Announcing the GBA Emerging Leaders Cohort #6

GBA is pleased to announce the participants of the sixth Emerging Leaders cohort – a select group of rising geoprofessionals from GBA member firms across North America who are poised to shape the future of the industry:

Andrew Bolton, P.E. (SME) Harrison Carter, P.E. (Jorgenson) Matthew Countryman (ConeTec) Miljan Draganic, P.G. (Blackburn Consulting) Bennett Dulaney, P.E. (S&ME) Ivan Garcia, P.E. (GeoCim) Pablo Gomez Bakaitis, P.E. (Terracon) Sheetal Gordon, P.E. (Terracon) Scott Graves, P.E. (LandTec) Jory Hunter (Grounded Engineering) Adam Jones, E.I.T. (Applied Geotechnical Engineering Consultants) Dustin Kern (SME)

Matt Klymochko (Trek Geotechnical) Bill Meagher, P.E. (Sanborn, Head, & Associates) Colton Morrow, P.E. (NTH Consultants) Clint Nealey (Apex Companies) Brad Nielsen, P.E. (Kleinfelder) LeAnne Page (ConeTec) Nelson Pearson, P.E. (Civil Solutions) Michael Romero, P.E., C.E.G. (BSK Associates) Leyla Safari, P.E. (CTL|Thompson) Jacob Schlador, P.E. (Atlas Technical Consultants) Jeremy Wahlstrom (G2 Consulting Group) Carver Warren, P.E. (Froehling & Roberston)

 

Class facilitators for the cohort are GBA Board member Jason Stoops, P.E. (G2 Consulting Group) and Art Hoffman, P.E., D.GE., F.GBA.

Participants met virtually in October and gathered for the first time in-person at the Fall Leadership Summit in November. Over the next 18 months, they will collaborate on a group project, attend conferences, and engage in ongoing virtual meetings.

This Emerging Leaders cohort’s journey officially culminates at the 2027 GBA Annual Conference in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where they will present their project deliverable. However, each participant’s GBA journey is only just beginning.

About the GBA Emerging Leaders Program
The GBA Emerging Leaders Program brings together outstanding professionals for an 18-month journey of leadership development, business education, and industry collaboration. Participants engage in:

• Group projects that foster leadership skills.
• Networking and mentorship with peers and industry veterans.
• Opportunities to contribute to GBA committees and task forces.

A Lasting Legacy
The Emerging Leaders Program is more than a professional development experience—it’s a launchpad for ideas that shape the geoprofessional community for years to come. Past cohorts have left a remarkable legacy, creating initiatives like GEO Kits and the GBA Podcast that have become cornerstones of GBA’s outreach and made a tangible impact.

Many of GBA’s current leaders are proud graduates of the Emerging Leaders Program. Their continued involvement is a testament to the program’s power to inspire, connect, and cultivate the next generation of geoprofessions.

We look forward to the energy, ideas, and leadership these Emerging Leaders will bring to GBA and the geoprofessions for years to come.