This message was sent to ##Email## July 31, 2019 Vol. 49 No. 33          Home  |   About Us  |   Membership  |   Resources  |   Events  |   Contact Us Subscribe  |   Archive    GBA NEWS Early Registration Discount Ends August 9, 2019 for GBA Fall CONFERENCE - Register Now! GBA Program Committee Please join us as we continue a yearlong celebration of GBA’s 50th Anniversary and explore the opportunities of BIG DATA at the Fall Conference at the Omni Louisville Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. The agenda has been finalized and you won’t want to miss this one. Please Join Us – October 3-5, 2019 Conference Theme: BIG DATA Means Big Opportunities Conference Details and Registration GBA Member-Firms Cover North America GBA GBA Staff recently worked with Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst Hannah Pothier (Sanborn Head & Associates) to update a multi layered map of North America which highlights member-firm headquarters, local offices, and past conference locations. The information, graphically depicted here indicates GBA Member-Firms cover the United States and Canada, serving large metropolitan areas and smaller cities. Joel Carson, our Executive Director said, “We appreciate the volunteer effort by Ms. Pothier and the support of Sanborn Head. This information emphasizes the impact GBA has on communities large and small and it will help us to more efficiently serve our members through outreach and conference planning.” The information in the GIS Map is captured in the GBA Membership Directory: Read More Fundamental Elements for Project Managers GBA Effective Project Managers are key to the success of all geoprofessional businesses. GBA recognizes development of highly effective Project Managers requires training, experience, and mentorship in numerous areas. GBA has developed, with support of member-firm volunteers, a Project Manager essential skills training course to support and augment training available by member-firms. This 11-module Project Managers course will help you introduce and discuss the essential skills needed as a Project Manager. This covers the following topics: 1. Understanding responsibilities of a Project Manager; 2. Communicating about the project effectively with the client, project     team and management; 3. Generating new business opportunities and winning proposals; 4. Understanding client requirements; 5. Planning the project scope, schedule and budget; 6. Negotiating client contracts; 7. Coordinating project resources (including subs); 8. Monitoring and managing project scope, budget and schedule; 9. Establishing the appropriate quality of deliverables; 10. Monitoring and managing cash flow, including invoicing and collections; and, 11. Leading the project team. Price $500 – FREE to GBA Members Download GBA’s Fundamental Elements for Project Managers: Keynetix User Workshop Scheduled Keynetix Keynetix, a GBA Conference Sponsor, has scheduled their user workshop immediately prior to GBA’s 2019 Fall Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The “Geotechnical Data – A New Era” workshop aims to give business leaders and advanced users thought provoking sessions on the current state of the art for Geotechnical Data Management and investigate new opportunities to increase your competitiveness in a friendly and interactive environment. New and existing technologies are being adopted faster than ever before and the conference is perfectly timed before the GBA’s “Big Data Means Big Opportunities” Conference that runs at the same hotel and starts in the evening of the 3rd of October. Learn More and Register IN CASE YOU MISSED IT GBA The most Popular Article from our last issue of GBA NEWSlog: NEW! GBA BUSINESS BRIEF – Fiscal Year 2018-19 Financial-Performance-Survey Report  EVENTS Future GBA Events: Mark Your Calendars Now Fall Conference 2019: October 3-5, 2019 at the Omni Louisville Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky Winter Leadership Summit 2020: January 25-26, 2020 in Denver, Colorado Spring Conference 2020: April 23-25, 2020 at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Fall Conference 2020: October 22-24, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hotel, in Minneapolis, MN For more information: GBA EVENTS CALENDAR  MEMBER NEWS GCI Names Bruce Savage President, David Caprio to CEO and Celebrates 40 Years Geotechnical Consultants Inc. Geotechnical Consultants Inc. (GCI) recently announced the promotion of Bruce Savage, C.P.G. to president of the company and elevated David Caprio, P.E. to CEO. On June 13th the firm also celebrated its 40th anniversary with an open house honoring founder Dan Longo P.E. Read More Terracon Expands in New York The Kansas City Star Terracon, the Olathe-based engineering consulting company, is expanding its presence across upstate New York. Read More Sanborn Head Welcomes James Chabot, P.E. Sanborn Head Sanborn Head is pleased to announce that James Chabot, P.E. has joined the firm’s Solid Waste Client Service Area as a Vice President. Jim is a professional engineer with 30 years of experience in solid waste engineering and groundwater remediation design. He will be splitting time between our Denver office and his satellite office in Phoenix. Read More Kleinfelder Opens New Oklahoma City Office Kleinfelder Kleinfelder announced it has opened a new office location in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The new space – located at 4149 Highline Blvd., Suite 220, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73108 – strengthens Kleinfelder’s presence in the state where engineers, scientists, and construction professionals are already supporting transportation, energy, and public works projects from the firm’s Tulsa, OK office. Read More WOOD Sponsors Royal Navy Team in World's Toughest Rowing Race WOOD PLC Wood is sponsoring a Royal Navy team that plans to row the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for mental health charities. Four submariners and their boat – HMS Oardacious – are taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which is reckoned to be the world’s toughest rowing race. Read More ECS and Modern Technology: Preserving the Past ECS Engineering Consulting Services (ECS) is providing in-kind contributions of three dimensional (3D) scanning and imaging services at the Oatlands Historic House & Gardens, a National Trust Historic Site, in Leesburg, Virginia. As part of the “Year of Preservation and Restoration,” Oatlands is investing over $400,000 for preservation and renovation work on historic structures located on the plantation over the next year. Read More Ed Alizadeh Featured in 2019 Mid-Year Executive Outlook Rusk O'Brien Gido + Partners, LLC Ed Alizadeh, P.E. was featured in Rusk O'Brien Gido + Partners, LLC's 2019 Mid-Year Executive Outlook. Read More CEC Partnered with TWF on Creek Restoration Project Civil and Environmental Consultants CEC partnered with the Tennessee Wildlife Federation to implement an ecosystem restoration project along Paint Rock Creek and floodplain wetlands in Roane County, TN. The project was constructed during the winter of 2019 and was promptly tested by historic flooding. Watch the video at link below for a look at the project. CEC provided survey, permitting, design, and construction oversight services. Watch Video Pier Reconfiguration-A Seismic Focus Hart Crowser Local ports must evolve to meet industry needs, or ships and jobs will simply go elsewhere. The Northwest Seaport Alliance (the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle) needed to accommodate some of the largest shipping vessels in the world. A 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) Ultra-Large Container Ship is longer than two Space Needles, and the Port of Tacoma’s General Central Peninsula couldn’t accommodate such a vessel. Part of the reason was that Pier 4 stuck out diagonally into the Blair Waterway, narrowing the waterway and creating a chokepoint. Read More  BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Arthur “Art” Hoffmann, P.E., D.GE (Gannett Fleming, Inc./ Harrisburg, PA), 717/763-7211 President-Elect: Kenneth R. "Ken" Johnston, (GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. / Norwood, MA), 781/278-3700 Secretary/Treasurer: Thomas W. "Tom" Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE (Blackburn Consulting / Auburn, CA), 530/887-1494 Directors: Saiid Behboodi, P.E., G.E., (PBS Engineering + Environmental / Portland, OR), 503/417-7707 Chuck A. Gregory, P.E. (Terracon / San Antonio, TX), 210/641-2112 Christopher Matthew "Matt" Moler, P.E. (S&ME, Inc. / Greensboro, NC), 336/553-1245 Leo J. Titus, Jr. P.E., (ECS, Ltd. / Chantilly, VA), 703/471-8400 Martin LaRoche, P. Eng, M.Sc. (SNC-Lavalin / Montreal, Canada) Matthew "Matt" R. Poirier, P.E. (Sanborn Head & Associates, Inc. Concord, NH)  INDUSTRY NEWS Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Architect and Engineers because Plaintiff Failed to Timely File Supporting Expert Witness Affidavit Texas Commercial Litigator In Texas, a plaintiff filing a lawsuit pertaining to a construction project for damages arising out of the provision of services by licensed design professionals such as architects or engineers, must file an affidavit by a competent expert with the lawsuit supporting the claims against these professionals. Otherwise, the lawsuit will be dismissed. Read More Bridges Should Be Beautiful TEDTalk by Ian Firth Bridges need to be functional, safe and durable, but they should also be elegant and beautiful, says structural engineer Ian Firth. In a mesmerizing tour of bridges old and new, Firth explores the potential for innovation and variety in this essential structure -- and how spectacular ones reveal our connectivity, unleash our creativity and hint at our identity. View Short Video Here: 7 Environmental Remediation Trends and Why They're Important Blue & Green With the perils of human encroachment, environmental remediation services help to offset the related damage, preserving natural habitats and restoring balance to sensitive ecosystems. Through these efforts, progress is possible. In 2019, the subject of habitat remediation has received even greater attention. Given the rapid rate of deforestation, the mass bleaching of coral reefs and other environmental crises, the necessity of restoration is inarguable. Fortunately, a diverse variety of technologies exist for the purpose of rehabilitation. Read More Don't Forget the Basics of Documenting Employee Performance Employment Law Report Documentation is critical in communicating clear objections to employees for better performance. Should a dispute arise that results in litigation, how well the employee’s performance was documented can be the different in winning or losing the litigation. You’ve probably heard these before, but these five reminders are a must for documenting employee performance. Read More "Smart" dust and other Wild Tech Ideas that Could Become Major Breakthroughs in the Next Decade CNBC Smart dust and other wild tech ideas that could become major breakthroughs in the next decade. Read More Engineering Change Lab - Summit 6 Held Engineering Change Lab - USA (ECL-USA) Summit 6 was held recently at the Berkeley City Club in Berkeley, CA. Summit 6 was a joint summit with ECL-Canada. 50 participants from across the United States were joined by 20 participants from Canada. The program content for Summit 6 included provocations and extended discussion on engineering ethics in a world of rapid technological change and engineering entrepreneurship. The vision of ECL-USA continues to be focused on the future of the engineering profession. A full report on the summit is under preparation now and will be sent out as soon as it is completed. The following Challenge, Imperative and Mission Statements capture the reasons that ECL is important. CHALLENGE The world is experiencing an unprecedented and growing wave of change. Accelerating technological progress, rapidly evolving societal needs and expectations, and growing environmental imperatives, including climate change, all present significant, fundamental challenges and opportunities. IMPERATIVE Maintaining the status quo of the engineering community is no longer an option. By engaging our robust technical knowledge and innate problem-solving skills with committed leadership, the engineering community can serve as stewards of technology, the natural environment, and the public health, safety and welfare as an uncertain future unfolds. The time is now to drive the system-wide changes that will support the engineering community in execution of this vital role. MISSION The Engineering Change Lab - USA is a catalyst for change within the engineering community, helping it reach its highest potential on behalf of society. Read More 50 Amazing Details about the Apollo 11 Moon Landing on Its 50th Anniversary Interesting Engineering As we have been so vividly reminded over the last few week in print and media, 50 years ago humanity set foot on the moon for the first time. It was one of the greatest feats of engineering ever accomplished. Some of the facts of the moon landing are well known, while others may surprise you. Read More When Is a Phone Call Better Than an Email? 6 Times When You Should Take It Offline HubSpot Do you communicate better with the written word? Afterall, it gives you time to think. And these days, it gives you a screen to hide behind when I you have to confront an uncomfortable topic -- making the situation much less awkward. But, there are times when it is better to actually make a phone call. Read More Business (and Life) Lessons from Rock Business Lessons from Rock There is a Business (and life) Lessons website, that helps connect the dots between business, life and rock & roll! It presents a variety of business-and-music-related topics in its “notes” section. In a preview video of a book on the topic it points out that great bands such as the Beatles, like great businesses, are radical innovators, passionate and inspired about their work—and they have fun; manage differences and capitalize on conflict; have distinct personality, identity, and brand; ambitious, focused, and result-driven, despite stereotypes to the contrary; self-determined and independent-minded; and show how to instill—or liberate—these abilities in our organizational teams. Check It Out 1 In 4 Americans Say They'll Never Retire CBS NEWS Nearly one-quarter of Americans say they never plan to retire, according to a poll that suggests a disconnection between individuals' retirement plans and the realities of aging in the workforce. Experts say illness, injury, layoffs and caregiving responsibilities often force older workers to leave their jobs sooner than they'd like. Read More and Watch Video Science Says This Is the Simplest Way to Remember More of What You Read Inc. Whether it's Facebook content, Bill Gates' favorite book, or the latest critical business report, most of us enjoy reading or have to do quite a bit of it through the day. But in the rush to do everything in less time, you might be missing a crazily simple way to commit more content to memory. Just go back and give yourself a little time to reflect on what you just read. Read More DOT Picks Winners for $856 Million in New INFRA Grants ENR The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has selected 20 projects—for highway, bridge, port and rail improvements—to share $856 million in the latest round of its highly competitive INFRA grant program. [View DOT fact sheets on each winning project here.] Read More A Futurist Reveals the Biggest Ways Tech Will Transform Our Lives in the Next 5 Years Business Insider In the not too distant future, your next checkup could be conducted by a virtual doctor. And your smartphone will not only have access to digital assistants like Alexa and Siri, but also vastly intelligent artificial intelligence systems that are capable of doing much more than reciting the weather or fetching answers to questions. Read More Words of Wisdom “Scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that never has been.” -Theodore von Karman 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  Barbara A. 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