GBA Appoints Five New Fellows
GBA is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to the prestigious GBA Council of Fellows. GBA established the Council of Fellows in 1975 to provide guidance for GBA’s direction and to pursue other activities its members deemed appropriate.
The new fellows are:
• Thomas “Tom” Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.GBA, F.ASCE, F.ACEC (Blackburn Consulting)
• Frank W. Pita, P.E., L.H.G., F.GBA, F.ASCE, D.GE (Retired)
• Terence J. Scanlan, Esq., F.GBA (Cairncross & Hempelmann, P.S.)
• Leo J. Titus, Jr., P.E., F.GBA (ECS Group of Companies)
• Michael “Mike” J. Yost, Esq., F.GBA (Terracon)
Mr. Blackburn is president of Blackburn Consulting, an employee-owned firm he started with his wife Grace 
in 1998. He earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology). Tom served as GBA President in 2021-2022 and his board and committee participation includes:
• Peer Review Committee member: 2011-present
• Peer Review Committee Chair: 2015-2016
• Board of Directors: 2016-2022
• GBA President: 2021-2022
Learn more about Tom Blackburn.
Mr. Pita has been participating in GBA activities and meetings for 35 years. Over this time, he served as
a firm representative from CH2M Hill, Shannon & Wilson, Milbor-Pita and Associates, and Jacobs Associates.
His GBA board and committee participation includes:
• Chairman, Geo-environmental Committee: 1992-1993
• ASFE Board of Directors: 1993-95
• Codes & Standards Committee / Professional Practice Committee: Mid 1990s-Early 2000s
• EIT Committee: 2010-2019
Mr. Scanlan is an attorney at Cairncross & Hempelmann, P.S., who’s litigation practice includes contract disputes, risk management,
professional negligence, errors and omissions claims, as well as wrongful death claims and catastrophic torts. A long-time supporter of GBA, Mr. Scanlan led a team of attorneys in rewriting GBA’s popular Contract Reference Guide. He’s also been a perennial presenter at GBA conferences. Terry’s committee participation includes:
• Legal Affairs Committee member: 2003-present
• Legal Affairs Committee Vice Chair: 2008-2020
• Legal Affairs Committee Chair: 2019-2024
Learn more about Terry Scanlan.
Mr. Titus is a GBA Past-President (2022-2023) and current Chief Operating Officer at ECS Limited.
Leo earned his master’s degree in geotechnical engineering at the University of Maryland. He was recognized in 2019 for his work in the development of a GBA Case History that serves as a valuable resource for all firms.
Leo’s GBA board and committee participation includes:
• Emerging Issues and Trends Committee member: 2011-present
• Board of Directors: 2017-2023
• President: 2022-2023
Mr. Yost is the Chief Administrative Officer at Terracon. Not only does he present valuable information at GBA conferences, he also represents the association at other industry events. Yost earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Mike’s GBA board and committee participation includes:
• Legal Affairs Committee Chair: 2008-2016
• Legal Affairs Committee member: 2008-present
These geoprofessionals are outstanding examples of the breadth of expertise and level of commitment to risk management, business optimization, and professional development that GBA members display across the board. We are proud to recognize them and their contributions to our organization and to elevating geoprofessional value by providing leadership, knowledge, and resources. Please join us in congratulating these industry leaders on their appointments!