To stay competitive, geoprofessional firms must do more than deliver technical excellence—they must foster a culture where creativity and risk-taking are not just tolerated but celebrated. October is National Innovation Month, and as firms enter the planning season for 2026, the imperative to invest in research, development, and innovation is clear.

Innovation isn’t a one-time event—it’s a continuous process that requires intentional effort, resources, and leadership commitment. This article shares practical strategies gathered from discussions among geoprofessional leaders on nurturing innovation, reframing non-billable time, and building psychological safety into your organization.

Actionable Strategies to Nurture Innovation

1. Create Psychological Safety
Empower employees at all levels to share unconventional ideas without fear of dismissal or failure. Encourage wild ideas and provide a platform for all voices.

2. Treat Innovation as a Formal Project
Allocate dedicated time and resources, set up project codes, and track efforts with scope, schedule, and budget. View non-billable time as an investment in your firm’s future.

3. Reward Creativity and Risk-Taking
Recognize and incentivize creative thinking—both company-wide and within teams. Celebrate both successes and failures as learning opportunities.

4. Encourage External Inspiration
Support employees in attending conferences, collaborating with external partners, and bringing new ideas into your organization.

5. Present Ideas with a Business Case
Ensure new initiatives are backed by a clear business case that demonstrates strategic value and measurable ROI.

For More Ideas:
• Check out “Orbiting the Giant Hairball” and other books from GBA’s winter reading list for geoprofessionals.
• Conduct a GBA peer review for a fresh, outside perspective.
• Tune in to the GBA Podcast for discussions on leadership, culture, and innovation. The Leadership Lounge and GeoHeroes series are full of great, geoprofessional-specific examples.

Fostering innovation requires more than good intentions—it demands a culture that values curiosity, supports risk-taking, and celebrates both success and failure. By implementing these strategies, geoprofessional firms can unlock creative potential across all levels, driving growth and ensuring long-term competitiveness.

Mentorship is more than a tradition in the geoprofessions—it’s a strategic lever for growth, innovation, and resilience. And as the industry evolves, so too does the role of the mentor. Today’s leaders are asking: “What is my role as a mentor?” This article shares the findings from GBA’s 2025 Business Round Tables and offers actionable guidance for mentors at every career stage.

The Mentor’s Role: Beyond Program Structure

While establishing a mentorship program is important, the real impact comes from how mentors engage with their mentees. The most effective mentors are those who:

• Champion continuous learning. Mentorship is a two-way street. Reverse mentoring—where mentors learn from mentees, especially in areas like technology and new practices—creates a culture of adaptability and shared growth.
• Empower mentees to lead. The best mentorship relationships are mentee-driven. Encourage mentees to take ownership of scheduling, goal-setting, and progress tracking. This fosters independence and accountability.
• Ask the right questions. A mentor’s responsibility is to help mentees grow—not to dictate their path. Simple, open-ended questions like, “What can I do to make your life easier?” open the door to meaningful support—both professionally and personally, within appropriate boundaries.
• Share unwritten skills. Many critical skills—such as IT proficiency or project management—aren’t taught in school. Mentors should proactively share these insights, helping mentees bridge gaps between academic training and real-world demands.
• Model inclusivity. Effective mentorship is valuable at all career stages, including for those nearing retirement. Thoughtful pairing (avoiding direct reporting relationships and allowing mentee input) ensures every participant benefits.
• Limit overextension. To maintain quality, mentors should work with a manageable number of mentees (two is often ideal), allowing for deeper, more personalized guidance.
• Seek organizational support. Successful mentorship requires leadership buy-in and adequate resources. Advocate for budget and recognition to ensure your efforts are sustainable and impactful.

With National Mentoring Day on October 27 and professional development season in full swing, now is the perfect time to reflect on your role as a mentor. Whether you’re planning for the year ahead or refreshing your approach, these insights can help you fuel your mentorship forward—not just run it on autopilot.

Best Practices for Mentors

Effective mentorship doesn’t happen by accident. Curated from candid discussions among the industry leaders of GBA member firms, these best practices can help you become a mentor that has a lasting impact on your mentee and your firm.

1. Structured Planning: Set clear objectives for each mentorship relationship. Use established best practices as a foundation, but tailor your approach to your organization’s culture and goals.
2. Inclusive Participation: Encourage mentorship at all levels. Pair mentors and mentees thoughtfully and let mentees have a say in the process.
3. Reverse Mentoring: Embrace opportunities to learn from your mentees. This not only enhances your own skills but also strengthens the organization’s adaptability.
4. Mentor Preparation: Invest in training or classes for mentors. Being equipped with the right tools and frameworks ensures you can support mentees effectively.

Mentorship as a Strategic Advantage

A well-designed mentorship approach strengthens organizational culture, promotes knowledge sharing across generations, and drives long-term success. As a mentor, your role is to guide, empower, and learn—creating a legacy of leadership that benefits both individuals and the industry as a whole.

Are you seeking to develop a mentoring program at your firm? Download GBA’s updated Best Practices: Establishing a Mentoring Program in your firm for an extensive guide.

A new GBA Business Brief distills the collective wisdom, strategic insights, and actionable recommendations generated by industry leaders and subject matter experts at the 2025 Crystal Ball Workshop (CBW). This year’s CBW explored how artificial intelligence (AI) and automation can address the dual challenge of a shrinking workforce and rising demand for geoprofessional services.

Addressing a Shrinking Workforce and Increased Demand for Services by Leveraging AI

For more than two decades, GBA’s Crystal Ball Workshops have set the standard for forward-thinking in the geoprofessional industry. This year’s event focused on one of the most pressing challenges facing our field: how to address a shrinking workforce and increased demand for services by leveraging AI and automation.

This Business Brief presents the following for GBA members:
• A strategic framework for implementing AI and automation in geoprofessional enterprises.
• Insights into overcoming cultural, regulatory, and technical barriers to technology adoption.
• Practical recommendations for digitizing data, modernizing project management, and integrating AI into field operations.
• Guidance on building a culture of innovation, collaborating across the ecosystem, and advancing workforce training.

The Business Brief outlines challenges and provides a roadmap for success. From actionable steps for establishing organizational AI strategy to tips for enhancing workforce training and evolving business models, this resource is designed to help GBA members stay ahead of the curve and thrive in an AI-augmented future.

How to Access
GBA Business Briefs are exclusively available at no cost to GBA members.

Not a member yet? Click here to learn more about joining and unlocking all the benefits of membership.

The Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) proudly announces the graduation of the latest Early Professional Class (EPC) on September 25, 2025. This is a significant milestone for a cohort of early-career professionals who have completed a multi-session program designed to launch their careers in the geoprofessional industry. The EPC bridges the gap between technical expertise and the human side of consulting. Graduates leave with a holistic view of their profession, equipped to build trust, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their projects.

How the EPC Impacted Early-Career Geoprofessionals
In the culminating session, graduates shared how the experience shaped their professional development and career trajectory. Here is some of what they reported learning during the class:

• “This class helped me develop key skills to grow as an engineer and a professional. I’ve become more proactive in sharing project updates, clarifying expectations, and documenting discussions with clients. I feel more prepared and confident in project progress meetings or kickoff meetings.” Zachery Lilly (G2 Consulting Group)

• “Clients hire trust. They want someone who is going to fully understand their project. For me, that means focusing on listening in a way that makes them feel heard.” Noelle Cheshire (ANS)

• “You are always communicating a brand; be mindful of how you represent yourself.” Quinton Mann, E.I. (Building & Earth Sciences)

• “Ethical decision-making is woven into every aspect of our work, no matter how mundane it might feel in the moment, and it can have legal implications later on.” Gabrielle Martin (Verdantas)

• “Be the advisor your client wants and the leader your company needs.” Jonathan Balzer, P.E. (ECS Group)

More About the EPC
The EPC is a cornerstone of the GBA Career Continuum, designed to equip emerging professionals with essential skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in the geoprofessional industry. Each interactive session was led by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) from a GBA member firm and focused on a critical aspect of professional development. Topics included:
• Fundamentals
• Communication and Documentation
• Soft Skills
• Ethics
• Proposals
• Business Development and Marketing
• Contracts
• Risk and Scope Creep
• Project Management

Congratulations to the Graduates!

The September 2025 GBA Early Professional Class Graduates are:

• Amelia Anderson, E.I. (CTL|Thompson)
• Jonathan Balzer, P.E. (ECS Group)
• Joshua Bingaman (STRATA)
• Sydney Brinkley (Olsson)
• Samuel Bytnar (Geo-Technology Associates)
• Noelle Cheshire (ANS)
• Kelley Cusick (Triad Engineering)
• Bavindi de Silva (D.W. Kozera)
• Emily Finger (Sanborn, Head, & Associates)
• Aileen Flynn, P.E. (Earth Systems)
• Melissa Hall, ENV SP (GFT)
• Daniel Landesman (Kleinfelder)
• Zachary Lilly (G2 Consulting Group)
• Dylan Locke (McPhail Associates)
• Rhiannon Lord (Somat Engineering)
• Quinton Mann, E.I. (Building & Earth Sciences)
• Gabrielle Martin (Verdantas)
• Findley Moran (Verdantas)
• Madison Pritchett (NTH Consultants)
• Mitch Shirey (CTL|Thompson)
• Adrian Sizemore, E.I.T. (BSK Associates)
• Lucas Smith, E.I.T. (Bunnell-Lammons Engineering)
• Sarah Taylor, P.G. (S&ME)
• Michael Travis, P.E. (Geotechnical Consultants)

GBA thanks the following SMEs for this EPC session:
• Ryan Feist, P.E. (Terracon)
• Salvatore Fiorentino, P.E. (ECS Group)
• Dan Gradishar, P.E. (Terracon)
• Craig Hill (Kleinfelder)
• Robert Howard, P.E. (Geo-Technology Associates)
• Colter Lane, P.E. (Jorgenson Geotechnical)
• Matt Monteith, P.E., D.GE (Kleinfelder)
• Carrie Rodriguez, P.E., G.E. (BSK Associates)
• Dan Schaefer, P.E. (Froehling & Roberston)
• Ryan White, P.E., G.E. (Apex Companies)

And we thank Nickolas Annala (Jorgenson Geotechnical) and Amanda Apicella (Geotechnical Consultants), who served as teaching assistants.

GBA has released an updated version of its widely used resource, Best Practices for Establishing a Mentoring Program in Your Firm, offering fresh insights and expanded guidance. This comprehensive document is essential reading for firm leaders, HR professionals, and mentors seeking to enhance employee development, retention, and leadership succession in today’s competitive and inclusive geoprofessional workplace.

This Best Practices resource defines mentoring and identifies its many benefits for geoprofessional firms, mentors, and protégés. Additionally, the guide:
• discusses types of mentoring programs;
• provides a program overview;
• addresses the five basic program phases;
• offers guidance on program leadership and leadership levels, and how these vary based on firm size;
• speaks to an array of program issues, introduced as questions;
• advises about keeping the program current;
• and identifies resources.

Originally written in 2009 for GBA (then known as ASFE) by Kim Morrison—a former Board member and long-time contributor who now serves as COO of GBA member ATC Williams—the publication was rebranded under the GBA logo in 2022 and updated this year by the Inclusion Advancement Committee.

As AI rapidly reshapes the AEC industry, geoprofessional firms face new opportunities—and new risks. GBA has released a new Business Brief for members, “Utilizing Artificial Intelligence: Is Your Firm Adequately Insured?”

This comprehensive resource guides GBA members through the complexities of insurance coverage for AI-related risks, emphasizing the importance of understanding policy exclusions and definitions. “It would be unwise to assume that existing insurance covers all emerging AI risks,” the Brief cautions.

The brief explores the five essential types of insurance every geoprofessional firm should review to stay protected as AI transforms our industry:
• Cyber Liability Insurance
• General Liability Insurance
• Professional Liability Insurance
• Directors & Officers Liability Insurance
• Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Coverage can vary significantly between policies and depends on specific language, definitions, and endorsements.

The Business Brief provides proactive steps for firms and cautions that, “The use of AI should not replace human leadership and oversight or the need to verify the accuracy and/or quality of the work produced.”

This resource is available exclusively to GBA members. To access the new Business Brief and ensure your firm is prepared for the evolving landscape of AI risk, click below.

GBA is proud to announce the winners of our 2025 Photo Contest, which showcased the vibrancy, impact, and professionalism that define our field. This year, we received nearly 70 entries from GBA member firm employees, each capturing the dynamic work, meaningful outcomes, and high standards that drive our profession. From striking images of teamwork and technical excellence to creative compositions and compelling video clips, the contest entries reflected the energy and influence of geoprofessionals across North America.

The winning photos and videos not only demonstrate originality and technical merit, but also embody the values and spirit of GBA. We are excited to share these remarkable visuals with our community and celebrate the individuals and teams whose work inspires us all.

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos and videos!

Overall Grand Prize Winner

Photographer: Barry Miller, P.E., P.G. | Strata
Location: Rainbow Bridge over the Payette River; Valley County, Idaho
Caption: We were collecting concrete cores and rebar samples in the existing bridge to evaluate the extent of chloride corrosion. The photo shows an individual being lowered in a basket to the core locations. It was a collaborative effort with the bridge design team, Idaho Transportation Department, and STRATA.

Overall Runner-up

Photographer: Chamath Senevirathna | D.W. Kozera
Location: New Jersey Wind Port; Salem County, New Jersey
Caption: Night-time pile integrity testing with the sunset.

Overall Second Runner-up

Photographer: Noah White | ALLWEST Testing & Engineering
Location: Highway 53; Post Falls, Idaho
Caption: This is a picture I took of Shane Warner. We were performing some late-night asphalt coring. These specimens are obtained to ensure proper thickness and density of the asphalt.

Category Winners

Vibrancy in Action

Photographer: Matthew Morris | GFT
Location: California
Caption: Rock slope reconnaissance via rope access for a rock slope stabilization project.

Impact in the Field

Photographer: Andrew Pilskalns, P.E. | Castle Rock Geotechnical Engineering
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Caption: “Where geotechnical engineering begins, inspire.”

Professionalism

Photographer: Adam Marolf, MS, P.E., BCGE | American Geotechnical & Environmental Services
Location: Fairfax County Parkway; Fairfax Station, Virginia
Caption: Careful design is required when excavating adjacent to existing foundations for both the safety of the traveling public and the workers that must enter the excavations for verification of foundation bearing strength. Dynamic cone penetration testing was performed to approve the bearing surface, and the contractor was present to get clear direction from the geotechnical engineer through coordination with both the quality control testing representatives and separate independent quality assurance. These steps provide the owner with measurable data to deliver safe, quality projects for the road users.

Creative Composition

Photographer: Derek Bowers | ECS
Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
Caption: There were multiple spots on the project site that had approximately10-15 feet of compacted old organic material such as cut trees and roots. This material was unsuitable for construction, so it needed to be removed from the site and replaced with more suitable material. I was standing (at a safe distance) on the other side of a pit that was dug to assess how deep this material was. I was impressed by the amount of material that had to be removed. This was my third day on the job, and it was an eye-opening and incredible learning experience.

Video

Videographer: Christopher Gardner | Earth Systems

All winners will be featured on the GBA website, on social media, and during upcoming GBA events, including the Fall Leadership Summit in November and the 2026 Annual Conference in April. Many submitters will also see their images showcased alongside announcements of new GBA resources and in other materials throughout the year.

GBA is now accepting nominations for upcoming Early Professional Classes (EPC), part of the Career Continuum Program. The EPC is designed to lay the foundation for successful geoprofessional careers by introducing early-career staff to key consulting fundamentals.

Each EPC cohort will include 24 representatives from GBA member firms who have less than four years of experience and show high potential as consultants and future business leaders. Up to two applicants from each member firm may be admitted to each class.

A graduate of the first EPC, the program completely shifted Deon Waldmeier’s, E.I.T, (CTL|Thompson) mindset toward structured programs. “I loved the energy and insight brought by a different subject matter expert every week,” Waldmeier said.

The EPC blends real-world scenarios with foundational professional competencies, ensuring participants can immediately apply what they learn to their day-to-day work.

“My favorite topics were Business Development and Contracts, both of which directly aligned with the challenges I face at work,” said EPC graduate Andrea Cano Sanchez (Verdantas). “I appreciated the opportunity to engage with geoprofessionals from diverse backgrounds and valued their contributions in breakout groups.”

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.

Classes are conducted via 10 live virtual sessions moderated by an experienced GBA speaker and facilitated by an expert adult education instructor. Participants will receive credit for professional development hours and a Certificate of Completion.

The Ideal Nominee

• College graduates or early-career staff (0-4 years of consulting experience) ready for an introduction to professional practice.
• Staff not yet managing projects but showing leadership potential.
• Field staff who may be rising to a professional staff career pathway.

How the EPC Helps GBA Member Firms

By nominating your rising talent, your firm can:

• Build their business acumen through exposure to key consulting fundamentals in a time- and cost-efficient approach.
• Optimize their business performance through interaction and training with other top-notch professionals.
• Introduce them to the wide array of GBA benefits and resources.
• Increase their awareness of risk management.

Are you part of design, permitting, or construction of a project that impacts forested areas? Don’t let the bats make you batty! This article, prepared by GBA’s Environmental Business Committee, shares the latest information on the changing world of federally listed bat species.

Just like wetland regulations, this has been a tough realm to navigate lately. These are some general topics that can help us as geoprofessionals “navigate through the forest” of it all. This is not meant to be an “end-all” when it comes to working through specifics on a project, but hopefully it will help you develop a better understanding of the current status of this topic and allow you to ask more pointed and intelligent questions of an Endangered Species Act (ESA) practitioner and/or an experienced bat biologist.

The ESA regulations come to the table through a federal nexus, which can include federal permitting, federal funding, or any other federal involvement. Federal nexus falls under Section 7 for the ESA. In these circumstances, one should always start their project by visiting the United States Fish   and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information and Planning for Consultation (IPaC) website:         https://ipac.ecosphere.fws.gov/. This site generates an on-demand list of federally listed species upon entering an ArcGIS upload or a manually drawn sketch of the project area. Because the website is regularly updated to include refined range map data and other outputs, an IPaC-produced species list is considered outdated after 90 days.

In many regions, species covered by the IPaC Determination Keys (D-Keys) are federally endangered Indiana bats (IBAT), federally endangered northern long-eared bats (NLEB), and federally proposed endangered tricolored bats (TCB). Completing the D-Key process can produce an instant ‘may affect-not likely to adversely affect’ (NLAA) determination without having to contact a USFWS Field Office. This is the result you want for your project. However, it will more often produce a ‘may affect’ determination which requires more information by contacting the relevant USFWS Field Office. Each D-Key has a long series of questions that will not give a final determination without answering ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to some of the following tougher questions:

• Does the action area contain any winter roosts or caves (or associated sinkholes, fissures, or other karst features), mines, rocky outcroppings, or tunnels that could provide habitat for hibernating bats?
• Will the action cause effects to a bridge?
• Will the action result in effects to a culvert or tunnel equal or exceeding 23 feet (7.0 meters) in length and 4 feet (1.22 meters) or greater in height at any time of year?

‘No’ answers to any of these questions sometimes require a survey report to be uploaded to continue. ‘Yes’ answers require a survey report to be uploaded before continuing in the D-Key. Therefore, early coordination through IPaC is imperative on projects with a federal nexus, especially projects with caves, mine portals, bridges, culverts, or forested areas.

The federal nexus automatically brings the USFWS to the table on a project, making this a voluntary process only if a federal nexus does not exist. Tree clearing restriction dates often appear in D-Keys in the form of a question making it easier to consult (instead of direct coordination with a USFWS Field Office and lag time awaiting a response). However, understanding a project proponent’s risk tolerance and priorities should always be addressed before deciding whether to consult. Some states have additional state-level restrictions/guidelines, so seeking out early guidance from a state agency (Department of Natural Resources, departments of environmental management/quality/protection, etc.) is also recommended.

Typically, an NLAA determination for bats can be achieved by clearing trees in winter (dates differ by state and region) if the area is not in the vicinity of a known hibernation site (hibernacula). However, if tree clearing during winter cannot be accomplished, a presence/absence survey can be conducted (generally May 15-August 15). The USFWS has established a year-round active portion of the NLEB and TCB in the southern U.S. parts of their range, allowing the USFWS to accept captures and/or acoustic detections of NLEB and/or TCBs collected March 1-October 15 (expanded from May 15-August 15) as traditional summer records. If no listed bat species are identified, trees can potentially be cleared any time of year for the next five years after the survey season.

The ranges of TCB, NLEB, and IBAT overlap considerably across the eastern United States, where all three species can be found cohabitating. However, TCBs also occur in portions of the western U.S. (e.g., Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, etc.) that are dominated by forest-limited landscapes, such as grasslands. Tree clearing restrictions on projects in areas outside the IBAT range are likely to be new to most project proponents in those areas.

Little brown bats are expected to be evaluated for listing in 2026, and a listing decision date for TCB had not been established or announced at the time of this posting.

In a new episode of the GBA Podcast Case History series, hosts Elizabeth Brown, P.E. (JLT Consultants) and Abi Corbett (SME) unpack the lessons of GBA Case History #107, where a supervisor’s failure to recognize and act on implied mental health disclosures led to costly legal consequences.

This case highlights essential risk management insights for every geoprofessional firm. It’s a reminder that technical excellence must be matched by leadership and empathy—especially when navigating the human side of business.

Brown and Corbett walk listeners through the real-world challenges faced by a GBA member firm that navigated a difficult employee performance issue involving the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Their conversational style and thoughtful analysis make this episode both accessible and deeply relevant for firm leaders, managers, and human resources professionals.

Key Takeaways for Geoprofessionals

Elizabeth and Abi use the case to highlight essential lessons for leaders and managers in geoprofessional firms, including:
• Train supervisors in HR fundamentals: Even basic awareness of employment law can prevent costly missteps.
• Take casual mentions seriously: Implied references to medical conditions may trigger legal obligations.
• Engage HR early: HR professionals are essential partners in navigating complex personnel issues.

Tune in to learn how compassion must be paired with compliance to protect both employees and the business.

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

GBA has published more than 115 case histories based on real-life events that have happened to geoprofessional firms. GBA Case Histories are unique because our members share real-life stories of problems that impacted their businesses. They also include the outcomes of corrective action, and lessons learned.

GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee also delivers select Case Histories as podcasts.

This podcast episode was produced by the following GBA members:
• Elizabeth Brown, P.E. (JLT Consultants)
• Abi Corbett (SME)
• Ryan White, P.E., G.E. (Apex Companies), Chair of GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee.

In the latest episode of the GBA Podcast’s GeoHeroes series, host Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, sits down former GBA President Matt Moler, P.E., Vice President Region 1 Director at S&ME. Their conversation explores career growth, mentorship, and the quiet strength of purpose-driving leadership.

Building a Career at S&ME
Matt joined S&ME in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he quickly realized that real-world consulting required more than academic knowledge.

“Coming out [of college], you feel like you know a lot, right? You’ve gone to school for…16 years of your life? But I learned pretty quickly that I didn’t know a lot. Thankfully, the manager that I had was very good about teaching and allowed me to fail a little bit.”

A pivotal assignment in construction materials testing introduced him to fieldwork, client interactions, and the challenge of translating recommendations into buildable solutions. This “derailment,” as he calls it, became a launchpad for his career.

Leadership Through Listening and Learning
Throughout the episode, Matt emphasizes the importance of mentorship, adaptability, and empowering others. His advice to leaders? Encourage curiosity, listen actively, and be open to change—even when it means adapting yourself.

Moler’s Advice on Mentorship
“Don’t be quick to give answers to those that come to you for advice. It’s okay to encourage inquisitiveness; it’s okay to encourage them coming up with ideas. They may be out of the box, but they may be very appropriate.”

GBA: A Catalyst for Growth
Matt’s involvement with GBA began with the Fundamentals of Professional Practice program and evolved through the Emerging Leaders Program, committee work, and eventually the executive track. He says the relationships and insights he gained far outweighed what he gave.

“One of the great things about GBA is it pairs you with individuals that share experiences, and you might learn a few things that you can bring back to your own business that make our industry better because of that sharing.”

This episode marks another milestone for the GBA Podcast, which recently surpassed 20,000 downloads.

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

The next installment of the GBA Knowledge Sharing Webinar Series takes place on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET with “Understanding Ground Risk: It All Starts with the Data.” This free webinar is part of GBA’s ongoing commitment to fostering knowledge exchange between our members and trusted industry partners.

Overview
The evolution of cloud-enabled technologies coupled with an explosion in subsurface data volumes provides geoprofessionals with significant optimization opportunities throughout all phases of the ground investigation and engineering design lifecycle.

Making incremental data-informed decisions from trusted sources enables geoprofessionals to develop an iterative understanding of subsurface conditions to better assess ground risk, optimize designs, and realize significant efficiencies compared to traditional approaches.

This session will highlight the value (and efficiency gains) of leveraging cloud-connected technology to adopt a more iterative data-centric approach to understanding ground risk.

Presenter:
Carl Grice, Director of Geotechnical Information Management at Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company

Key Topics Include:
• Maximizing the value of historic and current geotechnical data through centralization and standardization
• Increasing data accessibility and collaboration via secure, scalable cloud platforms
• Enabling connected workflows for iterative ground investigation, analysis, and design
• Futureproofing geotechnical data using open data transfer formats and standards-compliant web APIs

Carl will also share case studies involving OpenGround, including applications with a Department of Transportation, and discuss how geotechnical information management integrates into broader team workflows—highlighting U.S. government security compliance considerations.

About the Knowledge Sharing Webinar Series
This webinar series is designed to provide GBA members with timely insights from industry experts on topics that impact geoprofessional practice. The sessions are 40-minutes (30-minute presentation and 10-minute Q&A) and are free to attend.

The Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) is pleased to announce the addition of Kelley Versteegh to the staff in the role of Events Director.

Kelley has already contributed to the planning, logistics, and execution of the GBA Crystal Ball Workshop  in June 2025 and will continue to do so for GBA’s full event calendar, including GBA Board meetings, the Fall Leadership Summit, and the GBA Annual Conference.

Versteegh brings over a decade of experience managing high-profile programs for a trade association. She is known for her attention to detail, budget management, vendor coordination, and dedication to creating memorable programs for attendees. She is thrilled to support GBA’s strategic objectives of fostering meaningful collaboration across the geoprofessional community through unique member experiences.

She holds a B.A. in Humanities from California State University, Sacramento, and has a long-standing commitment to serving her community through volunteer leadership in youth and rescue organizations.

You can contact Kelley at kelley@geoprofessional.org.