Kurt R. Fraese, L.G. and Mark K. Kramer, P.E. have been appointed to the prestigious Council of Fellows of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA). The organization established the Council in 1975 to provide guidance for GBA’s direction and to pursue other activities its members deemed appropriate. W. Jerrold Samford, P.G., chair of GBA’s Council of Fellows, announced the appointments. A past president of GBA (2001-02), Mr. Samford is an environmental-compliance specialist with Troutman Sanders, a 600-person law firm with offices throughout the United States and China.

Mr. Fraese is president of GeoEngineers, Inc.

a 360-person earth-science and technology firm based in Seattle, Washington, with 14 offices nationwide. A graduate of Humboldt State University, Mr. Fraese began his career in 1983 with Woodward-Clyde Consultants. He joined GeoEngineers in 1988 and became CEO in March 2007, serving in that role until March 2016. He has led more than 1,200 projects and has served extensively as a regulatory liaison and client representative. A past president of GBA (2013-14), he is president of the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, a leading nonprofit land-conservation group based in the Puget Sound Region.

Mr. Kramer is CEO of SME

a 200-person engineering-consulting firm specializing in the geosciences, building materials, and the environment. Headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, SME is ranked among the top 500 U.S. design firms byEngineering News-Record. Mark has built a strong following for his ability to translate technical project information into language client representatives can understand, allowing them to make informed decisions that save time and money while confronting risk. A “veteran” of the GBA board of directors, he is president-elect of ACEC Michigan and serves on the Board of Directors of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Motor City Chapter.

Established in 1969, GBA serves to “help its geoprofessional-member firms and their clients confront risk and optimize performance.” Geoprofessional firms provide geotechnical, geologic, environmental, construction-materials engineering and testing, and related professional services. (Refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoprofessions.) All GBA Member Firms’ technical activities are under the full-time control of an individual who is legally and/or ethically bound to hold paramount public health, safety, and welfare. GBA’s associate membership comprises geoconstructors; geoprofessional educators and students; geoprofessionals employed by government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and industry; and attorneys and other consultants to GBA Member Firms.

Laura R. Reinbold, P.E. (Terracon)  is the new president of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA), a not-for-profit association of geoprofessional firms. Accepting office during ceremonies at GBA’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas, Ms. Reinbold is the 46th individual to serve as GBA’s president and chair the group’s board of directors.

Other directors who will serve during GBA’s 2016-17 fiscal year are:

• President-Elect Charles L. Head, P.E., P.G. (Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc.);
• Secretary/Treasurer Woodward L. Vogt, P.E., D.GE, F.ACI, F.ASCE, F.ASTM (Paradigm Consultants, Inc.);
• Thomas W. “Tom” Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE (Blackburn Consulting);
• Arthur G. “Art” Hoffmann, P.E., D.GE (Gannett Fleming, Inc.);
• Kenneth R. “Ken” Johnston (GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.);
• Kimberly F. Morrison, P.E., R.G. (Morrison Geotechnical Solutions, Inc.); and
• Alex Sy, Ph.D., P. Eng. (Klohn Crippen Berger, Ltd.)

Laura Reinbold, P.E. is Director of Client Development for Terracon Consulting, Inc., which specializes in geotechnical and environmental engineering, facility assessment and asset management, construction monitoring, and materials testing.

Terracon has 150 offices nationwide. Laura has been in the engineering industry for more than 30 years, and has experience in operational management, project management, professional development and business development. In February 2016, Laura received the Nashville Business Journal’s 2016 Women of Influence Trailblazer Award, and she is a 2016 nominee for the Nashville ATHENA Award, a recognition from the professional group Cable that honors women worldwide who inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.

In 2013, she was appointed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam as the first female engineer or architect ever to serve on the State’s Architects and Engineers Licensing Board. Laura received her Bachelor of Engineering degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Tennessee and a LEED-accredited professional.

It has been a tremendous honor to have been President of GBA for the past year. I had a very fulfilling experience and have enjoyed working with the Board, Committees and staff. This past year has been a time of major change for GBA. The transition from an externally-managed organization to an internally-managed organization has been a monumental effort that has taken the time efforts of many individuals.

I want to again express GBA’s appreciation for the years of service that Bachner Communications provided to ASFE/GBA and in particular John Bachner, Sarah Lanning, Sara Menase, Phil Pettway, and Barb Nappy.

We are very fortunate to have Sara, Phil, and Barb remaining with GBA and Sarah as a part-time consultant helping us with the new website that is under development. John Bachner is also providing creative services for GBA.

We also need to recognize Joel Carson, our Executive Director, who is celebrating his 6-month anniversary with GBA! Joel has worked tirelessly to get the new organization up and running effectively.

Finally, I want to recognize Schnabel Engineering who supported me in all my years with the Board and provided support to GBA by sharing office space in Rockville, Maryland to help GBA be successful through the transition.

The transition is behind us. It is now time to look forward and continue to enhance the services and products that GBA provides its member firms. To this end, we have been hard at work updating materials that is useful to member firms.

In fact, 18 of the top 25 member-downloads of our materials were produced since 2014. So we have been, and will continue to, actively update our materials so that our members will be able to manage their risk and enhance their firm’s performance.

We have a few other things in the pipeline that will benefit members.

First, we developed a formal relationship with the Geo-Institute where we will collaborate on developing joint programs with the ultimate goal of developing GBA Chapters. This is something we have talked about for many years and we want to thank Kord Wissmann for his hard work to make this possible.

We are also developing an on-line PowerPoint program on the Fundamentals of Effective Project Management. This is being developed by Business Practices and under a sub-group lead by Susan Martin. It is based off an internal program developed by Klohn Crippen and provided by Alex Sy. When complete this year, you will be able to use it for a complete day-long program or break it into a series of “lunch and learns” and customize it for your firm.

A third effort is a new GBA website that is scheduled to debut later this year that will enhance all our experiences with GBA.

Laura Reinbold is taking over for me today. I have known Laura for about 10 years. She is a great leader, very energetic, and a very strategic thinker. She is going to do a great job and really rev things up in the coming year.

In closing, I want to thank the entire Board as well as the committees, who have really made my job easy.

I also cannot conclude without recognition of Steve Thorne and Kurt Fraese, our two past Presidents most involved in the transition to self-management and all the Presidents before them whose time and efforts during their tenure have made GBA the really fine organization it is today!

Thanks everyone for all your hard work and dedication to GBA. The future looks bright for the organization, the industry, and our member firms!

Gordon M. Matheson, Ph.D., P.E., P.G., D.GE

“Initiating a lawsuit to collect a fee may be the most common trigger to professional-negligence claims filed against geoprofessionals. The slow- and no-pay clients involved all too often use a portion of the amount they owe to fund a counter-claim” accusing the geoprofessional of negligence. The high cost of defending such claims, and the uncertainty of the outcome, explain

“why so many geoprofessionals choose to simply write off the money owed.”

So begins the newest of the Geoprofessional Business Association’s (GBA’s) Best Practices series of “how-to” business monographs. Developed by GBA’s Business Practices Committee and titled Giving Credit When Credit Is Due, it counsels that the best way of avoiding counterclaims filed by slow- and no-pay clients is to avoid such clients to begin with. It provides guidance about performing a basic credit check and otherwise qualifying prospective new clients. It addresses the topic of “risk credit,” which usually is far more substantial than the fee credit also given. And it also counsels about the dangers associated with small projects. In this respect, according to GBA Executive Director Joel G. Carson,

“Almost counterintuitively, GBA research points out that project risk is inversely proportional to project size and complexity. The smaller and simpler a project, the more likely it is to create problems.”

The new Best Practices provides a variety of “how-to” guidance, including the potential for offering credit-card acceptance when the firm deals with many small-fee projects.

GBA Best Practices monographs are available only to GBA members, without charge. Members can order Giving Credit When Credit Is Due from the GBA website.

Established in 1969, the Geoprofessional Business Association is widely regarded as the best source of comprehensive business guidance for geoprofessionals: geotechnical engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, civil engineers engaged in a variety of specialties, and construction-materials engineering and testing professionals, among others. GBA is well known for its innovation. It was the force behind the limitation-of-liability contract provision, alternative dispute resolution, and organizational peer review, among other concepts it developed to help its member firms thrive by confronting risk and optimizing performance.

All GBA Member Firms’ technical activities are under the full-time control of an individual who is legally and/or ethically bound to hold paramount public health, safety, and welfare. GBA’s associate membership comprises geoprofessional constructors; geoprofessional educators; geoprofessionals employed by government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and industry; and attorneys and other consultants to GBA Member Firms.

Obtain more information about GBA at its website (www.geoprofessional.org) or by contacting the organization at info@geoprofessional.org or 301-565-2733.

President Elect, Laura Reinbold, PE
Remarks to Geoprofessional Business Association
2016 Winter Leadership Conference

Welcome to the GBA Winter Leadership Conference. At this annual event our senior leadership of GBA, committees, and councils come together to complete the objectives of our current fiscal year and strategically set the course for next year. Thank you all for coming, donating a part of your weekend, and supporting our association.  I especially appreciate our Council and Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs.  Thank you for your leadership.

As we bring to a close 2015/16, we reflect back on a successful year. We effectively navigated the biggest change to GBA in its 48-year history: a transition from association management to self-management. This included the search and selection of our Executive Director, Joel Carson and the transition of BCI staff to GBA.  We are happy to have Barb Nappy, Sara Menase, and Phil Pettway on our staff and I would like to recognize their enthusiastic commitment to ushering GBA into a new era.

The past year has been successful for our committees and councils. You have accomplished what we do best, producing high quality materials and programs that are the signature of GBA.

Some of these include:

• Publishing new CoMET tales and Case Histories,
• Delivering exceptional Conference Programs,
• Planning our Spring Crystal Ball Workshop
• Developing our Council identity brochures
• Creating web-based Project Management training,
• Finalizing abundant Business Briefs and Best Practices, and
• Refreshing and rebranding favorite documents, including the newly-popular “In-House Guide to Geoprofessional Report Review”.

We have seen unique local outreach as our External Relations Committee acted upon our Memorandum of Understanding with ASCE’s Geo-Institute in delivering GBA-branded business presentations to geoprofessionals in several locations around the United States.  This collaborative effort is making GBA a visible, personal experience for member-firm employees and non-members alike.  Ultimately, this is an effective and efficient effort which spotlights GBA and its benefits to all geoprofessionals.

It has been a very successful year.

In one sense, going forward will be business as usual.  Our focus on the production of materials and programs that provide high value to all member-firms remains constant.

Unique to 2016/17 is the context for this work: member growth and engagement.  As you plan together in your committees and councils, ask yourselves: “How does the work we do directly provide opportunity for member firms to more deeply and broadly engage with GBA and attract new members to our association?”

GBA’s Board of Directors is focused on growth.  We will build broader engagement of our member firms and make sure every employee of member-firms understands they are a member of GBA.  We are engaged in an aggressive campaign to attract other great geoprofessional firms to our association.  We are blessed to have an executive director with the passion and commitment to growth that began even before he assumed that role.  Joel has initiated an energetic outreach effort through personal and face-to-face contact that has produced, in a few short months, eight new member firms. It’s a strong start and a solid framework for growth that works.

And now, I’ve saved the best for last.  Our commitment to deeper engagement and growth is represented in the emergence of GBA’s third New Leaders Class. During this Winter Leadership Conference we ushered in a new class of high potential, future geoprofessional leaders under the guidance of Matt Poirier and Dan Cassidy.

I’d like to recognize these New Leaders and thank their firms for the investment in the future leadership of GBA.

• Victor Barchers (Kleinfelder, Inc.)
• Bryan Field, PE (Braun Intertec Corporation)
• Michael Hutchinson, LG, LHG (GeoEngineers, Inc.)
• EJ Barben (Gannett Fleming, Inc.)
• Christopher Clarke, PE (Schnabel Engineering, Inc.)
• Jeremy Cox (Strata, Inc.)
• Scott Young (S&ME, Inc.)
• Stephen F. Patt, PE (ECS, Ltd.)
• Marcel Scheeff, PE (TTL, Inc.)
• Paul J. Schmeisl, PE (SME)
• Jessica Klein (DOWL)

On behalf of the GBA Board of Directors, I want to thank each of you for your hard work, dedication, and service.  We look forward to working with you today as we plan the future of GBA.  Together we will grow and have a more significant impact on geoprofessionals worldwide.  The future is bright!

Don V. Roberts, P.E., Dist. M., ASCE and past President of the GBA (ASFE) and World Engineering Partnership for Sustainable Development, passed away peacefully at his home in Denver, Colorado on January 31, 2016.

Roberts received a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford in 1950 with a strong minor in geological engineering. He then conducted post-graduate studies in geotechnical engineering at the Imperial College, University of London. He also completed post-graduate studies in engineering geology at the Royal School of Mines in England and at the University of Southern California.

With over 60 years’ experience as a consulting civil and environmental engineer, 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.

Roberts began his career with Dames & Moore and left, as a senior partner, to become vice-president of CH2M Hill. After his retirement in 1994, Roberts held senior positions in several professional engineering societies including Engineers Without Borders, WFEO, HWAC, and FIDIC. He was president of GBA (ASFE) from 1985-1986.

Roberts received several awards for his contributions to engineering including WFEO’s Gold Medal in 2003 for “outstanding service to humanity”, the AAES Joan Hodges Queneau Palladium Medal in 2004 for “outstanding achievement in environmental conservation as one of the engineering profession’s most eloquent spokespersons for sustainable development” and the ASCE Presidents’ Award in 2005 “for his advocacy for the engineering community’s engagement in the dialog on sustainability issues internationally, his leadership in WFEO and his tireless efforts to serve civil society by incorporating the tenants of sustainable development into engineering practice.” In 2009, Roberts was elected a “Distinguished Member” of ASCE.

Roberts will be fondly remembered for his creativity, wisdom, vision, and professional and personal kindness to many engineers. Charleen, his wife of 64 years, has asked that all donations in his memory go to the ASCE Sustainability Fund.

The Geoprofessional Business Association has published a new guide for the in-house review of geotechnical, environmental, construction-materials engineering and testing (CoMET), and other geoprofessional reports. Titled GBA Guide to the In-House Review of Geoprofessional Reports, the new publication provides step-by-step instructions – as well as overarching concepts – for report writers and reviewers, with a focus on 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. The new guide is supplemented with a report-control log, copies of GBA’s widely used report-insert sheets (geotechnical, environmental, and CoMET), and three best-practices monographs covering “taboo” words, absolutes, and “slipshod synonyms.”

According to GBA Executive Director Joel G. Carson, “Our Geotechnical Business Council developed the new guide for all geoprofessional practitioners based on a guide developed four decades ago just for geotechnical engineers. Despite its age, the original guide has remained relevant and popular over the years, but we knew we could make it better and fully applicable to environmental, CoMET, and other geoprofessional practitioners, in addition to geotechnical engineers. And that’s exactly what the GBC did, producing a publication as comprehensive and practical as it is handsome and easy to follow.”

As stated in the guide’s introduction,

“The guide is organized into three principal content areas to make it easy for reviewers to consider major issues and to give report writers a clear framework for preparing reports and considering reviewers’ comments. The nature of those comments is critically important: They should convey suggestions for improvement and positive reinforcement. They should not be focused only on deficiencies. Criticism is unnecessary and, in most cases, counter-productive. The recommended procedures encourage close communication between reviewers and report writers throughout the review process.”

As also noted, “The report-review process should be interactive, so reviewers can use it for mentoring purposes, and report writers can regard it as an opportunity to learn. The learning should not be limited to the report alone, however; it should also address the report-related professional activities that should precede report preparation, and those that should follow.”

The new guide is available to nonmembers for $150. Those employed by GBA Member Firms and GBA Associate Members may order the new guide free of charge.

Established in 1969, the Geoprofessional Business Association is geoprofessionals’ best source of comprehensive, discipline-focused business guidance. GBA serves geotechnical engineers, environmental professionals, civil engineers engaged in a variety of specialties, and construction-materials engineering and testing professionals, among other geoprofessionals. GBA is well known for its innovation; it was the force behind the limitation-of-liability contract provision, alternative dispute resolution, and organizational peer review, among other concepts it developed to help its member firms thrive by confronting risk and optimizing performance.

All GBA Member Firms’ technical activities are under the full-time control of an individual who is legally and/or ethically bound to hold paramount public health, safety, and welfare. GBA’s associate membership comprises geoprofessional constructors; geoprofessional educators; geoprofessionals employed by government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and industry; and attorneys and other consultants to GBA Member Firms.

Obtain more information about GBA at its website (www.geoprofessional.org) or by contacting the organization at info@geoprofessional.org or 301-565-2733.

GBA has two new Practice Guides available free to anyone. These guides have been developed by the University of Louisville Center for Environmental Policy and Management (CEPM) (https://louisville.edu/cepm) and are available through GBA with CEPM’s permission.

Practice Guide 33: Communities, Trains, and Trainyards: Exploring Policy Options for Affected Municipalities

The first one, Practice Guide 33: Communities, Trains, and Trainyards: Exploring Policy Options for Affected Municipalities, addresses how communities can work with rail carriers and regulators to improve community well-being and enact appropriate regulations to preemptively protect community health and well-being. State and federal regulations, idling, whistles and train noise, chemical leaks, trans load facilities, and rail safety are discussed in a problem-solution format.

Practice Guide 34: Using Principles of Environmental Sustainability to Improve Student Health

The second one is Practice Guide 34: Using Principles of Environmental Sustainability to Improve Student Health. The rising obesity rate among children under 18 is a critical public health issue and has led to illnesses normally associated with adults being detected among school-age children. Poor eating habits and lack of exercise are the two biggest contributors to this epidemic. This practice guide offers suggestions on how principles of environmental sustainability—such as walk able streets, civic agriculture, and environmental justice—can also help improve the health of our nation’s children by increasing access to healthy food and opportunities for exercise in both our schools and communities.

Download your copies today!

Gordon M. Matheson, Ph.D., P.E., P.G., D.GE (Schnabel Engineering, Inc.) delivered his six-month report to the membership at GBA’s 2015 Fall Conference in Dana Point, CA. In just six months, GBA has hired a new Executive Director, set in place a physical move, and prepared for a transition to self-management, all to provide you more value for your membership dues. Read the full report for all the details!

PRESIDENT’S SIX-MONTH REPORT

Delivered by GBA President Gordon M. Matheson, Ph.D., P.E., P.G., D.GE
at the 2015 Fall Conference in Dana Point, CA, Saturday, October 10, 2015

It is with great pleasure that we are here today at the beautiful St. Regis Monarch Beach for the fall GBA Conference. We appreciate everyone who has made this trip, and we have had an excellent program. We want to again recognize the conference committee of Charlie Head and Kim Morrison who developed this program. We also want to recognize the BCI staff, including Barb Nappy, Sarah Lanning, and Sara Menase, for their organizational skills and hard work to make the program a great success.

We have been in a time of transition for GBA. This process started years ago when the Board of Directors with John Bachner recognized that an Executive Director leadership transition would eventually have to occur. We set various target dates and conducted evaluations, and we are nearing the end of that process. As many of you know, after the end of October we will be a self-managed organization with Joel Carson as our new Executive Director.

Joel was selected through an exhaustive process of searching and screening potential new Executive Director candidates. A subcommittee of the Board was appointed to work with Vetted Solutions, our executive search firm, to identify, interview, vet, re-interview, deliberate, and eventually select the best candidate for the position. We are confident that we selected by-far the best candidate for this position. Joel brings in-depth knowledge of GBA and unbridled enthusiasm to the job. We are fully confident he will make an excellent Executive Director for many years to come. I want to recognize again Charlie Head, Woody Vogt, Steve Thorne, and Kim Morrison for their work with me on this committee.

So, what is this self-managed organization going to look like? Several of the BCI staff are going to carry over into the self-managed organization. This will provide continuity to GBA and allow you, our clients, to experience the same great service you received from BCI. Second, the contact telephone number and e-mail address will stay the same; however, the office location is moving. During the next 6 to 12 months, the GBA offices will be co-located in the Schnabel Engineering, Inc. Rockville, MD office space. This provides many advantages to GBA in that local support, equipment, supplies, and other office services will be available at little cost to help get the organization off on the right foot. Over the next 6 to 12 months, GBA will be looking for a permanent location. This period will allow us to identify and prepare for the move to the permanent facilities while completing the transition to being self-managed. We are excited about this opportunity and are grateful to Schnabel for offering to sponsor this space to help GBA move forward.

The Board and Joel are also looking at all opportunities to improve the service we provide our member-firms. We are moving forward with a major update of the website; evaluating meeting formats; developing a local-chapter initiative; adding to the reference materials; and looking for other ways to enhance the value of your membership. Over the coming months, we will keep you updated through our NewsLogs, during winter leadership meetings, and through e-mail blasts.

As we know, John provided tremendous service to GBA for more than 4 decades. John will continue to work with GBA and take on a different role. We are working with John to continue his “creative services” on several fronts. For example, he will continue to write our articles for GeoStrata, he will work with our committees on polishing many of the membership publication materials, he will work on many of the older materials that need refreshing, and finally he will be available to provide advice and guidance to Joel in his Executive Director role.

The transition to a self-managed organization brings a new beginning and new directions to GBA that we know will enhance your experience and make us even more relevant in the ever-changing marketplace.

We appreciate your support in this transition and look forward to a highly successful self-managed organization that meets and exceeds membership expectations!

Again, thank you for coming to Dana Point, and we wish you every success in your professional and personal life.

Expectations management is something that all too many geoprofessionals have not yet mastered. They need to. According to Expectations Management – the newest addition to the Geoprofessional Business Association’s (GBA’s) series of GBA Best Practices monographs – “All too many geoprofessionals manage expectations poorly….The problem occurs when a client representative asks how much a service will cost and/or by when it will be completed. Possibly because they fear a forthright response may cause a client representative to find an alternative provider, all too many geoprofessional project managers respond to such queries by citing a range. They’ll say ‘$12,000 to $15,000’ knowing that the client representative hears ‘$12,000,’ when – in fact – the $15,000 figure is far more likely, and – even then – only if everything works out well. And the same applies to ‘12 to 15 weeks.’ In other words, in order to secure an engagement, some project managers get into the unfortunate habit of setting expectations they are not likely to meet; i.e., they overpromise and then underdeliver.”

So, how should a geoprofessional project manager proceed? According to the new GBA Best Practices, experienced geoprofessional project managers “know about how long it will take to perform a given service, having performed it dozens – if not hundreds – of times before. They’re also aware of the other projects they’re working on and how much time will have to pass before they can start on the new one. In other words, they’re in a position to quote realistic budget and schedule ranges. In many cases, however, those ranges do not consider the unexpected, like an illness or accident that suddenly slows things down. As such, a truly realistic range that accounts for the potential for the unexpected…geoprofessionals the ability to delight, or at least satisfy, client representatives. If client representatives decide to rely on a different geoprofessional because they regard a realistic fee range as too high or a realistic delivery-date range as too long, so be it: The firm that commits to realistic ranges would likely get another chance to prove its mettle at some future time, especially so if the ranges cited by the alternative provider prove to be aspirational.” As the new publication also points out, “How much better it would be to let a client representative know that a commission will cost as much as $20,000 to fulfill, and/or that it will take as many as 20 weeks…and then deliver in 18 weeks and/or for $18,000.”

GBA Best Practices monographs are available only to GBA members, without charge. Members can order Expectations Management from the GBA website.

Established in 1969, the Geoprofessional Business Association is widely regarded as geoprofessionals’ best source of comprehensive business guidance. GBA serves geotechnical engineers, environmental professionals, civil engineers engaged in a variety of specialties, and construction-materials engineering and testing professionals, among other geoprofessionals. GBA is well known for its innovation; it was the force behind the limitation of liability contract provision, alternative dispute resolution, and organizational peer review, among other concepts it developed to help its member firms thrive by confronting risk and optimizing performance.

All GBA Member Firms’ technical activities are under the full-time control of an individual who is legally and/or ethically bound to hold paramount public health, safety, and welfare. GBA’s associate membership comprises geoprofessional constructors; geoprofessional educators; geoprofessionals employed by government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and industry; and attorneys and other consultants to GBA Member Firms.

Obtain more information about GBA at its website (www.geoprofessional.org) or by contacting the organization at info@geoprofessional.org or 301/565-2733.

“Safety Is Priority One” – That’s the key message of a new employee-pocket safety card developed by the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) Safety Committee for use by its member firms. “Firms can print it ‘as-is,’ or they can easily customize it, to add their own logos or special messages,” said Safety Committee Chair Randy A. Knott, P.E.

The front of the card poses a series of brief instructions and questions employees should address before moving forward with a task; e.g., “Identify what could go wrong.” and “Do you have written procedures to follow to ensure safe performance?” In large bold letters the card advises, “IF YOU DON’T KNOW IF IT’S SAFE, DO NOT PROCEED.”

The card’s reverse asks, “Which of these six hazard categories apply?” The six categories are contact, exposure, fall, caught/crushed, ergonomics, and energy source, with each being subcategorized; e.g., for “energy source,” electricity, pressure, compression/tension, or rotating equipment.

GBA members can print the card in its GBA PDF format, using the GBA logo. The card also the card in a Microsoft Word format and an InDesign format. The Word format makes logo substitution easy. The InDesign version provides a higher-quality result, but special software is needed to use it.

According to Mr. Knott, “For a firm to achieve safety, it must make safety awareness part of its culture. It cannot treat safety as some kind of program that people can turn on or off at will. A pocket safety card of itself can do little. However, when it is regarded as part and parcel of an organization’s culture, it can provide specific guidance and a reminder of all other aspects of an organization’s safety-mindedness.”

The new GBA employee-pocket safety card is available only to GBA members, without charge. Members can order it from the GBA website.

Established in 1969, the Geoprofessional Business Association is widely regarded as geoprofessionals’ best source of comprehensive business guidance. Geoprofessionals include geotechnical engineers, environmental professionals, many civil engineers, and construction-materials engineering and testing professionals, among others. GBA is well known for creating innovative programs, services, and materials to help its member firms thrive by confronting risk and optimizing performance.

All GBA Member Firms’ technical activities are under the full-time control of an individual who is legally and/or ethically bound to hold paramount public health, safety, and welfare. GBA’s associate membership comprises geoprofessional constructors; geoprofessional educators; geoprofessionals employed by government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and industry; and attorneys and other consultants to GBA Member Firms.

Obtain more information about GBA at its website (www.geoprofessional.org) or by contacting the organization at info@geoprofessional.org or 301-565-2733.

Laura R. Reinbold, P.E. ( President-Elect )

Laura R. Reinbold, P.E. (Terracon) is the new president-elect of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA), succeeding Joel G. Carson, who resigned the position after being chosen to serve as GBA’s executive director. Charles L. “Charlie” Head, P.E., P.G. (Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc.) has been named GBA’s new secretary/treasurer, filling the position Ms. Reinbold vacated.

Ms. Reinbold is a director of client development for Terracon, a consulting-engineering firm providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from 150 offices nationwide. Located in Nashville, TN, Ms. Reinbold has been in the engineering profession for more than 30 years. She chaired GBA’s Education Committee before being elected to the group’s board of directors, and continues to serve on committees of the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Urban Land Institute, and the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. In 2013, Governor Bill Haslam appointed Ms. Reinbold to the Tennessee Architects and Engineering Licensing Board. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Vanderbilt University.

Charles L. Head, P.E., P.G. ( Secretary/Treasurer )

Mr. Head is CEO of Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc., a multidisciplinary, New Hampshire-based firm serving industry, development, solid-waste, and energy clients nationally and internationally. Licensed as both a professional engineer and a professional geologist, Mr. Head has 30 years of practice experience. He has been active in GBA for more than a decade, chairing its Emerging Issues and Trends Committee before joining the GBA board last year. Mr. Head holds Bachelor of Science degrees in geology (from St. Lawrence University) and civil engineering (from the University of New Hampshire) and a Master of Science degree in civil engineering (from Colorado State University)

Conceived in 1968, and formally established in 1969, the Geoprofessional Business Association is widely regarded as geoprofessionals’ most-relied-on source of comprehensive business guidance. GBA serves geotechnical engineers, environmental professionals, civil engineers engaged in a variety of specialties, and construction-materials engineering and testing practitioners, among other geoprofessionals. GBA is well known for creating innovative programs, services, and materials to help its member firms thrive by confronting risk and optimizing performance.

All GBA Member Firms’ technical activities are under the full-time control of an individual who is legally and/or ethically bound to hold paramount public health, safety, and welfare. GBA’s associate membership comprises geoprofessional constructors; geoprofessional educators; geoprofessionals employed by government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and industry; and attorneys and other consultants to GBA Member Firms.

Obtain more information about GBA at its website (www.geoprofessional.org) or by contacting the organization at info@geoprofessional.org or 301-565-2733.

“Can’t You Come up with a Cheaper Alternative?” is the candidly descriptive title of a new publication developed by the Geotechnical Business Council of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA).

In his introduction to the new guide, Geotechnical Business Council Chair Richard D. “Rick” Heckel, P.E., D.GE (Ardent Geotechnical Consultants) points out that geotechnical engineers are more likely to hear “Can’t you come up with a cheaper alternative?” than other members of the design team. He also states, “‘Can’t you come up with a cheaper alternative?’ is not an unreasonable question….Nonetheless, in an effort to accommodate client representatives’ preferences, [geotechnical engineers of record or] GERs will all too often acquiesce to changes (often suggested by other project participants) that create new and sometimes-severe risks. Later, after those risks materialize into full-fledged problems, GERs get blamed and ultimately have to deal with professional-negligence, breach-of-contract, and similar claims, commonly because they failed to issue a written warning about the new risks pursuing the alternative would entail.”

The booklet’s six chapters provide guidance geotechnical engineers can apply to help deal with the risks responses to “Can’t you come up with a cheaper alternative?” can create. Chapter titles are:

•  “Using a Group-By-Group Approach, Educate Client Representatives, Prospective-Client Representatives, and   Those Who Influence Them”;
•  “Educate Clients and Their Intermediaries on a Case-by-Case Basis”;
•  “Develop a Contract Provision”;
• “Do What Professionals Are Supposed To Do”;
• “Recommend Value Engineering”; and “Be Prepared.”

Authored by John Philip Bachner, the guide points out that, “with few exceptions, GERs have already considered the ‘cheaper alternatives,’ and have rejected them, because the risk they entail makes it extremely difficult to achieve risk/reward balance [for the client].” As Bachner also notes, “More construction problems arise from subsurface issues than any other source.” In the chapter titled “Do What Professionals Are Supposed To Do,” Bachner writes, “If the client insists on applying an alternative that would create unacceptable risks…the GER would be forced to object in writing and, possibly, withdraw from the project. True: Doing ‘the professional thing’ might cause you to lose a client, but – were the risk to materialize – you’d probably lose the client and a lot of money ‘to boot,’ not to mention the two or three years (or more) of frustration and aggravation you’d experience.”

“Can’t You Come up with a Cheaper Alternative?” is available at $175 per copy; members receive it free, as part of their membership. Order it from the GBA website.

Established in 1969, the Geoprofessional Business Association is widely regarded as geoprofessionals’ best source of comprehensive business guidance. GBA serves geotechnical engineers, environmental professionals, civil engineers engaged in a variety of specialties, and construction-materials engineering and testing professionals, among other geoprofessionals. GBA is well known for creating innovative programs, services, and materials to help its member firms thrive by confronting risk and optimizing performance.

All GBA Member Firms’ technical activities are under the full-time control of an individual who is legally and/or ethically bound to hold paramount public health, safety, and welfare. GBA’s associate membership comprises geoprofessional constructors; geoprofessional educators; geoprofessionals employed by government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and industry; and attorneys and other consultants to GBA Member Firms.

Obtain more information about GBA at its website (www.geoprofessional.org) or by contacting the organization at info@geoprofessional.org or 301-565-2733.

Safety has become a top priority for many design and environmental firms, and not just because they are concerned for the welfare of their employees. As explained in Safety and Your Geoprofessional Practice, the most recent entry in the Geoprofessional Business Association’s (GBA’s) series of GBA Best Practices monographs, “For many major clients, safety performance is a key criterion when it comes to the procurement of professional services, directly or by subcontract. They are committed to avoiding on their property work-related injuries or illnesses caused by any outside entity that fails to follow established safety regulations or best industry practices.” Many of these major clients “use comprehensive prequalification questionnaires that inquire about a firm’s safety program and request electronic copies of documents that support the answers,” the new publication explains.

The new monograph provides important information essential to the development of an effective safety program. Part of this information focuses on the direct and indirect costs of an inadequate safety program, ranging from higher insurance premiums and legal exposures to lost business and lower productivity. Also covered: Some of the key safety metrics being used, known by acronyms such as EMR, TRIR, DART, LCWR, and IPMMD; benchmarks firms can use as targeted objectives; and an array of techniques for developing a “robust, proactive safety program that seeks to eliminate hazards and prevent injuries.”

According to the GBA Safety Committee, which is responsible for the new GBA Best Practices monograph, “The effectiveness of any safety program is tied directly to the demonstrated commitment of top management. For that reason, the CEOs of safety-conscious firms demonstrate their commitment to safety by making it part of their organization’s pre-employment screening, including motor-vehicle reports (MVRs). Also recommended: A drug- and alcohol-testing program that includes pre-hire/post-offer, random, and post-accident testing.”

GBA Best Practices monographs are available only to GBA members, without charge. Members can order Safety and Your Geoprofessional Practice from the GBA website.

Established in 1969, the Geoprofessional Business Association is widely regarded as geoprofessionals’ best source of comprehensive business guidance. GBA serves geotechnical engineers, environmental professionals, civil engineers engaged in a variety of specialties, and construction-materials engineering and testing professionals, among other geoprofessionals. GBA is well known for creating innovative programs, services, and materials to help its member firms thrive by confronting risk and optimizing performance.

All GBA Member Firms’ technical activities are under the full-time control of an individual who is legally and/or ethically bound to hold paramount public health, safety, and welfare. GBA’s associate membership comprises geoprofessional constructors; geoprofessional educators; geoprofessionals employed by government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and industry; and attorneys and other consultants to GBA Member Firms.

Obtain more information about GBA at its website (www.geoprofessional.org) or by contacting the organization at info@geoprofessional.org or 301-565-2733.