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Addressing the Gap Between Geotechnical Engineer-of-Record and Geotechnical-Specialty Constructor

Geotechnical Business Committee

Bridge the Gap presents the recommendations developed by a Special Task Force formed by GBA to address the gap between the responsibilities of the geotechnical engineer of record (GER) and the geotechnical-specialty constructor (GSC). This document discusses the reasons for the gap; defines a model to help both geotechnical engineers and GSCs allocate responsibilities based on the delivery method being used on the project; and outlines recommendations for GSCs and geotechnical engineers to use in avoiding the gap. The paper encourages geotechnical engineers to evolve their scope of services when appropriate to collect the data needed for specialty design, prepare specialty designs, assist the Owner in selecting the GSC, and review the specialty construction.

This document was primarily authored by:

Richard D. Heckel, P.E., D.GE, Task Force Chair – GeoEngineers, Inc.

With significant support from:

• Michael J. Marasa, P.E., Keller North America
• James W. Martin, P.E., F.GBA – Wood PLC
• Steve Wendland, P.E., R.G., D.GE – GeoEngineers, Inc.

We would like to thank the other members of the task force for their valuable input toward the development of this report.

• Tom Armour, P.E., D.GE – DBM Contractors, Inc.
• Victor R. Donald, P.E. – Terracon Consultants, Inc.
• Chester J. Drash, P.E. – TTL, Inc.
• Mark K. Kramer, P.E., F.GBA – SME
• Robin M. Lim, P.E. – Geolabs, Inc.
• David E. Lourie, P.E., D.GE, F.GBA – Lourie Consultants
• Kimberly F. Morrison, P.E., R.G. – Newmont Mining Corporation
• Dominic Parmantier, P.E. – Condon⦁Johnson & Associates, Inc.
• Greg Simmons, P.E. – Menard Group USA
• Leanna S. Whitwell, P.E. – TTL, Inc.

Download Best Practices Bridge the Gap: HERE

Steve Wendland, PE, PG, DGE – GeoEngineers

Abundant Opportunities Provide Career of Growth

When I was three years old, whenever I went outside I would grab handfuls of dirt and eat it. My mother told my doctor about this odd habit, and the doctor told her not to worry about; it was not harmful. “You are what you eat”; I ate soil as a toddler and there began my career as a geoengineer.

As a child I learned the value of education and hard work from my parents. I grew up in a blue-collar family in the suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri. My father stopped going to school when he was just ten years old because his family needed him to work on their farm. I saw that his limited education curtailed his opportunities. I also saw both of my parents work hard to provide for our family. I learned to get a good education, work hard, and be self-reliant.

I was fortunate to have a high school math teacher guide me to a career in engineering. I earned a BS in Geological Engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology. My involvement in the Sigma Chi Fraternity built my leadership skills and taught me the value of teamwork. I went to graduate school at the University of Texas – Austin, earning an MS in Geotechnical Engineering.

For 12 years I worked at Black & Veatch, a huge engineering and construction firm. I worked in their Power Division, which designed and constructed electrical generation plants and electrical transmission lines around the world. That job provided tremendous opportunities to learn from technical challenges on complex projects and to participate in the construction. I worked on projects in about 30 states and traveled to project sites in 14 other nations. My work at project sites around the world provided exceptionally enriching  opportunities to experience other cultures and international practices. My international travel took place before the internet was widely available or global cell phone connections; I was on my own to solve problems by working with local engineers, drillers, and contractors who often did not speak English. I learned that if I understood local cultures and learned some of their language, I could accomplish far more than if I just showed up and started giving orders. I was promoted to lead a group of 15 geotechnical engineers and geologists. However, I received no leadership or management training. Therefore, I was a poor leader in that first opportunity, but I learned much. At that time, my wife and I had two young children at home, and the frequent travel became too much of a burden; it was time for a new job.

In 1999 I joined GeoSystems Engineering, a Midwestern geotechnical consulting firm that was acquired by Kleinfelder in 2002. I was an Area Manager for Kleinfelder starting in 2002, leading their operations in the Kansas City area. The Area Manager role was a poor fit for me because of the focus on profits, sales, and personnel management; those are not my favorite interests. However, the ample training provided by Kleinfelder improved my leadership and business skills. In 2011, I transitioned to a technical leadership role. In 2014 I was promoted to be Kleinfelder’s Director of Geo-Engineering; I was responsible for company-wide technical expertise, quality of work, and reducing professional liability risks. That role was perfect for my interests and skills and I greatly enjoyed it. I became active in GBA in 2014. The loss prevention and quality-related resources from GBA helped me in my technical leadership role. Recently, I have accepted a position with GeoEngineers, and I look forward to this new chapter in my career.

Many times throughout my career someone would ask me, “What do you want to do in 5 or 10 years?” I never had a specific answer, but I knew that opportunities would arise if I improved my skills, worked hard, and kept a good attitude. I have worked especially hard to improve my writing and oral communication skills. I pass this advice on to young geoprofessionals:

• Make yourself a technical expert in two areas.
• Improve your communication skills.
• Work hard, that is not the same as working long hours.
• Maintain a good attitude so people will enjoy working with you.
• Teach those around you.

I believe these steps will lead to an abundance of opportunities in your career. For anyone interested in a technical leadership role, the resources available from GBA can be helpful in building those skills.

Outside of my work life I am blessed by a 31-year marriage to my wife Molly. We have two adult daughters, Kelsey and Paige, who have recently been engaged and married. Molly and I are enjoying life as empty nesters and whenever possible we pursue my great passion of travelling to interesting places. We are also committing more of our time to service in volunteer efforts. I also enjoy baseball, Kansas Jayhawk basketball, reading history, and exploring my faith.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve on the GBA Board of Directors. I look forward to continuing to grow the friendships I am building here while improving myself and the operations of my firm!

GBA Podcast– Case History #103 – Nuclear Gauge Management

GBA Emerging Leaders Class

GBA has published over 100 case histories based on real-life events that have happened to geoprofessional firms. GBA Case Histories are unique because our members share real-life stories of problems that impacted their businesses. They also include the outcomes of corrective action, and lessons learned.

This episode in the series explores Case History #103. After three destroyed gauges and numerous other violations, a Member-Firm was facing civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and revocation of their license to own and/or operate nuclear gauges. They paid a $150,000 settlement but more importantly developed a compliance program hailed as “a model for the industry”. Learn from their mistakes and from their commitment to change their culture through immediate action to create, test, launch, and monitor sustainable, institutional controls to address the underlying causes of the violations, as well as specific regulatory compliance issues. Every Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) must hear this!

Listen to Podcast: HERE

 

NEW: Go/No-Go Checklist

Managing Project Risk Starts with an Honest Go/No-Go Evaluation

GBA Business Practice Committee

There are very good reasons why we would choose not to spend time and effort pursuing a client or a project. Some projects have technical risks that make them more likely to end up in a lawsuit. For some projects, the selection will be made on price, and we may be unable to make a reasonable profit with the fee required to get the work. Some projects may cause issues with existing clients or may have social implications that your staff may not support.

Recognizing these issues early on allows us to make an informed decision on whether we choose to pursue the project or not.

GBA’s Business Practices Committee has prepared a comprehensive, simple to use, Go/No-Go checklist for your use. The goal of the go/no go check list is to evaluate opportunities to see if they are the ones which will be beneficial for the firm currently and in the future. The completion of the check list is not meant to be arduous nor is it meant for every opportunity that comes to the firm as it gets you to think about risks you would not normally think about or glance over. It may be a tool you use to evaluate opportunities in new sectors, new clients, or a new line of service for your firm.

DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST : HERE 

Call for Abstracts

Conference Program Committee

Are you a dynamic and engaging speaker with valuable content to share with industry leaders that can help improve their businesses and elevate the profession? Are you an experienced professional and an outstanding leader?

If you answered yes to any of the above then, the Geoprofessional Business Association invites you to submit an abstract for consideration for GBA’s Fall Conference scheduled for October 21-23, 2021 at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort in Henderson, Nevada.

Reuniting at this conference will bring us back to the basics of what GBA does best. We will focus on business & educational resources, specifically risk management and business performance optimization for geoprofessional firms.

Presentations by subject matter experts may include:

• Silver Linings
• Best Practices.
• Case Histories
• Emerging Issues

More Information: GBA Call for Abstracts Form Fall 2021

Case History #108 Podcast Released

Emerging Leaders Class 4

Case Histories have been written and read for more than 30 years. Now, they are available as podcasts so you can download, listen, and learn from anywhere. Follow along as our narrator shares the highlights, engages with subject matter experts, and delivers the lessons learned to your headset.

Case History #108 “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished” is now available as a podcast.     

Lessons Learned:

• No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
• Prevent Recommendations from Becoming Requirements
• Do Not Unilaterally Deviate from the Scope of Services
• It Pays to Be Your Brother’s Keeper
• Documentation Can Be Your Best Defense
• Consider Limitation of Liability During Your Go/No-Go Analysis

Download Case History #108: HERE

Listen to Case History #108 Podcast: HERE

 

Welcome New Members

Welcome New Members
On behalf of the GBA Board of Directors and staff, we welcome the following members to our Association.

Alaska Testlab, LLC

Alaska Testlab celebrates over 55 years of construction  experience across the state of Alaska. Formed as a testing lab in 1962, Alaska Testlab expanded to include special inspection services during the 1980s. Alaska Testlab was purchased in 1973 by Dickenson and Oswald, the two founders of DOWL, a multidisciplinary consulting and engineering firm and since 1989, the two companies have operated as one company. In 2018, the two companies amicably separated, and Alaska Testlab was relaunched as a small, Veteran and woman-owned business.

Over the years, the mission has remained unchanged. Provide quality construction materials testing and inspection services in support of commercial construction projects working for owners, contractors, developers, and federal, state, and municipal government clients.

Learn More: Alaska Testlab | Reliable & State of The Art Services

CGC Geoservices, LLC

CGC Geoservices is an experienced geotechnical and environmental drilling and sampling firm. We are more than just a drilling company.

Our firm is led by engineers who know what other engineers need to get their jobs done right. Our managers have years of experience at what they do, have seen it all, and are ready to share that knowledge on your project.

Plus we do so much more than just drilling … check out our diverse service offerings to see how we can fill all of your field sampling and implementation needs!

Learn More: CGC Geoservices

Olsson, Inc.

We work to leave the world better than we found it.

We are Olsson, a nationally recognized, employee-owned engineering and design firm with a rich history of success.

Founded in 1956 on the very mindset that drives us today, we’re here to improve communities by making them more sustainable, better connected, and more efficient. Simply put, we work to leave the world better than we found it.

Our most important asset is our people, and we are dedicated to an environment where we continue to learn, grow, and thrive. This entrepreneurial spirit has made us successful and will keep us successful.

The result? Inspired people. Amazing designs. And projects with purpose. A win-win for all.

Learn More: Olsson

GBA Member Directory: HERE

Director Spotlight: A Commitment to Giving Back

By: Guy Marcozzi, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, F. ASCE (Duffield Associates, Inc.) 

Goodbye 2020. What a strange year. Tragic yes for so many people, and my heart goes out to all of you, but also strangely productive, particularly here in the engineering community which seems to have weathered this crisis better than expected.

Recognizing that this pandemic might last a while, I put some goals for myself in place in spring 2020 to push myself to stay active. I mean how much mulch can you spread on your yard?! Some highlights from#mycovid2020: learned Italian, ran 1,900 miles in honor of Covid19 including a virtual marathon (don’t ask for the time), bench pressed 300 lbs., took up stand-up paddle boarding, built some furniture, learned to play the ukulele, and became an ordained minister to preside over a wedding of a former protégé. I also think I ate ice cream every single day and tipped quite a few fresh squeezed margaritas. I feel pretty good about all those things.

Until this pandemic hit, I am not sure if I am proud or embarrassed to say that I have never lived more than 8-miles from where I grew up in northern Delaware. In March, I relocated all the way to lower, slower Delaware, a whopping 82 miles away, in Rehoboth Beach Delaware, soon to be the summer White House community! It’s a bit tongue in cheek, as my family loves to travel, visiting 46 states, 38 countries and 6 continents, but there is no place like our little old Delaware home, even if none of our kids still live here.

Born in post war suburbia, I believed I was a living the dream, but looking back most people would regard those roots as quite modest.  To me though, those days were idyllic.  We had tons of kids in the community and organized all our sports and activities independent of adult oversight and were able to account for diversity of age, gender, and race.  Our 1,500 s.f. house was modest, but we felt like we were blessed because we were the first ones on the block to have central air and to leave the party line phone (look that up) for a direct line.  Cell phone? Come on.  That would have been regarded as the stuff of The Jetsons.

As a first-generation college student, I attended the University of Delaware (7 miles from my original home) and earned my BE in structural engineering. We didn’t prep for the SATs or explore college options in my neighborhood and guidance counseling was pretty much – good at math, go into engineering, go to the local school – a 10-minute conversation. The University of Delaware was the feeder school for us and fortunately for me, a solid engineering school.  A good but unmotivated student, I was never into memorization and feel fortunate to be able to live in an age where you can now look everything up instantly from a cell phone. Free from memorization, continuing education fuels my drive as a later stage voracious learner.

My engineering career began as a construction/drafting technician at Duffield Associates in Wilmington (4.5 miles from my original home). Following graduation, I continued with Duffield as a structural engineer largely working on designs for foundations and earth structures, and found that geotechnical engineering was more interesting, sparking a return to school and a master’s degree. As part of a small but growing firm, Duffield offered many prospects to evolve and I enthusiastically pursued opportunities in varied structural, geotechnical, environmental, and civil projects, progressing to project management and practice management. I was ecstatic to become a partner in the firm, and from there, eventually advanced to the CEO.

Always an active participant in engineering organizations, I’ve had the pleasure of serving as President of the Delaware Engineering Society, Delaware Association of Professional Engineers and American Society of Civil Engineers – Delaware Section and met great new people and learned new things in each of them. A faithful and engaged Blue Hen resulted in opportunities to serve as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware – College of Engineering, its ABET Accreditation Committee, Engineering College’s Advisory Council and now, as a Trustee of the University. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve on the GBA board to promote and help pass along best business practices and manage risk.

We make our own communities with our passion and efforts and I have tried to stay active in little old Delaware. Appointed by two Governors to serve on the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council, a bi-partisan commission to set the state’s spending and revenue estimates for the legislature, the Senate  to the Delaware Compensation Commission, which sets compensation for elected and  appointed officials.  I was also legislatively confirmed to the Delaware Environmental Appeal Board and serve on the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors and a number of other business group boards. As Delaware Chair of the American Heart    Association, we brought awareness to our nation’s number 1 and number 3 (stroke) killer. As current President of Delaware’s Jefferson Award Board (recently rebranded as Multiplying Good), we inspire youth to develop their full self by giving back.
 
My wife and I are super proud of our kids, all engineers.  One is now an  enterprise sales rep with Microsoft, one a literal rocket scientist with SpaceX and the last one still in university and doing great.

As of January 1, Duffield Associates combined with Hull Engineering of Dublin, Ohio and HSW of Tampa, Florida to start an exciting new chapter of my life as part of a larger and more geographically diverse geoscience organization.  Can’t wait and excited about 2021!

Blackburn, Titus, Moler Lead GBA’s 2021-2022 Board of Directors Slate

GBA Nominating Committee

GBA’s Nominating Committee has announced its slate of officers and directors for the May 1, 2021-April 30, 2022 fiscal year.

GBA President-Elect and Board Chair-Elect, Thomas W. “Tom” Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE (Blackburn Consulting) will become President and Chair of the GBA Board of Directors.

Those nominated for the other two officer positions are, for President-Elect and Board Chair-Elect, Leo Titus, Jr., P.E. (ECS, Ltd.), and Christopher Matthew “Matt” Moler, P.E. (S&ME, Inc.) for Secretary-Treasurer.

Those nominated to serve as Directors-at-Large are: Martin LaRoche, P.Eng., M.Sc.(Kiewit Engineering, Inc.); Guy Marcozzi, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, F. ASCE (Duffield Associates, Inc.); Bradley M. Melocik, P.E., P.H.(DOWL); Teresa L. Peterson, P.E., C.M.E., LEED AP O&M, ENV SP (Gannett Fleming); Matthew R. “Matt” Poirier, P.E. (Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc.); and Steve Wendland, P.E., R.G, D.GE (GeoEngineers, Inc.).

GBA’s Current Board of Directors

Growing Up Fast in GBA

Mark Kramer, P.E., F. GBA, (SME)

You can say I grew up with GBA (formerly ASFE). My father attended early ASFE meetings and I was fortunate to attend many meetings growing up. I still remember skiing at Keystone while attending an early ASFE meeting in the late 70’s. I enjoyed the resorts and I really had no idea what was going on at the meetings. From these experiences, it seems natural for me to now lead  a geoprofessional firm and actively support GBA.

I was born in Detroit in 1967, shortly after my father moved to Detroit to run Soil and Materials Engineers Inc. I spent many Saturdays running around the office and lab in Detroit while my dad put in the extra effort on weekends. SME (Soil and Materials Engineers Inc.) was founded in 1964 as a joint venture between STS Consultants Ltd of Chicago and Knoerle Bender and Stone from Baltimore to pursue projects in Detroit. My father was the first general manager of the office after working for STS in Chicago. He worked with Mr. Gerry Olson at STS who later founded Terracon, was a good friend of my father and another GBA supporter. My first lesson in how small our world is. And, he worked at STS with my future boss at the other S&ME in Charlotte, NC. In the early 70’s my father bought out the other shareholders (STS) and led the company until he became ill in 2001. SME and my father were early supporters of GBA and Terra Insurance.

After high school, I went to Arizona State University and received a BSE in Civil Engineering. I worked the summer after my freshman year for SME as a field technician/intern. When I went to school, I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do but Engineering seemed to make sense. It was not until late Junior year when I took a soils class and an environmental class, and I connected with the two professors that I really decided what I wanted to do. My future wife Judy joined me at ASU to finish her degree in Computer Science. She graduated before me and was offered a position to teach and get a masters at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill which led us to North Carolina.

I worked at S&ME (at the time Westinghouse Environmental and Geotechnical Services) in Charlotte, North Carolina for three years and then worked for Woodward-Clyde Consultants (now part of AECOM) in Gaithersburg, Maryland for another three years. I rejoined SME in mid-1995 after we had three children and decided to leave Washington DC for home. As it turns out, the timing of this decision was fortunate.

I began attending GBA meetings again in the fall of 1995 shortly after joining SME and have attended almost every meeting since. I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to attend GBA early in my career. Over the last 20 years, I served on the Business Practice Committee and the Emerging Issues and Trends committee. I served a short time as the Business Practice Committee Chair before being asked to join the ASFE Board in 2008 – where I served the board for 5 years.

I rejoined the GBA Board of Directors as the Terra Insurance liaison in 2018 after joining the Terra Board in 2013. In 2016 I was honored to be recognized as a GBA Fellow by the Council of Fellows.

At SME, I worked as a project engineer and then led the geotechnical team in our Plymouth office. I also got involved with the environmental team to assist during a transition in leadership. In the late 1990’s my father asked me to be COO of the company as part of a long-term (10+ year) transition plan.                      Unfortunately, shortly after in October 2001, he was diagnosed with a form of dementia, he quickly retired,  and I took over the role of President in early 2002. Reflecting, our return to Michigan was fortunate for our  family and my connection to GBA was instrumental early in my leadership career. I have led SME since that time, helping grow our team to over 350 of the most passionate people I know, helping build and revitalize our world. We operate from 14 offices in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and  Kentucky, and help our clients in the region, across the US and internationally when needed. I now have the            title of Chairman and CEO and spend much of my time growing the future leadership of SME.

I could write a novel on the last 19 years, as I was challenged with stepping into my father’s shoes at age 34, while trying to help raise 3 young kids and taking care of my mother and my father until his death in 2008. I learned many difficult lessons trying to run the business before I was ready and during the economic depression in Michigan from 2002-2010.

GBA had a huge impact on my success, helping me and SME thru some difficult days. The network of friends and valuable knowledge I gained at the meetings was instrumental. The brief relief from the stress attending the meetings and seeing old friends also helped me through. As a leader, spending time with our peers and being able to reach out and ask questions or talk with peers from across the country about current concerns and issues at meetings or between meetings was extremely valuable to me and all the SME team who have been involved with GBA.

Over the years, I have also been able to work with many fellow GBA peers and their firms on projects across the country. GBA has been a great source when we have clients that are looking for assistance in areas that we do not operate in. We have worked with several great firms, across the country including Puerto Rico and Hawaii. I look forward to meeting you at a future GBA meeting!!

 

GBA Updates Popular Document: AVOIDING ABSOLUTES

Resource Collaboration Committee

GBA just published a Best Practices document titled Avoiding Absolutes. This is an update from a Practice Alert of the same name that was published  many years ago to help our members improve technical writing and verbal communication skills in managing their risks. It is not lost on us that there is irony in using the term “Best Practices” for a document addressing the risks of using absolutes. Please view GBA “Best Practices” as a collection of wise practices that adapt and grow to keep up with the times. They can always be improved and we invite your related input. It is in this spirit that we offer this update.

Absolutes are words that connote an extreme condition; e.g., absolutely no exceptions. They are most commonly thought of as modifiers – adjectives and adverbs – but also occur as nouns, pronouns, and verbs. In common or colloquial parlance, they usually are harmless. However, when they are used by professionals within an instrument of professional service, correspondence, or other written communication (electronic or otherwise), or when they are spoken by professionals while acting in a professional capacity, absolutes are almost always inappropriate.

  Caution when using absolutes should extend beyond client relations and project work to include communications with staff. The best strategy to avoid the pitfalls of absolutes is to not use them, even in casual conversation, unless you are willing to be held to the “highest” standards of professional scrutiny.

 

 

Download GBA BEST PRACTICES – AVOIDING ABSOLUTES

GBA Launches New Podcast Series

Emerging Leaders Class 4

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. Learn where others went wrong, how they handled their problems, and how you can learn from their experiences to avoid the same problems in the future.

Case Histories have been written and read for more than 30 years. Now, they are available as podcasts so you can download, listen, and learn from anywhere. Follow along as our narrator shares the highlights, engages with subject matter experts, and delivers the lessons learned to your headset.

Case History #61 – Don’t Lie to Yourself About the Risk of Small Projects
This episode in the series explores Case History #61, which stems from an environmental site assessment conducted as part of a property transfer, and that highlights the importance of strong contract language, report limitations, diligent information gathering, professional liability insurance, adequate training, and much more. It also highlights the risk of small projects for all geoprofessionals.

A special thanks to Jennifer Sanborn, PE (Sanborn Head) for hosting this episode and to Andrew Batson, Esq. (Sanborn Head) for his legal insights. Technical support was provided by Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2 (SME), Carrie Foulk PE, GE (BSK Associates), and Ryan White PE, GE, (PBS Engineering and Environmental).

Listen and Subscribe: HERE

GBA Project Award of Excellence Announced

GBA is excited to announce its new Project Award of Excellence. With this prestigious award, GBA will recognize the most outstanding projects by its members as they demonstrate the vision of GBA to  great accomplishment. Winners of this award will have a platform to showcase their project excellence and contributions to society in front of their peers, clients and other geoprofessionals in North America.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate the great efforts of our members as they utilize GBA best practices to manage risk and optimize performance on notable projects.” said President-Elect Tom Blackburn. “We welcome all members to apply for these prestigious awards.”

Application Deadline: March 8, 2021

Winners will be recognized and in addition to the award, will receive free registration and lodging to GBA’s 2021 Fall Conference in Henderson, Nevada.
Read more about the application requirements, selection process, and winner awards: HERE

 

Top 10 Resources List for 2020

GBA provides hundreds of highly effective resources  developed to satisfy the unique needs of geoprofessionals,  giving members essential tools for achieving success.  However, we also know that it can be overwhelming to sort through them all. To help, we have compiled a list of the top 10 GBA resources by numbers ordered in 2020. This is a great place to start your exploration of GBA’s resources, or to get acquainted with a publication loved by your peers and “new to you”.

The list below is the top 10 GBA resources, in order by popularity. Topics cover a wide range of geoprofessional business issues, so there is certain to be something on this list that could help your business succeed. Select a title to learn more and order it today.

CONTRACT REFERENCE GUIDE, FOURTH EDITION
This new edition not only provides significant updates from the prior editions, but also includes important new topics, such as Climate Change, Indemnities and Hold Harmless Provisions in Favor of the Consultant, and Instruments of Professional Service.

GBA BUSINESS BRIEF FINANCIAL SURVEY: FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 FINANCIAL-PERFORMANCE-SURVEY
The newest GBA Business Brief — available only to members and free of charge – comprises the GBA Business Practices Committee’s 2019-2020 Financial-Performance Survey report, covering key financial-performance issues surveyed firms reported. These include pre-distribution profit, discretionary-profit distribution, net multiplier, utilization rate, pre-distribution overhead, marketing costs, group insurance, collections, and fee backlog.

PRACTICE ALERT 05: TABOO WORDS
This Practice Alert focuses on six “taboo words”: certify, inspect, monitor, supervise, safety, and represent. The six are not necessarily dangerous in and of themselves. How they are used and their context are important.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GEOTECHNICAL-ENGINEERING REPORT
This report transmittal cover sheet identifies limitations in geotechnical engineering reports and stresses the need for the geotechnical engineer’s involvement throughout the course of the project.

FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS FOR PROJECT MANAGERS
Effective Project Managers are key to the success of all geoprofessional businesses. GBA recognizes development of highly effective Project Managers requires training, experience, and mentorship in numerous areas. GBA has developed, with support of member-firm volunteers, a Project Manager essential skills training course to support and augment training available by member-firms.

GBA BUSINESS BRIEF: FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE – SURVEY REPORT
The GBA Business Brief — available only to members and free of charge – comprises the GBA Business Practices Committee’s 2018-2019 Financial-Performance Survey report, covering key financial-performance issues surveyed firms reported. These include pre-distribution profit, discretionary-profit distribution, net multiplier, utilization rate, pre-distribution overhead, marketing costs, group insurance, collections, and fee backlog.

GBA BEST PRACTICES: E-COMMUNICATION

This GBA Best Practices replaces Practice Alert 46 which focused on e-communications. It is revised to address recent usage and offers more suggestions to the problems. As its title suggests, covers e-mail, instant messaging texting, and the use of Facebook, Skype, Twitter, and so on. It is organized as a series of five problems, each accompanied by suggested solutions. The five problems are:

GUIDE TO THE IN-HOUSE REVIEW OF REPORTS
This 20-page guide was created to help GBA-Member Firms review their proposals and reports internally. It provides guidance to report writers, including a definition of an effective report, a list of elements that should be attached to a report, and recommendations for communicating with the reviewer once the report has been submitted. It also relates instruction to reviewers, including recommendations for conducting the initial review, revising comments, keeping a report control log, and communicating with the report writer throughout the review process.

GBA GUIDE TO THE IN-HOUSE REVIEW OF GEOPROFESSIONAL REPORTS
The publication provides step-by-step instructions – as well as overarching concepts – for report writers and reviewers. Organized into three principal content areas to help reviewers consider major issues and to give report writers a clear framework for preparing reports and considering reviewers’ comments, the guide addresses a report’s ability to satisfy the contractual obligations it was intended to fulfill; the quality of its technical and risk-management content; and the clarity of presentation.

LUNCH & LEARN: Risky Language
Words can kill, or at least create a great many difficulties, especially when they are the wrong words, like taboo words whose legal meanings may be far different from what they seem to imply. This well-crafted Lunch & Learn seminar discusses the U.S. legal system and why geoprofessionals need to avoid it as a dispute-resolution forum, then addresses a variety of taboo and other words and phrases that can result in formal dispute resolution and litigation becoming unavoidable, time-consuming, costly, and frustrating.

Review 2020’s Top 10 Resources and Top 10 Case Histories: HERE

ASCE Announces the Donald V. Roberts, Global Sustainabilty Award

Don Roberts’ experience as a consulting civil and environmental engineer, for over 60 years, was a great asset to the geoprofessionals. He was a past ASFE president (1985-1986) and contributed in many ways, for many years, to ASFE/GBA.

Mr. Roberts was responsible for major geotechnical investigations and environmental studies for 500 projects located in 20 countries. He was a pioneer
in developing methods to analyze the environmental impacts of projects prior to the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). He also managed programs to investigate and clean up nuclear waste sites for the US Department of Energy.

ASCE is establishing the Donald Van Norman Roberts Global Sustainability Award to honor Don Roberts for his significant contributions to the profession and his leadership in sustainability. Once established, the award will consist of a cash prize awarded annually to engineering professionals or to engineering students for papers on sustainability or climate change that are published in a peer reviewed ASCE journal.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Donald Van Norman Roberts Global Sustainability Award.