GBA Honors 2025-2026 Award Recipients
GBA members gathered at the 2026 GBA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona for the Annual Recognition and Awards Banquet to celebrate the people and member firms who advanced the association’s mission through service, leadership, and meaningful contributions to the geoprofessions.
Below are the award recipients recognized for Fiscal Year 2025-2026:
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
GBA recognizes volunteers whose contributions strengthened the association and elevated geoprofessional value. The following geoprofessionals with Certificates of Appreciation to recognize their contributions to the Association in the past 12 months:
| • Intisar Ahmed, MS, P.E., P.Eng. | • Ken Johnston, F.GBA |
| • Kent Bannister, P.Eng. | • Jesse Kropelnicki, P.E. |
| • Abeera Batool, Ph.D., P.E. | • James Landrum, P.E. |
| • Saiid Behboodi, P.E., G.E., F.GBA | • Colter Lane, P.E. |
| • Grace Blackburn | • Thomas Maher, P.G. |
| • Tom Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.GBA, F.ASCE, F.ACEC | • Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, F.GBA, F.ASCE |
| • Storer Boone, Ph.D., P.Eng., P.E. | • Andrew Michaud |
| • Elizabeth Brown, P.E. | • Keith Mobley, P.E., G.E. |
| • Jim Carpenter, P.E. | • Matt Moler, P.E., F.GBA |
| • Corey Clarke | • Bryce Moore |
| • Rob Condon, P.E. | • Stewart Osgood, P.E., F.GBA |
| • Abi Corbett | • Bob Rabeler, P.E., M.ASCE, F.MSPE |
| • Blake Cotton, P.E. | • Dori Ross, P.E. |
| • Veronica De Freitas, P.E. | • Elias Ruhl |
| • Vic Donald, P.E., F.GBA | • Shelby Russ, E.I. |
| • Craig Fischer | • Ryan Slack |
| • Chuck Gregory, P.E., F.GBA | • Peter Suah, P.E. |
| • Rick Heckel, P.E., D.GE | • Leo Titus, P.E., F.GBA |
| • Rachel Hile-Broad | • Matt Van Rensler, P.E. |
| • Rob Howard, P.E. | • Tiffany Vorhies, PMP, NACE CIP-2 |
| • Jeff Jaros | • Steve Wendland, P.E., P.G., BC.GE |
| • June Jewell | • Ryan White, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE |
| • Rich Johnson, P.G., C.E.G., C.H.G. | • Aaron Zdinak, P.E., BC.GE |
AWARD OF APPRECIATION
GBA presented a Special Award of Appreciation to Tim Rodriguez, a member of the Multimedia Delivery Committee, in recognition of extraordinary multimedia support—contributions spanning writing, video production, and promotional storytelling that helped spotlight GBA resources, training, and key events.
PEER-REVIEWED FIRM
Peer Review is one of GBA’s signature programs and a powerful investment in future success. GBA recognized French & Parrello Associates and Southern Engineering and Testing for completing GBA Peer Reviews in 2025.
2026 WOODWARD L. VOGT PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Woodward L. Vogt Project Excellence Award recognizes an outstanding project completed by a GBA member firm—one that reflects GBA’s vision through strong risk management, innovation, quality, and meaningful community impact.
Winner: G2 Consulting — The University of Michigan Helipad Evaluation & Reconstruction
This year’s winning project addressed an emergency sinkhole beneath a hospital helipad that halted critical medical operations. G2 Consulting led the geotechnical response to restore this vital emergency asset to full service.
MEMBER FIRM ENGAGEMENT AWARDS
GBA recognized member firms with the highest measured engagement during the 2025–2026 year (one from each category based on firm size):
• Jorgenson Geotechnical
• SME
• Strata, Inc.
• Terracon
NEW IN 2026: IMPACT AND SERVICE AWARD
In 2026, GBA introduced a new annual award to recognize an individual whose long-term, behind-the-scenes contributions have meaningfully advanced the association’s work and supported strategic direction through steady, trusted service.
Winner: Rick Heckel, P.E., D.GE
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
GBA recognized the following committee leaders who transitioned out of key roles and celebrated their service:
• Lori A. Cathcart — Emerging Issues & Trends Committee Vice Chair (2024-2026)
• Aaron J. Mann, Esq. — Legal Affairs Committee Chair (2024-2026)
• Bryce Moore — CoMET Committee Chair (2023-2026)
• Margaret Panatera, P.E. — Environmental Business Committee Chair (2023-2026)
• Ryan White, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE — Multimedia Delivery Committee Chair (2025-2026).
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SERVICE AWARD
GBA recognized Elizabeth Clarke for completing her term as a Director (2023-2026).
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
The outgoing GBA President selects one person to recognize for the contributions they made to our Association during the year of his or her presidency.
Winner, selected by Teresa Peterson: Art Hoffmann, P.E., D.GE, F.GBA
PRESIDENT’S SERVICE GAVEL
New GBA president Dan Schaefer, P.E. presented the President’s Service Gavel to Teresa Peterson, in recognition of her completion of her presidential term (2025-2026).
On behalf of the GBA Board of Directors, member firms, and staff, congratulations to all who were recognized for Fiscal Year 2025-2026—and thank you for the expertise, leadership, and service that strengthen our association and elevate the geoprofessions.