Guest Breakfast

4/25/2025 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

 

A buffet breakfast will be available to registered guests.  

Board of Directors Meeting

4/23/2025 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM

This meeting is for GBA's Board of Directors, staff, and invited guests only.

To learn more about GBA's Board of Directors visit:   GBA Board of Directors

Pre-Conference Workshop: Next Gen Revolution - Multigenerational Leadership

4/24/2025 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Presenter: Jeff Gross

We are in the middle of the Great Retirement. There are over 75 million Baby Boomers leaving the workforce by 2030 being backfilled by Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. By 2025, 75% of the workforce will be Millennials. There will be a shift in new generational workforce priorities and needs that will change how business will be done. Understanding the unique, and not so unique, multigenerational needs will help create a culture of employee well-being, retention, and engagement for all generations.

In this workshop you will learn:

• The Great Retirement Impacts
• The Unique and Not So Unique Needs of the Next Gen Revolution
• How to Meet the Changing Needs of the New Workforce
• How to Create a Multigenerational Productive and Empowering Culture

CoMET Business Committee Meeting

4/24/2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

MISSION: To identify and respond to construction-materials engineering and testing (CoMET) issues as they arise and develop educational content to help members and their clients deal with CoMET issues in a manner that enhances the profession and demonstrates value.

CHAIRPERSON:
Bryce W. Moore
Blackburn Consulting
brycem@blackburnconsulting.com

Multimedia Delivery Committee Meeting

4/24/2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

 

MISSION:  To provide added value to GBA members by delivering high quality learning opportunities in accessible and engaging ways.

CHAIRPERSON:
Tiffany Vorhies, NACE-CIP-2
SME
tiffany.vorhies@sme-usa.com

Resource Collaboration Committee Meeting

4/24/2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

 

MISSION:  To collaborate with other GBA committees, GBA staff, and non-GBA sources to facilitate updates of most valuable reference materials; guide the production of new reference materials; develop ways to reformat and repurpose educational materials to enhance its use by members and the profession; and track/catalog existing materials to avoid unnecessary duplication.

CHAIRPERSON:
Chuck A. Gregory, P.E.
Terracon
chuck.gregory@terracon.com

Business Practices Committee Meeting

4/24/2025 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

 

MISSION:  To Communicate best business practices to geoprofessional firms and their clients.

Chairperson:
Jason B. Stoops, P.E.
G2 Consulting Group
jstoops@g2consultinggroup.com

Environmental Business Committee Meeting

4/24/2025 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

 

MISSION: To identify and evaluate current environmental issue and inform corporate manager, practitioners, and clients about related business opportunities and potential effects on business operations and risks.

CHAIRPERSON:
Margaret A. Panatera
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
Margaret.Panatera@gza.com

Geotechnical Business Committee

4/24/2025 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

 

MISSION:  To respond to geotechnical issues as they arise and develop educational content to help members deal with these issues in a manner that enhances their professionalism and demonstrates value.

CHAIRPERSON:
Blake Cotton, P.E., LEED AP
Freese & Nichols
blake.cotton@freese.com

Second Mountain Peer Group Meeting

4/24/2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Presenter: Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C. F.ASCE

This meeting is for invited participants.

Book Club: The Ideal Team Player by Patrick M. Lencioni

4/24/2025 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM

Presenter: Moderator: Tiffany Vorhies

 

Being a team player who can work effectively with others to achieve a group goal is more important than ever in our interdependent and changing world. However, true team players are surprisingly uncommon, in part because many organizations are unclear on what being a team player means, and as a result, often end up hiring people who undermine teamwork. In The Ideal Team Player, Patrick Lencioni defines the model team player as a person who embodies the virtues of humility, hunger or drive, and people skills. He explains how to transform your organization by developing your current employees into team players and making sure you hire team players in the future.

Networking Breakfast

4/25/2025 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM

A buffet breakfast with coffee service will be provided for all meeting registrants.

Thriving in the Tech Age: AI & the Changing Role of Consulting Engineers

4/25/2025 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

Presenter: KP Reddy - Founder & CEO - Shadow Ventures

The AI revolution is here, poised to upend every industry in its wake. But how will this new technology actually change the engineering profession? In the face of algorithms and machine learning, intangibles that are uniquely human - skills like creativity, adaptability and leadership - will be the clear drivers for growth. After synthesizing hundreds of conversations with AEC executives, KP Reddy will present a roadmap for the skills required by employees in the future to thrive and how executives can lead their companies in creating amazing enterprise value.

 

Speaker Bio:

A global authority in AEC environments, AI, robotics, automation, mobile applications, and cloud computing. 

KP is the Founder and CEO of Atlanta-based, Shadow Ventures and a prominent figure in the world of technology and innovation. With a background in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, KP has become a global authority in AEC environments, AI, robotics, automation, mobile applications, and cloud computing. He is the author of the definitive guide to Building Information Modeling, “BIM for Building Owners and Developers,” "What You Know About Startups Is Wrong," and his soon-to-be-released "Creating the Intangible Enterprise: The critical skills to thrive in an AI-driven world."

 KP’s extensive experience includes founding and exiting three technology companies to NASDAQ, NYSE, and privately held futures, running Enterprise Transformation at Gehry Technologies, and being the General Manager of ATDC at Georgia Tech, one of the oldest technology incubators in the country.

 KP is a personal advisor to the CEOs of a number of the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the country and regularly partners with the likes of Mick Morrissey of Morrissey Goodale and Michael Beckerman of CREtech.

KP is a frequent lecturer at universities including NYU’s Stern School of Business, Georgia Tech, Columbia University, and Harvard GSD, and he's been featured on Fox News, NBC, BisNow, The Real Deal, the Commercial Observer, and in the Wall Street Journal.

 

How Field Notes are Used as Evidence – A Live Action Demonstration of Legal Deposition Scenarios

4/25/2025 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

Presenter: Panel Session

In this skit, the GBA audience will experience example deposition scenarios highlighting ways in which field documentation and critical communications from field staff can become significant pieces of evidence when lawsuits occur.  We will explore a hypothetical scenario that combines many lessons learned for a relatable storyline that applies to all disciplines within the geoprofessions.  Presenters collaborating from within the GBA Environmental, Geotechnical, Construction Materials and Testing, and Legal Affairs committees will highlight areas where small mistakes can lead to big consequences, and how GBA materials and best practices can help protect your firm.

Networking Luncheon

4/25/2025 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

 

A buffet luncheon will be available to GBA members, non-members, sponsors, and speakers.

Business Snapshot Survey

4/25/2025 1:00 PM - 1:10 PM

Presenter: Dori Ross, P.E. - Sr. Vice President of Client Services - Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc.

For more than 20 years, GBA’s Business Practices Committee has invited member-firms to participate in a brief qualitative survey on their businesses, the state of the economy, and the greater geoprofessional industry. Dori will share the most recent survey results and review important trends to help you assess how your firm is performing relative to others in the nation and provide important trends you can use as you plan for a healthy and robust future where everyone succeeds together in championing excellence in geoprofessional consulting.

 

Speaker Bio:

Dori Ross, PE is the Senior Vice President of Client Services at Bedford, NH-based Sanborn, Head & Associates. Dori works closely with firm leadership and project teams from across the firm to ensure Sanborn Head delivers the highest levels of service and quality to our clients. As a member of Sanborn Head’s Executive Committee, Dori acts as the primary liaison between Sanborn Head’s client service areas, the executive team, and functional area leaders across the firm.

Dori draws on her background as an accomplished geotechnical engineer and proven business leader to guide Sanborn Head’s performance and help the firm achieve its corporate and strategic objectives. She focuses on improving operations, creating annual business plans and longer-term strategic plans, and mentoring and developing the firm’s technical staff.

Dori has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Connecticut. She is an active member of GBA’s Business Practices Committee. She also serves on the board of directors of ACEC Massachusetts where she most recently served as Secretary and co-chaired the ACEC/MA’s Transportation Agencies Liaison Committee (TALC) for many years. Dori is a professional engineer in Massachusetts.

Hutchinson Island Ferry Landing Bulkhead Collapse

4/25/2025 2:15 PM - 2:50 PM

Presenter: Guoming Lin, Ph.D., G.E., BC.GE

This presentation focuses on the critical infrastructural challenges caused by the bulkhead collapse of the ferry landing on Hutchinson Island in Savannah, Georgia.  The ferry landing between the Savannah Convention Center and Westin Hotel experienced movements in the morning of June 18, 2022, resulting in a substantial crack in the brick-paved plaza.  Guoming Lin was called in by the City of Savannah to assist the emergency response.  This presentation will reconstruct the progressive failure process and emergency response, discuss findings in the investigation, and repair design considerations.

 

 Speaker Bio

Dr. Guoming Lin is a vice president and senior geotechnical consultant with Terracon Consultants in Savannah, Georgia.  He has 30+ years of experience and provided geotechnical consulting to thousands of projects including Georgia Ports, Kinder Morgan Elba Island LNG Terminal, and Hyundai EV plant near Savannah.   He is a licensed Geotechnical Engineer (G.E.) in California and a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in several states.  He is a board-certified geotechnical engineer (BC.GE) by the Academy of Geoprofessionals (AGP). He has authored over 20 technical papers, and was the principal engineer for one Grand Award (2006) and four State Awards (1997, 1999, 2018, 2025) in the ACEC/GA Engineering Excellence Award.

 

Business Round Table Session

4/25/2025 3:25 PM - 5:00 PM

One of GBA's most popular events is the Business Round Table Session.  GBA will host two rounds of business discussions where you can select a topic that is of interest to you. Each facilitator-led discussion will last 35-minutes with a break in between allowing you time to switch to another table for participation in a second topic.

This is a great opportunity to learn from the experiences and best practices of geoprofessional colleagues as a facilitator leads each group as you focus on problem-solving and strategy development through a friendly peer discussion.

 

GBA would like to thank SpectraQest for sponsoring this event.

 

 

Teamwork and Collaboration: 5 Components of Extraordinary Teams

4/26/2025 8:10 AM - 9:10 AM

Presenter: Lee Rubin - Performance Consultant to Corporate America & Collegiate Sports Organizations

Machines are evaluated based on the output of the entire unit, not the impressiveness of their individual parts. Extraordinary teams, like great machines, require certain components that hold their pieces together. While most organizations focus exclusively on building the skills of their individual members, elite organizations invest in the “stuff” that transforms a collection of talented individuals into extraordinary, machine-like teams. This keynote is packed with insights, humor and tools to help listeners take their respective teams to a higher level.

 

Speaker Bio:

For 30 years, Lee Rubin has been building high performance teams in both corporate America and the collegiate sports world, setting the foundational cornerstone for a leadership and culture-building mindset focusing on the key components that create extraordinary teams. This strong core foundation was instilled early in Lee’s life as he held the position of captain of the Penn State football team and later went on to serve as a Human Resource Executive, building senior leadership teams for some of the countries’ most prominent corporations which have become dominant leaders in their industries.

Lee has emerged as one of the most engaging and sought-after voices across the country with his unique ability to understand and articulate winning principles with tremendous clarity and practical application on team building, leadership, and peak performance. He has collaborated with and taken the stage for leading Fortune 500 Companies like Johnson & Johnson, Sony and JP Morgan, to name a few, as well as collegiate sports teams and organizations across the country.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communications with a minor in business from Penn State University. Rubin received a full athletic scholarship to play football for the Nittany Lions. Lee was a three-year starting free safety, the 1994 Florida Citrus Bowl Defensive MVP, and an All-Big Ten Conference selection and an Honorable Mention All-American.

Purpose. Performance. Impact.

4/26/2025 10:35 AM - 11:35 AM

Presenter: Justin Wren - Elite UFC/MMA Fighter turned Global Humanitarian and Founder of Fight for Forgotten

Justin shares his personal story from humble beginnings in rural Texas and a childhood shaped by relentless bullying. He eventually rose to mixed martial arts stardom, fighting in front of thousands in person and millions around the world, only to lose it all to drugs and depression. But he fought back again, first on behalf of other victims of bullying, and later, through an almost unbelievable turn of events, on behalf of the Pygmy people of the Congo and Uganda. A three-time survivor of malaria, Justin has fought opponents both large and small throughout his life, and along the way he has evolved into astonishing force for good in the world.

Justin takes audiences through an exploration of the power of service, the profound difference we can make in the lives of others, and the ripple effect that extends far beyond what we can imagine – including the transformation that occurs within ourselves when we choose to live purposefully and serve selflessly. He also unravels the secrets of the Overcomer’s mindset, the unyielding spirit that separates the victors from the defeated. Audiences will learn how to transform pain into fuel, setbacks into comebacks, and doubts into unwavering belief - in order to overcome obstacles and win this fight called life.

Speaker Bio:

Justin Wren - Elite UFC/MMA Fighter turned Global Humanitarian and Founder of Fight for The Forgotten

Mercilessly bullied as a child, Justin responded by transforming himself into a champion MMA fighter. Yet despite his success, he quietly questioned the significance of his own athletic accomplishments. Each time his hand was raised in victory he thought, “Is this it? Is this as good as it gets?” As he fought his way to the top and battled never-ending injuries that accompany the profession, he slid into pain-killer addiction, battled depression, and attempted suicide. He was a champion on the outside but broken within.

It wasn’t until a chance collection of circumstances led Justin to one of the most remote places on earth, to live in the rainforest among the Pygmy people, some of the most impoverished and marginalized people on the planet, that he found his true purpose – helping others.

From that experience, ‘The Big Pygmy’ returned to the ring with purpose, founding the non-profit Fight For The Forgotten (FFTF) along the way. Since 2013, FFTF has provided more than 52,000 indigenous people with access to clean drinking water, replanted thousands of trees, acquired more than 3,000 acres of land in the name of the tribe and helped 1,800 people out of slavery and into freedom. Current projects include housing, education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods through community empowerment.

Today, Justin shares his remarkable story on stages across the country and around the world teaching others the tools, tactics and techniques to navigate any adversity, find purpose, and achieve meaningful impact in business and in life.

 

 

Networking Luncheon

4/26/2025 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

 

A buffet lunch will be available for registrants.