NEW! Case History #103 – Nuclear Gauge Management If you own or operate nuclear densometer gauges, you must read this GBA Case History. After three destroyed gauges and numerous other violations, a Member-Firm was facing civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and revocation of their license to own and/or operate nuclear gauges. They paid a $150,000 settlement but more importantly developed a compliance program hailed as “a model for the industry”. Learn from their mistakes and from their commitment to change their culture through immediate action to create, test, launch, and monitor sustainable, institutional controls to address the underling causes of the violations, as well as specific regulatory compliance issues. GBA Case Historie...

June marks National Safety Month, organized by the National Safety Council since 1996. GBA has a variety of free resources for members to help them stay safe in their geoprofessional workplace. Not only is safety a top priority for GBA member firms, but also for their clients, who want to avoid work-related injuries or illnesses on their job sites and projects. Here are valuable resources geoprofessionals can use to strengthen their safety culture, protect their teams, and manage risk: Safety and Your Geoprofessional Practice This GBA Best Practices guide provides important information essential to the development of an effective safety program, including: • The direct and indirect costs of an inadequate safety program, ranging from higher insur...

Teresa Peterson, P.E., C.M.E., LEED AP O&M, ENV SP (GFT) With the completion of another successful Annual Conference, we kick off a new GBA fiscal year and welcome a new Board of Directors. I am honored and thrilled to take the reins of this storied organization! We have a big challenge ahead to roll out our new strategic initiatives as part of our 2027+ Strategic Plan. If you haven’t already read it, let me give you a snippet. With guidance from our past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, we embarked on a journey to envision how the organization will provide value to its members by elevating our recognition and our value in the community. Engineers are great at evaluating problems, identifying risks and offering solutions to mitigate those risks. We’ve seen ne...

The latest episode of the GBA Podcast Case History series is live—and it’s one every geoprofessional should hear. What happens when a client prioritizes speed and low cost over sound recommendations? In this episode, hosts Elizabeth Brown, P.E. (Atlas) and Abi Corbett (SME) unpack the lessons learned in GBA Case History #55, when an environmental consultant’s warnings went unheeded—leading to bigger problems, a legal dispute, and a forfeited $40,000 fee. Brown and Corbett explore a real-world example of how client pressure for speed and cost savings can lead to major project risks—and significant professional consequences. In this case, an auto parts manufacturer sought to sell a property contaminated by leaking underground storage tanks. After ignoring early recommendation...

Can doing the right thing still go wrong? In a new GBA Podcast episode, hosts Elizabeth Brown, P.E. (Atlas), and Abi Corbett (SME) explore the high-stakes environmental project described in GBA Case History #50, where a procedural misstep led to major consequences. Learn how a geoprofessional firm navigated delays, unauthorized changes, and regulatory challenges to uphold integrity and avoid litigation. Lessons learned include: • A technical and business-savvy staff is key • Learn what you don’t know • Regulatory requirements must be followed • Interactions between agencies and project parties can be challenging • Financial fortitude is essential The episode of the GBA Podcast delivers a compelling case study that every geoprofess...

The latest episode of GBA’s GeoHeroes podcast is now available! Hosted by GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C (Verdantas), this episode features an engaging conversation with Carrie (Foulk) Rodriguez, P.E., G.E., GBA Board member and Geotechnical Group Leader at BSK Associates. Carrie shares her journey from a West Coast childhood to becoming a leader in geotechnical engineering. From early aspirations in environmental engineering to ultimately transitioning into geoprofessional consulting, her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to take risks. Key highlights from the episode include: • The power of mentorship: How influential mentors shaped her approach to problem-solving and decision-making. • Balancing career and family: Carrie’...

In the latest episode of GeoHeroes – a GBA Podcast series – GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C (Verdantas) sits down with industry veteran Jay Martin, P.E., F. GBA who shares a candid look at his career. Martin recently retired after a remarkable 40+ year geoprofessional career that culminated in his role as Senior Vice President at WSP. Jay offers invaluable lessons on leadership, adaptability, and the art of building lasting client relationships. He discusses how cultural shifts and consolidation have shaped the profession, and the transition from technical roles to leadership. In the 37-minute episode, Martin dives into the importance of moving beyond project-based work to program management, emphasizing the value of becoming a trusted advisor rather than jus...

Say Yes to Opportunity: Advice for the Next Generation of Geoprofessionals The latest episode of GeoHeroes from the GBA Podcast features a conversation between GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C (Verdantas) and Kent Bannister, P.Eng President and CEO of TREK Geotechnical. Bannister’s journey from his early days in Winnipeg to leading one of Canada’s growing geotechnical firms provides valuable lessons for geoprofessionals at all career stages. Bannister’s career has spanned consulting, dam safety, and large-scale infrastructure projects, ultimately leading him to TREK, where he now focuses on strategic growth, risk management, and industry leadership. Kent and Guy discuss the evolving demands on geoprofessionals, including the increasing need for strong...

The latest episode of GBA’s GeoHeroes podcast series is now available. In this insightful conversation, GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C (Verdantas) connects with Teresa Peterson, P.E., C.M.E., LEED AP O&M, ENV SP (Gannett Fleming TranSystems) to explore her career journey, leadership philosophy, and vision for the future of geoprofessional practice. Peterson shares her path from an early interest in environmental engineering to leadership in multiple sectors, including transportation, water, and energy. She emphasizes how systems thinking, continuous learning, and strong communication have been critical to her success—skills that she believes are increasingly essential as geoprofessionals navigate challenges like climate change, disruptive technologies, ...

In this episode of the GBA Podcast GeoHeroes series, host and GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, sits down with Kurt Fraese, L.G., F.GBA, who shares his advice for aspiring geoprofessionals, focusing on the interconnectedness of businesses, clients, and communities. Fraese has provided consulting services to clients in the energy, development, transportation, federal government, and water and natural resource markets since 1983. His technical expertise is primarily focused on assessment and remediation of hazardous substances. Kurt retired from GeoEngineers, Inc. as CEO in 2017. Fraese’s experiences highlight the importance of adaptability, preparedness, and a long-term vision. In this episode, Kurt speaks on the future of the geoprofessions, emphasizing the ...

The latest episode of the GBA Podcast GeoHeroes series features a captivating conversation between host Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, and guest Stewart Osgood, P.E., F.GBA, former President and CEO of DOWL. With more than 38 years of experience in the civil engineering and geotechnical fields, Osgood reflects on his professional journey to offer listeners his perspective on leadership, career growth, and succession planning. As Osgood transitions into retirement, he shares plans to focus on personal projects and community contributions, emphasizing the importance of taking calculated risks early in one’s career. Tune in to this episode to explore the personal and professional journey of a true geoprofessional leader. This episode was produced by Ryan White, P.E., G.E...

GBA provides hundreds of highly effective resources developed to satisfy the unique needs of geoprofessionals, giving members essential tools for achieving success. This is a great place to start your exploration of GBA’s resources, or to get acquainted with a publication loved by your peers and new to you. The most downloaded resources of 2024 cover topics from a wide range of geoprofessional business issues, so there is certain to be something on this list that could help your business succeed. Select a title to learn more and download it today. We’ll begin with number 10 and count down to the number one most downloaded resource. Please note, this list does not include Case Histories, which have their own list HERE. #10: Go/No Go Checklist This comprehensive and simple to u...

In a new episode of the GBA Podcast’s GeoHeroes series, hear from UES Director Ed Alizadeh, P.E., J.D., F.GBA, who is interviewed by host and GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C. The son of two immigrant engineers, Alizadeh talks about how education was the focus of his upbringing, which valued engineering as a noble profession. He discusses the challenges and rewards of his profession, including navigating family expectations, balancing work and education, and leading through periods of growth and loss. Ed also tells listeners the three biggest things that will impact the future of the geoprofessions, his take on how the engineering field is perceived in the U.S. versus internationally, and his advice for those entering the p...

In a new episode of the GBA Podcast’s GeoHeroes series, host and GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, interviews Elizabeth Clarke, who shares her unique and inspirational pathway to her current role as Owner and President of Structure Groups. Clarke is celebrated for her leadership and vision in the field, having recently been featured in multiple magazine’s “Extraordinary Women’s” issues. Elizabeth shares how personal tragedies played a role in reshaping her life and eventually discovering a passion for the geoprofessions. In the early days of founding her company, the geoprofessional community – many of whom were GBA members – rallied around her and now as an industry leader, Clarke plays a key role in shaping the future alongside those she collaborates ...

In the latest episode of the GBA Podcast GeoHeroes series, host and GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, interviews Charlie Head, P.E., P.G., F.GBA, a co-founder of GBA member firm Sanborn, Head, & Associates Inc. The conversation covers his career journey, including his educational background, professional experiences, and the challenges and rewards of building a successful company. Head also discusses his current semi-retired status, his advice for those entering the geotechnical and environmental professions, and reflections on the evolving nature of the field. Charlie is a past-President of GBA (2017-18) and the winner of the 2024 Professional Practice Ethics & Leadership Award, presented jointly by GBA and the American...