GBA | News Archive - Page 12 of 29

4th Friday 40 Webinar Series Continues with Steve Farber

GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee

Best Selling Author and past GBA Conference keynote speaker, Steve Farber rejoins GBA as the next presenter for the 4th Friday 40 Leadership Series. This is a monthly webinar for GBA leaders at all levels to promote professional development, optimize influence, and facilitate achievement. In short, we want to help you to be a stronger, smarter, more successful leader.

Attend and earn one-half of a Professional Development Hour (PDH) for each webinar.

Free to all GBA Members.

Put the 4th Friday Leadership on your calendar and invite your friends and colleagues to join you. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

More Information: HERE

Profits Push Higher for GBA Members: GBA’s Annual Financial-Performance-Survey Results Published

GBA Business Practices Committee

Backlog trends exceed record highs, and some overhead costs are declining as the trend for GBA firms to be more profitable continues. GBA’s Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Annual Financial-Performance Report shows health and identifies areas of concern as we enter an inflationary cycle.

Get on top of your game. In addition to building your reserves, areas to watch are decreasing utilization and increasing DSO. Although backlog is soaring, be concerned about the significantly reduced investment in marketing costs. Lay the groundwork now for potentially tougher times ahead.

How does your firm stack up?

For more than 15 years, GBA has been collecting key financial metrics from member-firms so our members can measure their success, improve business performance, and optimize efficiency. The newest GBA Business Brief — available only to members – compiles data from GBA Business Practices Committee’s 2021-2022 Financial-Performance Survey, in a short report, covering key financial-performance issues of surveyed firms.

This report includes more data and trendlines so our members can track their progress on key financial indicators for companies that match your firm’s size.

In the spirit of our Association, GBA publications are a collaborative effort of GBA Member-Firms. They are provided to GBA Members to make them stronger, smarter and more successful and they are FREE to all members.

Download: HERE

Find GBA Resources Easier: Case History Digest

GBA Resource Collaboration Committee

One of the most valuable resources GBA offers are vast library of Case Histories that provide unprecedented real-world learning examples related to project and business management.

Our members can learn where others went wrong, how they handled their problems, and to avoid the same problems in the future.

With over 110 Case Histories, GBA’s Resource Collaboration Committee created the Case History Digest to help you find Case Histories much easier.

With colorful titles including:
• Cheap Contractor Paves Way for Problems
• Clear Communication Saves Big Bucks
• If You Don’t Have $13M Sitting Around You Need to Read This
• Cutting Corners Leads to Big Change Orders
• Did Your Engineer Really Say That?

The document includes a short summary, lessons learned, and indication to its related industry (Geotech, COMET, Environmental, Practice Management) make it easier to sort when you search for Case Histories with keywords. And each case history is directly linked so you can retrieve them in one easy step to download and share with your firm’s employees.

Download the GBA Case History Digest and use it to search for real-world learning experiences to propel your firm forward, then share it with everyone in your firm.

Note: Each title has a direct link to the case history. Once you click on the link you will need to log in to your GBA Website account. After you sign in, click on go shopping which will bring you to the specific Case History.

CASE HISTORY DIGEST: HERE

WANTED: GBA Case Histories

GBA has a tradition of collaborating on issues that impact the geoprofessions. One of the ways we work together is by providing lessons learned through GBA Case Histories. GBA Case Histories provide unprecedented real-world learning examples related to project and business management.

Here is your chance to share with others what went wrong, how you handled the problems, and how others can learn from your experiences so everyone can avoid the same problems in the future.

Here is how to get started:

Step 1. Share your idea for a Case History using one of the appropriate GBA template(s):

• Case History Project Management
• Case History Practice Management

Step 2. Send your idea to the Chair of Resource Collaboration Committee (RCC) for preliminary review.

Step 3. If your idea is selected, the RCC will provide all the support you need to prepare and publish a new GBA Case History.

Peer Review Committee is Offering a Free Training Course for Peer Review Captains

GBA Peer Review Committee

GBA applies 51 years of peer experience to help you prosper, and one of the most visible ways it does this is through GBA Peer Review. Engineering News-Record lauded GBA Peer Review as one of the 125 most significant construction industry innovations of the prior 125 years. GBA Peer Review was the only association program cited. GBA Peer Review provides valuable feedback on your existing business practices so you can improve. It can help enhance the quality of your practice while simultaneously reducing your exposure to professional liability claims and losses.

GBA Peer Review is voluntary. It is not used to grade a firm; it does not lead to a certification of any kind. The process has been designed solely to provide a framework for improvement. Firms participating in GBA Peer Review recognize that no one can better render informed guidance than peers who themselves have extensive, successful management experience.

The Peer Review Committee is working on refreshing the process of the peer reviews and the list of available Peer Reviewers and Team Captains. The updated Peer Reviewer’s Guide includes a Team Captain/ Peer Reviewer qualification form which can also be found here. If you are interested in being a Peer Reviewer or Team Captain, please complete the form and send it to Sara Menase or Stu Thompson by August 10th. This will allow us to update the list of Team Captains/Peer Reviewers for firms to choose from when they sign up for a peer review. If you do not complete the form, you will not be listed.

The Committee also is scheduling a Peer Reviewer and Team Captain training course on September 21st at 1:00 PM Eastern via Zoom. This training will include the recently developed guidance on virtual peer reviews. Please plan to participate in this training if you are interested in being a Peer Reviewer or Team Captain.

Apply to be a GBA Peer Reviewer: HERE

4th Friday 40 July 22, 2022 Webinar

You are invited!
GBA’s 4th Friday 40 Leadership Series

4th Friday 40 Leadership Series is a monthly webinar for GBA leaders at all levels to promote professional development, optimize influence, and facilitate achievement. In short, we want to help you to be a stronger, smarter, more successful leader.

Join our experts for a 40-minute webinar as they share valuable insights to help you be more confident, highly effective, and a more successful leader. Attend and earn one-half of a Professional Development Hour (PDH) for each webinar. Free to all GBA Members.
On July 22, 2022, our featured speaker will be Adam Markel, Resilience Expert as he discusses how we can build resilient leaders and change proof cultures.

Plan for the Next Recession Now – Three Resources to Help You

No one knows when the next recession will arrive, but most economists agree that another recession is certain. Most also agree that we’re getting closer to the next recession. GBA has three valuable resources available for members as they plan now for the next recessionary cycle.

Business Brief: Planning for the Next Recession Now
GBA Business Practices Committee

This Business Brief explores what can geoprofessionals do now to prepare for the next recession?
• Create or Update Your Strategic Plan
• Strengthen Client Relationships and Increase Your Brand Equity
• Identify Ways to Increase Cash Availability
• Examine Your Financial Structure and Results
• Align Your Corporate Culture with Your Strategy

These themes are presented along with practices to deal with the recession once it arrives. The Business Brief focuses on how to help you prepare for and thrive during the next recession.

Annual Report Issued

GBA’s Annual Report was prepared for the Board of Directors and all Member-Firms to report progress and highlight key accomplishments of the Association during the fiscal year 2021-2022. It is intended to keep all members current with significant accomplishments of the Board, Committees and all the volunteers that support it.

Includes Updates on:
• Association Membership
• Annual Awards
• Conference Attendance
• New and Updated Publications and Podcasts
• Alliance Organizations
• Association Finances
• GBA Committees
• Other Notable Accomplishments
• Plans for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Please check it out and share your thoughts with us HERE.

Download Annual Report: HERE

You are invited! GBA’s 4th Friday 40 Leadership Series

You are invited!

GBA’s 4th Friday 40 Leadership Series

Our June 24, 2022 presenter is Bob Kelleher, the founder of The Employee Engagement Group, a global consulting firm that works with leadership teams to implement best in class leadership and employee engagement programs, workshops, and surveys. Bob Kelleher is a best-selling author, international keynote speaker, and consultant who travels the globe sharing his insights on employee engagement, leadership, and workforce trends.

Bob can be seen or heard on national media (most recently on CNBC, CBS, NBC News, Business Week, Forbes, Training Magazine, Yahoo, and Fortune), and is a frequent guest writer and contributing editor on many national publications.

In Memory of Woody Vogt, GBA President 2018-2019

It is with a heavy heart that we must share the passing of a dear friend and significant contributor to the Geoprofessional Business Association, numerous other associations, and the geoprofessions.

On Friday, June 3rd., Woodward L. “Woody” Vogt, P.E., D. GE, F. GBA, F. ACI, F. ASCE, F. ASTM (Paradigm Consultants/CMT) passed away after complications associated with brain surgery that was performed in March.

Despite his long list of professional licenses, and well-earned titles as diplomate and fellow, to everyone, he was simply “Woody”. Mr. Vogt was President of Paradigm Consultants, Inc. in Houston which was recently purchased by CMT Engineering Laboratories. He had more than 40 years’ experience providing geotechnical, construction materials and investigative and forensic engineering services. Mr. Vogt was a Diplomate of Academy of Geo-Professionals and a fellow of GBA, the American Society of Civil Engineers, ACI International, and ASTM International.

Woody served as GBA’s President in 2018-2019 after many years of service as Director. Before joining the GBA Board of Directors, Mr. Vogt was a founding member of GBA’s Construction Materials Engineering and Testing (CoMET) Business Committee and chaired the GBA Accreditation and Certification Task Force. Most recently, he served as a Vice Chair of GBA’s Resource Collaboration Committee.

He served on the board of directors of the International Council for Certification of Construction Inspectors and was past board chair of the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation. He served as President of TCEL/Geoprofessionals Serving Texas and past president of the Houston Chapter of TCEL.

Mr. Vogt received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology (“Georgia Tech”) and was a licensed professional engineer in Texas and Louisiana.

A contributor to many GBA publications, Mr. Vogt’s most significant contributions included: Moist-Curing Room Design, Construction and Maintenance; Best Practices: Do’s and Don’ts for Fact Witnesses; Case History 104: The Wrangler Turns Bandit. He was also a regular contributor at GBA Conferences. Likely his most significant contribution to GBA was his effort to refresh and update over 100 Case Histories in the GBA library, a task that took over 2-years to complete with the support of a team of dedicated reviewers.

Besides his passion for geotechnical engineering and construction materials engineering and testing, Woody was an avid outdoorsman and regularly sought opportunities to duck hunt and fly fish with family and friends.

He is survived by his longtime wife Beverly who is also a dear friend to GBA, and their family.
We will provide more information about Woody’s passing and his family’s plans to celebrate his life when they are available.

Rest in peace Woody.

2022 Photo Contest – The Day in the Life of a Geoprofessional

2022 Photo Contest – The Day in the Life of a Geoprofessional

GBA is committed to promoting the value of geoprofessionals and we want to see it through your eyes. For our 2022 Photo Contest, we’d like to know: “how do you depict the day in the life of a Geoprofessional?” Is it field activities? Is it meeting with colleagues and clients? Is it performing testing in the laboratory? How is safety incorporated into your work? How are you positively impacting the world? Capture those vibrant moments and express what being a geoprofessional means to you!

Contest Starts – June 1, 2022
Contest Ends – August 31, 2022

Submit Photos to: GBA Photo Contest

Prizes Awarded:

One (1) Overall grand prize winner will receive:
• A $100 Gift Card
• A photo mention in GBA NEWSlog
• Recognition at GBA’s Fall 2022 Conference.
• Winners Plaque
• Mention on GBA’s digital presences.

One (1) Overall runner-up winner will receive:
• A $50 gift card
• A photo mention in GBA NEWSlog
• Runners Up Plaque
• Recognition at GBA’s Fall 2022 Conference.
• Mention on GBA’s digital presences

One (1) Overall second runner-up winner will receive:
• A $50 gift card
• A photo mention in GBA NEWSlog
• Runners Up Certificate
• Recognition at GBA’s Fall 2022 Conference.
• Mention on GBA’s digital presences

Five (5) Category Winners (Geotechnical, Environmental, Construction Materials Testing and Inspection, Safe Working Practices, and Client Collaboration) will receive:
• Recognition at GBA’s Fall 2022 Conference.
• Category Winner Certificate
• Mention on GBA’s digital presences

Submission information and contest rules: HERE

4th Friday 40 Leadership Series

You are invited!

GBA’s 4th Friday 40 Leadership Series

Our first three webinars will be presented by:

Former ASFE President, Kenneth E. Darnell’s Passing

On April 27, 2022 Kenneth E. “Ken: Darnell, P.E. of Loudon, Tennessee passed away. Ken was a significant contributor to our Association and served on the Board of Directors and as the President of ASFE in 1995-1996. He recognized the importance of mentorship.

During his Presidency, he was instrumental in starting the Fundamentals of Professional Practice program which was for many years a rite of passage for rising stars in geoprofessional firms across North America.

Here is what a few of Ken’s friends and colleagues shared:
“Ken was an extremely clever guy, but just humble enough that you had to love him. Since I worked closely with Ken on the ASFE Board of Directors when he was the President, there is one particular impact that Ken had on our firm and many other ASFE firms at that time. That was back in the day that everyone was hung up on Quality and TQM. Ken had the ability to cut right to the chase. In this case, his reaction was to introduce us to W. Edwards Deming. The quality guru. Of any management consultant, Deming is the one person I think about when I’m really perplexed, i.e. “what would Deming have said?” because he spoke in such simple terms. Just like Ken did.” ~ Richard T. “Dick” Reynolds, PE, F. GBA, Past President (1996-1997)

“He was, all in all, a true professional. His ready smile and infectious laugh could obscure the fact that he was a master of geotechnical engineering, extraordinarily intelligent, and wise. As significant as his accomplishments might have been, however, he was quick to deflect praise and give credit to others whenever he believed it was their due . . . which was often.” ~ John Bachner, CEO Bachner Communications, Inc. and EVP of ASFE/GBA (1975-2015)

“I worked closely with Ken over the years, and he consulted with us as Terra’s first, Engineer Claim Consultant. He sorted out difficult engineering claim issues for us and simplified complex discussions. He was so smart- an intellectual- but he would never say so and would chafe at the moniker. I really liked Ken. He was such a wonderful person.” David L. Coduto, President, and CEO of Terra Insurance Company.

“Ken was a mentor to me for many years. He was a strong influence in my professional career and also a good friend. Countless times I benefited from having him as a sounding board and listening to his sagged, southern wisdom. His encouragement was one of the main reasons I became more deeply involved with GBA (ASFE). The values and behaviors that Ken exhibited were also reflected in GBA.

Our organization benefited from Ken’s leadership and involvement. His contributions were many. I feel very fortunate to have worked closely with him in the consulting business and in giving back to the profession. I’m a better person and professional for having known him.” Jay Martin, P.E., F.GBA GBA Past President (2010-2011)

More information about Ken Darnell can be found in his obituary: HERE

GBA and CalGeo Execute a Memorandum of Understanding

On April 7, 2022 the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) and the California Geotechnical Engineering Association (CalGeo) formalized an agreement to work together on common goals in an effort to advance engineering, science, continuing education, and public understanding of the geoprofession.

The memorandum of understanding includes in part:

“In recognition of our common and complementary purposes and shared interests, the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) and the California Geotechnical Engineering Association (CalGeo) agree to formalize their relationship in advancing their mutual interests in confronting risk, optimizing performance, and promoting the value of the geoprofession, particularly on behalf of geotechnical and environmental engineers and engineering geologists through this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).”

This effort was the result of several months of discussions between the leaders of both groups in support of a common understanding that when we work together, we can elevate the value of the geoprofessions.

A special thank you to the signatories, GBA President Thomas W. Blackburn, PE, GE (Blackburn Consulting), CalGeo President Mike Moscrop, P.E., G.E. (GMU Geotechnical, Inc.), CalGeo Treasurer Mike Cazeneuve, P.E., G.E., CEG (Taylor Group, Inc.), and CalGeo Executive Director, Nick Bundra.

Read GBA and CalGeo MOU: HERE

2022 Spring Conference Recordings Available

Those that attended GBA’s 2022 THINK BIG. ACT BIGGER Conference agreed that the keynote presentations were outstanding. Each was educational, entertaining, and inspiring. Now you can watch, listen to, and learn from these speakers too, on your own schedule.

These videos are available for all GBA members on-demand at your convenience.

Watch Conference Recordings: HERE

Download the handouts

SP22-01 Committees in Concert
An extension of the individual committee meetings, this gathering celebrates recent successes, share new goals for the coming year, and review opportunities for collaboration, all in an effort to best serve GBA and our members. Like an orchestra, GBA is an ensemble that produces the best results when the distinct groups work together. (40 minutes)

SP22-02 Extreme Leadership
In this chaotic and extreme age, business leaders must demonstrate an unprecedented level of passion, determination, foresight, dedication, and fearlessness. In an encore performance for our THINK BIG, ACT BIGGER Conference, Steve Farber shows you how to use the LEAP framework – Love, Energy, Audacity and Proof to radically improve your organization and your life.

In this energetic and insightful program, discover how to:
o Inspire yourself and those you lead to achieve extraordinary results
o Earn your clients’ and employees’ love and loyalty
o Engage yourself and others.

Steve helps you understand how to build a corporate culture that attracts and retains the best talent, creates innovative products, and services, and yields radical results. (82 minutes)

SP22-03 Business Snapshot Summary
GBA’s Business Practices Committee launches a short survey each March of member firms on the state of the economy and assessment of the geoprofessional industry. During this brief presentation, Jason Stoops (G2 Consulting) shares the survey results so that you can assess how your firm and region is performing relative to others in the nation. (13 minutes)

SP22-04 A Modest Investment with Outsized Gains: How Comprehensive PM Training Can Reduce Lost Profits
What happens when your A/E/C firm takes a holistic approach to Project Management training and codifies the most effective processes into your culture? For Gannett Fleming, it meant increasing positive variance and reducing negative variance to achieve significant measurable reductions every year in lost profits.

Join Arthur Hoffmann, P.E., D.GE (Gannett Fleming) as he shares this fascinating case study examining Gannett Fleming’s 10+ year project management improvement process. See how moving to an enterprise-wide embrace of PM standards and process improvement has achieved a profound and measurable impact on the bottom line – while simultaneously achieving measurable improvement in client satisfaction and other key performance indicators. (45 minutes)

SP22-05 CEOs Thinking and Acting Bigger
This panel session features leaders from two member firms discussing the importance of diverse voices to thinking and acting bigger. GBA Executive Director Joel Carson moderates the conversation with L. Joe Boyer, CEO of Atlas Technical Consultants and Louis Armstrong, CEO of Kleinfelder. They will highlight ways to impact recruiting, retention, growth, and profitability through strategic initiatives that promote an inclusive work force where everyone has an opportunity to contribute and succeed. (60 minutes)

SP22-06 Ownership Transition Success: Private Equity as an Option
In recent years private equity has become particularly interested in the consulting engineering and science practices. This interest will only continue to grow due to the strong tailwinds around the space regarding the repair, modernization and construction of infrastructure and a renewed concern about the environment. Private equity firms are active acquirors across businesses of all sizes and can be an attractive option when it comes to ownership succession. During this session led by Christopher Lee (RTC Partners), learn why private equity has interest in consulting, engineering, and science practices. Understand how private equity can provide additional optionality in ownership succession. Explore staff growth opportunities through private equity capital infusion. (26minutes)

SP22-07 You Can’t Stop Change; So, You Have to Lead It!
They are calling it “The Great Resignation” – a phrase that has risen out of the global pandemic with almost 50% of employees resigning and/or actively seeking new jobs. Employees are no longer human capital to be leveraged. They are key stakeholders in your business. They want their companies to have purpose, to have a soul, and they are not going to settle for anything less. The workplace and the workforce are shifting, and no amount of planning or stabilizing structure is going to stop it.

When you can’t stop change, it is still possible to lead it.
In this session led by Bonnie Hagemann (EDA, Inc.), attendees learn: the key ingredients to creating a compelling vision; how to engage employees around the vision; and how to shape a compelling culture that lasts. (77 minutes)

SP22-08 Technology and Automation Are Revolutionizing Geoprofessional Practice
Advances in technology and automation provide geoprofessional firms a chance to supplement and diversify their staff, improve performance, achieve efficiencies, and innovate. Geo-consulting firms can get more work done with fewer people. Many firms have opportunities for growth or market expansion but are limited by a shortage of geoprofessionals. New technologies and automation provide new options to mitigate that labor shortage. This presentation by Dimitrios Zekkos, Ph.D., P.E. (University of California at Berkeley) demonstrates how applications of technology and automation can achieve unprecedented efficiencies. Topics include Robots, UAVs, Artificial Intelligence, Satellites and use of Multi-Scale Frameworks to mitigate risk. (51 minutes)

SP22-09 Partnership and Consortium for Growth and Success
Have you ever been told it is better to get 50% of something rather than nothing? Forging partnerships or consortiums with competitors to bid on larger projects and better execute the job has proven to be a winning approach for Martin LaRoche P.Eng (Kiewit) and François Santerre (Englobe). This presentation covers elements that can make a partnership or consortium with competitors a success. In addition, real situation examples are shared on some things not to do. Topics discussed include partnership / consortium opportunities and the criteria that make for a good fit; contractual agreements to adopt and why; terms between partner entities; scope split and selection of key resources; how to secure clients; project executive committee and its role; what happens if something goes wrong; and much more. (46 minutes)

SP22-10 Strategic Planning in the Face of Disruption
A strategic plan provides a roadmap for a company’s leadership, employees, and clients to clarify where the firm is heading over the coming years. However, strategic plans are often left gathering dust on a shelf as firms deal with unexpected challenges (Pandemic!) or revert back to ‘business as usual’. Simultaneously, the A/E/C industry is facing several disruptive forces that have the potential to fundamentally change how we do business going forward, including technology, talent constraints, DE&I, and sustainability.

This session with Rebecca Zofnass (Environmental Financial Consulting Group) reviews these trends and how they could impact short- and long-term strategy. Integration of these trends into strategic planning processes is also discussed, as well as ideas and best practices for how to successfully (and flexibly) build strategic plans in order to adapt to changing trends. (46 minutes)

SP22-11 President’s Annual Report
During this session, GBA President Tom Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE, F.ACEC (Blackburn Consulting) provides the President’s Annual Report. (14 minutes)