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 use checklist will help you decide if it’s beneficial to spend time and effort pursuing a client or project. The list may also help you evaluate opportunities in new sectors or a new line of service for your firm.

#9: Beyond gINT: A New Era in Geotechnical Data
This Business Brief will help geoprofessionals navigate the new market of vendors and products that has emerged in the wake of news that support and updates for geotechnical software product gINT will cease in 2026.

#8: Initial Curing of Concrete Test Specimens: Who Is Responsible for What
This Best Practices document provides valuable guidance for Construction Materials Engineering & Testing (CoMET) consultants. ACI Standard 301-10, Specification for Structural Concrete, sets forth ambiguous requirements for initial curing of concrete test specimens in the field. Because uncertainty and confusion are common precursors of delays, disputes, and claims, CoMET consultants need to take appropriate action to help the project team avoid related problems.

#7: Interviewing the Right Way
This GBA Best Practices document sheds light on one of the least-trained roles throughout the engineering industry. Interviewing also involves a significant number of legal do’s and don’ts. Employers must understand the rule of law related to interview and application questions to ensure they’re performed in accordance with state and federal regulations.

#6: Avoiding Absolutes
This GBA Best Practices resource guides members on the communications and legal pitfalls introduced when using words that connote an extreme condition. Usually, these words are harmless. However, when they are used by professionals within an instrument of professional service, correspondence, or other communication, absolutes are almost always inappropriate.

#5: Important Information About This Tailings Storage Facility Design Report
This document is designed to be provided to owners of tailings storage facilities and is a supplement to GBA’s other Tailings Storage Facility resources (see above). GBA member firms can use the document as-is and others may use it as a model for development of their own advisory document. (Free to all regardless of membership.)

#4: Addressing the Issue of Engineer of Record for Tailings Storage Facilities
This Business Brief informs and educates geoprofessional firms of the ever-increasing levels of risk associated with tailings-related work. (Free to all regardless of membership.)

#3: Taboo Words
This Best Practices document examines language use and focuses on six “taboo words.” 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.

#2: Guide to the 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.

#1: Proposed Best Practices for Engineer of Record (EoR) for Tailings Dams
This Proposed Best Practices guideline provides recommendations from an informed body of geotechnical engineering practitioners for defining the roles and responsibilities of an EoR for a tailings dam or CCR dam to enhance safety, environmental suitability, and social sustainability. (Free to all regardless of membership.)

Check out the most popular Case Histories of the past 12 months HERE

GBA has a tradition of collaborating on issues that impact the geoprofessions. One of the ways we work together is by providing lessons learned through GBA Case Histories. GBA Case Histories provide unprecedented real-world learning examples related to project and business management.

By reading the most downloaded Case Histories of 2024 (and sharing them with fellow GBA member firm employees!) you can see where others went wrong and avoid making the same mistakes.

We’ll begin with number 10 and count down to the number one most downloaded of this popular risk management series of publications.

#10: If The Bus Driver Doesn’t Have a License, Get Off the Bus – Case History No. 5
A firm performed a limited geotechnical study for a church project, but budget constraints and subsequent design changes led to delays and increased costs. When a federal agency mandated a foundation redesign, the church sued the original firm for the additional expenses.

#9: Suspiciously Variable Test Results? Take A Closer Look… the Sooner the Better – Case History No. 110
A firm’s geotechnical recommendations for school building pads were inconsistently implemented by separate design teams, leading to construction defects and a legal dispute. The firm avoided losses by highlighting the critical role of knowledgeable field representatives in identifying risks, ensuring compliance, and managing construction quality.

#8: The Owner Can’t Afford to Build This… Now What? – Case History No. 99
A firm provides geotechnical engineering and CoMET services for a two-story office building on a 60-ft. tall fill-slope. When the owner’s budget was not sufficient, things got interesting and project quality suffered.

#7: Clients Who Don’t Follow Advice Should Be Someone Else’s Client – Case History No. 2
A firm’s handshake agreement with a custom-home builder ended with basement damage after the client ignored recommended drainage measures. To resolve the issue, the firm contributed a token amount for repairs in exchange for a full release.

#6: Don’t Overlook the Details or Be Ready To Pay the Bank – Case History No. 9
Interrupted services during construction led to inadequate fill compaction and soil loss into abandoned, unplugged sewer lines, causing footing settlement. Repair costs were shared among all parties involved.

#5: Compromise Must Be Part of Your Business Strategy – Case History No. 4
A firm’s recommended design for a major structure was altered by a constructor, leading to costly construction issues. Through shared responsibility and cost collaboration, the parties resolved the challenges without litigation.

#4: Beware! A Friend’s Small Project Can Be Hazardous to Your Firm’s Health – Case History No. 1
A firm faced a $650,000 claim for negligent misrepresentation after a new developer relied on an old geotechnical report for a different project. Despite believing the claim was unjustified, the firm settled for $70,000 to avoid the risks of a jury trial.

#3: Went Fishing… Caught a Whale – Case History No. 116

One firm’s adaptability and on-site problem-solving turned a dock repair project into a successful replacement after an unexpected collapse. Thanks to the team’s dedication and the owner’s trust, the project was completed on time, earning the geotechnical engineer high praise.

#2: Disaster Averted… The Power of a Peer Review – Case History No. 117
A firm’s peer review of a geotechnical report uncovered critical oversights, preventing potential legal issues and ensuring a successful project outcome. This led to additional work and reinforced the firm’s reputation as a trusted consultant.

#1: Don’t Drown Your Sorrows… Yet – Case History No. 115
A geoprofessional firm navigates a challenging project by addressing client concerns over groundwater issues and additional costs, ultimately strengthening the client relationship, contributing to cost-saving measures, and completing the project within budget—while avoiding legal action.

See the list of the most popular resources other than Case Histories HERE.

Do You Have a Story to Share?
Case Histories are your chance to share with others what went wrong, how you handled the problems, and how others can learn from your experiences so everyone can avoid the same problems in the future.

By contributing your story to GBA this way, you will help elevate our profession by sharing your experiences for all to learn from.

GBA provides hundreds of highly effective resources developed to satisfy the unique needs of geoprofessionals, giving members essential tools for achieving success. In addition to Case Histories, see the list of our other most downloaded resources of the past 12 months HERE.

As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to draw inspiration from the words of inventors, leaders, actors, scientists, speakers, writers, and CEOs (who tend to be a mix of all the previous).

Below are 25 powerful quotes to help motivate, challenge, and guide you through the year ahead. Whether you’re focusing on leadership, growth, or overcoming obstacles in the geoprofessional field, let these words inspire you to have an impactful and successful year.

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” – T.S. Eliot

“Dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.” – Shonda Rhimes

“To win the marketplace, you must first win the workplace.” – Doug Conant

“If you want innovation you have to make space for it.” – Seema Dhanoa

“As long as I’m alive, I will continue to try to understand more because the work of the heart is never done.” – Muhammad Ali

“Change is your friend not your foe; change is a brilliant opportunity to grow.” – Simon T. Bailey

“Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.” – Auguste Rodin

“Make your interactions with people transformational, not just transactional.” – Patti Smith

“Great works and great folly may be indistinguishable at the outset.” – Adam Steltzner

“As much as talent counts, effort counts twice.” – Angela Duckworth

“Nothing is less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all.” – Peter Drucker

“I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.” – Jacinda Ardern

“Ships don’t sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don’t let what’s happening around you get inside you and weigh you down.” – Unknown

“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

“Teamwork is a strategic decision.” – Patrick Lencioni

“The road to success is always under construction.” – Lily Tomlin

“One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a horse master. He told me to go slow to go fast. I think that applies to everything in life. We live as though there aren’t enough hours in the day but if we do each thing calmly and carefully we will get it done quicker and with much less stress.” – Viggo Mortensen

“No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game, you’ll always lose out to a team.” – Reid Hoffman

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” – Albert Einstein

“Life isn’t perfect, any failures you have are actually learning moments. They teach us how to grow and evolve.” – Phillipa Soo

“Each of us has a spark of life inside us, and our highest endeavor ought to be to set off that spark in one another.” – Kenny Ausubel

“Your passion is waiting for your courage to catch up.” – Isabelle Lafleche

“Many paths lead from the foot of the mountain, but at the peak we all gaze at the single bright moon.” – Ikkyū

“Failure is not the opposite of success, it is part of success.” – Arianna Huffington

If you want a fresh dose of inspiration in your inbox twice a month, sign up for GBA’s NEWSlog and look for our “Words of Wisdom” selection in each issue.

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 with.

This episode was produced by Ryan White, P.E., G.E. (PBS Engineering and Environmental LLC), a member of GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee.

In the GeoHeroes series, industry leaders share what motivates them and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The series examines the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

In addition to GeoHeroes, the GBA Podcast offers the following series:

• Leadership Lounge
• Management Best Practices
• Audio Education for Field Representatives
• Case Histories
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At the 2024 Annual Conference, GBA hosted the always popular Business Round Tables. One of the most popular discussions was at the “Books We Love” table. It was so popular, we decided to launch a GBA Book Club and introduce the club’s mascot, Pebbles Diggs Knowledge (Pebbles D. Knowledge or Pebbles for short!).

Whether reading for pleasure, for personal improvement, with a group, or on your own –

it’s clear that reading is a favorite pastime of GBA members.

Here is GBA’s official 2024-25 Winter Reading List to provide practical advice, inspiration, entertainment, or a fresh perspective. (We’re including Amazon links to purchase the books but don’t forget to check your local library for borrowing options!)

Super Deciders: The Science and Practice of Making Decisions in Dynamic and Uncertain Times
Studies suggest that company executives spend 40% of their time making decisions. In this book, researchers and business advisors deliver an application of the latest advances in neuroscience to effectively making the most difficult decisions.

The Fine Art of Small Talk
With practical advice and conversation cheat sheets, this book will help you learn to feel more comfortable in any type of social situation, from lunch with the boss to an association event to a cocktail party where you don’t know a soul.

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know
This book delves into the science of rethinking and persuading others to rethink. It examines the biases and assumptions that influence our decisions and offers strategies for fostering a mindset of lifelong curiosity. It also happens to be the book that the newly launched GBA Book Club is reading and preparing to discuss at their first meeting on January 23, 2025 (sign up to attend!).

The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever
From the Bestselling author of “The Coaching Habit,” The Advice Trap goes deeper into the behavior change needed to turn curiosity into your superpower. Tame the behaviors that get in the way of staying curious longer, and open the doors for “Future You” and your next level of leadership.

The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War
This New York Times bestseller brings readers deep into a world of treachery and betrayal, where the lines bleed between the personal and the professional, and one man’s hatred of communism had the power to change the future of nations.

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right
The modern world has given us stupendous know-how. Yet avoidable failures continue to plague us. This book makes a compelling argument that we can do better, using the simplest of methods: the checklist.

The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 into the World’s Fastest-Growing Sport
This book tells the riveting saga of how Formula 1 broke through in America, detailing the eclectic culture of racing obsessives, glamorous settings, gearheads, engineering geniuses, dashing racers, and bitter rivalries that have made F1 the world’s fastest growing sport.

Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization
Within each corporation are anywhere from a few to hundreds of separate tribes. In this book, authors demonstrate how these tribes develop—and show you how to assess them and lead them to maximize productivity and growth.

The Forensic Geology Series
Investigators use their geological skills to track evidence found at scenes of crime and environmental crisis in this fictional series. They go from the lab to the field and into outdoor adventure. Along the way, they cover some very rough ground.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster
This author’s highly personal inquiry into the catastrophe provides a great deal of insight into what went wrong. The author takes great pains to provide a balanced picture of the people and events he witnessed and gives due credit to the tireless and dedicated Sherpas.

GBA is excited to launch the Career Continuum Program starting with the inaugural Early Professional Class in January 2025. This first Early Professional Class will include approximately 25 representatives of GBA member firms that have less than four years of geoprofessional experience but have high potential as consultants and business leaders within your firms. Applications are now being accepted through January 10, 2025 (or until the Class is full).

If you are looking to accelerate the growth and unleash the potential of your future leaders and your firm, GBA can help by:

• Building your Early Professional’s business acumen by providing introductions to key consulting fundamentals with a time- and cost-efficient approach.
• Optimizing your future leader’s business performance through interaction and training with other top-notch professionals.
• Exposing your Early Professionals to the wide array of GBA benefits and resources.
• Increasing your future leader’s awareness of risk management.

The topics covered in the Early Professional Class include communication, documentation, ethics, standard of care, contracts, dispute resolution, and staying current.

Who should attend?

• College graduates or staff in early career (0-4 years of consulting experience) looking for and introduction to professional practice.
• Pre-project management stage staff.
• Field staff that may be rising to a professional staff career pathway.

Class Overview

• 10 live virtual sessions moderated by an experienced GBA speaker and facilitated by an expert adult education instructor.
• Classes held biweekly January 30-June 5, 2025.
• Classes are 60-75 minutes in length or less.
• Applications accepted December 15, 2024 through January 10, 2025 or until the Class is full.
• Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.
• Fee of $250 (includes all 10 sessions) will be required upon registration.

About the GBA Career Continuum

The Early Professional Class is the first deliverable of GBA’s Career Continuum Program. The program leverages existing GBA programs and resources to supply member firms with a consistent, career-long stream of efficient, easy-to-access training and development.

A geoprofessional’s day on the job is often dynamic, with investigations, report writing, demanding projects, and critical deadlines. They tackle tasks that require a mix of art and science. Constraint and creativity. If you’re still looking for a gift for your team members, friend or family in the industry, or you’re making your own wish list, we hope these items help you find what you need!

For the Problem Solver
Mechanical Puzzles
Give geoprofessionals a complex problem to solve and watch them go to work! These puzzles present the player with a problem that can be solved by manipulating the pieces and using logic, insight, dexterity, or reasoning.

20-in-1 Multitool
This budget-friendly, versatile stainless steel multi-tool includes 20 essential tools to handle almost any task at the jobsite or at home. Always be prepared!

The Conundrum Box
Part Escape room, part choose-your-own adventure, players will wind their way through fun and exciting narratives by solving puzzles and ciphers. There are other at-home escape room games available but with this Cratejoy product, you can sign your geoprofessional up for a subscription and have a unique adventure with 1.5 to 3 hours of gameplay sent each month.

For the Explorer
Virtual Travel
With a VR headset, geoprofessionals can immerse themselves in new locations all around the world! Explore natural wonders, ancient civilizations, and awe-inspiring landmarks. Many of the virtual experiences listed are available on the Meta Quest 3 VR headset. You could say these games are a blend of professional research and personal relaxation!

For the Reader
Creating the Intangible Enterprise: The Critical Skills to Thrive in an AI-Driven World
Book by 2025 GBA Annual Conference Keynote Speaker KP Reddy

Creating the Intangible Enterprise explains how AI will fundamentally change the landscape and, most importantly, shows leaders how to leverage the uniquely human skills-like emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and communication-that will become even more valuable in a world where the transactional aspects of work are handled by technology.

Sign up to see more from KP at the GBA Annual Conference

Think Again
Book by Adam Grant

This book delves into the science of rethinking and persuading others to rethink. It examines the biases and assumptions that influence our decisions and offers strategies for fostering a mindset of lifelong curiosity. It also happens to be the book that the newly launched GBA Book Club is reading and preparing to discuss at their first meeting on January 23, 2025.

Sign up for the first meeting of the GBA Book Club

For the Field
Portable Personal Body Fan
Give your geoprofessional their own personal breeze for those hot days in the field with this portable waist fan!

All-Weather Field Notebook
Available in beige or green, this notebook is built to survive water, sweat, grease, and mud. As an earth-friendly bonus and unlike synthetic waterproof paper, this wood-based notebook is completely recyclable after the notes are digitized. Pair it with this pen for a complete all-weather package. Rain or shine, your data stays secure.

Laser Distance Measure
This user-friendly laser measure is perfect for quick, accurate measurements on the go.

For the Health-Minded
A Full-Body Workout on the Road
It’s difficult to maintain any type of fitness routine on the road. But with this all-in-one TRX Suspension Trainer, you’re ready to work out anywhere.

Smart Water Bottle
That’s right – even water bottles are smart now! The integrated sensor on this bottle tracks every sip you take and will glow when you need to hydrate. The bottle’s Hydration Equation calculates your daily water goal using your own personal factors, like age, height, weight, sex, elevation, exercise and more. Great for geoprofessionals – great for everyone!

For the Learner
Thousands of Free Online Courses
Check out this list of websites that offer thousands of free online courses.

For the Office
Geode Magnetic Fidget Set
From the makers of the world’s most satisfying desk toys, each geode set contains 12 pentagons or triangles that align and snap into the perfect sphere.

For the Connected
Rocketbook Smart Notebook
Streamline note taking and boost productivity by magically transforming your writing to digital text. Rocketbook is a reusable notebook that will connect with your favorite cloud services to level up your organizational skills.

Noise-Canceling Earbuds
With these noise-canceling earbuds, geoprofessionals can drown out the world and focus on what really matters—designing the future.

Need more ideas? See last year’s list for more than 40 additional items to choose from!

One of the ways GBA helps member firms confront risk and optimize performance  is by serving as a resource for navigating a rapidly evolving landscape of technology in the geoprofessional industry. Arguably, no technology is more widely used than geospatial logging software to prepare test hole or test pit logs.

With news that widely used geotechnical software gINT from Bentley will provide no further support or updates starting January 2026, numerous companies are racing to service the market. The capabilities of the applications they offer vary widely and are rapidly evolving.

A timely new Business Brief from the GBA Business Technology Committee contains information from several vendors and products to help members identify which options best suit their needs. Information included is each vendor’s history, vision for their software, and key features and functions. The information is presented in a simplified manner and will be revised and re-issued as software options evolve.

This new downloadable resource from GBA is intended to serve as a starting point and is for information only. It’s up to firms to verify features and determine which products to further investigate and implement.

Business Briefs are exclusively available at NO COST to GBA members.

Becoming a manager or supervisor is an important step in many people’s professional careers, and it introduces a set of new responsibilities that they may not have had in their prior role. The Management Best Practices podcast series from GBA highlights a handful of those responsibilities, the challenges that can go along with them, and best practices for navigating through them.

The second episode of the series, “Professional Goal Setting,” is now available on the GBA Podcast website or anywhere podcasts are heard. In this episode, host and Environmental Project Manager Craig Hill (GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee, Kleinfelder) and guest, Senior Project Manager Marcus Dudley (Kleinfelder), discuss effective goal-setting strategies for managers and employees.

The discussion covers various goal-setting frameworks, highlighting the need for measurable, time-bound goals with regular check-ins and manager facilitation, but ultimately emphasizing employee self-motivation and ownership.

A few of the lessons listeners will learn from this episode include:

• Distinguishing between career goals and performance goals
• Clarifying accountability for goal achievement
• Navigating inappropriate goal submissions
• Nurturing goal adherence in new staff members

This episode was produced by Craig Hill and Ryan White, P.E., G.E. (GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee, PBS Engineering and Environmental LLC).

In addition to Management Best Practices, the GBA Podcast offers the following series:

• GeoHeroes
• Leadership Lounge
• Audio Education for Field Representatives
• Case Histories
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

With more than 14,000 downloads, the GBA Podcast is becoming a leading industry tool in helping geoprofessionals become better consultants. The best news? It’s completely free!

In a new series called “GeoHeroes,” GBA President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, will interview past, present, and future industry leaders to understand what motivates these individuals and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The podcast will examine the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

In the first episode of the series, Marcozzi speaks with Mark Kramer, P.E., F.GBA, CEO and Chairman of the Board of SME, and winner of GBA’s 2024 President’s Award.

Kramer discusses the challenges and rewards of the geotechnical engineering profession, offering advice to aspiring professionals on building confidence and communication skills. He also shares his perspectives on technological advancements, particularly AI, and its potential impact on the field in the coming decades.

This episode was produced by Ryan White, P.E., G.E. (PBS Engineering and Environmental LLC), a member of GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee.

In addition to the GeoHeroes, the GBA Podcast offers the following series:

• Leadership Lounge
• Management Best Practices
• Audio Education for Field Representatives
• Case Histories
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

GBA is pleased to announce the addition of Rachel Neth to the staff in the role of Database Administrator. In this new GBA role, Neth will oversee the day-to-day administration of the organization’s new member database (access your member profile and benefits here!) to ensure accuracy and security. She’ll generate reports to provide insights into membership trends, event attendance, and other key performance indicators for the Association.

Rachel brings to the GBA team a strong background in non-profit and database/document administration, process management, workflow optimization, and training. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Western New England University and has studied Computer Science at Southern New Hampshire University.

“In my spare time, I enjoy doing one of my numerous hobbies, including crocheting and journaling, spending time with friends and family, learning new things, traveling, and going to musicals,” Rachel said.

Neth will work from her home office in New Hampshire.

WELCOME RACHEL