A Dam Conversation With...

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. Your host for this episode is Jeremy Begley, PE.

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Ed Toms, inaugural CEO of the Global Tailings Management Institute (GTMI), to discuss his 44-year career in dams, hydropower, mining, and water infrastructure. Ed shares lessons on mentorship, leadership, building meaningful professional relationships, and exploring diverse career paths in the dam industry. They also discuss tailings dam safety, climate resilience, the role of AI in engineering, and the importance of collaboration between engineers, owners, and contractors. Ed offers valuable advice for young professionals looking to grow their careers, get involved in organizations like ASDSO, and lead with purpose, integrity, and a commitment to public safety. 

We want to hear from you!

Have questions for our guests? Want to suggest a topic? Email us at [[email protected]] – we’d love to hear from you!

Get Involved with ASDSO

👷 Association Membership

In addition to free resources for the Dam Safety community, membership with ASDSO provides the following list of benefits and more! 

✅ Member discounts on training and products
 ✅ Unlimited access to ASDSO conference papers
 ✅ Online member directory
 ✅ Surveys archive & Journal of Dam Safety 

👉 Become a Member: https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member

🤝 Committee Membership

Consider joining one of the many ASDSO committees and Interest Groups. Find the full list at the following link:  Committees and Interest Groups | Association of State Dam Safety

📚 Upcoming Training Opportunities

Find upcoming training opportunities, including on-demand webinars, live webinars, seminars, and past content in the Training Center! Training Center | Association of State Dam Safety

⛏ ASDSO Toolbox

The ASDSO Toolbox (www.damtoolbox.org) is intended to be a one-stop shop for current guidelines and regulations of the dam safety industry. The content is growing but we need your help to further the momentum! Consider volunteering as a moderator, proposing new content, or suggesting additional resources. 

📢 This program is copyrighted in 2026 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. All rights reserved.

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. Your host today is Jeremy Begley.

Today, Jeremy welcomes Guy Lund. Guy is a civil structural engineer with over 40 years of experience specializing in dam safety, analysis, design, and inspection of concrete dams and pertinent structures. His expertise includes gravity, roller compacted concrete, or RCC, arch, multiple arch, and buttress dam types. Thank you for your stories and advice!

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• “My challenge to you is if you're really interested in it, don't be afraid to ask simple questions.” Guy discusses mentoring and presentations at conferences.
• Participate in a local Toastmasters group to up your public speaking skills! Check out your local Toastmasters group here: https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club 
• “ASDSO has been great putting together training sessions.” Here is the link to this year’s training calendar - https://damsafety.org/training-calendar 

Get Involved!

👷 Association Membership

In addition to free resources for the Dam Safety community, membership with ASDSO provides the following list of benefits and more! 

 ✅ Member discounts on training and products
 ✅ Unlimited access to ASDSO conference papers
 ✅ Online member directory
 ✅ Surveys archive & Journal of Dam Safety 

👉 Become a Member: https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member

🤝 Committee Membership

Consider joining one of the many ASDSO committees and Interest Groups. Find the full list at the following link:  Committees and Interest Groups | Association of State Dam Safety

📚 Upcoming Training Opportunities

Find upcoming training opportunities, including on-demand webinars, live webinars, seminars, and past content in the Training Center! Training Center | Association of State Dam Safety

⛏ ASDSO Toolbox

The ASDSO Toolbox (www.damtoolbox.org) is intended to be a one-stop shop for current guidelines and regulations of the dam safety industry. The content is growing but we need your help to further the momentum! Consider volunteering as a moderator, proposing new content, or suggesting additional resources. 

📢 This program is copyrighted in 2026 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. All rights reserved.

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast highlighting the people, projects, and stories shaping dam safety today. 

In this episode, we discuss the Kelly Barnes Dam Failure. 

The Kelly Barnes Dam was a 38-foot-high earth-fill dam built atop a rock crib dam, located just north of Toccoa Falls Bible College in Stephens County, Georgia. Downstream of the dam was Toccoa Falls, a 186-foot waterfall, and beyond that was the college. Between the 2nd and 5th of November, 1977 the dam watershed received over 3 inches of rainfall, followed by an additional 3.5 inches on the 5th and 6th of November. The dam was inspected at 11:30 P.M. on November 5 and appeared to be stable. However, just two hours later, at 1:30 A.M. on November 6, the dam failed. The failure drew national attention and it was a turning point for dam safety awareness in the U.S. 

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Foster, K. Neill with Eric Mills. Dam Break in Georgia – Sadness and Joy at Toccoa Falls. 1978.
• USGS South Atlantic Science Center. The 1977 Toccoa Flood, Report of Failure of Kelly Barnes Dam Flood and Findings. 2025.
• ASDSO’s Damfailures.org – Great resource to learn more about dam failures
• ASDSO’s Damtoolbox.org – Great knowledgebase for dam safety 

We want to hear from you!

Have questions for our guests? Want to suggest a topic? Email us at [[email protected]] – we’d love to hear from you!

Get Involved with ASDSO

👷 Membership Benefits – Joining ASDSO gives you access to:
✅ Member discounts on training and products
✅ Unlimited access to ASDSO conference papers
✅ Online member directory
✅ Surveys archive & Journal of Dam Safety
👉 Become a Member: https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member

🤝 Join a Committee or Interest Group – https://damsafety.org/VolunteerOpps

📚 Upcoming Training Opportunities – Browse live and on-demand webinars, seminars, and past sessions: https://damsafety.org/training-center 

📢 This program is copyrighted in 2026 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. All rights reserved.

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. Your host for this episode is Nicole Mathis, P.E. 

In this episode, we welcome Phoebe Percell-Dantes Taureau, an expert in Risk Management and Program Management for the two largest dam safety programs in the world. She served as Deputy Director for the Office of Security, Safety, and Law Enforcement at the US Bureau of Reclamation and Chief of the Dam and Levee Safety Branch at the US Army Corp of Engineers, and in her current role she uses her expertise in dam & levee safety, security and emergency management to advise dam owners on the best path forward for their challenges. She has experienced dam safety through many lenses, in her design work at the technical service center, as office director, as a senior advisor for private consulting, and as an advocate for dams & levees on Capitol Hill.      

Phoebe, thank you for sharing your story and advice on career insights for engineers at all levels. 

Book Recommendations from This Episode

• Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America by John M. Barry
• The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger 

We want to hear from you!

Have questions for our guests? Want to suggest a topic? Email us at [[email protected]] – we’d love to hear from you!

Get Involved with ASDSO

👷 Membership Benefits – Joining ASDSO gives you access to:
✅ Member discounts on training and products
✅ Unlimited access to ASDSO conference papers
✅ Online member directory
✅ Surveys archive & Journal of Dam Safety
👉 Become a Member: https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member

🤝 Join a Committee or Interest Group – https://damsafety.org/VolunteerOpps

📚 Upcoming Training Opportunities – Browse live and on-demand webinars, seminars, and past sessions: https://damsafety.org/training-center 

📢 This program is copyrighted in 2026 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. All rights reserved.

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. Your host for this episode is Matt Marquis, P.E. 

In this episode, we welcome Preston Wilson, CEO of Resilient Solutions Consulting, focused on building community resilience and mitigating the impact of disasters by offering training and expertise to individuals and communities to help them prepare for emergencies and navigate crises with confidence. With over 20 years of federal experience, Preston is a compassionate and accomplished civil engineer with 15 years of field experience and specialized expertise in emergency management. He has assisted with or facilitated dam incident exercises nationwide and provided emergency management response during dam incidents across multiple states and U.S. territories.       

Preston, thank you for sharing your story and advice on career insights and technical expertise for engineers at all levels. 

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Matt and Preston discuss:

• Making tough career choices and the lasting impacts 
• How resilience is defined in Dam Safety 
• Overcoming imposter syndrome in emergency management 
• Why we do what we do, and why it matters to our stakeholders

We want to hear from you!

Have questions for our guests? Want to suggest a topic? Email us at [[email protected]] – we’d love to hear from you!

Get Involved with ASDSO

👷 Membership Benefits – Joining ASDSO gives you access to:
✅ Member discounts on training and products
✅ Unlimited access to ASDSO conference papers
✅ Online member directory
✅ Surveys archive & Journal of Dam Safety
👉 Become a Member: https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member

🤝 Join a Committee or Interest Group – https://damsafety.org/VolunteerOpps

📚 Upcoming Training Opportunities – Browse live and on-demand webinars, seminars, and past sessions: https://damsafety.org/training-center 

📢 This program is copyrighted in 2026 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. All rights reserved.

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. Your host for this episode is Silas Sanderson, P.E. 

In this episode, we welcome Sharon Tapia, PE, PMP, Dams Practice Lead at GEI. She has worked in multiple capacities related to dam safety and business operations in California for over 30 years. She brings an understanding of all the disciplines associated with dams and dam safety, with expertise in hydraulics, hydrology, structural, geotechnical engineering, and risk evaluation. Sharon holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of California Davis. She has served on various national boards including the board of directors for ASDSO and FEMA’s National Dam Safety Review Board. She is also a past president of ASDSO. 

Sharon, thank you for sharing your story and advice on career insights and technical expertise for engineers at all levels. 

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Silas and Sharon discuss:

• Why Costco might be the best place to secure an internship
• Comparing a career in the public versus private sectors
• What to do at your first ASDSO Conference
• Making the transition from individual contributor to manager
• What it’s like to be a regulator for the largest state dam safety program in the country

We want to hear from you!

Have questions for our guests? Want to suggest a topic? Email us at [[email protected]] – we’d love to hear from you!

Get Involved with ASDSO

👷 Membership Benefits – Joining ASDSO gives you access to:
✅ Member discounts on training and products
✅ Unlimited access to ASDSO conference papers
✅ Online member directory
✅ Surveys archive & Journal of Dam Safety
👉 Become a Member: https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member

🤝 Join a Committee or Interest Group – https://damsafety.org/VolunteerOpps

📚 Upcoming Training Opportunities – Browse live and on-demand webinars, seminars, and past sessions: https://damsafety.org/training-center 

📢 This program is copyrighted in 2025 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. All rights reserved.

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. Your host for this episode is Nicole Chiles, P.E.

Today, Nicole welcomed Bill Bingham, P.E., who has led the design of more than 250 new dams and major rehabilitations with over 55 years of experience. Bill has also served on the peer review teams for 28 State Dam Safety programs and many others while he chaired the Peer Review Committee from 1989 to 2011 and afterwards.

Bill, thank you for your stories and advice!

Follow us as we explore more dam safety topics at damsafety.org

Get Involved!

Association Membership

In addition to free resources for the Dam Safety community, membership with ASDSO provides the following list of benefits and more! Follow this link to join! https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member  

• Member discounts on all training and products
• Unlimited access to full ASDSO conference papers
• Online member directory
• Miscellaneous surveys archive
• Journal of Dam Safety 

Committee Membership

Consider joining one of the many ASDSO committees and Interest Groups. Find the full list at the following link:  Committees and Interest Groups | Association of State Dam Safety

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Find upcoming training opportunities, including on-demand webinars, live webinars, seminars, and past content in the Training Center! Training Center | Association of State Dam Safety

ASDSO Toolbox

The ASDSO Toolbox (www.damtoolbox.org) is intended to be a one-stop shop for current guidelines and regulations of the dam safety industry. The content is growing, but we need your help to further the momentum! Consider volunteering as a moderator, proposing new content, or suggesting additional resources. 

This program was copyrighted in 2025 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials with All Rights Reserved.

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. Your host for this episode is Brianna Crotty, P.E. 

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Craig Findlay, Principal at Findlay Engineering, Inc. With over 45 years of experience in dam safety and geotechnical engineering, Dr. Findlay has served as lead engineer and consultant on a wide variety of dam projects including: FERC Part 12 Inspections, forensic investigations, and seismic and seepage analyses. He is a vital resource for sharing design insights and best practices for internal drainage systems and the long-term safety of embankment dams.       

Dr. Findlay, thank you for sharing your story and advice on career insights and technical expertise for engineers at all levels. 

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Brianna and Dr. Findlay discuss:

• Challenges of working for yourself versus an employer
• How FERC Part 12 Inspections have changed over the years
• The importance of following the data in dam safety and more specifically related to climate change
• A successful engineering skillset including selling services, speaking, and a willingness to be honest with your clients

We want to hear from you!

Have questions for our guests? Want to suggest a topic? Email us at [[email protected]] – we’d love to hear from you!

Get Involved with ASDSO

👷 Membership Benefits – Joining ASDSO gives you access to:
✅ Member discounts on training and products
✅ Unlimited access to ASDSO conference papers
✅ Online member directory
✅ Surveys archive & Journal of Dam Safety
👉 Become a Member: https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member

🤝 Join a Committee or Interest Group – https://damsafety.org/VolunteerOpps

📚 Upcoming Training Opportunities – Browse live and on-demand webinars, seminars, and past sessions: https://damsafety.org/training-center 

📢 This program is copyrighted in 2025 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. All rights reserved.

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. Your host for this episode is Silas Sanderson. 

In this episode, we welcome Doug Johnson, Dam Safety and Water Resources Engineer at Schnabel Engineering. Doug is a civil engineer with over 40 years of professional experience. He recently retired as Regional Engineer for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Division of Dam Safety and Inspections in the Portland Regional Office where he managed 18 staff and was the official responsible for dam safety and non-federal hydropower dams in 6 northwestern states. Prior to 2011, Doug was supervisor of engineering and dam safety for the Washington State Department of Ecology and oversaw dam safety in the State of Washington for 13 years.       

Doug, thank you for sharing your story and advice on career insights and technical expertise for engineers at all levels. 

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Silas and Doug discuss:

• The importance of taking advantage of coop or internship opportunities 
• Comparing public versus private sector for an engineering career 
• Why getting involved in professional organizations like ASDSO is a great way to see how others manage projects and solve problems
• The need for training in probability and risk concepts as the industry shifts toward a more risk-focused approach to dam safety

We want to hear from you!

Have questions for our guests? Want to suggest a topic? Email us at [[email protected]] – we’d love to hear from you!

Get Involved with ASDSO

👷 Membership Benefits – Joining ASDSO gives you access to:
✅ Member discounts on training and products
✅ Unlimited access to ASDSO conference papers
✅ Online member directory
✅ Surveys archive & Journal of Dam Safety
👉 Become a Member: https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member

🤝 Join a Committee or Interest Group – https://damsafety.org/VolunteerOpps

📚 Upcoming Training Opportunities – Browse live and on-demand webinars, seminars, and past sessions: https://damsafety.org/training-center 

📢 This program is copyrighted in 2025 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. All rights reserved.

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. Your host for this episode is Matt Marquis. 

In this episode, we welcome Krey Price, Director of Surface Water Solutions. Krey is a civil engineer and project manager with international experience in water resources. Currently residing in Australia, Krey offers consulting services in computational modelling, engineering design, and project management in the water resources field, including flood mitigation, river and wetland restoration, stormwater management, fish passage, and dam decommissioning. His career includes 15 years developing hydraulic models for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He’s spent more than a decade teaching HEC-RAS to students around the world through the Australian Water School and other organizations.      

Krey, thank you for sharing your story and advice on career insights and technical expertise for engineers at all levels. 

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Matt and Krey discuss:

• The importance of taking advantage of coop or internship opportunities 
• The importance of making connections through social media and in-person
• Why submitting abstracts and attending conferences to connect with others in the industry is so important
• Why you shouldn’t think that you’re so far along in your career that you can’t learn something new

We want to hear from you!

Have questions for our guests? Want to suggest a topic? Email us at [[email protected]] – we’d love to hear from you!

Get Involved with ASDSO

👷 Membership Benefits – Joining ASDSO gives you access to:
✅ Member discounts on training and products
✅ Unlimited access to ASDSO conference papers
✅ Online member directory
✅ Surveys archive & Journal of Dam Safety
👉 Become a Member: https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member

🤝 Join a Committee or Interest Group – https://damsafety.org/VolunteerOpps

📚 Upcoming Training Opportunities – Browse live and on-demand webinars, seminars, and past sessions: https://damsafety.org/training-center 

📢 This program is copyrighted in 2025 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. All rights reserved.