Archives: News

New Podcast Episode: Ken Johnston on Evolving with the Industry

GBA is excited to release a new episode of the GeoHeroes podcast series featuring Ken Johnston, F.GBA—retired Chief Administrative Officer of GZA GeoEnvironmental and former GBA President. In a conversation with host and GBA past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, Ken shares reflections from his 42-year career in the geoprofessions, offering insights into leadership, organizational culture, and personal growth.

Ken discusses the evolution of GZA, the importance of building lasting relationships, and the unique trust-based culture within GBA. He also opens up about his battle with cancer and how it influenced his decision to retire, while continuing to contribute to the firm through special assignments.

Ken’s advice to young professionals is clear: “Find something you truly love and have a passion in. Don’t worry about the money—the money will follow if you work hard.”

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the geoprofessions seeking inspiration, perspective, and practical wisdom from a respected industry leader.

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

In the GeoHeroes series, industry leaders share what motivates them and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The series examines the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

Other GBA Podcast series include:
• Leadership Lounge
• Management Best Practices
• Audio Education for Field Representatives
• Case Histories
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

 

New GBA Resource Offers Critical Crane Pad Risk Reduction Guidance

GBA is proud to announce the release of our newest member resource: Best Practices for Crane Pad and Working Platform Design and Inspection to address a high-risk, high-impact area of geotechnical and construction materials engineering and testing (CoMET) practice.

There has recently been increased focus on preventing crane and rotary drilling rig overturning and tipping. As a result, GBA member firms are experiencing more requests to review and design the working platform for this equipment. In some cases, an engineered platform is required by legislation (Ontario), for permitting, or for insurance purposes.

There are numerous design guidelines available through contractor organizations and suppliers – this document is not intended to provide design guidelines. Rather, it discusses considerations for reducing risk of failure to the GBA member firm.

Crane pad and other working platform-related incidents can be catastrophic, resulting in significant damage to nearby structures and possibly severe injury and loss of life. These incidents disrupt schedules, inflate costs, and damage reputations.

This GBA Best Practices guide – a collaboration between GBA’s CoMET and Geotechnical Business Committees – helps geoprofessionals proactively identify and mitigate those risks. It emphasizes the importance of early engagement, clear communication, and documentation to protect firms from liability and ensure project success.

By addressing these considerations, GBA member firms can effectively reduce their risk exposure as they navigate the complexities of crane pad and working platform projects and provide quality work to their clients.

The recommendations provided are applicable to projects of varying scales and complexities, and are intended to be adaptable to different environments, clients, and standards.

Member Benefit: Free and Easy Access
As always, GBA Best Practices are available free to members. It’s one more way GBA supports your work with highly effective resources tailored to the unique needs of geoprofessionals.

GBA members know that excellence in geoprofessional practice means more than just good engineering. It means anticipating problems, communicating clearly, and delivering solutions that protect people and projects. Download Best Practices for Crane Pad and Working Platform Design and Inspection here:

The 10 Most-Used Tools in the GBA Library

 

GBA offers a robust library of resources to elevate your practice, reduce liability, and support business growth. You can search our extensive resource library by keyword (try it now) or sort through categories by publication type. All the downloadable publications are free to GBA members; many are available for purchase by non-members.

Find out what your peers have found most useful with this curated lists of the 10 most downloaded resources from the GBA library and separately, the 10 most downloaded Case Histories. These resources – both new releases and timeless favorites – reflect the diversity of challenges and opportunities geoprofessionals encounter.

1. Crane Pad and Working Platform Design and Inspection

GBA’s most-downloaded resource of the year to-date, this Best Practices document delivers a clear, consultant-focused framework for managing geotechnical risk in the design and inspection of crane pads and other working platforms. It empowers geoprofessional consultants to elevate their practice by showcasing how thoughtful site assessment, load distribution strategies, and constructability planning can reduce uncertainty, improve safety, and strengthen client trust.

2. Proposed Best Practices for Engineer of Record (EOR) for Tailings Dams

Developed by GBA’s Tailings Engineer of Record Task Force, this document (and two related resources) provides a comprehensive framework for defining the Engineer of Record (EoR) role in tailings dam projects. The guidance provides geoprofessional consultants with the tools to lead confidently across the full project lifecycle—enhancing dam safety, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder trust.

3. Navigating New Horizons: Beyond gINT – A New Era in Geotechnical Data

As gINT approaches end-of-support in 2026, this GBA Business Brief provides a vendor-neutral overview of emerging geotechnical data management tools. Compiled by the GBA Business Technology Committee, it enables firms to make informed, risk-aware decisions about transitioning to next-generation borehole logging and data integration platforms.

 

4. Converting Interns into Full-Time Hires

This Best Practices guide offers geoprofessional employers a proven framework for converting interns into high-performing full-time employees. Packed with actionable strategies—from onboarding and mentorship to project planning and post-internship follow-up—it helps firms strengthen their talent pipeline, reinforce company culture, and build long-term staff loyalty.

5. Guide to the In-House Review of Geoprofessional Reports

This guide equips geoprofessional firms with a structured, firm-wide approach to reviewing technical reports—ensuring clarity, quality, and alignment with contractual, technical, and risk management standards. Designed to elevate both report writers and reviewers, it promotes mentorship, consistency, and professionalism while reducing liability through better communication and documentation practices.

 

6. Taboo Words

This Best Practices guide helps geoprofessionals avoid costly liability by identifying eight high-risk words—like “certify,” “inspect,” and “supervise”—that can unintentionally expand professional responsibility and erode insurance coverage. Through real-world legal examples and practical safeguards, it equips firms to communicate with greater precision and protect themselves from unintended contractual and legal exposure.

7. Mitigating Risk with the Right Geotechnical Engineer

This message to owners outlines five essential steps for reducing subsurface risk by engaging the right geotechnical engineer early and keeping them involved throughout design and construction. It emphasizes qualifications-based selection, collaborative scope development, and continuity of service—highlighting how proactive geotechnical involvement can prevent costly delays, change orders, and disputes while delivering long-term value to the project team.

8. Avoiding Absolutes

This Best Practices guide helps geoprofessionals recognize and avoid the use of absolute language—words like “all,” “never,” “ensure,” and “maximize”—that can unintentionally create legal exposure or unrealistic expectations. Through practical examples and legal context, it encourages more precise, defensible communication in technical documents, contracts, and even internal conversations, reinforcing professionalism and reducing risk.

9. AI in the Geoprofessions

This six-part GBA series demystifies artificial intelligence for geoprofessionals. From understanding hallucinations and crafting effective prompts to role-playing with digital versions of experts like Karl Terzaghi, the series empowers readers to explore AI’s potential while remaining grounded in professional judgment and risk awareness.

10. Fundamental Elements for Project Managers

This 11-module training course equips emerging project managers with essential skills in communication, budgeting, scheduling, client relations, and team leadership. The course supports both group instruction and self-paced learning, with quizzes and certificates included to reinforce comprehension and completion.

TOP 10 CASE HISTORIES

GBA Case Histories are real-world lessons drawn from actual project experiences that help geoprofessionals avoid costly mistakes. The following Top 10 Case History downloads through the first six months of 2025 include lessons learned from residential risks, communication breakdowns, and contract pitfalls.

1. Beware! A Friend’s Small Project Can Be Hazardous to Your Firm’s Health
Case History No. 1

A well-meaning preliminary study for a small residential project spiraled into a $650,000 liability claim—reminding geoprofessionals that even “simple” jobs demand rigorous communication, clear limitations, and soft-skill savvy. This case underscores GBA’s enduring axiom: Do it right or don’t do it at all.

2. Suspiciously Variable Test Results? Take a Closer Look…the Sooner the Better.
Case History No. 110

A routine construction materials engineering and testing (CoMET) assignment unraveled into arbitration after a sub-contractor quietly mixed fat clay into approved fill—jeopardizing the integrity of the building pads. This case underscores why geoprofessionals must trust their instincts, document everything, and never underestimate the risks of small, low-budget projects with fragmented oversight.

3. If the Bus Driver Doesn’t Have a License, Get off the Bus
Case History No. 5

A low-fee, low-scope assignment intended as a training opportunity turned into a $1.2 million lesson in why geoprofessionals must never compromise on quality—regardless of project size or budget. This cautionary tale underscores the critical importance of supervision, communication, and writing clarity in protecting your firm and your client.

 

4. It Can Be a Costly Dam, Shame if Clients Won’t Take Your Advice
Case History No. 10

Despite identifying nearly every risk in advance, a GBA Member Firm found itself entangled in a multi-million-dollar dispute after its recommendations were ignored in favor of shortcuts and siloed decision-making. This case is a powerful reminder that even the most professional performance can’t shield you from litigation when communication breaks down and documentation is lacking.

5. Clients Who Don’t Follow Advice Should Be Someone Else’s Client
Case History No. 2

A handshake agreement, ignored recommendations, and a slab-on-grade floor led to exactly the kind of damage a firm’s geotechnical report warned about. This case highlights the high risk of residential work, the dangers of skipping written contracts, and why “confirmation-dependent” recommendations must be clearly communicated—and respected.

6. Compromise Must Be Part of Your Business Strategy
Case History No. 4

An innovative casing-removal technique promised big savings—but led to soil-contaminated shafts, costly remediation, and finger-pointing among project stakeholders. This case illustrates the hidden risks of high-stakes shortcuts and why visual observation alone isn’t enough when the margin for error is razor-thin.

7. Don’t Worry. We Don’t Plan to Be There
Case History No. 41

A $3,500 assignment ballooned into nearly $1 million in costs after casual assumptions, missing documentation, and lack of professional liability insurance collided with post-construction settlement. This case is a powerful reminder that even the smallest projects demand rigorous contracts, clear communication, and respect for risk—because courts don’t care how small the fee was.

 

8. Documentation Can Prevent Frivolous Lawsuits
Case History No. 22

A hillside condo project spiraled into legal threats and slope failure after critical geotechnical recommendations were ignored and communication broke down. This case underscores the importance of proactive follow-up, complete service proposals, and clear documentation—because even when you’re blameless, you’re not always off the hook.

9. Litigation for Collections…a Lose-Lose Scenario
Case History No. 13

A missed opportunity to clarify scope, communicate directly, and respond professionally led to a costly dispute, a lost client, and millions in potential future revenue gone. This case reminds geoprofessionals that technical excellence alone isn’t enough—client relationships, documentation, and diplomacy are just as critical to long-term success.

10. If Your Client Won’t Listen…Get Out Your Checkbook
Case History No. 3

A “fill-in-the-blanks contract,” ignored recommendations, and reliance on exculpatory clauses left a Member Firm exposed on a high-stakes sewage-treatment project. This case highlights the importance of clearly defining roles, documenting limitations, and never assuming others will protect your interests—especially when rock excavation is involved.

 

Building a Legacy—Tom and Grace Blackburn Share Their Journey

In the latest episode of GeoHeroes from the GBA Podcast, host and GBA past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, sits down with Grace and Tom Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.GBA, founders of Blackburn Consulting, to discuss the personal and professional journey that led to their successful firm—and the values that continue to guide it.

After meeting at the Special Olympics, Tom and Grace built both a life and a business rooted in purpose. When Tom was unexpectedly let go from his previous firm, they launched Blackburn Consulting with a commitment to “good work for good people.” Now 26 years later, their story is one of resilience, shared vision, and enduring impact on the geoprofessional community.

Listeners will gain insights into:
• Navigating risk and uncertainty in launching a business
• What AI can’t replace in geoprofessional services
• Adapting to industry changes without compromising values
• Balancing risk, relationships, and resilience in firm leadership

Tom and Grace speak candidly about challenges and triumphs, share practical advice for emerging professionals, and reflect on the power of relationships in business and life. Their story offers lessons not just for founders or firm leaders, but for anyone navigating the evolving landscape of geoprofessional practice.

Don’t miss this inspiring and practical conversation. Listen now at gbapodcast.com and share it with colleagues who value strong leadership, lasting relationships, and community-minded practice.

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

In the GeoHeroes series, industry leaders share what motivates them and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The series examines the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

Other GBA Podcast series include:
• Leadership Lounge
• Management Best Practices
• Audio Education for Field Representatives
• Case Histories
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Site Investigation Tools of the Future: Advancing Geoprofessional Practice

GBA’s Annual Financial Survey is Open Now

The GBA Annual Financial Survey for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year is ready for your input. GBA has again partnered with the Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG) to facilitate the survey, the results of which allow GBA members to measure success against other member firms, improve business performance, and optimize efficiency.

Only the member firms who participate in the survey will have access to the entire data set, which will help you track your progress on key financial indicators for companies that match your firm’s size, identify trends, and provide guidance for leaders involved in financial planning and decision making.

*This survey should be completed by a GBA member firm’s Chief Financial Officer, Controller, or other accounting professional in charge of the firm’s financial management.

STEP 1: ACCESS AND COMPLETE THE SURVEY
Survey Deadline: Friday, August 15, 2025

Click the link above to download an Excel file containing the survey questions. All individual submissions will remain completely confidential, and no firm-identifiable data will be shared in the consolidated survey results or the benchmarking analysis.

By completing this survey, your firm will gain access to the consolidated survey results, which provide a snapshot of AEC industry performance and key trends. In addition to the consolidated results, first-time respondents to the survey will receive a one-page benchmarking analysis showing exactly where their firm sits relative to the performance of similar-sized firms. Among other benefits, this information will enable the firm to understand its strengths and weaknesses versus peers and identify high priority areas and initiatives to focus on.

STEP 2: SUBMIT THE SURVEY

When you are done with the survey, email your input to EFCG’s Ethan McCue at emccue@efcg.com.

STEP 3 (optional): REGISTER FOR THE INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR
Webinar Date: Friday, August 1, 1-2 p.m. ET.

This optional webinar will provide more information about filling out the survey and answer any questions you may have. You may also contact GBA at info@geoprofessional.org or (301) 565-2733 with questions at any time.

This is GBA’s third year partnering with EFCG for the Annual Financial Survey, and we’ve seen a participation increase each of the past two years. The more firms that participate and provide data, the more trends we can uncover and share with your firm.

 

Nominate Your Firm’s Rising Stars for GBA’s Emerging Leaders Program

 

The Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) is launching our next Emerging Leaders Program in 2025. Space is limited and the nomination period closes on August 31, 2025.

The Emerging Leaders Program provides future leaders of GBA member firms with tools, knowledge, and experiences designed to accelerate their growth and unleash their leadership potential. They will accomplish this through instruction, networking, and collaboration on a group project that will help elevate geoprofessional value. Past projects of GBA Emerging Leader Program participants include the GBA Podcast and GEO Kits, both of which are having a major impact on the geoprofessional industry.

Under the guidance of geoprofessional veterans, approximately 20 GBA member-firm professionals from across North America will work together for 18 months and be provided with business education associated with leadership, risk management, and business performance optimization.

Benefits to Participants
• Participate in GBA’s Annual Conference and Fall Leadership Summit – events that bring together 200+ senior leaders of geoprofessional firms to learn about business risk, share best practices, and improve business performance.
• Build camaraderie with fellow program participants and GBA member firm representatives through outstanding networking opportunities.
• Opportunities for group leadership dynamics and challenges, such as leadership without authority, will be available.
• Engage with and contribute to GBA committees and task forces, potentially leading to future leadership opportunities.

This short video explains why this is such a valuable opportunity:

The Emerging Leaders experience is an excellent opportunity for the rising star in your firm to meet, work with, learn from, and develop lifelong friendships with fellow emerging leaders from other GBA firms and your firm will benefit greatly from their participation

Benefits to GBA Member Firms
• Expose your Emerging Leaders to the wide array of GBA benefits and resources.
• Equip your Emerging Leaders with valuable insights and contacts from across the geoprofessional community.
• Optimize your Emerging Leaders’ performance and skillsets through interaction and training with other top-notch professionals.
• Expand your companies’ influence within GBA and pave the way for retiring personnel to pass the GBA torch to the next round of leaders of the association.

Learn more about this valuable opportunity and find an application HERE.

We must receive your application by August 31.

 

Emerging Leader Program participants graduate at the 2024 GBA Annual Conference.

New GeoHeroes Podcast with ECS COO Leo Titus

In the latest of “GeoHeroes” from the GBA Podcast, past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, interviews Leo J. Titus, Jr., P.E., F.GBA, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Engineering Consulting Services (ECS) in a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about resilience, leadership, and giving back to the geoprofessional community.

Leo shares his remarkable journey from working concessions at a horse racing track to leading a 2,800-person engineering firm. He also recounts the profoundly life-altering experiences that shaped his people-first leadership philosophy and passion for mentoring.

Packed with career wisdom, this episode offers invaluable insights on professional growth, the importance of industry involvement, and finding perspective through life’s toughest moments.

Leo’s story is a compelling reminder of the impact one person can have—on a company, on a profession, and on the people around them.

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

In the GeoHeroes series, industry leaders share what motivates them and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The series examines the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

Other GBA Podcast series include:

• Leadership Lounge
• Management Best Practices
• Audio Education for Field Representatives
• Case Histories
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

GBA Releases 2024-2025 Annual Report

2025 Photo Contest: Capturing the Value of Geoprofessionals

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

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.