GBA Board of Directors

Based on our strategic objectives, feedback from members, and historical data, the  GBA Board of Directors has adopted a new schedule of events, beginning this year. GBA’s goal with these events remains to deliver conferences that have high-value content, provide collaboration and networking opportunities, celebrate the contributions of volunteer leaders, and that are warm and welcoming to all. We also want to schedule and deliver events that attract more attendees, representing more member-firms.

GBA’s most active members overwhelmingly state that in-person meetings are one of the most important aspects of membership. In support of in-person networking, we are committed to delivering two in-person events each year.

GBA will continue to have a conference each April, which has been renamed our Annual Conference (formerly the Spring Conference) and we will shift what has been called the Winter Leadership Summit to October and rename it the Fall Leadership Summit.

Here is more information on each event that will regularly take place on an annual or biennial basis:

Annual Conference – Annual in-person event that features Committee meetings, Committees in Concert, keynote speakers, business round tables, annual awards banquet, networking events, and exploration opportunities unique to the local area.

Summer Board Meeting – Annual meeting that includes association business of the Board of Directors, including creating and advancing the GBA Strategic Plan.

Fall Leadership Summit – Annual in-person event featuring Board and Committee meetings, Committees in Concert, networking opportunities, facilitated workshop and/or keynote presentation on a topic valuable to all in attendance. The Fall Leadership Summit will be held during the week and avoid weekends. The goal is to build on the successes of Committee participation in the Leadership Summit with an enhanced format to provide more value to attendees.

Crystal Ball Workshop – Stand-alone facilitated event held approximately every two years, drawing subject matter experts, industry leaders, and constituents representing consultants, academia, contractors, regulatory agencies, and clients.

This schedule allows GBA to make each event even more valuable to GBA members, gives Committees time to collaborate on important actions throughout the year, and allows GBA to host special industry events beyond the Crystal Ball Workshop, and provide timely professional development through webinars, seminars, and short courses.

See what event are currently scheduled HERE.

Please contact us if you have any questions at info@geoprofessional.org.

GBA Business Practices Committee

To maximize your hiring manager’s efforts and protect your firm from legal trouble resulting from bad hiring practices, GBA’s Business Practices Committee has developed a new Best Practices document titled, “Interviewing – The Right Way!”

One of the foremost issues of concern facing geoprofessional firms is a lack of new talent entering the industry. This workforce shortage can create a scenario where good hiring practices have been kicked to the curb. Interviewing involves a significant number of legal do’s and don’ts. Employers must understand the rule of law related to interview and application questions to ensure they’re performed in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Hiring the right talent is important for long-term stability and growth for your firm and the geoprofessions as a whole. Many hours will go into writing job descriptions, sorting through applications, and interviewing candidates – yet interviewing is one of the least-trained roles in the engineering industry.

When you don’t interview in the best way for your firm’s open position, you may miss out on the innovative hire that impacts your business growth for years to come.

Studying and sharing this Best Practices document and enacting the suggestions contained herein ensures greater interview success, leading to hiring more valuable employees and minimizing risk for your firm.

This new resource is FREE for GBA members.

Not sure if your firm is a member? Check here.

Invest in your firm’s most precious resource – its people.

DOWNLOAD GBA BEST PRACTICES: INTERVIEWING – THE RIGHT WAY!

GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee

GBA has a long history of sharing the painful and sometimes expensive lessons its Member Firms have learned through its popular GBA Case History series. Member Firms can also learn from one another on projects that turned out successfully.

In this Case History, a GBA-Member Firm was hired to assess whether a proposed facility was “buildable” in a rock quarry with reclaimed fill material, prior to purchase. The project scope did not include final design or construction observation services. The relationship was complicated in its early stages because a third-party acted as an intermediary between the client and Member Firm.

After construction began, the Member Firm was again contracted to assess the exposed subgrade at the project site, where static groundwater was observed, consistent with the Member Firm’s prior report. The client told the firm they didn’t do enough to call out the issues related to the groundwater and that they were reserving the right to hold the firm responsible for the additional costs incurred.

The Member Firm remained involved in the project and took steps to strengthen the client relationship. The team’s suggestions along the way resulted in considerable savings and the project was finished within budget – and without a lawsuit.

GBA Case Histories provide unprecedented real-world learning examples related to project and business management. Learn where others went wrong, how they handled their problems, and how you can learn from their experiences to avoid the same problems in the future.

Case Histories are FREE for all GBA Members.

Download Case History #115 HERE

View the GBA Case History Digest or search the GBA resource library to find other learning opportunities for your firm.

By: Stuart “Stu” Thompson (CTL|Thompson, Inc.)

“What is a geotechnical engineer?” I have been answering that question for most of my life. My dad, Robert W. Thompson P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE, is a geotechnical engineer and founded CTL|Thompson, Inc. in Denver, Colorado when I was a toddler. Inevitably, a teacher, fellow student, coach, friend, or parent of a friend would ask about my parents’ professions, and I had been coached with an elevator-pitch answer.

Maybe because my dad is so passionate about geotechnical engineering — he is a past-President of GBA, a recent inductee to the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology Hall of Fame at Oklahoma State University, and the visionary founder of CTL|Thompson — for much of my life I equated a profession with an identity. Beginning in elementary school, I spent my summers and school breaks working for CTL|Thompson, Inc. Until high school, the work was primarily just picking weeds in the parking lot, jacking brass liners and cleaning them for reuse, and other cleanup work around the lab. As I got older I worked in the lab and eventually the field and on the back of a rig.

I spent a lot of time around geotechnical engineers, but I was not one of them. I am still not one of them. I have lived with them, spent thousands of hours of my adult life with them, I work with them, I work for them, admire and respect them, promote them, advocate for them, want the best for them, and encourage them. I am not one of them. I live amongst them. I am like the Jane Goodall of geotechnical engineering.

During my college years at Auburn University, I continued to work for CTL|Thompson, Inc. when I was home on break. While at Auburn I passionately pursued two things: Auburn Rugby and my future wife, Kelly. Notice that there is no mention of engineering. My dad recognized that I did not have enough interest in the practice of engineering, the projects, etc., and guided me toward business school.

The mayhem of the rugby pitch was my happy place in my college years. I captained the team for my last couple of years and was the President of the affiliated club that provided support and raised money. Through rugby I had the opportunity to travel to different universities and meet a lot of people. In rugby it is tradition that the home team hosts a party after the game. The two teams fight it out on the pitch and then get together and share beers and stories after the game. We challenged one another and learned from one another. It was good training for participating in the cocktail parties at GBA. I had friends all over the Southeast Conference that were competitors and compatriots.

Kelly and I ended up getting married and moving back to Colorado. This year is our 30th anniversary. When we moved back to Colorado I worked for a CPA for a while, earned my MBA from Regis University, worked as an EMT and Ski Patroller, owned and operated a franchise, and eventually ended up working for CTL|Thompson, Inc. in the accounting department as the Controller. In 2008 I was promoted to President and in 2018 I became the CEO of CTL|Thompson, Inc.

I have been involved with GBA since the early 2000s. I am motivated to actively participate in GBA by the relationships I have developed. We challenge one another, learn from one another, and share stories over cocktails at GBA conferences. I have friends from GBA all over the country that are competitors and compatriots.

Last year Kelly and I became empty nesters. We have three daughters that we love immensely and enjoy watching take flight. Colorado is a great place for outdoor activities and as a family we’ve enjoyed skiing, cycling, running, hiking, fishing, and backpacking.

With the girls gone from home, I am focused on keeping up with Kelly and staying close enough on a bicycle that I can draft. I am an avid fan of bluegrass music and play mandolin, guitar, and write songs. The bluegrass scene is very friendly and supportive.

I frequent various jams and festivals around Colorado and enjoy making music and friends. We challenge and learn from one another as we share songs in taverns, campgrounds, and festival parking lots. I have friends from bluegrass all over Colorado that are collaborators and compatriots.

I am in my first year on the GBA Board of Directors and I am honored to work with, and for, professionals of such high caliber. I am sure my tenure will be characterized by great relationships with competitors and compatriots that share a desire to elevate the geoprofessions.

GBA Business Practices Committee

For the second year, GBA, in partnership with The Employee Engagement Group, is launching a historic “State of the Workplace” Industry Report.

These are critical days for our industry. Though business is booming for many, the threat of a recession, high inflation, declining workforce demographics, and unprecedented demands for pay and benefits have shaken even the most confident and optimistic leaders.

We have created this short survey to bring you some much-needed market intelligence. It will help gauge where you are, and where you are going – while also seeing what other firms are currently planning.

Specifically, we are asking questions related to latest workforce practices, including:
• Salary and merit budgets
• Recruiting trends – and where to find new candidates
• Turnover trends – both voluntary and involuntary
• Retention and engagement trends
• Recognition and bonus programs
• The hybrid and ‘work-from-home’ workforce statistics
• Benefit trends – including fully insured and self-insured options
• Time-off policies
• 401(k) match allocations
• Career development
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• … and much more!

Please complete this survey by clicking HERE. Please note, this survey is completely confidential and anonymous.

We’d like to hear from you not later than Friday, January 19, 2024. Everyone who participates in this survey will receive a summary report.

You’re also invited to join us for a complimentary live webinar on January 31, 2024 at 2 p.m. EST to learn the results of this survey as industry leaders Joel Carson, GBA Executive Director, and Bob Kelleher, The Employee Engagement Group President and Chief Engagement Officer, share the results of the survey along with their consultative insights.

TAKE THE SURVEY

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR

The start of a new year offers geoprofessionals the opportunity to set goals for professional

growth and excellence. These resolutions are the waypoints on the roadmap of personal and professional growth. They will help you excel as a consultant, community member, and colleague and contribute to the elevation of geoprofessional value as a whole.

Here are some suggestions as you prepare to learn, grow, and improve in 2024:

1. Believe that all injuries are avoidable (there is no such thing as an accident) and act accordingly.
2. Be involved in community service.
3. Share a project story with GBA as a Case History.
4. Practice continual teaching (mentor/train), transfer knowledge.
5. Share a link to an article of interest for possible inclusion in GBA’s NEWSlog.
6. Attend a GBA conference.
7. Understand artificial intelligence, its potential, its risks, and how it is being used by your colleagues and clients.
8. Advance your soft skills (human relations).
9. Partner with geoprofessional peers. Join a GBA Peer Group.
10. Set fees based on value, not hours (whenever you can).

GBA welcomes you to utilize GBA resources and attend events for professional development, mentoring, and improving your business this year – not just while goal-setting in January, but year-round.

PRINT THIS LIST

We hope you had a great holiday season. As we reflect on a successful year, we would like to take a moment to thank all our loyal members, dedicated volunteers, and valuable business partners.

Below are the most popular NEWSlog stories in 2023, based on subscriber clicks. Our complimentary newsletter is published every two weeks and provides insight into opportunities and threats so your business can adapt and be more responsive, including the latest information on effective practices, legal rulings, educational events, contract clauses, employee recruitment and retention, and GBA itself.

Would you like to receive NEWSlog? SIGN UP HERE.

Happy New Year! We look forward to serving you in 2024 and beyond.

GBA News

1. ChatGPT: A Tipping Point or Disrupter for GBA Members? – GBA Executive Director Joel Carson explored the impact of ChatGPT on GBA members.

2. 2023 Photo Contest Winners Announced – These vibrant photos capture members in field activities, meeting with colleagues and clients, and observing safety in some amazing locations.

3. Gifts for Geoprofessionals – The GBA Holiday Gift Guide – A list of more than 30 unique keepsakes and décor, books, and gadgets for the geoprofessional in your life.

4. GBA Awards Recipients – During the 2023 Spring Conference, awards were given to firms and individuals who exhibited extraordinary support and meritorious performance.

5. President’s Letter to GBA Members from President Matt Moler – The GBA President wrote about his goals for his term and reflected on GBA milestones.

6. Creative Signing Bonuses – In times like these when identifying, recruiting, and hiring key employees, we need to be creative about employment terms and compensation. Read about how a shiny red signing bonus was the tipping point for one aggressively recruited geotechnical engineer.

7. Updated! Best Practices: Straight Talk About Profitability – This updated Best Practices guide identifies valuable techniques firms should consider to improve their profitability.

8. NEW PODCAST – $150 Million Near Miss! – GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee is now delivering select Case Histories as Podcasts. In this episode public safety and a long professional relationship could be at risk after soldier piles collapse during the excavation of an ambitious project.

9. New GBA Business Brief: Opportunities at the Climate Crisis and Infrastructure Nexus – Key findings from the 2023 Crystal Ball Workshop that identify emerging issues and business trends, and their potential impact on geoprofessionals.

10. What GBA Members Need to Know About: Increasing Salaries – As part of the GBA Spring Conference in April 2023, the Business Practices Committee hosted round table sessions to discuss the important current issues facing the geoprofessions. Here’s what GBA members need to know from the discussion about increasing salaries.

GBA Member News

With more than 180 member firms representing over 7,000 geoprofessionals, there was plenty to talk about in 2023. Leadership changes, acquisitions, and articles showcasing GBA members’ technical expertise and standout projects were popular.

1. LANGAN Announces Leadership Promotions 2023 – Langan announced its 2023 Principal-level promotions.

2. Wind Point Partners Announces Sale of Kleinfelder to Lindsay Goldberg – In October, Wind Point Partners sold The Kleinfelder Group, Inc. to Lindsay Goldberg.

3. The Secret $62 Million Legal Fight Over the Kansas City Airport – Burns & McDonnell was awarded $62 million over legal misconduct by an attorney representing Kansas City.

4. Blackburn Consulting Celebrates 25 Years – Blackburn Consulting celebrated 25 years of excellence in 2023.

5. Strategic Growth Inspires Terracon’s Key Organizational Changes – In May, Terracon announced a new internal growth organization focused on client development, marketing, and innovation.

6. The Geotechnical Side of Solar Installations – UES penned an article for pv magazine on the geotechnical consultant’s role in solar projects.

7. Aspect Consulting Joins the Geosyntec Family of Companies – In June, Aspect Consulting joined the Geosyntec family of companies and advanced a shared vision between the two for growing water supply and resilience, environmental, and geotechnical practice areas in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

8. S&ME Celebrates 50th Anniversary – S&ME celebrated 50 years in 2023, attributing its success to its people, their technical excellence, and a companywide purpose of helping communities prosper.

9. Announcing Our New Vice Presidents – Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. announced the promotion of seven new Vice Presidents at the beginning of 2023.

10. WSP Publishes Book About Key Climate Strategies for Organizations – WSP USA released a book that explores how organizations can rethink their climate mitigation and resilience practices for greater impact.

Industry News

GBA curates the most important headlines from across the AEC industry that hold value to GBA members, including stories on risk management, emerging markets, communications, construction materials, geology, employee engagement, environmental remediation, and more.

These are the industry headlines that were most popular with GBA readers in 2023.

1. Why Your Employees are not Reading Your Emails – 6 reasons your employees aren’t reading your emails.

2. Geology Features: Continental Drift – Scientists just revealed the most detailed geological model of Earth’s past 100 million years.

3. Is it Possible to do Email the Wrong Way? – How many times a day do you check your email? Many people find it difficult to create boundaries between home life and work life.

4. Big Project, Big Dispute – Contractors that built MBTA’s Green Line Extension sue design firm for $35M.

5. Engineer, Not an Engineer… Says Who? – Minnesota Engineering Board fines, censures engineer-activist for calling himself an engineer while his license was briefly expired.

6. 45 Different Email Greetings to Use at Work – “Howdy, partner!” are probably NOT the first words you want a potential client to read from you. Instead, check out some of these more apropos greetings for your business-related emails.

7. Landslide Feature: Wasting Away – A chunk of Rancho Palos Verdes is sliding into the sea. Can the city stop it?

8. ChatGPT Is a Tipping Point for AI – With ChatGPT and other AI models that can communicate in plain English, write and revise text, and write code, the technology is suddenly becoming more useful to a broader population of people.

9. ‘Leaning Tower’ in Italy on ‘High Alert’ for Collapse – A protective metal cordon will be erected to “contain debris resulting from a possible collapse, to reduce the vulnerability of surrounding buildings and the exposure to the population.

10. Reality Check: The Ground Does Move – The author of this article presents an insightful illustration on structural engineering’s perspective on the geotechnical world.

Everyone who attended GBA’s 2023 Fall Conference agreed that the presentations were valuable and outstanding. Each was educational, entertaining, and inspiring. Now you can watch, listen to, and learn from these speakers, too – on your own schedule.

The recordings have been available to those who registered for the conference for the past month. Now, these videos are available for all GBA members on-demand, at your convenience.

Discover groundbreaking insights, gain actionable knowledge, and elevate your geoprofessional journey! Watch conference recordings HERE.

2023 Fall Conference Sessions:

Elevating Your Value: Taking it to the Next Level with the Upper Arrow
Uncover avenues for growth and differentiation by learning how to elevate your services, enhance your reputation, and effectively distinguish your company in the marketplace.

Woodward L. Vogt Project Excellence Award: Selway Slide Emergency Repair
The winners of the 2023 Woodward L. Vogt Project Excellence Award present their collaborative design-build effort that required timely evaluation and repair of a large, complex slide system.
(Applications for the 2024 Project Excellence Award are open now – apply today!)

Case History: Site Safety is the Highest Priority
Review the events that lead up to a fatal drill rig collapse and identify ways you can elevate safety to avoid similar events in your firm.

Financial Survey Results and Trends You Should be Tracking
See how the industry is faring in 2023 and what is expected in 2024 and get an overview of the shifts taking place in major financial and strategic data and trends.

Currents and Characteristics of the Emerging Future
Take a deep dive into the trends and strategic events likely to shape the future of the geoprofessional industry, including what essential characteristics leaders will need to embrace to survive and thrive during periods of uncertainty.

Climate Change, Emerging Contaminants, and the Future of Geoprofessional Services
Learn how climate change and emerging contaminants are affecting mechanical properties of soils and the quantity and quality of groundwater resources.

How Technology Can Improve Stakeholder Engagement for a Successful Project Lifecycle

This presentation aims to demonstrate the transformative power of technology in common breadbasket projects such as brownfields, highlighting the rapidly growing impact of technology in geoprofessional consulting.

Elevating Geoprofessional Value Through Know, Like, and Trust
Start embracing these highly effective networking, relationship building, and interpersonal skills and gain a massive differentiation from your competitors.

WATCH 2023 FALL CONFERENCE SESSION RECORDINGS

We are wrapping up our three-part holiday gift guide for geoprofessionals. With more than 40 items included at a wide range of price points, there is truly something for everyone. From lighthearted stocking stuffers and clever task management solutions to professional reference materials and tools, these gifts can help make this a memorable holiday season for the geoprofessional in your life.

If you need even more ideas than what’s below, be sure to look at Parts One and Two of our Gifts for Geoprofessionals series.

(Prices listed are as of the publication date and are subject to change. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favor of GBA.)

“Think Again”
Author Adam Grant writes about the importance of opening your mind and rethinking and relearning what you think you know. Grant writes that people should embrace being wrong, and surround themselves with those who challenge their thought process rather than only with those who agree.
$15.02

Soil Profile Coffee Mug

Does your geoprofessional begin and end their day thinking about soil health? If so, this microwavable and dishwasher-safe mug designed and sold by a Utah-based geologist makes a great gift.
$15

Rock Hammer
The geologist in your life will love this alloy steel rock hammer with a comfortable, genuine leather grip. Stylish and functional!
$45.11

Emergency Kit
Keep your geoprofessional safe while in the field with this first aid kit designed for contractors and those who work at construction sites. Many similar kits are available at a variety of prices.
$24.09

3D Map of Your Region or State
Give your geoprofessional a custom, laser-cut map of their neighborhood or favorite travel destination.There are many options on Etsy, including the one pictured here from creator FrontierDesignsAK.
$194.43

“Geologists: Because Engineers Need Heroes, Too” Mug 
Geoprofessionals aren’t all business, all the time. So how do you make a geologist chuckle? Give them this mug!
$14.21

“The Intentional Engineer”
Subtitled, “A Guide to a Purpose-Driven Life and Career For Engineers and Technical Professionals,” this book from Jeff Perry shares the author’s vast experience training engineers on leadership, career development, and intentional living.
$14.99

Productivity Cube

This productivity cube will give geoprofessionals a new tool for task and time management. There are preset countdown times for tasks or users can create custom times for reading emails, researching, brainstorming, and any array of personal or professional tasks.
$37.99

Wireless Power Bank/Portable Charger
The geoprofessional on-the-go can stay connected at all times with this portable power bank that can charge multiple devices at once.
$39.99

“The Curiosity Muscle”

The only thing harder than getting to the top is staying there. This book from Diana Kander demonstrates why curiosity is a person’s greatest asset and can take their business from stagnant to soaring.
$3.25

Pocket Penetrometer
This pocket penetrometer is specified for field personnel to verify soil strength estimates when evaluating stability and the safety of trench excavations. It indicates consistency, shear strength, and approximate unconfined shear strength.
$60-$70

Travel Laptop Backpack
This sleek laptop backpack allows geoprofessionals to go hands-free as they travel outside the office. It comes in a variety of colors and features an external USB port with a built-in charging cable.
$29.99

“Expert Advice” Pencil Holder

“Of course I talk to myself. Sometimes I need expert advice.”
Bring joy to your geoprofessional friend’s desktop with this humorous pencil holder that will playfully remind them who to turn to for expert advice.
$15.99

“Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen”
What if you could start preventing problems instead of responding to them? This book from New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath can help geoprofessionals reprioritize their efforts with practical solutions.
$15.01

Are you still looking for that perfect gift for the geoprofessional in your life? It could be something to bring a smile during the workday, help them meet their professional development goals, take away work-related hassles, or perhaps help them take their mind off things and enjoy recreational time.

If you need even more ideas than what’s below, be sure to look at Part One of our Gifts for Geoprofessionals series.

(Prices listed are as of the publication date and are subject to change. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favor of GBA.)

“How Big Things Get Done”
This book by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner is subtitled, “The Surprising Factors that Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration and Everything in Between.”
$37

“How to Investigate: Fundamentals of Effective Fact-finding”
The second edition of this textbook is full of real-life examples and practical advice for conducting investigations of any kind and includes topics like report writing, planning, using the internet for investigation, and building cultural considerations into an investigation.
$149

Brunton Compass
Find compasses for every budget at Brunton – so the geoprofessional in your life can always find their way back home.
$9.95-$209.95

A Notebook Titled, “Times I was Right and Nobody Listened”
Give your geoprofessional friend, family member, or colleague a healthy outlet for those, “I told you so’s.” You can also customize these notebook covers with other sayings that resonate.
$17.99

1,000-piece Earth Jigsaw Puzzle
This is a relaxing way for geoprofessionals to hold the earth in their hands without getting their hands dirty.
$23.99

I Love the Smell of Infrastructure in the Morning Mug
A nod to all things infrastructure, this mug with an image of a suspension bridge and the phrase above is sure to bring a smile to the owner and all who see it.
(This phrase is also available on a T-shirt!)
$16.50

Digital Planner Subscription
Check out this list of eight digital planner options that can help geoprofessionals achieve maximum productivity by prioritizing and organizing tasks. Subscriptions to productivity tools like these are often things that people would enjoy using but won’t purchase for themselves.
$4-$34 per month

Touchscreen Gloves
Gone are the days of having to take your gloves off to type an email or send off a text message. Geoprofessionals will appreciate these gloves with touchscreen-compatible Etip technology when they’re working in the field.
$22-$90

Custom Topographical Map of Anywhere on Earth
Any geoprofessional is sure to appreciate this one-of-a-kind keepsake. Gift-givers can order a topographical, embossed casting of a friend, colleague, or loved one’s home, birthplace, favorite vacation, or bucket list destination.
$143.13

“Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice”
This book is a must-have for any geotechnical engineer. This most updated version – the third edition – presents theoretical and practical knowledge of soil mechanics in engineering.
$195.68

Pocket Microscope
Pick up one (or a few!) of these convenient pocket-size microscopes for a perfect stocking stuffer for geoprofessionals. They’re compact, lightweight, and portable and are powered by one AA battery for easy examination of samples in the field.
$14.99

90-Day Goal Planner
It’s like Yogi Berra said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” Help the geoprofessional you know reach their short-term goals – whether it’s taking on a new leadership role, investing in professional development, or learning a new skill outside of work.
$14.99

Soil ≠ Dirt Mug
Most anyone who’s acquainted with a geoprofessional knows soil and dirt are not created equal. Get this mug for your geoprofessional friends and they won’t even have to say anything next time someone mislabels this subsurface substance – just point to the mug.
$15.46

Laser Distance Measure
This convenient tool is backlit so it can be used in dark areas and it’s small enough to fit in one hand or a pocket. It measures distances up to 65 feet within 1/8 inch.
$39.97

Looking for more gift ideas?

Part 3: Gifts for Geoprofessionals