposure
• Heat
• Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases
• West Nile Virus
• Poison ivy and related plants

 


Employee Safety Card
“Safety Is Priority One” is the key message of this employee pocket-safety card. Firms can print it as-is or easily customize it to add their own logos or special messages. The front of the card poses a series of brief instructions and questions employees should address before moving forward with a task.


Mine Tailings Dam Safety Materials
GBA has three important mine tailings resources available at NO COST, regardless of GBA membership. These documents guide mine owners, regulators, and practitioners toward a more efficient and safer approach to designing and maintaining mine tailings dams:

 

Proposed Best Practices for the Engineer of Record for Tailings Dams (Endorsed by the U.S. Society on Dams)
Recommendations from an informed body of geotechnical engineering practitioners for defining the roles and responsibilities of an Engineer of Record for a tailings dam or coal combustion residuals dam to enhance safety, environmental suitability, and social sustainability.

Business Brief: Addressing the Issue of Engineer of Record for Tailings Storage Facilities
Informs and educates engineering firms of the ever-increasing levels of risk associated with tailings-related work.

Important Information About this Tailings Storage Facility Design Report
Prepared in accordance with guidelines developed by GBA and reviewed by other recognized dam and mine safety organizations.

These three materials supplement each other, and you are encouraged to download all of them and begin using them immediately.

GBA Case Histories (search using keyword “safety”)
There are also several GBA Case Histories with important safety lessons including:

Case History #103 – Nuclear Gauge Management
If you own or operate nuclear densometer gauges, you must read this GBA Case History. At one time facing thousands of dollars in penalties and revocation of their license to own and/or operate nuclear gauges, one firm turned it around and developed a compliance program that was hailed as “a model for the industry.”

In addition to safety, GBA members have free access to resources to help their staff improve job performance, produce better results, and deal confidently and effectively with the risks inherent in every project. GBA’s unmatched library contains succinct, targeted resources that meet the unique business needs of geoprofessionals. LEARN HOW TO ACCESS GBA’S ONLINE MATERIALS.

PDF Boring Logs to 3D Models: A Knowledge Sharing Webinar

The next GBA Knowledge Sharing Webinar is on June 26 at 2 p.m. ET. The GBA Knowledge Sharing Webinar events are a series of free online learning opportunities for GBA members that directly connect them with our industry partners who are creating impactful technology to elevate the geoprofessions.

Topic: PDF Boring Logs to 3D Models: A Demonstration of AI Digitization Today
Date: June 26, 2025
Time: 2-2:40 p.m. ET
Presented by: BoreDM

Key Points:
1. Digitization of historical PDF boring logs is now commercially available.
2. Robust quality-checking processes are available for AI-based digitization.
3. Historical data is valuable not only in its original form, but also when integrated into newer tools and models.

Digitizing historical PDF logs has long been a goal of the geoprofessional community. While OCR technology can extract text snippets from pages, it does not have the spatial understanding required to structure data from highly-varied boring log formats.

Rapid advancements in AI-based computer vision models have changed that paradigm, and cutting-edge platforms are now able to recognize concepts like “surface elevation” without being pre-configured to search a certain part of the log for that value.

Presenter: Louis Aaron, BoreDM Founder

Louis graduated with an engineering degree from Princeton University. Prior to starting BoreDM, he did a brief stint in management consulting at the Boston Consulting Group in New York and worked on the project development team building 12- foot diameter tunnels at The Boring Company in Las Vegas.

Louis is dedicated not only to building powerful and intuitive software for generating borehole logs and other report deliverables, but also to delivering a solution for geoprofessionals to manage their data effectively as data-driven tools hit the market.

About BoreDM (short for Boring Data Management)
BoreDM is a market-leading, modern solution for borehole data management which has been selected by over 15 state departments of transportation and industry-leading firms to replace gINT in its first two years on the market. Under Louis’s leadership, BoreDM has quickly established itself as a key player in the space by working with state DOTs, small geotechnical shops, and large, internationally operating firms to enhance time-tested workflows and develop modern efficiencies.

Additional Events in the GBA Knowledge Sharing Webinar Series:
July 31 – “Site Investigation Tools of the Future: Advancing Geoprofessional Practice” presented by ConeTec
August 28 – Topic TBD presented by Bentley Systems
September 25 – Topic TBD presented by Agile Frameworks

Register now to save your seat in the Knowledge Sharing Webinar Series by clicking HERE.

 

GBA President’s Letter to Membership

Teresa Peterson, P.E., C.M.E., LEED AP O&M, ENV SP (GFT)

With the completion of another successful Annual Conference, we kick off a new GBA fiscal year and welcome a new Board of Directors. I am honored and thrilled to take the reins of this storied organization! We have a big challenge ahead to roll out our new strategic initiatives as part of our 2027+ Strategic Plan. If you haven’t already read it, let me give you a snippet.

With guidance from our past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, we embarked on a journey to envision how the organization will provide value to its members by elevating our recognition and our value in the community. Engineers are great at evaluating problems, identifying risks and offering solutions to mitigate those risks. We’ve seen new risks emerge from the use of 3D printing, workforce shortages, and weather pattern changes. Don’t forget to add AI to the mix!

We landed on three core tenets summarized as: Member Success, Impact, and Vibrancy. We will support the success of our member firms’ success by advancing the growth and development of their employees to make them more effective and prosperous through change. We will lead the way by demystifying, vetting, and promoting technology-drive strategies for our members to grow and thrive. And we will champion collaboration, uniting like-minded allies to achieve common goals and drive industry innovation.

Ambitious, right?

GBA has always been a frontrunner when it comes to ambitious plans. Just look at our Career Continuum. The mind-boggling concept that one program can organize and promote the educational resources required at every stage of a professional career – from entry level to 2nd Mountain and beyond. Pulling together resources from all our committees, Case Histories, Best Practices, round tables, and conference proceedings, the Career Continuum aims to develop a lifelong learning program that focuses on communication, hiring and retention, ethics, standard of care, contracts, dispute resolution, and staying current in an evolving environment. Imagine finding the one theme that encompasses CoMET field training webinars, the Emerging Leaders Program, project manager training, and leadership training! That theme is elevating geoprofessionals.

Or look at the success of the GBA Podcast – 18,000+ downloads and counting. The messages we share resonate across the industry.

Engineers should take pride in the monumental contributions we’ve made throughout history. We come from a long line of master builders including Ellen Swallow Richards, the “Mother of Environmental Engineering,” Sir Alexander Cruikshank Houston who introduced chlorination in drinking water, Abel Wolman who pioneered modern sanitary engineering, and Arthur Powell Davis who developed the first engineering report for the Hoover Dam. These men and women saw the challenges and rose to the occasion, despite the overwhelming odds against them.

Our new goals are achievable. They are within our reach, and this is our time to shine. But we need your help to make this happen. And when we achieve our goals, we will all share in the benefits. The skills you will learn, and networking connections you will make by volunteering with GBA will help position you for success in your career. Send me an email at tpeterson@gftinc.com to learn how you can get more involved.

I look forward to sharing this year with all of you.

GBA’s 2027+ Strategic Plan: A Vision for Member Success, Industry Impact, and Geoprofessional Vibrancy

In today’s business environment and technology landscape, geoprofessional consultants face a new generation of challenges and opportunities. As workforce dynamics shift, economic cycles tighten, and innovation accelerates, how can GBA help geoprofessional firms stay competitive, resilient, and ready?

Every few years, GBA seeks input from members, evaluates the market, and reflects on our purpose, goals, vision, and the strategic objectives required to meet them. Now, with the release of our 2027+ Strategic Plan, we’re delivering a new framework that will help our member firms – and the people who power them – lead through change and thrive in disruption.

The GBA 2027+ Strategic Plan isn’t just a vision – it’s a roadmap. The plan outlines clear objectives and strategies that will help enhance our members’ business performance, develop leaders, and prepare for the future. How will we do it?

SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR MEMBER SUCCESS

GBA will support member firm success by advancing the growth and development of employees to make them more effective and prosperous through change.

The pace of workforce transformation – driven by generational shifts, evolving skillsets, and demand for leadership agility – means professional development isn’t optional; it’s critical.

DELIVER DIFFERENCE-MAKING CONTENT AND PROGRAMS

GBA will lead the way in navigating fast-paced technological and workforce changes in the geoprofessions by demystifying, vetting, and promoting technology-driven strategies for our members to grow and thrive.

AI, automation, data platforms, and remote sensing aren’t the future—they’re the now. But not all tools are equal, and not all innovations make sense for our members.

BE A FOCI FOR THE GEOPROFESSIONS
Fueled by our value proposition, industry engagement, and genuine passion, GBA will emerge as the ultimate champion for collaboration, uniting like-minded allies to achieve common goals and drive industry innovation in an ever-changing environment.

The world is starting to grasp the critical role geoprofessionals play in the success of infrastructure, energy, transportation, water, and building projects. But we need to amplify that message—inside and outside the profession.

The Bottom Line
The GBA 2027+ Strategic Plan aligns our goals across the  Association; guides decisions about how we invest time and resources; tracks progress toward meaningful                       outcomes; and helps us anticipate what’s next for the geoprofession.

“Our new strategic plan reflects GBA’s commitment to helping our member firms not just navigate change, but lead through it,” said GBA Executive Director Joel Carson. “We’ve embraced a collaborative vision that elevates our profession, accelerates business success, and strengthens our shared future.”

View GBA’s 2027+ Strategic Plan:

 

Client First, Always: David Lourie’s Blueprint for Building a Lasting Geoprofessional Firm

Learn from geoprofessional experts on GeoHeroes, an audio series from the GBA Podcast. In the latest episode released today, host and GBA past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, F. ASCE interviews David Lourie, P.E., D.GE, F.GBA (Lourie Consultants).

What life-altering events inspired his journey into the geoprofessions and eventually opening his own firm (now more than 30 years old)? What are the key factors in his success? What’s his outlook for the future? There’s a lot to learn in this episode, including:

How to differentiate your firm: “The way to do it is by differentiating based on client focus and service and the delivery of whatever services a client is retaining us to provide.”
What profits really measure: “Many times, there’s too much focus internally on profit generation.”
• Why your goals should align with a client-focused approach: “If there’s one

complaint I hear… it’s a belief that some [firms] are more concerned about their own internal operations, welfare, and health and are less focused on the projects and understanding what clients’ needs are.”
Leveraging technology for the benefit of clients vs. strictly internal processes: “We have technology and tools at our disposal; it’s a question of how we use them to benefit our clients.”
Elevating the geoprofessions: “We need to invest in our people and give them opportunities. It’s OK to fail sometimes in the path to developing and learning and we need to allow that to happen.”
• A look to the future of the industry: “I’m optimistic about where we can go if we choose to define where we want to go and then do the things we need to do that. Some of that is getting back to the basics; listen more to our clients.”

This episode of the GBA Podcast was produced by Ryan White, P.E., G.E., F. ASCE (Apex Companies), Chair of GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee.

About GeoHeroes
In this series from the GBA Podcast, Guy Marcozzi interviews past, present, and future leaders in the geoprofessional industry to explore their personal and career journeys. The goal is to understand what motivates these individuals and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The podcast will examine the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

 

New Event Series! Knowledge Sharing Webinars

GBA is excited to introduce a new series of online learning opportunities for our members: the Knowledge Sharing Webinar Series. These events are free, 40-minute webinars on important, timely topics from our industry partners. The first webinar is on Thursday, May 29 at 2 p.m. ET:

 

 

Data Management and Reporting for Geoprofessional Firms
Thursday, May 29, 2 p.m. ET
Presented by Aldoa

This webinar explores the future of data management and reporting with modern software. As geotechnical and CMT projects become more complex and fast-paced, firms still relying on manual workflows risk falling behind. Join GBA and Adam Loewentheil, CEO at Aldoa, for a practical session, including Q&A, on how to eliminate inefficiencies, improve accuracy, and produce faster, more polished technical reports.

What you’ll learn:
Why now is the time to modernize data management workflows
Outdated practices like paper notes, spreadsheets, and manual report formatting are costing firms time and money. Learn about the top industry pain points, from data entry to report generation, and what leading firms are doing differently.

What’s the best Bentley gINT alternative
As the geotechnical engineering industry evolves, so must the tools we rely on. With Bentley gINT entering its sunset phase, many firms are facing a pivotal question: What’s the best alternative? We’ll explore what this shift means for your firm and why it’s the perfect opportunity to adopt a more modern, integrated solution for field data management and geotechnical reporting.

How to empower your team at every level
From field techs to firm owners, see how streamlined field-to-office data capture and reporting eliminates double entry, reduces errors, and speeds up delivery.

Attendees will also see a live demo of the Aldoa platform, including a walkthrough of mobile data entry, geolocation site maps, customizable form templates, and automated report generation.

Presenter: Adam Loewentheil, Co-Founder & CEO, Aldoa
  Following in the footsteps of three generations of builders, Adam witnessed firsthand the inefficiencies afflicting the environmental consulting and engineering industry. He’s passionate about building software solutions to empower consultants and engineers to focus more on what they do best: delivering quality work to their clients.

 

 

Additional Events in the GBA Knowledge Sharing Webinar Series:
• June 26 – “PDF Boring Logs to 3D Models: A Demonstration of AI Digitization Today” presented by BoreDM
• July 31 – “Site Investigation Tools of the Future: Advancing Geoprofessional Practice” presented by ConeTec
• August 28 – Topic TBD presented by Bentley Systems
• September 25 – Topic TBD presented by Agile Frameworks

Register now to save your seat in the Knowledge Sharing Webinar Series by clicking HERE.

GeoHeroes Share Real-World Lessons on the GBA Podcast

Two new episodes of the GBA Podcast are now available, featuring interviews that provide a real-world perspective on navigating challenges, finding success, making smarter decisions, and progressing in the geoprofessional field.

In the newest episode of GBA’s GeoHeroes podcast series, GBA past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, talks with Saiid Behboodi, P.E., G.E., F.GBA, Principal and Geotechnical Engineer at PBS Engineering and Environmental.

Saiid’s path was shaped by his cultural background and personal journey. He chose to study civil engineering due to its high regard abroad, where civil engineers are seen as “heroes.” A move to the West Coast led him into geotechnical engineering through serendipity — a creative teaching approach helped him secure his first job.

A critical influence on his career and business acumen was his involvement with GBA, where he learned crucial knowledge in loss prevention and risk management, leading to a corporate role.

Saiid’s personal philosophy, rooted in his upbringing and professional journey, stresses continuous learning, mentorship, social skills, and giving back, emphasizing that relationship is key in business.

LISTEN HERE

Laura Register: Finding Belonging in Male-Dominated Field

In an episode published on April 23, Marcozzi interviews Laura Register, P.E., F. GBA, the National Director for Strategic Business Sectors for Terracon. Register shares insights into her professional journey and early influences, including her father’s engineering and entrepreneurial spirit. She recounts her experiences as a woman in male-dominated engineering field, her career progression through various companies, and her current role.

Guy and Laura discuss the evolution of the geoprofessional industry, the value it offers, and advice for those entering the field, emphasizing the importance of company culture and mentorship.

Register is a passionate advocate and leader for advancing women in their professions. She was the first female board member in the history of GBA and served as GBA President. Laura was elected to the GBA Council of Fellows in 2018.

LISTEN HERE

These episodes offer valuable lessons for both emerging professionals and seasoned leaders in the geoprofessional field.

The episodes were produced by Ryan White, P.E., G.E. (PBS Engineering and Environmental), Chair of GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee.

For more inspiring stories and insights from leaders in the geoprofessional industry, visit the GBA Podcast.

 

GBA Announces 2025-26 Leadership

Teresa Peterson, P.E., C.M.E., LEED AP O&M, ENV SP (GFT, formerly Gannett Fleming TranSystems) is the new President of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA). Peterson took office during ceremonies at GBA’s annual meeting held on April 25, 2025 in Savannah, Georgia. Teresa is a Vice President in GFT’s Power Group and serves as their Corporate Sustainability Officer. She has more than 24 years in the industry and is still in love with her chosen profession.

Peterson will serve as GBA’s President and Chair of the Association’s Board of Directors through the end of the 2025 Fiscal Year in April 2026. Learn more about Teresa:
Spotlight article
GeoHeroes podcast interview
Profile
Connect on LinkedIn

Other directors who will serve during GBA’s 2025-26 fiscal year are:

• President-Elect and Board Chair-Elect: Daniel K. Schaefer, P.E. (Froehling & Roberston). Learn more.
• Secretary/Treasurer: Stuart “Stu” Thompson (CTL|Thompson). Learn more.

Directors-at-Large:

Kent Bannister, P.Eng. (TREK Geotechnical) – President & CEO
Elizabeth Clarke (Structure Groups) – Founder & President
Jeffrey P. Jaros (NTH Consultants) – President & CEO
Carrie Rodriguez, P.E., G.E. (BSK Associates) – Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Dori Ross, P.E. (Sanborn, Head, & Associates) – Sr. Vice President of Client Services
Jason Stoops, P.E. (G2 Consulting Group) – Associate/Project Manager

Left to right: Dori Ross, Jason Stoops, Elizabeth Clarke, Kent Bannister, Teresa Peterson, Carrie Rodriguez, Stu Thompson, Dan Schaefer, Jeff Jaros.

GBA is grateful for the service of outgoing board members: Immediate past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C and Vic Donald, P.E. (Terracon).

Many of these board members get started on their leadership track by attending GBA events or joining one of GBA’s committees, which are the fuel that drives the engine of GBA. If you’re interested in joining a committee, please reach out to GBA Committee Coordinator Andrea Gorski at andrea@geoprofessional.org for more details.

Celebrating Excellence: GBA Honors 2024-2025 Award Recipients

 

The success of GBA relies on the volunteer efforts of many groups and individuals. At the 2025 GBA Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia, GBA recognized the contributions of outstanding individuals and member firms. The evening celebrated the spirit of volunteerism and leadership that fuels GBA’s mission. This year’s recipients exemplified commitment to advancing the geoprofessions and strengthening the GBA community.

Those recognized during the annual Recognition and Awards Banquet were:

CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
Based on input from GBA Committee and Council leaders, GBA has awarded the following geoprofessionals with Certificates of Appreciation to recognize their contributions to the Association in the past 12 months:

• Ed Alizadeh, P.E., J.D., F.GBA (UES)
• Kent Bannister, P.Eng. (TREK)
• Christopher Bouchet, P.E. (CTL|Thompson)
• Michaela Brewster, CPG (Terracon)
• Elizabeth Brown, P.E. (Atlas)
• Rick Bruce (S&ME)
• Elizabeth Clarke (Structure Groups)
• Abi Corbett (SME)
• Vic Donald, P.E. (Terracon)
• Ryan Feist, P.E. (Terracon)
• Sal Fiorentino, P.E. (ECS Limited)
• Shawn Fitzhugh, P.E. (CTL|Thompson)
• Kurt Fraese, L.G., F.GBA (Fraese & Associates)
• Dan Gradishar, P.E. (Terracon)
• Chuck Gregory, P.E., F.GBA (Terracon)
• James Hamilton, Esq., P.E. (GAI Consultants)
• Brent Hay, M.Sc., P.Eng. (TREK)
• Charlie Head, P.E., P.G., F.GBA (Sanborn, Head, & Associates)
• Craig Hill (Kleinfelder)
• Robert Howard, P.E. (Geo-Technology Associates)
• Derek Koller, CIH, CHMM (Terracon)
• Mark Kramer, P.E., F.GBA (SME)
• Colter Lane, P.E. (Jorgensen Associates)
• James Landrum, P.E. (Olsson)
• Thomas Maher, P.G. (Civil & Environmental Consultants)
• Aaron Mann, Esq. (Terracon)
• Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, F.ASCE (Verdantas)
• Jay Martin, P.E., F.GBA (WSP)
• Tony Martin (BSK Associates)
• Andrew Michaud (S.W. Cole Engineering)
• Keith Mobley, P.E., G.E. (Northern Geotechnical Engineering – Terra Firma Testing)
• Bryce Moore (Blackburn Consulting)
• Matt Monteith, P.E., D.GE (Kleinfelder)
• John Murphy (GZA)
• John Norwood, P.E., CSSGB (Terracon)
• Brian Olin, P.G. (Froehling & Roberston)
• Stewart Osgood, P.E., F.GBA (DOWL)
• Fernando Pons, P.E. (Pons & Associates)
• Laura Register, P.E., F.GBA (Terracon)
• Carrie Rodriguez, P.E., G.E. (BSK Associates)
• Dori Ross, P.E. (Sanborn, Head, & Associates)
• Jennifer Sanborn, P.E. (Sanborn, Head, & Associates)
• Dan Schaefer, P.E. (Froehling & Roberston)
• Becky Stoyle, CPA (Knight Piesold)
• Michael Van Helden, Ph.D., P.Eng. (TREK)
• Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2, PMP (SME)
• Jennifer Wegner (SME)
• Steve Wendland, P.E. (Bedrock GeoConsult)
• Ryan White, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE (PBS Engineering and Environmental)
• Aaron Zdinak, P.E. (HDR)

AWARDS OF APPRECIATION
Special award was given to a volunteer who contributed to GBA in extraordinary and unique ways during the year:

Victor S. Barchers, P.E. (Kleinfelder)

PEER-REVIEWED FIRMS
One of the most valuable programs GBA offers its members is Peer Review. The following firms were recognized for being peer reviewed in the past 12 months:                                   
• BSK Associates
• DOWL
• Eustis Engineering
• Foundation Design
• GeoEngineers
• STRATA

MEMBER FIRM ENGAGEMENT AWARDS
GBA tracks the engagement of its member firms through metrics like event attendance, resource downloads, committee participation, award applications, survey completions, and other important measurement categories. The following firms were found to have the highest measured engagement in GBA during the last fiscal year (one from each category based on firm size):
• Grounded Engineering
• Geotechnical Consultants                                                                                           
• Geo-Technology Associates
• Terracon

Congratulations to these firms and their employees, who are receiving a high value from their GBA membership due to their level of engagement with GBA groups, events, and resources.

WOODWARD L. VOGT PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Woodward L. Vogt Project Excellence Award celebrates the greatness of our members as they use GBA best practices to manage risk and optimize performance on notable projects. The 2025 winner of the prestigious award is:

ANS Geo – Pike County Battery Energy Storage System, Petersburg, Indiana.


Left to right: Vatsal Shah, Ph.D., P.E., PP, D.GE, F.NSPE, ANS Geo President & CEO; Mohamed Faizan, Ph.D., ANS Geo; and Joel Carson, GBA Executive Director

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
GBA Committees are the fuel that drives the GBA engine. The following committee leaders are transitioning out of their leadership roles and we celebrate them for their work thus far:

• Bruce Savage, CPG (Geotechnical Consultants, Inc.), Peer Review Committee, 2024
• Jason Stoops, P.E. (G2 Consulting Group), Business Practices Committee, 2022-2025
• Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2, PMP (SME), Multimedia Delivery Committee, 2022-2025

BOARD OF DIRECTORS SERVICE AWARD
Service on the GBA Board of Directors requires the dedication of time and resources throughout a three-year term. This award is bestowed on Directors who have completed their term of service:

• Vic Donald, P.E. (Terracon), 2022-2025

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE ETHICS & LEADERSHIP AWARD
GBA past-President (2017-2018) Charles “Charlie” L. Head, P.E., P.G., F.GBA (Sanborn, Head, & Associates), was selected as the recipient of this year’s Professional Practice Ethics & Leadership award. Read more.


Left to right: Guy Marcozzi, Charlie Head, and Teresa Peterson, P.E., C.M.E., LEED AP O&M, ENV SP.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Each year, the outgoing GBA President selects one person to recognize for their contributions to GBA during the year of their presidency. Immediate past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, F.ASCE awarded the 2024-25 honor to Kevin Hoppe, P.E., F.GBA (NTH Consultants).


Kevin Hoppe, P.E., F.GBA (NTH Consultants)

PRESIDENT’S SERVICE GAVEL AWARD
This award is bestowed on the immediate past-President after completing their term of service. GBA recognized Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, F.ASCE for his years of service and leadership.


From left: GBA Immediate Past-President Guy Marcozzi and GBA President Teresa Peterson

On behalf of the GBA Board of Directors, all member firms, and staff, we congratulate all the award winners for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

New GBA Podcast Episode: Low Budget, High Expectations—What Could Go Wrong?

The latest episode of the GBA Podcast Case History series is live—and it’s one every geoprofessional should hear.

What happens when a client prioritizes speed and low cost over sound recommendations? In this episode, hosts Elizabeth Brown, P.E. (Atlas) and Abi Corbett (SME) unpack the lessons learned in GBA Case History #55, when an environmental consultant’s warnings went unheeded—leading to bigger problems, a legal dispute, and a forfeited $40,000 fee.

Brown and Corbett explore a real-world example of how client pressure for speed and cost savings can lead to major project risks—and significant professional consequences. In this case, an auto parts manufacturer sought to sell a property contaminated by leaking underground storage tanks. After ignoring early recommendations and opting for the quickest and cheapest remediation alternative, the client later accused the consultant of breach of contract when contamination was discovered in a larger area.

Key Takeaways Include:

• The critical role of client selection in go/no-go decisions
• How unclear contracts and poor communication escalate risk
• The importance of proactive legal counsel
• Why low bids and rushed timelines rarely end well

With relatable insights and lessons that apply beyond environmental consulting, this episode serves as a cautionary tale about protecting your geoprofessional consulting firm through better planning, communication, and client management.

Download Case History #55 (Free for GBA Members)

Looking for more real-world lessons? Explore all GBA Case Histories.

 

 

 

 

Announcing the 2026 Annual Conference Theme and Call for Abstracts

The Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) is excited to announce the theme of the 2026 GBA Annual Conference: Geoprofessional Vibrancy, Impact, and Professionalism—a powerful call to action for our industry’s leaders.

Join us in Phoenix, Arizona, from April 23-25, 2026, at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, where geoprofessionals from across North America will gather to share insights, drive innovation, and elevate excellence in the geoprofessions at the VIP event of the year.

It’s more than just a conference—it’s a chance to transform your business, elevate your leadership, and define what comes next for the geoprofessional industry.

Share Your ExpertiseSubmit an Abstract!

GBA invites engaging and insightful speakers to submit presentation abstracts that align with GBA’s Strategic Plan and the three pillars of the 2026 Annual Conference theme:

VIBRANCY – Showcase the transformative role of geoprofessionals in society. Sessions may explore how we can amplify our visibility, collaborate across disciplines, shape public perception of geoprofessionals, and influence decision-making.

IMPACT – How can geoprofessional consulting firms drive growth through technology, workforce innovation, and adaptation? Share solutions for thriving in an evolving landscape through emerging tools, business models, and resilient and competitive workforce strategies.

PROFESSIONALISM – Empower leadership and talent development. Present best practices for talent retention, mentoring, and cultivating professional growth to help firms navigate through change and lead with purpose.

Selected presenters will gain visibility and credibility, forge meaningful industry connections, and contribute to shaping the future of the geoprofessions.

Throughout the conference, we’ll examine how these three themes—Vibrancy, Impact, and Professionalism—can guide us to create meaningful change in our firms and communities.

Abstracts must be submitted by Friday, August 1, 2025. Download the Call for Abstracts form by clicking the button below.

Why the Future Belongs to Forward-Thinking Geoprofessionals

In the latest episode of GBA’s GeoHeroes podcast series, GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C (Verdantas), speaks with Vic Donald, P.E. (Terracon), a veteran geotechnical engineer whose 46-year career reflects both deep roots and visionary foresight.

From his early days growing up to leading the geotechnical service line at Terracon, Vic shares a journey shaped by curiosity, resilience, and steadfast commitment. Listeners will hear candid reflections on Vic’s formative mentors, offshore experiences that shaped his views on safety, and the hard-earned wisdom of building a successful consulting firm during economic uncertainty.

Now serving as a Senior Consultant at Terracon, Vic brings a unique blend of technical knowledge and strategic insight to the evolving geoprofessional landscape. In this episode, he tackles some of the industry’s most pressing issues—including commoditization, the need for innovation, and the opportunities and threats posed by new technologies and data management.

Vic’s message to emerging professionals is clear: embrace mentorship, listen deeply, and lean into change with courage. As he puts it, “Don’t sit back passively observing the changes… lean forward and lean into these changes and create a benefit to our clients that they will feel better as a result of their exposure to the geoprofessional.”


This episode of the GBA Podcast was produced by Ryan White, P.E., G.E. (PBS Engineering and Environmental LLC), Vice-Chair of GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee.

About GeoHeroes

In this series from the GBA Podcast, Guy Marcozzi interviews past, present, and future leaders in the geoprofessional industry to explore their personal and career journeys. The goal is to understand what motivates these individuals and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The podcast will examine the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.