This message was sent to ##Email## Vol. 50 No. 26          Home  |   About Us  |   Membership  |   Resources  |   Events  |   Contact Us Subscribe  |   Archive    GBA NEWS We Were Hacked! Cyber Attack Causes Total Business Disruption Business Practices Committee A Member-Firm with multiple offices became the victim of foreign hacking enterprise. When an employee of the firm opened an email from an unsuspected contact, and clicked on a link, the hackers reached the Firm’s management systems. Once they got access to the systems, the infiltrators spent months learning about the operations, information storage and data, unbeknownst to anyone. After obtaining and securing all that they needed, they locked the access to the IT systems, including emails and files and demanded seven-figure sum of money to release the records. What happens next? Case Histories are real-life stories about GBA member-firm experiences. They provide background, problems, outcomes, and lessons learned. There is no easier way to learn expensive and time-consuming lessons than from others that went through the pain first and shared their experiences so we can all learn. GBA Case Histories are free to all members.  READ MORE Best Practices — Helps You Write Right Resource Collaboration Committee “Slipshod synonyms” (a.k.a. careless, sloppy, botched, faulty, inaccurate synonyms) are words that are used incorrectly in written and oral communication, from the belief they mean something that other words mean. One of the most common of these shows up only in writing it’s, when used to indicate the possessive form of it; i.e., “It’s areas of expansive soil will increase construction costs at the site.” In fact, it’s is a contraction that means “it is.” The possessive form of it is its, meaning that only “Its areas of expansive soil …” is correct. GBA Best Practices: Slipshod Synonyms provides important guidance that will increase your awareness of these challenging words and help you avoid mistakes in proposals, reports, client communications and other communication to help you manage risk. The GBA Best Practices series of documents, available to members only, provides guidance on geoprofessional business-practice issues.  READ MORE New Podcast Series Explores DEI DEI Committee & Emerging Leaders Class 4 Join us in the first episode of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion series as we discuss key points, highlights and valuable findings presented in the GBA Authored GeoStrata article: The Pipeline to Diversity and Inclusion in the Geoprofessions. This is the first of a four part series that will help you understand where the workforce of the future is coming from, and how to recruit and retain diverse voices for your company. Listen to the DEI Podcast: HERE It's Not Too Late to Join Us! Spring Conference April 20-23 Join your fellow industry professionals from across North America and beyond for GBA’s virtually delivered 2021 Spring Conference. During this Conference, we will explore emerging risks that impact geoprofessional firms in 2021. They include: Cybersecurity Risk Declining Backlog Risk Employee Stress and Burnout New Approaches to Litigation Team Engagement Educate your entire team with access to the exceptional line-up of distinguished speakers, who will provide valuable take-aways benefiting your firm and each staff member. More Information and Register Now: 2021 Spring Conference Welcome New Members On behalf of the GBA Board of Directors and staff, we welcome the following members to our Association. Endpoint Solutions Services offered by Endpoint are a combination of traditional and specialized environmental, health and safety consulting services. Utilizing their extensive experience, delivery of technical solutions and high level of customer service, the members of Endpoint have developed solid and long-lasting business relationships with past and existing clients, Learn More: endpointcorporation.com QK, Inc. Since 1972, QK has been helping California grow into the communities we see today. Our company was built by strong values, talented people, and the widespread recognition of our work in the field. We continue to help clients across the state by managing their most challenging infrastructure projects. Learn More: qkinc.com Somat Engineering Somat Engineering, Inc. (Somat) is an award-winning infrastructure solutions provider, offering engineering, environmental, and management services. Learn More: somateng.com We are growing. To learn more about GBA Membership, please visit: MEMBERSHIP IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Check out the special issue of GBA NEWSlog as it was very popular with our readers. Special Issue of GBA NEWSlog – 01April2021  EVENTS Future GBA Events: Mark Your Calendars Now 2021 GBA Spring Conference: April 20-23, 2021 - A Virtual Event 2021 GBA Fall Conference: October 21-23, 2021 - Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort 2022 GBA Spring Conference: April 7-9, 2022 - Marriott Marquis, San Diego, CA For more information: GBA EVENTS CALENDAR  MEMBER NEWS Universal Engineering Sciences Acquires Summit Engineering, Laboratory & Testing, P.C. in North and South Carolina Universal Engineering Sciences Universal Engineering Sciences® (UES), a nationwide leader in geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, building code compliance, threshold inspections and environmental consulting, has acquired SUMMIT Engineering, Laboratory & Testing, P.C. (SUMMIT), a leading multi-disciplinary engineering firm based in the Carolinas. With 150 employees in five offices, including Charlotte and Raleigh, NC, and Columbia, Greenville and Charleston, SC, this acquisition will further strengthen UES’ coast to coast presence and bolster UES’ existing office in Charlotte. As part of the acquisition and integration with UES, SUMMIT’s executive management team, senior engineering and technical staff will remain and continue to be key to the company’s successful client focused mission and future growth.  READ MORE Terracon Acquires Sport Environmental Services of Texas Yahoo! Finance Terracon is pleased to announce it has acquired Sport Environmental Services LLC (Sport) of Midland, Texas, which provides environmental services and consulting to energy production/oil and gas clients in West Texas and the Permian Basin. For more than a decade, Sport has delivered comprehensive services including environmental site assessments, air permitting, water well testing, soil and water remediation, spill prevention control and countermeasure (SPCC), and litigation support, to large oil and gas corporations and small, independent energy firms alike. "Sport is a trusted advisor to oil and gas companies in helping them navigate complex environmental regulations," said Gayle Packer, Terracon president and CEO. "We are excited for their team of experts to join with our offices in Midland and across Texas, further enhancing our environmental services in this area."  READ MORE Weston & Sampson Announces Leadership Transition Weston & Sampson Weston & Sampson, an interdisciplinary firm with more than 700 employees and nationally ranked among the top 140 design firms in the US by ENR, is excited to announce the transition of the role of Chief Executive Officer from Michael Scipione, PE, to Frank Ricciardi, PE, LSP in 2022. Weston & Sampson has been working proactively and thoughtfully on succession planning to ensure a successful shift in leadership. In the coming year, Frank will continue to work closely with Mike and our corporate leadership team for a seamless transition when he formally takes on the role of CEO in 2022. Since 2005, Mike has served as CEO and has been instrumental in the firm’s success and growth. Guided by his leadership, Weston & Sampson diversified services centered on the needs of our clients to include energy (renewables, gas, efficiency), climate resiliency, facilities design, and landscape architecture while strengthening our practices in environmental, transportation, water and wastewater engineering, as well as operations and construction. Mike has led the geographic growth of the firm with additional offices throughout the Northeast, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Going forward, Mike will shift to a client-facing focus, bringing his technical expertise, consulting experience, and problem-solving skills to support our clients’ environmental and infrastructure projects. Congratulate Frank Ricciardi: HERE  READ MORE Fugro Nominates Barbara Geelen as New CFO Fugro The Supervisory Board of Fugro N.V. has decided to nominate Barbara Geelen for appointment as member of the Board of Management and Chief Financial Officer per 12 May 2021. She has been Chief Financial Officer at HES International for the past seven years. Barbara Geelen will succeed Paul Verhagen, who steps down as CFO at the upcoming general meeting of shareholders to become CFO at ASM International.  READ MORE Allis, Daly, Deller, and Pittari Named Gannett Fleming Stockholders Gannett Fleming Gannett Fleming is pleased to announce its newest stockholders - recognized leaders who drive innovation, strengthen client relationships, and advance the employee-centered culture at Gannett Fleming. With demonstrated integrity and a commitment to corporate values, these individuals have made significant contributions to the success of the firm: Ned Allis, CDP, Vice President, Valuation and Rate Audrey Daly, Esq., Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Ethics Officer Steven Deller, PE, P.Eng, ENV SP, Department Manager, Sr. Project Manager, Structures Paul Pittari, PE, Vice President, Area Manager, Construction Services  READ MORE The 50K Coalition and Terracon Foundation Announce Partnership Terracon The 50K Coalition and the Terracon Foundation announce a partnership between the organizations, intended to advance the 50K Coalition’s goal of producing 50,000 diverse engineers annually by 2025. The partnership was established through a generous $50,000 National Partner Grant from the Terracon Foundation. The Terracon Foundation encourages employees to submit grant requests each year for organizations focused on education and the built and natural environment. To date, the Terracon Foundation has granted more than $3 million to community organizations, universities, dependents of employees, and for disaster relief efforts.  READ MORE 2021 Women in Construction: Tulin Fuselier, PE, Geotechnical Practice Leader, Weston & Sampson NEREJ What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? As a geotechnical practice leader, my greatest professional achievement has been helping lead several climate resilience projects in the City of Boston to help prepare for the effects of climate change and sea level rise. I’ve worked on resilient designs at Langone Park & Puopolo Playground in the North End, the 60-acre Moakley Park flood barrier in South Boston, and East Boston’s waterfront flood protection design, as well as the new Boston City Hall plaza project. I’ve also led and grown our geotechnical team while navigating through the pandemic. It’s been rewarding to see our geotechnical staff and qualifications expand throughout Boston and along the eastern seaboard. Send Tulin a message: HERE  READ MORE Dave Watson Joins Kleinfelder Kleinfelder Dave Watson has joined Kleinfelder – a leading engineering, construction management, design, and environmental professional services firm – as Vice President for Project/Construction Management. Focused on growing the business in Northern California, Watson will partner with operations teams across the region to drive technical excellence on high profile, demanding projects and expand Kleinfelder’s portfolio of large project management and construction management contracts.  READ MORE Introducing Our Next Generation of Employee Owners VHB VHB is an employee-owned, Generational Company dedicated to expanding employee ownership to new Principals and Associates. Each year, we recognize a group of high-performing VHBers for their outstanding accomplishments, dedication to our core values, and leadership in growing our Generational Company. We’re proud to introduce you to our 2021 Principals, who are advancing on their ownership path, and Associates, who are celebrating an important career milestone becoming VHB owners. Congratulations to these passionate, innovative, and inspired professionals!  INDUSTRY NEWS Bosses Are Clueless: Employees Are Miserable and Looking to Leave Bloomberg Microsoft study finds 41% of workers may quit this year, while business leaders are “out of touch” and disconnected from their employees.  READ MORE Billions of Cicadas Set to Swarm Parts of 15 States, DC USA Today It's a debut that's been 17 years in the making, and in a matter of weeks, it's one that will grab the attention of millions of Americans. Billions of periodical cicadas will emerge across 15 states and Washington, D.C., with some possibly coming out as early as late-April or the first week of May, said Gene Kritsky, a periodical cicada expert and dean of Behavioral and Natural Sciences at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati.  READ MORE Cultivate a Second Life for Decommissioned Power Plants AreaDevelopment Opportunity knocks! As the need for industrial development grows and requirements for coal-fired decommissioning increase, land repositioning can offer a mutually beneficial solution. Financial Targets Don't Motivate Employees Harvard Business Review Would you be excited if your boss started a meeting saying: “I want to remind you that you’re a cog in a machine whose primary purpose is to hit our financial targets?"  READ MORE A "Noble" Engineering Purpose ECL USA Engineering Change Lab USA Summit 11 explored the noble purpose of the engineering community in responding to climate change. The summit entitled “The Imperative of Climate Change and the Future of Engineering”, was held on March 22, 2021.  READ MORE Since When Do Earthquakes Constitute Weather? The Weather Network It drives us a little bit nuts to see earthquakes featured on the Weather Network. Nonetheless, a recent feature clip looking back on Alaska's Good Friday earthquake of 1964, the second most powerful earthquake in the modern record is worth a look.  READ MORE Bentley Systems Leapfrogs into 3D Geological Modeling with Billion Dollar Acquisition Engingeering.com Seequent will help Bentley rule infrastructure with above-ground and below-ground modeling.  READ MORE Words of Wisdom "Do what you love in the service of people who love what you do.” - Steve Farber (Keynote for GBA’s 2021 Spring Conference)  BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Kenneth R. "Ken" Johnston, (GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. / Norwood, MA), 781/278-3700 President-Elect: Thomas W. "Tom" Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE (Blackburn Consulting / Auburn, CA), 530/887-1494 Secretary/Treasurer: Leo J. Titus, Jr. P.E., (ECS, Ltd. / Chantilly, VA), 703/471-8400 Directors: Chuck A. Gregory, P.E. (Terracon / San Antonio, TX), 210/641-2112 Martin LaRoche, P. Eng, M.Sc. (Kiewit / Montreal, Canada) Guy Marcozzi, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, F. ASCE (Duffield Associates, Inc. / Wilmington, DE) 302/ 239-6634 Christopher Matthew "Matt" Moler, P.E. (S&ME, Inc. / Greensboro, NC), 336/553-1245 Steve Wendland, P.G. Steve Wendland, P.E., R.G., D.GE ( GeoEngineers, Inc. / Prairie Village, KS ) 913/475-5851 NEWSlog Connect with GBA Recent Issues | Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Web Version   GBA Staff: Joel G. Carson, Executive Director, 301-565-2733 (office) | 402-517-1819 (cell) Sara Menase, Program Manager, 301-565-2733  Phillip D. Pettway, Controller, 301-565-2733  Barb Nappy, Program Director, 301-565-2733 (office) | 727-457-2272 (cell) Geoprofessional Business Association 15800 Crabbs Branch Way, Suite 300  | Rockville, MD 20855 | 301-565-2733 | Contact Us  About GBA The Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) helps its members and their clients confront risk and optimize business performance by delivering unique professional resources, programs, and services that make them stronger, smarter and more successful. Learn how to add us to your safe-sender list so our e-mails get to your inbox. 7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063