GBA Board Drives Strategic Plan Forward at Summer Meeting in the Smokies

08/16/2023 |

Each summer the GBA Board of Directors meet to conduct Association business, identify opportunities to advance strategic objectives, and collaborate on ways to elevate the geoprofessions.

In July 2023, the Directors met in Asheville, North Carolina for two days of meetings in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Present at the meeting were Board members:
• President Matt Moler, P.E. (S&ME, Inc.)
• President-Elect Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C (Verdantas)
• Secretary Treasurer Teresa L. Peterson, P.E., C.M.E., LEED AP O&M, ENV SP (Gannett Fleming, Inc.)
• Carrie Foulk, P.E., G.E. (BSK Associates)
• Dan Schaefer, P.E. (Froehling & Robertson, Inc.)
• Stuart “Stu” Thompson, (CTL|Thompson, Inc.)
• Victor R. Donald, P.E. (Terracon)
• Bradley Melocik, P.E., P.H. (DOWL)
• Elizabeth Clarke (Structure Groups)
• Immediate Past-President Leo Titus, P.E. (ECS Limited)

Mr. Moler focused the Board’s efforts on the “Finish Strong” campaign, an inspired initiative to drive home the 2024 Strategic Plan and have an impact on the Association for years to come.

Collaboratively, the group ignited momentum for two key pillars of the strategic plan by focusing on:
• Career development resources under the Career Continuum concept – in support of strategic objective Accelerate Leaders’ Success
• Growth, support, and nurturing of GBA Peer Groups – in support of strategic objectives Accelerate Leaders’ Success and Forge Fiercely Loyal Relationships.

Working sessions were held on each activity to identify the next steps needed to advance the objectives and finish the 2024 Strategic Plan strong.

The group explored and exchanged meaningful ideas about updating the GBA Strategic Plan during next year’s Summer Board Meeting, to be held in Detroit, Michigan. Marcozzi led a working session on the cause, which reviewed past strategic plans, historic member surveys, and key elements of a strong strategic planning process. During the next 12 months, Mr. Marcozzi will champion the Board’s effort to prepare for a successful strategic planning session when the group gathers in The Motor City.

Another important topic discussed by the Board was GBA’s Crystal Ball Workshops. Mr. Donald shared lessons from the past and identified several ways to enhance the value of these workshops in the future.

He asked the Directors to change our paradigm from these being one-off “events” to becoming an industry-wide movement. Ideas put forward to achieve this endeavor include:

• Increasing the frequency of the workshops,
• Broadening GBA’s partnerships with allied organizations, and
• Amplifying the distribution of the workshops’ discoveries.

Directors also exchanged updates highlighting the hard work of GBA’s busy and dedicated committees, the current class of emerging leaders (Class #5), and our valued industry partners.

Near the end of the two-day meeting in Asheville, GBA Executive Director Joel Carson conducted a workshop and asked the Board to consider the future of GBA’s conferences, meetings, workshops, and summits. During this time, Directors identified the goals of our annual events, reviewed the current event calendar, and unearthed pathways for the future that will lead to greater engagement, enriched value, and elevation of the geoprofessions.

In addition to the Board meetings, the Directors had opportunities to network and explore Asheville and the surrounding area.

“Knowing that this organization has been around for more than 50 years, a lot of great folks [in GBA] have made our industry and our profession better,” said Mr. Moler. “Every one of the Directors currently serving are driven, passionate about what we do, and we want to have fun while we’re doing it. I think that shows in our camaraderie and the things that we’re able to accomplish together.

“I was impressed by the level of preparation and participation of all the Directors,” said Mr. Carson. “This is a very focused and   hardworking Board that continues to drive our  Association forward. I left the meeting energized and full of new ideas that will help propel GBA into the future.”

The rich discussion and thoughtful participation by everyone involved in this meeting – along with the continued support and involvement of member-firms, individual members, and alliance organizations – ensures that GBA members will continue to drive innovation, embrace change, champion excellence, and look ahead to a bright and prosperous future in the geoprofessions.

Updated! Best Practices: Establishing an Internship Program in Your Firm

08/08/2023 |

GBA Business Practices Committee

Attracting top-flight, entry level talent remains a key objective of most GBA Member Firms. An effective internship program can play an important role in achieving that objective. GBA’s Business Practices Committee has updated these guidelines to help firms develop an internship program “from scratch” and improve those that already exist.

This comprehensive document provides resources including:
• Sample intern orientation checklist
• Intern recruitment ideas
• Suggested assignments for a 12-week program
• Sample student internship program agreement form

This is the updated version of a previously published Practice Alert.

The GBA Best Practices series of documents, available to members only, provides guidance on geoprofessional business-practice issues. As indicated by the name, Best Practices is a combination of great ideas and proven actions our members have gathered through collaboration into one document.

GBA Best Practices documents are free for all members.

DOWNLOAD UPDATED BEST PRACTICES: ESTABLISHING AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN YOUR FIRM

In Memory of William S. “Bill” Zoino, PE, GZA Co-Founder

07/25/2023 |

William S. “Bill” Zoino, P.E. passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Bill was a geoprofessional industry leader, GBA past-President (1981-1982), and co-founder of GZA GeoEnvironmental.

Of his time in GBA leadership, Bill said, “GZA owes a lot to GBA for the many years of most valuable services it provides to its members. For me it was most rewarding to be in the presence of the giants in our field… During my active participation in GBA, both Limitation of Liability and Peer Review were fully adopted by GBA.”

Here is more information about the life and leadership of Bill Zoino from a GZA internal announcement on his passing:

“A dual graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bill began his career primarily as a dam engineer. In 1964, Bill and his MIT classmate Don Goldberg started a consultancy based on the belief that if you provide quality science and engineering services, operate with integrity, and create a collegial environment in which your employees feel appreciated and empowered to develop innovative solutions for their clients, the firm will be successful. They were right, and here we are thriving almost six decades later.

While Bill was dedicated to the development of GZA and its people, he was also a significant contributor to the engineering community, serving as President of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) and as President of the American Society of Civil Engineers –
Massachusetts, now the Boston Society of Civil Engineers (BSCE).

When asked by BSCE several years ago to provide a perspective on his career and the founding of GZA, Bill said, ‘Together with Don Goldberg, we provided jobs for over 2,500 people. But I’m most proud to tell you that those people were people-servers. In my view, that’s what life is all about. It’s a philosophy that Don and I share. Our employees count. Their families count first, their profession counts second. We shared that goal, and we also believed in quality in our projects.

Professional quality, service, family first. For all of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with Bill, those three terms capture the essence of Bill’s long and illustrious career and legacy.”

Unearthing Innovation from Deep Southern Roots

07/24/2023 |

By: Victor “Vic” R. Donald, P.E., Senior Consultant (Terracon)

 

  I have strong Southern roots that spread across three states – Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. My family was in a new place every two or three years, due to my dad’s job at a natural gas pipeline company. That kind of  childhood forced me – a young introvert – to continually adapt and make friends. I felt that survival demanded that I become more outgoing in those junior high and high school years, especially. I gained a tremendous appreciation for the deep South, and I feel blessed to have those Southern roots.

As a teenager, I started working for a bridge manufacturer and it was during this time I discovered my calling for engineering. I encountered engineers on the job and started to learn about the complexities of civil infrastructure and how much goes into it. My initial aspiration was to be a structural engineer, but an inspiring talk by a geotechnical engineer named John Grosch redirected my path.

John informed me and my classmates in our first geotechnical course about what it means to be a geotechnical engineer and two things he said stick with me to this day. One was, “You’re going to have to continue to get dirty because we deal with soils in every way, including on our clothes.” And the second was, “You’re going to need a graduate degree.” The first one I was good at – I’d been getting dirty since I was a kid. But the second one intimidated me.

I dove into both. I stayed in college at Louisiana State University and got my Master of Science in Civil Engineering, while working in the soils lab, behind drill rigs, and on construction sites. I went to work for a local geotechnical practice in Baton Rouge while in grad school. Those were two of the hardest and perhaps the most educational years of my life. I was learning from great mentors at work and would take questions back to the classroom. Those experiences gave me a jump start at being a businessman in the geotechnical profession.

With that jump start, I didn’t waste too much time starting my own business. When I was 28, I ventured into a partnership with a firm out of Mississippi and launched an operation in Baton Rouge. I sought out people that I needed to learn from—not just engineers; I learned from bankers, attorneys, and accountants. It all came together in that practice.

Early in my career, I recognized the value of collaboration within the industry. I became involved with GBA (at the time, ASFE) and attended their conferences, immersing myself in a community of like-minded professionals. GBA has taught me that there is a great coalition of people out there that are looking out for the best interest of the profession. I support that in any way that I can.

Over the years, I bought, sold, and merged companies as I navigated the dynamic landscape of the geoprofession, eventually becoming president of Aquaterra Engineering, a firm that traversed the paths of my childhood, practicing throughout the south. In 2009, after much consideration, we decided to merge our rapidly growing practice into Terracon’s. I like to call it the second-best decision I ever made, with my proposal to my wife of 44 years being the first.

Throughout my career, my gift, and perhaps my fault, could be described as my insatiable desire to innovate. I always wanted to find a better way to approach our work. As I experienced success with innovation, I began to use such ideas to differentiate our practice and help overcome the commoditization that threatens our profession. Terracon allowed me to ask questions, explore ideas, and invest in innovation, and I’m continuing that as a senior innovation consultant with the firm.

Advice to Those Entering the Geoprofessions

There is a lot of change going on right now in the geoprofessions. I’ve seen more change in our profession in the last four years than I saw in the entire first 40 years of doing this. Discovering data, digitization of our services, the rise of geotechnical specialty contractors, the impact of artificial intelligence—just dramatic, quick change that leaves one breathless. So, when I’m talking to a young professional, I’m saying, “You can thrive in change or you can suffer in change. And it’s your choice. Be proactive and run TO the change and be a part of making it work in a way that serves you, your profession, and your clients well.” That benefits the profession and the individual.

I’d tell them, “Think about being a coder and what it means to code in the geotechnical practice. Think about discovering data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, and maybe go back to school and get that type of education instead of an MBA. GBA can give you the business acumen to understand how to run a business or how to be a strong principle in a business.”

Family and Hobbies

My wife, Diana, comes to as many GBA events as she can. That has been one of the highlights of my profession – being able to enjoy these professional experiences and colleagues with her, share in conversations, and even plan trips together.

We have four kids – three boys and a girl, none of whom decided to be engineers, but all went into professions that have allowed frequent dialogue about many of the key aspects of the geoprofession.

Something we all enjoy as a family is LSU athletics. I’m amazed how sports brings people together. We’re all LSU grads and we have a group chat that blows up during the games. We just followed the College World Series together, for example.

I miss the days of working with the drill rig, and all the perils of that work. I suppose that’s why hiking is a favorite hobby of mine and that’s why I moved to Nashville. I like to spend time in the hills and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains and plan to do more of that.

Closing Thoughts

   I’m known to complain about commoditization, our fees being too low, and that it’s not worth the risks we take, etc. But, complaints aside, when I look back, I have to think, “I’ve been blessed financially, socially, and creatively by a profession that recognizes and rewards good work delivered with an innovative mindset.”

As I continue to explore new horizons and contribute in innovative ways to our profession, I look forward to witnessing the continued evolution of our practice and supporting the next generation of professionals in embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

New Podcast – Daily Field Reports Protect Geoprofessionals Against Unknowns

07/24/2023 |

Multimedia Delivery Committee

Thorough field reporting and regular briefings safeguard geotechnical teams from project setbacks and liabilities. While field notes can help inform decisions and keep everyone on the same proverbial page, they also serve as a fail-safe in the event of worker absence, equipping interim field reps with insights to seamlessly keep projects moving.

In the newest episode of the GBA Podcast Audio Education Series, hosts Tiffany Vorhies (SME) and Ryan White (PBS Engineering + Environmental) examine what we risk when we fail to prioritize daily field reporting.

Start listening now

More About GBA Podcasts
GBA podcasts present information and expertise from geoprofessionals around the globe to provide you with wisdom and insight to help in your pursuit of knowledge. Other episodes in the Audio Education series cover topics like personal diplomacy, effective reporting, the duty of care, and field representatives and the law. Tiffany and Ryan cover each topic thoroughly, with candor, expertise, and personal anecdotes from their geoprofessional careers.

Two Things You Can Do Today to Elevate Geoprofessional Value

07/21/2023 |

Elevate your career, your firm, and the geoprofessions by attending the GBA Fall Conference. You can also honor the Fall Conference theme of Elevating Geoprofessional Value by signing the Geoprofessional Value Accord.

REGISTER FOR THE FALL CONFERENCE TODAY HERE

The value of the geoprofessions is often misunderstood and underappreciated by our clients, our communities, and sometimes even among peers. GBA and its members are doing something about this common challenge. We created a road map (“The Geoprofessional Value Accord”) with the following aspirations that unite us and serve as a catalyst for collective effort towards elevating the value of geoprofessionals:

  •  MISSION AND VALUE PROPOSITION: Geoprofessionals are essential experts that create opportunities and solve challenges at the intersection of human enterprise and the earth’s resources; we advance understanding and influence outcomes that enhance and sustain the aspirations of our clients, our communities, and our world. Geoprofessionals make lives better, knowing and “engineering” our connections to the earth.
  •  GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Our value is advanced when we…
    • Are visible as leaders in our communities
    • Are open to change, through a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching
    • Are curious, embrace innovation, and lead technical advancement
    • Act as trusted advisors that enhance outcomes rather than simply providing deliverables
    • Communicate about risks and technical issues using familiar and transparent language
    • Recognize, promote, and celebrate with passion the life-changing, heroic aspects of our work
    • Stay involved with the entire life cycle of our projects
    • Include the “long-view” in our thinking
    • Support our professional societies through active participation
    • Contribute to public policies through commentary, as advisors, in appointed positions or elected office
    • Maximize our opportunities to lead projects
    • Are selective about the projects and clients that we engage
    • Seek diversity, equity and inclusion
    • Hold paramount the health, safety and welfare of the public
    • Serve as stewards of the earth

Signatories to the non-binding Accord simply share a desire to achieve the mission and value proposition through the framework of the guiding principles.

The Elevate Geoprofessional Value Accord has already garnered the signatures of 225 geoprofessionals from across North America. Please SIGN THE ACCORD today. If you are one of the many who has already done so, take this to the next step and do all you can to encourage your colleagues and peers to join you in signing the accord. Help GBA spread the word of our ongoing efforts to elevate geoprofessional value.

WHAT GEOPROFESSIONALS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ACCORD

  • “I signed the accord because our profession sorely needs a guiding document.” – Matt Monteith, PE, CTL | Thompson, Inc.
  •  I signed the accord because… “Our work is essential to maintaining a civil society and we can do our job much more effectively if we are recognized as an important part of design and construction.” – Carrie Foulk, PE, GE, BSK Associates
  •  “…the community in general all have different views and need to be stimulated in different ways to understand the value of geotechnical engineering and the service we provide.” – Keith Mobley, PE, GE, Northern Geotechnical Engineering
  •  “Geoprofessionals and the geoprofessions are the solution providers of tomorrow’s extreme earth events. I’m focused on elevating the purpose of geologists, hydrogeologists, and engineers in educating the public and providing expertise to adapt to rapidly changing environments.” – Dave Cook, LG, CPG, Aspect Consulting LLC
  •  “Our professionals are characteristically humble go-getters motivated by providing integrity and excellence in their output so that the full team can succeed on every project knowing the surety of the geoprofessional work affects everything. Our work is not always seen, but it affects every aspect of the project, a fact that we own with pride as we build… from the ground up.” – Nick Bundra, Executive Director – CalGeo
  •  I signed the accord… “To show support and hopefully influence others to be a voice in educating all about the important role we play in shaping the place in which we live.” – Jay Martin, PE, FGBA, WSP
  •  “I signed because I truly believe that if many of us do a better job explaining the value of our profession, the situation will improve.” – Martin LaRoche, PE, M.Sc., Kiewit
  •  “I am focused on the role of the engineering community in the future. I am convinced that we can enhance our public image, inspire future generations to join the engineering community, and maximize the value that we provide through our work by focusing on our role in helping communities and society deal with the challenges of the 21st century. The Elevate Geoprofessional Value Accord emphasizes that role.” – Mike McMeekin, PE, Exec. Director Engineering Change Lab – USA
  • “Value Accord focus helps us understand and communicate the context in which we belong. As geoprofessionals, when we better understand our values we are more apt to confidently communicate them to our clients, ideally achieving heightened appreciation for the profession.” – Laura Register PE, F.GBA, Terracon
  •  “I signed the accord because I believe our industry has a long way to go and needs to be more valued. As geoprofessionals compete against each other we have lower margins, tighter schedules, overworked employees, which can lead to make mistakes or cutting corners and employee burnout. This situation also makes it difficult for employee retention and makes DEI in the workplace a key component into elevating our profession.” – Veronica DeFreitas, PE, Universal Engineering Sciences

SIGN THE ACCORD HERE

Updated! Best Practices: Straight Talk About Profitability

07/10/2023 |

GBA Business Practices Committee

This is the updated version of a previously published Practice Alert on profitability. Profitability is determined by the difference between income and expenses…and GBA Member Firms can do far more to increase the former and decrease the latter.

Low margins are somewhat commonplace among geoprofessional firms. This Best Practices addresses the issue head-on and identifies valuable techniques firms should consider to improve their profitability, including:
• managing labor costs;
• finding opportunities to offer contingency fees;
• obtaining lump-sum assignments and managing them well;
• managing expectations;
• learning to bind clients to your firm;
• avoiding attachment to your fee schedule.

The GBA Business Practices Committee encourages Member Firms to become “profitability proactive” and to not wait for a “rising tide to lift all boats.” In fact, as undervalued as Member Firms’ services may be, the rates charged are not likely to soon emerge from the market stratum in which they have been burrowed for the past 70 years.

The GBA Best Practices series of documents, available to members only, provides guidance on geoprofessional business-practice issues. As indicated by the name, Best Practices, is a combination of great ideas and proven actions our members have gathered through collaboration into one document.

GBA Best Practices documents are free for all members.

Download Best Practices: STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT PROFITABILITY

Creative Signing Bonuses

07/10/2023 |

Creative Signing Bonuses
Joel G. Carson, Executive Director

I had a geotechnical engineer colleague that was a huge fan of muscle cars. Her dream was to own a 1968 Chevy Camaro.

As we all know, highly skilled geotechnical engineers with 8-12 years of consulting experience are very hard to find and even harder to hire. My friend checked all the boxes and was looking for a new job. Because of her credentials, reputation, and experience, she was aggressively recruited by several good consulting firms.

The tipping point came when she arrived home to find a Matador Red, 2-door, chromed out, show-car quality 1968 Chevy Camaro SS in her driveway with an offer letter on the front seat. Her dream car was the signing bonus and without hesitation, she accepted the offer.

In times like these when identifying, recruiting, and hiring key employees, we need to be creative about employment terms and compensation. Get to know candidates and creatively address their needs and interests.

If you have a story about creative signing bonuses, please share it. We will compile responses and share them in future issues of NEWSlog.

SHARE YOUR STORY

 

GBA Peer Reviews Improve Geoprofessional Firms

07/07/2023 |

By Bob Rabeler, PE, past Chair of GBA Peer Review Committee (1998–2002), completed more than 30 GBA Peer Reviews over the past 25 years

In October 1999, Engineering News-Record lauded GBA’s Peer Review as one of the 125 most innovative construction industry developments of the prior 125 years. Peer Review was the only association concept so honored. Why such recognition?

Years ago, geoprofessional firms found themselves facing numerous legal battles, to the point that they could not obtain Professional Liability Insurance (PLI). Leaders in our industry borrowed a concept from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, which willingly shared its materials and experience to help GBA initiate Peer Review. As a result of this successful program, as well as other valuable GBA programs, PLI for geoprofessional firms went from the highest cost to one of the lowest costs among design professionals.

So why is Peer Review so valuable? There are many reasons. Peer Reviewers with years of experience can sometimes see issues that the firm’s leadership misses. Peer Reviewers can also provide ideas and guidance for issues that the firm’s leadership are aware of. Peer Reviews are not solely focused on liability issues – they also look for ways the firm can improve their business.

Typically, Peer Reviews are comprehensive by looking at nine different core management components. Management and operational documents are reviewed, as well as example proposals, reports, and client contracts. Questionnaires are completed by staff and clients, providing valuable feedback. Key staff are interviewed, typically leaders and managers but also front-line staff from all sections of the firm. Armed with this information, the Peer Reviewer(s) provide meaningful feedback to the firm’s leadership typically in the form of a written report and an exit interview. Today, with the help of recent available technology, Peer Reviews can be completed virtually using Zoom, MS Teams, or similar programs making Peer Reviews more accessible, flexible, and less costly.

Many GBA firms have seen the value of GBA Peer Reviews and have completed multiple Peer Reviews over the years (typically every five years or so). Terra Insurance Company, who insures many GBA firms, has been a Peer Review believer since day one and has seen first-hand how Peer Reviews have lowered PLI costs and improved geoprofessional firms. Terra has even helped pay for the cost of Peer Reviews.

LEARN MORE

Register for the Fall Conference for Your Chance to WIN!

07/07/2023 |

Registration is now open for GBA’s Fall Conference, an online event broadcast live from the GBA studio October 17-19, 2023. Make your plans to join other geoprofessionals from the comfort of your own workspace – no travel required – for premier educational sessions and sensational speakers.

New this year: If you register for the conference by Friday, July 28, you will be entered to win one of the following prizes:
• A Contixo F24 Pro 4K UHD drone with 30 minutes of flight time (or similar; Value: $299)
• One complimentary night’s stay at the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort in conjunction with the GBA Spring Conference, April 18-20, 2024, in Anaheim, CA (Value: $350)
• One complimentary registration for your guest to attend GBA’s 2024 Spring Conference in Anaheim, CA (Value: $625)

More information:
• Only individuals who have paid their registration in full (minimum fee of $375) are eligible to win
• Registration must take place between June 28 and July 28, 2023
• A live drawing will take place on August 1, 2023
• Winners will be notified on August 2, 2023
• Prizes are non-transferable
• No substitution of prizes for cash will be awarded in lieu of specified prize

Even if you don’t win one of the prizes above, you’ll be a winner anyway because of the valuable learning opportunities you’ll experience at the Fall Conference. Plus, you’ll be registering when rates are at their lowest!

SAVE MY SPOT!

Top 10 Resources for 2023 (So Far!)

07/06/2023 |

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 for the last six months. 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”.

1. GBA Business Brief: Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Financial-Performance Survey

This GBA Business Brief — available only to members and free of charge – comprises the key financial-performance issues surveyed firms reported.

2. GBA Best Practice: Project Records Retention

This revised publication gives recommendations on what project records you should keep and what not to keep. It also gives recommendations on how long and where those records should be kept.

3. GBA Best Practices: Establishing a Mentoring Program

This updated Best Practices document identifies the many benefits of mentoring for the firm, for mentors, and for protégés. It also provides a program overview, offers guidance on program leadership, and identifies resources.

4. GBA Best Practices: Taboo Words

This document examines six “taboo words.” These words are not necessarily dangerous in and of themselves, but the consequences of using any one of them improperly can be so severe, many risk managers believe the words should be used only on a carefully considered, by-exception basis.

5. GBA Best Practices: Avoiding Absolutes

When used by professionals within an instrument of professional service, correspondence, or other written communication, or when they are spoken by professionals while acting in a professional capacity, absolutes are almost always inappropriate.

6. GBA Best Practices: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Best Practices in the Geoprofessions

This document explains the advantages of diversity in workplaces with proven research data, and how the geoprofessional industry is adapting and is moving toward a more diverse talent pool.

7. Fundamental Elements for Project Managers

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. This course will help you introduce and discuss the essential skills needed as a Project Manager.

8. GBA Best Practices: Go/No-Go Checklist

This checklist may be a tool you use to evaluate opportunities in new sectors, new clients, or a new line of service for your firm.

9. GBA Guide to In-House Review of Geoprofessional Reports

The publication provides step-by-step instructions – as well as overarching concepts – for report writers and reviewers. 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.

10. 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.

 

Register Now for GBA’s 2023 Fall Conference Broadcast Event

06/28/2023 |

GBA Conference Committee

Registration is now open for GBA’s 2023 Fall Conference. The conference will be broadcast live from GBA’s studio October 17-19, 2023 and you can join conveniently from the comfort of your own workspace – no travel required!

Plan to join industry professionals from across North America
for this three-day event, which includes premier educational
sessions that focus on elevating geoprofessional value, differentiating your business from your competitors, and improving stakeholder engagement through the transformative power of technology.

The Fall Conference broadcast event includes:
• Engaging and inspiring keynotes
• Committee meetings
• Business roundtable sessions
• Video updates
• Discussion groups
• 7.5 professional development hours (PDHs)
• Remarks from GBA leaders.

View the spectacular speaker lineup and session descriptions HERE.

REGISTER NOW HERE

Board member spotlight – Elizabeth Clarke

06/26/2023 |

Creating Structure: A Journey of Lifelong Learning, Growth, and Leadership
By: Elizabeth Clarke, Founder & President (Structure Groups)

I had the best time as a kid growing up. My childhood was brimming with music and activities that ignited my curiosity, made possible by the unwavering support of my parents. I played tennis and got involved in choir, as well as learned to play the piano and guitar. My parents were my best friends and always encouraged me to get out there and do things that were different.

When I was 13, my father signed me up to work with a Youth Service Corps in Fremont, California, where we lived. During my three years with the organization, we embarked on a mission to restore the lakes and levees in the area, painted over graffiti, and helped repair the natural habitat for Lake Elizabeth in Central Park. It was an amazing experience.

I love singing and even once sang on Star Search for three matches. I also sang the national anthem at an Oakland A’s Major League Baseball game, and I always wished I would win a Grammy! You can see that didn’t happen… BUT, I did sing the national anthem for a GBA Fall Conference in Denver and that was such an honor!

As a young adult, I wrestled with the task of deciding my future path. I considered being a park ranger, joining the Navy, or being an eighth-grade history teacher. However, I struggled to find myself in any of those roles and started working for the police department on the midnight shift while going to college during the day. I LOVED IT. I worked in the various divisions and even earned a POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Certificate from the police academy.

Finally, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice and a part-time teaching credential for secondary schools (CAD/Design Drafting) while still working in law enforcement.  After a decade  in the field , I decided it was an extremely stressful role to continue and I started seeking other opportunities.

I worked for BSK Associates two different times for a total of more than 18 years, where I gained a comprehensive understanding of the different facets of the industry. I started as a dispatcher, went into marketing, learned the materials side of the lab (concrete/masonry/rebar), learned the field (anchors/piers/concrete batch plant and sampling), took over the radiation safety for multiple branches, and eventually earned a promotion to branch manager.

In between my two stints at BSK, I left to work for Consolidated Engineering (now Atlas Technical Consultants), and Testing Engineers Inc. Leaving BSK for those two years gave me a new perspective of what else was out there—what other firms were doing and how they were growing. Time away from my familiar surroundings provided me with fresh perspectives and exposed me to different approaches and practices within the industry.

Each experience broadened my skill set and enriched my understanding of the field. I learned so much working for them and the opportunities that they provided me made me a better geoprofessional.

I always continued to embrace new opportunities for development in my pursuit of knowledge. I was in FOPP (Fundamentals of Professional Practice) Class 18 and also the ACEC Business of Design Consulting while taking classes at the local junior college learning to read plans.

Armed with the knowledge and experiences garnered throughout more than 22 years in the industry, I decided to take the leap to start my own civil engineering firm—Structure Groups.

I made a lot of mistakes in the way I left, and I own that. But I have taken what I’ve learned from those mistakes and used them as stepping stones to help grow not only my firm but who I am today.

As the owner and CEO of Structure Groups, I oversee the day-to-day operations, manage administrative staff, and delve into project management. However, my favorite aspect of the job is nurturing relationships and mentoring the talented individuals who make up our team.

We are a small, woman-owned civil engineering firm with 18 employees. We provide construction observations, materials testing, soils foundations, forensics, third-party inspections (wood and firestopping), DSA/HCAI Project Inspection (Inspector of Records), and Caltrans (California Department of Transportation soils/aggregate/asphalt/concrete).

My husband Mike is also my partner in the firm. We have two adult sons, a teenage grandson, and another grandchild on the way! We live on a golf course in Discovery Bay, which sits on the edge of the Sacramento Delta, where we enjoy boating, fishing, and just hanging out.

So much of what I have learned over the years from the many firms I have worked for – and the new firms that welcomed me into partnerships – have made Structure Groups what it is today.

My advice to those looking to enter and grow in the geoprofessional field is to remember that YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL in ANY role you play. There are so many more opportunities now and so many new innovative and exciting ways to perform your job within our communities. Step up and step into the challenge to make a difference and to be heard.

The hardest thing to learn about being a leader is that you need to surround yourself with other people who do better than you and who are more successful than you are. Do not be afraid to embrace that you need these amazing folks on your teams. When you surround yourself with individuals who excel, they will help build the firm and lead you to success.

I am excited for what the future holds not only for Structure Groups, but for myself within GBA. I am honored to be on the Board and working as the liaison for the technical committees (Geotechnical,         Environmental, Constructure, Elevate Geoprofessional Value) and hope that – through my commitment to the industry’s advancement and aspirations for future growth – I can bring some added value to the team moving forward.

GBA Annual Report Issued

06/26/2023 |

GBA Annual Report Issued

GBA’s Annual Report was prepared to report progress and highlight key accomplishments of the Association during the fiscal year 2022-2023. It is intended to keep all members current with significant accomplishments of the Board, Committees and all the volunteers that support it.

The Annual Report includes updates on:


• Association Membership
• Annual Awards
• Conference Attendance
• New and Updated Publications and Podcasts
• Alliance Organizations
• Association Finances
• GBA Committees
• Member Firms Represented
• Other Notable Accomplishments
• Plans for Fiscal Year 2023-2024

Download the Annual Report HERE

Update on GBA’s Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Financial-Performance Survey

06/16/2023 |

How does your firm stack up? What are the trends for GBA member firms? What should you be watching? What should you be leveraging? The results of GBA’s Business Practices Committee’s annual financial-performance survey can help provide guidance for leaders involved in planning and decision making.

For more than 20 years, GBA has been collecting and sharing key financial metrics from member firms in our annual, confidential, financial-performance survey. Results of the survey – presented in a GBA Business Brief made available to all member firms – allow our members to measure their success against other member firms, improve business performance, and optimize efficiency.

We have exciting news to share about the survey process this year!

GBA has partnered with Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG) to streamline our yearly survey process and reporting. EFCG is the leading  advisor to architecture, engineering, and consulting (AEC) firms. Their mission is to provide a data-driven and strategic edge to AEC firms to advance the innovation, sustainability, and success of the industry. Over the last 30 years, EFCG has served as a retained advisor to more than 300 firms and developed a proprietary database of financial and business metrics. What does this mean for GBA members? An easier and more streamlined process when completing the survey and access to in-depth data from across the industry. We hope this will result in more participation and better data.

The survey will look a little different and the questions will differ slightly from previous  versions, but ease of use should be greatly improved. Also, the survey will be sent to member firms a little later in the year than in previous years. It is important to note that only those member firms who participate in the survey will have access to the entire EFCG data set, which includes more data and trends so our participating members can track their progress on key financial indicators for companies that match your firm’s size (including firms outside of GBA’s membership).

 

 

Benefits of GBA/EFCG survey partnership:
• Survey improvements – easier to fill out and provide information.
• Member firms who fill out the survey will have exclusive access to in-depth data from across the industry (including firms outside of GBA’s membership).
• Data will be presented in a new, easier-to-understand format.
• Data is still customized to GBA member firms, but also meets EFCG’s survey needs so there is no duplication of efforts for firm staff (i.e., there is no need to complete EFCG’s survey).
• Elevating the quality and quantity of information for GBA member firms by accessing a bigger data set from the EFCG survey community of comparable AEC firms.
• Continued commitment of GBA and EFCG to provide survey confidentiality.

What comes next?
• Each member firms’ CEO, CFO/Controller, and GBA Ambassador will receive the survey via email from GBA on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Only member firms’ CFO/Controller should complete the survey.
• The full results of the survey will be provided in September 2023 only to all who complete the survey.