A Letter from GBA’s President Art Hoffmann
Dear, GBA Members.
We are living through unprecedented
times. Family, loved ones, friends, employees, co-workers, neighbors,society are foremost in our minds at this time. We’re also very concerned about our livelihoods, our firms and the economy. I realize that GBA is a very minor item in a world in which such important things are brought into such sharp focus.
I send you this brief message to let you know that the Board of Directors of GBA and our wonderful staff are thinking about all of you today. We’re also doing everything we can to make sure that GBA remains a strong organization and that we continue, to the best of our ability, to provide value and help you address risk and business performance In that regard, we will continue publishing important reference material, updating our website, and plan to deliver key elements of the 2020 Spring Conference virtually. Additionally, we will continue working together to connect with our members and manage our Association efficiently.
Please take the advice of the experts and follow all the recommendations and directives that have been shared with us over the last few weeks so we can all come through this safe and healthy and together.
Looking forward to raising our glasses in a huge toast with all of you this October in Minneapolis for GBA’s 2020 Fall Conference!
Be Safe and Healthy
All the best wishes to you all
the latest of its widely acclaimed Crystal Ball Workshop (CBW) series in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 2 and 3, 2019 and their efforts have been published. The CBW confronted the exponential rate of technology-driven change in what has been termed the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Central to this revolution are the roles of big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. EIT expects that these technologies will forever change the nature of how geoprofessionals will deliver their services.
GBA Case Histories are being used by our members for loss prevention discussions in support of professional development and mentoring. That is why GBA case histories are so valuable, and why GBA is updating them all, while adding new ones, too. Five more Case Histories have been re-issued.
after contamination was discovered. The site’s owner was willing to pay for additional services, however, so the project moved forward. But that was a serious mistake,the Member Firm learned. If only the firm had spent 30 minutes inquiring about the new client’s reputation, $84,000 worth of litigation could have been avoided.
in the anticipated engagement, so it just forgot about it.But not only had the estimate been used as a final report, it was applied to a project whose size was changed. The GBA-Member Firm learned what it should already have known: The size of a risk is often inversely proportional to the size of the project. In this case, a hoped-for $50 profit cost the firm well over $2.5 million, not including the value of the time it had to spend or the opportunity cost.
back filling of utility lines in a housing subdivision. Ten months after completion of the infrastructure, the ground surface and sidewalks settled over the sanitary lines in three areas. The principal-in-charge reviewed test data, spoke with the resident engineer on the project, and learned that his firm’s responsibility was slight. Nonetheless, he provided $6,000 worth of remedial services to fix the problem and convinced the contractor to contribute even more. By doing so, he avoided litigation and gained a “client for life.”
at the Marriott Sawgrass Golf Resort and Spa.
bikes, jumped on the trampoline, played roller hockey,basketball, tennis and baseball. I also spent as much time as possible on my grandparents’ farm hunting,fishing and working hard. My passion for being outside drew my interest toward becoming a forest ranger but my Dad, who owned a small construction company, recommended that I become a civil engineer and eventually take over the family business. Although I did not join that family business, his example planted a seed in my mind that eventually bloomed into a family business of our own.
Member-Firm Alpha Testing. Although my Dad was disappointed that I didn’t come home and run the family business, my parents were proud that I was working hard and enjoying my new career. I started in the field, then moved into the office and worked for long hours. After working for three years, I was given the opportunity to open an office for Alpha in Fort Worth. I am grateful to the Alpha folks for teaching me about the technical work and fueling my desire to grow a consulting business.
worked for us, and in 20-years we’ve gradually built an outstanding team and a firm with a reputation as a high-quality consultant. We have been blessed to work with wonderful people on challenging projects, and I consider it an honor to work in our profession.
My father planted the family business seed many years ago. My passion for soils engineering and our desire to provide high-quality consulting services provided a platform for Grace and me to build our family business. Loss prevention and GBA’s resources around that topic helped us to grow our business and continues to be integral to Blackburn Consulting’s success.
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reflecting on the past year and those who have helped to shape our Association. It’s been quite a year for us all as we celebrate our 50th anniversary!
was discovered, the assistant state’s attorney general handling the case read the report. He interpreted ASTM “references” in the standard to mean “incorporated by reference,” and so proceeded to read each of the 15 referenced standards. One of the 15 feasibly could have been interpreted to have placed a burden of performance on the geotechnical engineer which, if fulfilled, might have prevented the problem. Although the lawyer’s interpretation was unrealistic, it was realistic enough to stand up in court, the geotechnical engineer assumed, and so settled.
Construction Industry Disputes and pointed out that the plaintiff’s expert had not established the standard
“had based his opinions on his vast experience; inquiry into the methods used by others was unnecessary.” the Member Firm’s expert explained that in developing her opinion, she had followed recommendations for establishing the standard of care, as set forth in Recommended Practices for Design Professionals Engaged as Experts in the Resolution of Construction Industry Disputes. The client’s expert admitted he had not. The judge, swayed by the thoroughness and professionalism of the Member Firm’s expert, upheld the contractor’s claim.
needed to complete the work and it was performed. When the client refused to pay the engineer, the engineer refused to pay the contractor, because a written change was not obtained. The engineer learned that sometimes the clearest, most explicit language might not be binding.
not be done. The Member Firm learned the importance of dealing with OSHA via an attorney who understands the issues.
German Mom. They came to the U.S. after World War II to make a new life and found each other in the land of opportunity. Our extended family was eleven with 5 from Europe and 6 born in the U.S. As a mixed heritage family, we did not have rich traditions from Europe or the U.S. but developed our own over time.
I followed my father’s footsteps and began studying electrical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Lissajous figures were not exciting to me and frankly, made no sense. My father’s warnings about becoming a “ditch digger” echoed in my head and I changed course to civil engineering like my roommate. It was through civil engineering that I found my true calling as a geotechnical engineer.
I could not have predicted my career path when I changed courses from electrical engineering to geotechnical engineering. I never imagined that I’d have the chance to do the things I’ve done, develop relationships with all the people I’ve met, and regularly been amazed by our vast world. I’m so lucky that I have been accompanied on this journey with my wonderful wife of 35 years, Lisa, and my amazing, accomplished daughters Amy and Holly. And now I am a Grandpa!
GBA has updated one of its most frequently, all-time best-selling resource – Important Information about This Geotechnical-Engineering Report. Some of the language and sections have been modified and updated,
that another recession is certain. Most also agree that we’re getting closer to the next recession. What can geoprofessionals do now to prepare?
– Important Information about This Geotechnical-Engineering Report. Some of the language and sections have been modified and updated, including a new section about understanding the geotechnical engineering services.