Toddies with Tom July 9, 2021

You are cordially invited to join GBA’s President Tom Blackburn for a casual afternoon of information and social networking with friends and colleagues from across GBA.

Tom will introduce you to friends as we wind down the week and toast the weekend  with a seasonal beverage. Please join us for a fun and informative hour.

Date: July 9, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM Eastern
Register: E-mail GBA Here

Topics will include:

Welcome Tom Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE; F.ACEC (Blackburn Consulting) GBA President

“Critical Success Factors for a Healthy Business” David Coduto (Terra Insurance Co)
Terra Insurance Company is the highest rated professional liability carrier in the United States according to AM Best’s capital adequacy ratio analysis (BCAR). According to Best, our loss ratios are fractions of those of our competitors, and we believe that the CSF concept has helped us get there. When these factors are implemented in an engineering firm (along with other risk management and loss prevention measures and techniques), they tend to drive down expensive claims and enhance profitability. (10-minutes)

“How Do Member-Firms Keep Track of Subsurface Data?” – Carrie Foulk, P.E., G.E. (BSK Associates) Chair of Geotechnical Business Committee
Ms. Foulk will discuss what geoprofessional firms are using to provide easy access to their previously acquired subsurface exploration data. What software systems are available or are being developed to provide a graphical database? What are our member firms using? (10 minutes)

“Introduction to GBA’s Resource Collaboration Committee” Chuck Gregory, P.E. (Terracon Consultants, Inc.) Chair of the Resource Collaboration Committee. The mission of the RCC is to Collaborate with other GBA Committees, GBA Staff and non-GBA sources to facilitate updates of most valuable reference material. Mr. Gregory will give us an update on Case Histories Made Easy. (10 minutes)

Tom’s Toddy Toast: Summer Shandy
This month Tom suggests we all enjoy the refreshing taste of the Summer Shandy as we relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Ingredients:

• 8-12 oz of your favorite summer beer. For best results, consider lighter beers like wheat beers, pilsners,  and light lagers

• 6-12 oz your favorite fruit juice or soda, though lemonade, lime soda, and ginger ale are traditional go-to’s. Bonus: consider watermelon, cranberry ginger, or pineapple for a refreshing new summer flavor

• Add: Orange, lemon, or lime slice for garnish

Mixology Instructions: Pour the beer into the glass, about half full. Pour the lemonade or soda into the glass. Add garnish. Voila! A frosty glass or mug keeps the drink cooler in hot summer weather.

Food pairings: Keep it light! Shrimp quesadillas, fish tacos, pineapple salsa & chips or light summer salad fresh from the garden

History of the Shandy: First appearing in Britain in the 1850s as a shandygraff, the shandy was born of innovation. Facing shortages of critical beer supplies, inn keepers needed a way to fill demand from thirsty customers. Though often relegated to the working classes and their shandy-antics, a version of the shandy has popped up across the globe. It’s German cousin, the radler, was born of a need to satisfy a crowd of bicyclists in need of refreshing beer to quench their thirst and their spirits. The renowned author Charles Dickens noted the shandy was “the perfect alliance between beer and pop.” The shandy maintains its widespread popularity due to its simplicity, easy availability of ingredients, and ability to change flavors to suit every taste.