GBA Podcast

Geoprofessional Business Association
GBA Podcast

Welcome to the GBA Podcast, where we present information and expertise from geoprofessionals around the globe to provide you with wisdom and insight to help in your pursuit of knowledge.   GBA was founded over 50 years ago to serve geotechnical, environmental, and other geoprofessionals by giving them proven tools to achieve business success by confronting risk and optimizing performance.

  1. GeoHeroes - Mark Kramer

    NOV 27

    GeoHeroes - Mark Kramer

    GeoHeroes - Mark Kramer About This Episode In this episode Guy Marcozzi interviews Mark Kramer, a successful geotechnical engineer and CEO of SME. The conversation explores Kramer's career path, including his childhood experiences and educational background, highlighting the influence of his father and a pivotal college professor. He discusses the challenges and rewards of the geotechnical engineering profession, offering advice to aspiring professionals on building confidence and communication skills. Kramer also shares his perspectives on technological advancements, particularly AI, and its potential impact on the field in the coming decades. Finally, he addresses the issue of attracting new talent to the industry. Series Summary In this podcast series Guy Marcozzi will interview past, present, and future leaders in the geoprofessional industry to explore their personal and career journeys. The goal is 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. About Our Guest Mark Kramer - Mark Kramer is CEO and Chairman of the Board of SME, a leading civil engineering and environmental services consulting firm headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan. SME has 15 offices in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Since 2002, he has led SME as the CEO and he has grown SME to over 380 professional and technical staff. The firm has continually been ranked among the top 500 design firms within the United States by the Engineering News Record (ENR) and is currently ranked at 289 in the country. Under his leadership the company has won numerous awards for employee engagement and client satisfaction including recently be named the overall winner of Best and Brightest firms to work for in SE Michigan two years in a row as well as being named a national winner for a number of years. Our Host Guy Marcozzi – Guy Marcozzi is the current GBA president and an experienced CEO, President and Board Member with a demonstrated history of working in the engineering, science and data technology industries and in leadership for various boards of ESOP, non-profit, professional and business organizations. Discussion Topics: Introduction (0:00 - 2:18) Early Life and Career Influences (2:19 - 13:50) Defining the "Master Builder" in the Modern Age (13:51 - 18:40) Disruptive Technologies and Their Impact (18:41 - 25:45) The Future of the Geoprofessional Industry (25:46 - 34:10) [BOOK] Who Not How by Dan Sullivan [BOOK] Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times by Rebecca Homkes Personal Reflections and Advice (34:11 - 41:30) Conclusion (41:31 - 43:40) Calls-to-action: Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member. Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes Contact us at info@geoprofessional.org with any podcast-related questions or comments Subscribe Subscribe to the GBA Podcast https://www.gbapodcast.com/subscribe This episode was produced by the following GBA Members: Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental LLC

    32 min
  2. #2 - Management Best Practices - Professional Goal Setting

    NOV 25

    #2 - Management Best Practices - Professional Goal Setting

    Management Best Practices - Professional Goal Setting About This Episode In the second episode of the Management Best Practices series Craig Hill interviews Marcus Dudley, a program manager at Kleinfeld. They discuss effective goal-setting strategies for managers and employees. Dudley emphasizes the importance of "stretch goals" that push individuals outside their comfort zones, promoting growth. He differentiates between long-term career goals and short-term performance goals, suggesting the latter can serve the former. The discussion covers various goal-setting frameworks (SMART, HARD), highlighting the need for measurable, time-bound goals with regular check-ins and manager facilitation, but ultimately emphasizing employee self-motivation and ownership. Finally, Dudley addresses adapting goals based on changing circumstances and individual needs. Series Summary 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 series highlights a handful of those responsibilities, the challenges that can go along with them, and best practices for navigating through them. The episodes in this series will provide valuable advice for new as well as seasoned managers or supervisors. Our Host Craig Hill – Environmental Project Manager/Kleinfelder. Craig has 24 years of experience in the environmental field as both a regulator and consultant. During that time he has managed a number of staff at various levels in their careers. About Our Guest Marcus Dudley – Senior Project Manager/Kleinfelder. Marcus Dudley is a program manager at Kleinfelder with 20 years of experience in consulting and managing employees. He is passionate about effective goal setting and is considered a champion of the topic. He has mentored employees at all career stages in the goal-setting process. Lessons Learned: Introduction and Defining Goals Distinguishing Between Career Goals and Performance Goals The Manager's Role in Facilitating Goal Setting Nurturing Goal Adherence in New Staff Members Clarifying Accountability for Goal Achievement Exploring Goal-Setting Schemes and Their Significance The Importance of Flexibility and Adaptability in Goal Setting Addressing Challenges in Goal Setting: Inexperienced and Disengaged Employees Navigating Inappropriate Goal Submissions Conclusion and Recommended Resources Calls-to-action: Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member. Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes Contact us at info@geoprofessional.org with any podcast-related questions or comments Subscribe Subscribe to the GBA Podcast https://www.gbapodcast.com/subscribe This episode was produced by the following GBA Members: Criag Hill – Environmental Project Manager/Kleinfelder Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental LLC

    1h 8m
  3. #3 - Leadership Lounge - Inspiring Leaders to Bring Out the Best in Their Teams

    OCT 23

    #3 - Leadership Lounge - Inspiring Leaders to Bring Out the Best in Their Teams

    Leadership Lounge - Inspiring Leaders to Bring Out the Best in Their Teams About This Episode Tiffany and Ryan interview Val Ries, founder of Executive Muse, which offers individual and group coaching and training programs focused on leadership development and author of the book "Chief Inspiration Officer." She emphasizes the importance of communication, acknowledging and validating, and understanding different communication styles through DISC assessments. Ries highlights the significance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in leadership and offers practical advice for becoming a more effective leader, including the importance of self-reflection, resilience, and understanding one's own emotions and the emotions of others. She also provides information on her book, which outlines her approach to leadership development. Series Summary In the Leadership Lounge hosts Tiffany Vorhies and Ryan White have conversations with business coaches and share ideas to elevate your team. Have you ever wondered how a skilled coach might be able to help you or your firm? Well, you're in the right place! In each episode we sit down with a business coach who shares their tools, insights, and practical tips. From personal coaches to strategy planning specialists and even a hostage negotiator who coaches on listening. We will explore topics like the ROI of coaching, how investing in coaching pays dividends beyond the balance sheet. Effective execution, how coaches can help your team stay on task and complete those lofty goals. Innovation igniters, unleashing creativity within corporate walls. Culture crafting, shaping cultures that attract and retain your top talent. Together, let's go on a journey of insight, inspiration, and impact. Remember, success in business is a team sport. And our coaches know how to write a game plan for business victory. About Our Guest Val Ries Val Ries is the best-selling author of Chief Inspiration Officer - How to Lead the Team Everyone Wants to Be On and the founder of Executive Muse. She has trained and coached over 10,000 leaders across start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, and well-known brands like Facebook, Amazon, and Gonzaga University. "Chief Inspiration Officer" is required reading in MBA programs, and her training has helped clients achieve remarkable results like doubling employee engagement scores, reducing attrition by over 10 million dollars, and boosting productivity by over $100 million and counting. Our Hosts Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2, PMP – Principal/Vice PresidentSME Project management professional with twenty-five years of experience related to the built environment. Tiffany manages a department that specializes in weld and concrete reviews. A large part of what they do is related to fabrication oversight prior to construction. Then they also follow the life cycle of the structures through the building phase, and into the maintenance phase. From lighting structures and sign trusses over the highway, to culverts and bridges underneath it, we work with owners to protect their assets. Tiffany's specialties include program management of multi-year projects, including contract and scope negotiation, laboratory/field testing, data collection, and quality assurance of data. Our projects typically include Certified Welding Inspectors, nondestructive testing specialists, Prestressed concrete specialists, engineers, and laboratory technicians. Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental LLC As PBS’ Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Ryan is regularly involved with all aspects of geotechnical projects, from exploration through construction, with wide-ranging scopes and complexity. Ryan leads the PBS geotechnical engineering team, bringing over 27 years of experience in successful project management and engineering in areas such as shallow and deep foundation design; slope stability evaluation, monitoring, and stabilization; shoring; reta

    52 min
  4. #2 - Leadership Lounge - Building the People and the Teams that Build Your Projects

    OCT 16

    #2 - Leadership Lounge - Building the People and the Teams that Build Your Projects

    Leadership Lounge - Building the People and the Teams that Build Your Projects About This Episode In this episode, we interview with Sydney Jacques, a business coach who specializes in leadership and team development, particularly within the engineering and construction industries. Jacques discusses her career journey, her coaching philosophy, and several frameworks she uses to improve team communication, address conflict, and foster a positive work environment. Series Summary In the Leadership Lounge hosts Tiffany Vorhies and Ryan White have conversations with business coaches and share ideas to elevate your team. Have you ever wondered how a skilled coach might be able to help you or your firm? Well, you're in the right place! In each episode we sit down with a business coach who shares their tools, insights, and practical tips. From personal coaches to strategy planning specialists and even a hostage negotiator who coaches on listening. We will explore topics like the ROI of coaching, how investing in coaching pays dividends beyond the balance sheet. Effective execution, how coaches can help your team stay on task and complete those lofty goals. Innovation igniters, unleashing creativity within corporate walls. Culture crafting, shaping cultures that attract and retain your top talent. Together, let's go on a journey of insight, inspiration, and impact. Remember, success in business is a team sport. And our coaches know how to write a game plan for business victory. About Our Guest Sydne Jacques, PE, CSP Sydne Jacques is a dynamic and highly sought-after professional speaker, renowned for her ability to inspire and empower individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. With her captivating stage presence and compelling storytelling, Sydne leaves a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. Instead of focusing on building projects, Sydne Jacques focuses on building the people and the teams that build your projects. With today’s shrinking workforce, it’s more important than ever to retain your key workers. Sydne has worked with over 600 different teams and organizations in the construction industry. Her strategy to develop cultures of increased trust and communication consistently results in higher levels of engagement and buy-in, lower rates of turnover and increased profitability. Sydne is the CEO of Next Level Leadership, is a professional engineer turned professional speaker and consultant, often referred to as "the engineer with a personality." Her leadership has led to the establishment of an award-winning company with clients spanning across the globe, including Japan, Korea and Guam. With a track record of training over 20,000 individuals and collaborating with more than 600 teams, Sydne has made a significant impact in the industry. Our Hosts Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2, PMP – Principal/Vice PresidentSME Project management professional with twenty-five years of experience related to the built environment. Tiffany manages a department that specializes in weld and concrete reviews. A large part of what they do is related to fabrication oversight prior to construction. Then they also follow the life cycle of the structures through the building phase, and into the maintenance phase. From lighting structures and sign trusses over the highway, to culverts and bridges underneath it, we work with owners to protect their assets. Tiffany's specialties include program management of multi-year projects, including contract and scope negotiation, laboratory/field testing, data collection, and quality assurance of data. Our projects typically include Certified Welding Inspectors, nondestructive testing specialists, Prestressed concrete specialists, engineers, and laboratory technicians. Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental LLC As PBS’ Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Ryan is regularly involved with all aspects of geotechnical projects, from ex

    37 min
  5. #114 - Case History - Geophysics Provides the Confidence to Build

    JUN 11

    #114 - Case History - Geophysics Provides the Confidence to Build

    GBA Case History Series – Case History #114 - Geophysics Provides the Confidence to Build Summary In this episode, we explore how Siemens Associates turned an “unbuildable” site into a construction-ready plot using advanced geophysical exploration. Initially, a school’s building plan hit a roadblock when a non-GBA member firm’s study flagged variable surface conditions and air-filled voids, rendering the site unfeasible. However, the drilling method used was unreliable, causing uncertainties. Enter a second geotechnical and geophysics firm with a fresh perspective, Siemens Associates. They executed a high-resolution electrical resistivity survey, followed by traditional drilling. This savvy approach cut drilling costs and pinpointed problem areas with surgical precision. The 3D survey unveiled a clear subsurface picture, showing only minor anomalies within the project footprint. Sonic drilling validated the presence of pumicite, a fickle rock, but no alarming voids. This meticulous assessment flipped the initial verdict, proving the site buildable. Tune in to discover how cutting-edge geophysics and diligent geotechnical work transformed a seemingly doomed project into a roaring success. Our Host Elizabeth Brown, PE – National Practice Manager - Geotechnical/Atlas Technical Consultants Atlas Technical Consultants (Link to Profile) - 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. Our Guest Andy Siemens, PE, GE – Principal Engineer /Siemens & Associates (Link to Profile) Andy Siemens is the Principal Engineer at Siemens Associates, renowned for his expertise in structural and civil engineering. With a degree in Civil Engineering and a Professional Engineer (PE) license, he oversees complex projects, manages teams, and ensures high-quality outcomes. Andy excels in client interaction, innovative problem-solving, and mentoring young engineers. His notable achievements include multiple awards, industry publications, and contributions to high-profile infrastructure projects, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in engineering. Lessons Learned Reliance on traditional subsurface investigation methods aren’t always effective. Novel uses of lesser-known, geophysical methods can effectively guide traditional exploration, leading to confident geotechnical recommendations. In this case, it was clear that incorporating a geophysical component offered significant benefits early on, in the exploration/planning stage. Explore different drilling methods and be strategic with the location of borings. A strategic boring pattern is crucial to preserving the exploration budget, especially when dealing with proposed rectangular footprints. Before starting traditional exploration, consider how effectively you’ll be able to interpret conditions between borings. If this seems challenging, it might be time to consult with a geophysicist. Assess if your site has sensitive terrain, difficult access, or other challenging conditions for wielding or tracking equipment. Geophysics can be accomplished anywhere you can walk or float, often more economically than building special access or obtaining permits. Engage geophysics services with care and consideration. Calls-to-action: Download Case History #114: https://www.geoprofessional.org/product/gba-case-history-no-114/ Visit the following link to access all of GBA’s Case Histories: https://www.geoprofessional.org/gba-case-histories/ An account is required to download the individual Case Histories, which are free for GBA Member Firms. Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other traini

    20 min
  6. #1 - Leadership Lounge - How to Communicate Like a Hostage Negotiator

    FEB 27

    #1 - Leadership Lounge - How to Communicate Like a Hostage Negotiator

    Leadership Lounge - How to Communicate Like a Hostage Negotiator About This Episode In this episode, we learn from a master negotiator about how to communicate more effectively through building cultures founded on emotional communication, active listening, and relationship-based negotiations. It doesn't matter if you are left-brain dominant, you can learn the right-brained skills necessary to become a better communicator. Dan talks about how every conversation is a negotiation, why storytelling is important in communication, and finally, he provides some practical advice to start developing and implementing these skills immediately. Series Summary In the Leadership Lounge hosts Tiffany Vorhies and Ryan White have conversations with business coaches and share ideas to elevate your team. Have you ever wondered how a skilled coach might be able to help you or your firm? Well, you're in the right place! In each episode we sit down with a business coach who shares their tools, insights, and practical tips. From personal coaches to strategy planning specialists and even a hostage negotiator who coaches on listening. We will explore topics like the ROI of coaching, how investing in coaching pays dividends beyond the balance sheet. Effective execution, how coaches can help your team stay on task and complete those lofty goals. Innovation igniters, unleashing creativity within corporate walls. Culture crafting, shaping cultures that attract and retain your top talent. Together, let's go on a journey of insight, inspiration, and impact. Remember, success in business is a team sport. And our coaches know how to write a game plan for business victory. About Our Guest Dan Oblinger – Consulting Negotiator/Leadercraft Dan Oblinger is a hostage negotiator commander, author, international keynote speaker, and consulting business negotiator. He specializes in working with architects, engineers, and construction managers. Whether speaking at conferences, facilitating workshops for active listening and negotiation skills, or coaching and consulting with companies to build strong agreements, Dan loves to share his craft and enhance culture. As a workshop trainer, Oblinger is a cornerstone of emerging leader programs for American Council of Engineering Companies chapters in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio, North Dakota, New Jersey, Iowa, and Georgia. He regularly speaks for NSPE, ACEC, AIA, SMPS, AGC, SEI Reunions, Surety/Risk Management, and other specialty design/build audiences. Our Hosts Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2, PMP – Principal/Vice PresidentSME Project management professional with twenty-five years of experience related to the built environment. Tiffany manages a department that specializes in weld and concrete reviews. A large part of what they do is related to fabrication oversight prior to construction. Then they also follow the life cycle of the structures through the building phase, and into the maintenance phase. From lighting structures and sign trusses over the highway, to culverts and bridges underneath it, we work with owners to protect their assets. Tiffany's specialties include program management of multi-year projects, including contract and scope negotiation, laboratory/field testing, data collection, and quality assurance of data. Our projects typically include Certified Welding Inspectors, nondestructive testing specialists, Prestressed concrete specialists, engineers, and laboratory technicians. Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental Inc. As PBS’ Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Ryan is regularly involved with all aspects of geotechnical projects, from exploration through construction, with wide-ranging scopes and complexity. Ryan leads the PBS geotechnical engineering team, bringing over 27 years of experience in successful project management and engineering in areas such as shallow and deep foundation design; slope stability evalu

    1h 1m
5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Welcome to the GBA Podcast, where we present information and expertise from geoprofessionals around the globe to provide you with wisdom and insight to help in your pursuit of knowledge.   GBA was founded over 50 years ago to serve geotechnical, environmental, and other geoprofessionals by giving them proven tools to achieve business success by confronting risk and optimizing performance.

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