GBA Podcast

Episode Summary

Series Summary

GBA Resources

Safety and Your Geoprofessional Practice: The Whys and How-tos of Establishing a Safety Program Best Practices Monograph

Employee Pocket Safety Card

Get Ready for Summer! Working Safely Outdoors in Warm Climates

Model Daily Field Report for Geotechnical Field Observation

Model Reporting Forms for Geoenvironmental Field Observation

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Summary

The GBA-Member Firm’s CEO and the developer’s CEO had worked together successfully on numerous projects for more than 15 years, establishing a friendship based on mutual respect and trust. This project was the developer’s most ambitious to date, by virtue of its size, local prominence, and complexity. Among other things, the project plan called for four levels of parking beneath 2½ city blocks and adjoining streets. As the excavation was nearing completion, three soldier piles in the northeast corner of the excavation plunged downward between 12 and 18 inches and rotated toward the basement excavation. If the issue wasn't resolved quickly not only would the safety of the public be at risk, but so would the relationship.

Our Hosts:

Elizabeth is the Geotechnical Services Manager at Atlas Technical Consultants in Boise, Idaho. Elizabeth has performed and/or assisted with numerous geotechnical investigations throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming managing projects, providing geotechnical design, project quality control, cost and value engineering, and evaluating geotechnical constructability issues.

Ryan is the Principal Geotechnical engineer and Geotechnical Engineering Group manager at PBS Engineering and Environmental Inc. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Ryan regularly manages projects throughout the Pacific Northwest and has worked on projects across the US. Ryan's experience includes commercial development, transportation projects, design for low- to mid-rise buildings, bridge foundations, roads, landslide evaluation and stabilization, retaining wall design and construction, seismic evaluations and solar energy and land development.

Links

Soldier pile and lagging shoring

Tiebacks

Lessons Learned:

Calls-to-action:

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Summary

GBA Resources

GBA Audio Education: Fundamentals of Field Representation - Effective Reporting

Case History No. 33

GBA Best Practices: Avoiding Allegations of Corruption

Ethics and Professional Conduct Training

Model Daily Field Report for Geotechnical Field Observation

Model Reporting Forms for Geoenvironmental Field Observation

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Summary

Member Firm with multiple offices became the victim of foreign hacking enterprise. It started when an employee of the firm innocently opened an email from an unsuspected contact and clicked on a link allowing the hackers to access the Member Firm’s management systems. Unbeknownst to anyone, the infiltrators spent months learning about the Member Firm’s operations, information storage and data. After obtaining and securing the information that they were after, the hackers locked out the Member Firm keeping them from accessing their IT systems, including emails and project files. They promptly demanded seven-figure sum of money for the key to their lock.

Our Host

Jennifer Sanborn, PE – Vice President/Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc. (Link to Profile)

Jenn’s work in environmental site characterization and remediation has taken her to the leading edge of our practice in vapor intrusion and emerging contaminants. Jenn works on a number of projects under the USEPA Brownfields program, conducting environmental assessments and preparing regulatory submittals. She has extensive field experience and familiarity with environmental regulations across several states. At Sanborn Head, Jenn helps with Sanborn Head’s business practices, reviewing contracts and educating staff about risk management practices. As a supervisor, Jenn also enjoys the opportunity to mentor staff and guide their career development. She is also a member of Sanborn Head’s Board of Directors.

Our Guest

Doug Barbosa – Director of Information Technology /Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc. (Link to Profile)

Doug is responsible for building and maintaining Sanborn Head’s technology infrastructure. In this capacity he manages their IT team and oversees the planning and development of the information systems and data processes so that everyone at Sanborn Head has the tools and solutions needed to service their clients. Doug is an expert in the area of cybersecurity and takes great pride in his efforts to protect Sanborn Head’s and their clients’ data and ensure a smooth operational environment.

Lessons Learned

Calls-to-action:

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Episode Summary:

Series Summary:

GBA Resources

GBA Audio Education: Fundamentals of Field Representation - Effective Reporting

Lunch & Learn: Risky Language

GBA Best Practices: Avoiding Absolutes

GBA Best Practices: Taboo Words

Contract Reference Guide, Fourth Edition

eBrownbag Webinar – Dirty Words click here to get a discount code for free access to the online streaming version of episodes 1-10

Model Daily Field Report for Geotechnical Field Observation

Model Reporting Forms for Geoenvironmental Field Observation

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Episode Summary:

Series Summary:

Resources

GBA Audio Education: Fundamentals of Field Representation - The Duty of Care

Lunch & Learn: Risky Language

GBA Best Practices: Avoiding Absolutes

GBA Best Practices: Taboo Words

Contract Reference Guide, Fourth Edition

eBrownbag Webinar – Dirty Words click here to get a discount code for free access to the online streaming version of episodes 1-10

What does walking steel mean?

Guys eating lunch on a steel beam suspended in the air

Model Daily Field Report for Geotechnical Field Observation

Model Reporting Forms for Geoenvironmental Field Observation

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Episode Summary:

Series Summary:

GBA Resources

GBA Audio Education: Fundamentals of Field Representation - Field Representives and the Law

Lunch & Learn: Risky Language

GBA Best Practices: Avoiding Absolutes

GBA Best Practices: Taboo Words

Contract Reference Guide, Fourth Edition

eBrownbag Webinar – Dirty Words click here to get a discount code for free access to the online streaming version of episodes 1-10

Model Daily Field Report for Geotechnical Field Observation

Model Reporting Forms for Geoenvironmental Field Observation

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Summary

In this episode of the DEI series, we will be discussing allies in diversity, equity, and inclusions. Allies can be essential to drive systemic improvements to workplace policies, practices, and culture. But what does it mean to be an ally? How can allies impact the recruitment process? What effect does allyship have on the retention of employees? And what can we do to create more allies?

Our Guest

Charlie Head, PE, PG Founding Principal / Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc. [Link to Profile]

Charlie is a co-founder of Sanborn Head. He serves as the Chair of the company’s board of directors and oversees the implementation of the firm’s strategic plan.

Charlie actively steers initiatives related to the expansion of the firm’s services and markets. Charlie remains active in Sanborn Head’s professional practice, with particular emphasis on environmental assessment and remediation, including due diligence for clients globally. Charlie received his bachelor’s degree in geology from St. Lawrence University, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of New Hampshire, and a master’s degree in civil and groundwater engineering from Colorado State University.

For Charlie, the real thrill of working at Sanborn Head is the creative problem solving and collaboration that fosters deep relationships—among staff and with clients. In his current role, Charlie enjoys focusing on the growth and sustainability of the company and helping to create opportunities for the next generation.

Charlie is a Professional Engineer in Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia; he is a Professional Geologist in New Hampshire.

Topics for discussion include:

Lessons Learned:

Calls-to-action:

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Summary

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a term often used in the workplace, but its meaning is often not well understood. People often mistakenly think that, with the creation of a diverse workplace, inclusion will automatically follow. Yet, inclusion should exist in tandem; it’s the climate where diversity thrives.

In this episode, we will be discussing the how other professions tackle diversity, equity, and inclusions within their organizations and the importance of understanding the needs of your workforce in relation to diversity and inclusion.

Our Guest

Cristina Bartolomei, Senior Program Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / FDA [Link to Profile]

Cristina Bartolomei is an accomplished strategist, speaker, and facilitator, with over a decade of experience in affirmative employment, EEO, and D&I. She attributes her passion for civil rights, social action, and equality to her upbringing in Puerto Rico, where she developed a lifelong passion for social activism. She has channeled this passion throughout her career. As a first-generation professional, she also believes in her role in making civil service accessible for all.

In March 2021, Cristina joined the FDA as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Senior Program Manager, tasked with managing short and long-term FDA-wide DEI initiatives and advising senior management on the development, enhancement, and implementation of projects, practices, and procedures to maintain an inclusive and effective diversity management program. Prior to joining the FDA, she was a Senior Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Civil Rights, where she served as a key player in the development, implementation, and management of DEI programs and initiatives, which included the Inclusion is on US™ campaign and the First-Generation Professionals (FGP) Initiative – first-of-their-kind Federal initiatives promoting an organizational culture that respects, values, and engages all employees, regardless of their cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Topics for discussion include:

Calls-to-action:

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Summary

A GBA member-Firm was hired to perform a geotechnical engineering study of the project site and provide a written report describing its subsurface conditions. This same fir provided construction materials engineering and testing (CoMET) during site development and construction of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall. Failed communication between the field representative, member firm's project manager and the design team during construction of a MSE wall led to cracks in the building slab and in the wall blocks and ultimately a claim.

Our Guest

Dan Schaefer – Vice President/Froehling & Robertson, Inc. (Link to Profile)

Dan has more than 30 years of experience specializing in geotechnical engineering, construction inspection and materials testing, and environmental consulting. In addition to his branch management duties, he continues to serve as a senior engineer on a wide variety of site development, building, and transportation projects with particular emphasis in foundation, retaining wall, pavement and slope design. Dan is actively involved with the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) and has been a member of the GBA CoMET Business Committee for more than 10 years, currently serving as that body’s Chair.

Topics for discussion include:

Calls-to-action:

Subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members: