GBA Timeline
1969 - 1978
GBA founded as Associated Soil and Foundation Engineers, Inc.
Commonly referred to as ASFE
First Loss-Prevention Seminars offered
Training/professional development offerings are a staple of the Association
Standard Contract Clauses developed
Tools for strengthening agreements with clients
Practice Reference Manual and other publications free to members
All association publications are free to members
Limitation of Liability (LOL) implementation materials introduced
Guidance for the most significant AE contract provision
Fundamentals of Professional Practice Course created
A unique six-month program for firms’ rising stars
First Case Histories published
Over 100 geoprofessional accounts of lessons learned
Report Review Program launched
Association reviewers evaluate member firm reports for loss prevention, tech content and style
Education programs offered in audio format
For project managers and field representatives
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) advancements
GBA developed first new alternative to arbitration in 100 years
Peer Review Program developed
ENR in 1999 named this most innovative construction-industry-association-developed program in 125 years1979 - 1988
First client-oriented Materials offered
Materials used to educate client representatives
Hazardous Waste Task Force launched
Support for emergence of environmental services being offered by member firms
ASFE Contract Reference Guide created
For many firms, the “contract bible”
The "ASFE Story" published
First historical account of the Association
Backyard Seminars offered
Loss prevention training at member firm office locations
Hazardous Materials Contract Addendum published
Risk management element for environmental services
Geotechnical Engineer Model Contract published
Risk management element for geotechnical services
Advocacy against price-based procurement
US Air Force withdraws price-based AE selection, one of many successes against possible Brooks Act violations
Objections to proposed ASCE standards
Early example of the Association making sure prescriptive approaches don't replace professional judgment
First Winter Leadership Conference
This gathering became a staple of organizational leadership efforts held in Jan/Feb of each year
Association of Soils and Foundations Engineers (ASFE) renamed
New name is simply ASFE
Institute of Professional Practice (IPP) formed
Independent entity with a grant from the Association
PSA Research begins
PSA (now ESA) practice evaluation
Growing Pains of a New Profession: Soil Mechanics 1925-1940 presentation by Ralph Peck
Definitive historical account by one of the most honored geotechnical-engineering educators
Practice Alerts published
A variety of member alerts on impactful, timely issues1989 - 1998
Association of Geotechnical Specialists (AGS) formed in the UK
Modeled after ASFE - unaffiliated
ASFE and the Hazardous Waste Action Coalition (HWAC) reach agreement on areas of focus
ASFE focus on ESAs, USTs and loss prevention; HWAC focus on safety, manuals and standards
BOD forms Hospitality Committee
Furthering the tradition of the Association conferences welcoming the attendance of family and significant others
Sponsorship of PSA Report Review
Association effort to document PSA (ESA) standard of care; work conducted in collaboration with HWAC
Recommended Practices for Design Professionals Engaged as Experts published
Defense against hired-gun testimony
Input provided to OSHA for excavation and trenching regulations
One of many efforts to promote safe work practices
Council of Fellows discusses "The Future of Geotechnical Engineering" 20 year vision
Precursor to what became the Crystal Ball Workshop
Advocacy regarding problematic ASTM ESA standards language
Early stage of long disagreement with ASTM regarding limitations on professional judgement in standards
Support provided for legal brief in response to LOL appeal threat
One of many examples of the Association's assistance with legal briefs on behalf of geoprofessional interests
BOD Endorses Faculty Membership
Expanded membership to academics
Opposition to FEMA requirement for certification
An example of frequent advocacy by the Association against client certification requirements
In-House Review of Reports Guide published
Report review best practices summary
Model Daily Field Report published
Field documentation component/format suggestions
Memorandum of Understanding with American Council of Independent Laboratories adopted
Pursuit of mutual interests
Membership Task Force formed
Addresses membership needs
Limitation of Liability Guide published
Update to LOL best practices
NEWSlog becomes semi-monthly publication
Association's primary source for news
ASFE/HWAC form committee on Alternative Project Delivery
Affiliated entity collaboration on environmental issue
Emerging Issues Committee formed
Precursor to Emerging Issues and Trends Committee
Environmental Task Group formed
Focus on environmental service business issues
Environmental Site Assessments: Message to Clients - revised
Publications are frequently updated as practices evolve
Model 3rd Party Reliance Letter published
Suggested format/content for 3rd party reliance letters
Partnering Agreement with ACEC adopted
Pathway for more collaboration
Model Contract Clause Library released
Efficient access to loss limiting contract clauses
Design-Build Contracts Document published
Contract guidance for design-build projects
Association's first webpage established on the "Worldwide Web"
View the evolution of the Association's webpages at https://web.archive.org/web/*/asfe.org
White Papers published
Covering a variety of topics, with emphasis on the future
White Paper on ASTM Issues published
Part of the Association-led effort against well-intentioned, but potentially catastrophic standardization
ASTM Geotechnical Engineering Report Standard withdrawn
Successful resolution through influence of the Association1999 - 2008
Amicus Briefs filed with support of the Association
Common practice of providing the Association's insight for geoprofessional legal defenses
Project Manager Training Program created
Focus on best practices for project managers
Advocacy for members regarding certification issues
Often successful efforts to fend off client requests for members to certify professional opinions
Member unionization issues addressed
News and guidance provided by the Association addressing efforts to unionize segments of the industry
Model Testing Laboratory Contract published
Contract suggestions for member laboratory services
Mold Task Force established
Addresses emerging environmental issue
CoMET Committee formed
Forum to address business issues unique to Construction Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Advocacy for improvements in EJCDC contract models
Loss prevention concerns addressed with Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC)
Second Position Paper on Organized Labor published
Association's perspective on member unionization issues
"Risky Business" audio training series offered on-line
Popular loss prevention training program
Environmental Services Proposal Insert Sheet published
Message to clients about environmental services
Regional organization campaign launched
Liaison and affiliations with CAGE, CGEA, TCEL
Accreditation and Certification issues addressed
Longtime COMET Committee focus
Mold services research results published
Environmental service standard of care documentation
Three more Regional Organizations affiliate
CCTIA, CMEC, WACEL liaisons established
White Paper: ASFE in 2020 published
EIT Committee Crystal Ball Workshop vision
Rapid-Response Project Intervention Teams publication
Practice Alert with guidance for assembly these teams
Project-Records Retention Practice Alert published
Guidance for filing system best practices
Branding campaign launched - "Best People On Earth"
Celebrating member professionalism in the industry
New Leaders Committee formed
Welcoming and engaging the next generation of leaders; future ED Joel Carson named its first chairman
Member issues advocacy re: US Small Business Administration
USBA "Right-To-Sue" letter concerns addressed
Top Ten Ways to Lose Money with IDIQ Contracts published
Produced by the Business Practice Committee
100th Case History published
Milestone for essential lessons learned from members2009 - 2018
40th Anniversary of the Association - Legacy Video
Historical reflections of the Association's Founders at Gala Celebration, October Conference in Monterey, CA
eBrownbag training series introduced
Program for efficient professional development over lunch
Business Round Table Discussions launched at conferences
Has become regular feature of Fall Conference
Hurricane Katrina recovery community service event
Dozens of Association members at New Orleans Conference participated in St. Bernard Parish rebuilding
First webinar hosted for members
New Leaders Committee perspectives shared
Statement supporting environmental sustainability issued
Value recognition of sustainability efforts by businesses
Wikipedia defines "Geoprofessions"
Initiated achieved through the efforts of the Association
Hard Copy NEWSlog publication is ended
Digital publication format adopted
ASFE/The Geoprofessional Business Association introduced
New name adopted to capture the essence of who we are
Mission revision adopted to combat commoditization
Help geoprofessionals maximize their importance and value, achieve business excellence, and manage risk
Model Site-Access Authorization for Geotechs published
Tools for managing site access risks
LOL and Economic Loss Doctrine Bibliography published
Index provided by the Legal Affairs Committee of LOL and ELD case legal decisions 1956 to 2012.
Charter Member of Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI)
Innovative environmental sustainability program support
Spring Conference videos made available to members
First offering of full conference video content
GBA acronym introduced
Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA)
ASFE/GBA management transition plan announced
Task Force report on plan for self management after Bachner Communications Management (Since 1973)
Formal process for conference presentation abstracts adopted
Among a number of conference value enhancements
ASFE/GBA MEANS BUSINESS
New Tagline Introduced
GBA NEWSlog Graphics Introduced
Multi-briefs service used to publish NEWSlog
COMET Tales series launched
Practice briefings
Lunch and learn training sessions introduced
Teaching modules created for in-office brown bags
LinkedIn and other social media app use launched
New tools for Association communication and offerings
Safety Committee formed
Expands risk management focus
Executive Director John Bachner honored for 40 Years of Service and Leadership to ASFE/GBA
Boston Fall Conference
Risky Business Quiz Show Game created
Loss prevention game that can be enjoyed by the whole office, 12 categories and 1,000 questions
Committee structure revised
Environmental, Geotechnical and CoMET Business Councils formed
ASFE officially becomes the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA)
Related bylaws changes approved
CoMET Client-Satisfaction Survey Tool issued
Developed by the CoMET Business Council
Best Practices Series of Monographs launched
Topic No. 1: E-Mail Disclaimers
Avoiding Allegations of Corruption published
Best Practices Monograph
Moist-Curing Room Design, Construction, and Maintenance Comprehensive Guide published
Developed by the CoMET Business Council
GBA's CLAIMS 101: The Fundamentals of Claims Detection and Response published
Developed by the Legal Affairs Committee with support from Terra Insurance
Confronting Workplace Bullying published
Best Practices Monograph
Getting Paid: A How to Guide published
Guidance for achieving prompt payment
Joel G. Carson Announced as GBA Executive Director
GBA will becomes fully self-managed November 2015
Environmental Business Council launchers new Phase I ESA Standard-of-Care Survey
Covers 2007-2010, focus on vapor phase contaminants
Safety and Your Geoprofessional Practice: The Whys and How-tos of Establishing a Safety Program
Best Practices Monograph
"Can't You Come up with a Cheaper Alternative?" published
Value engineering guidance from GT Business Council
Working Safely Outdoors in Warm Climates published
Best Practices Monograph
Expectations Management published
Best Practices Monograph
Documentation-Management Fundamentals published
Best Practices Monograph
John Bachner completes tenure as ED on October 31, 2015
Managed ASFE/GBA for 42 years
Strategic Association Involvement published
Best Practices Monograph
GBA Resources Catalog published
217 page summary of publications and training materials
Mine Tailings Task Force established
Provides guidance about serving as the engineer of record (EOR) for mine-tailings-storage facilities (TSFs)
Investing in Risk Management and Loss Prevention published
Best Practices MonographVoice-Mail Greetings Best Practices Monograph Published
Business Practices Committee
Important Information about This Geotechnical-Engineering Report updated and republished
Number-one, all-time most-popular GBA resource, a message to client's about the use of geotechnical reports
11- Module Project Manager Training Program introduced
Business fundamentals for PMs
GBA and AEG agree to Memorandum of Understanding
Pathway for collaboration
Field Representative's Reference Guide published
CoMET guide comprises 15 chapters
GBA and the GeoInstitute Hold Summit Meeting
Focus on local GI chapter leaders and affiliated interests
Effort to refresh Case Histories launched
Present day context for historical best lessons learned
Business Brief: A Look Inside the Crystal Ball published
Water-Energy Nexus future - what it means for members
Deposition Do's & Dont's for Fact Witnesses published
Best Practices Monograph
NEWSlog approach and content refreshed
Fresh format with more GBA content/suggested links
New Standard of Care Report for Phase I ESAs published
Review of 197 reports from 2007-2010 with commentary on vapor phase contaminant standard of care
Ted-Talk/Podcast Topics introduced with GBA-hosted teleconference discussion forums
Value added issue discussions
Ethics and Professional Conduct Training Program offered
Another piece promoting commitment to professionalism
Effective Presentations published
Best Practices Monograph
National Practice Guideline Geotechnical Engineer of Record update published
Cover roles/responsibilities of the geotechnical engineer of record, client, and owner on design/bid/build projects
Emerging Contaminants Spotlight Introduced
Prepared by the Environmental Business Council
Occasional NEWSlog themes introduced
First themed Issue: "War for Talent"
Message to Owners: Construction Risks and Limitation of Liability update published
Outreach tool to keep clients informed of risk management issues
Webinar: Getting More Work from Existing Clients presented
Business development guidance
Partnering with Lipscomb and Vanderbilt Universities
Program for student participation at GBA Fall Conference including Business Roundtable discussions
CEO Peer to Peer Group Launched
Facilitated Peer to Peer Forum of 6 CEOs to Discuss Business Issues/Perspectives2019 - Current