Edward A. Nowatzki, PhD, PE, D.GE, F.ASCE, passed away on May 4, 2015, in Tuscon, AZ. In his long and fruitful career, which spanned over 45 years, he touched the lives of thousands of students and engineering practitioners as a professor and as an engineering consultant.

The Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) has announced that the new President of the GBA is Gordon M. Matheson, Ph.D., P.E., P.G., D.GE, M.ASCE, of Schnabel Engineering, Inc.

On March 20, 2015, the Grouting Committee met and 26 people attended the meeting. Highlights of the meeting can be found in the meeting minutes.

The International Foundations Congress and Equipment Expo 2015 (IFCEE) held March 17-21 was one of the largest geoprofessional events ever held as nearly 3400 attendees were drawn to the congress.

GEOSTRATA, 2015, May/June, 68 In March, Seattle Tunnel Partners began to hoist “Bertha” – the tunnel-boring machine (TBM) on the Alaskan Way Viaduct project – to the surface to begin...

Confronting Workplace Bullying is the newest GBA Best Practices monograph developed by the Business Practices Committee of the Geotechnical Business Association (GBA).

Braun Intertec, Sentez Insaat, Huesker, and Advanced Construction Techniques, Inc.

GEOSTRATA, 2015, May/June, 64-67 Michael A. Knight, PG , was named a vice president of Gannett Fleming. Based in the firm’s corporate headquarters in Harrisburg, PA, Knight will serve as...

GEOSTRATA, 2015, May/June, 64-67 Trent L. Dreese, PE, M.ASCE , has been named the earth science and hydraulics practice leader for Gannett Fleming. Based in the corporate headquarters in Harrisburg,...

ENGEO Incorporated, a firm of more than 200 engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, hydrologists, and field representatives, announces the promotion of 10 leaders to higher levels of service.

Strata Systems, Inc., a global manufacturer of soil reinforcement products, is pleased to announce the appointment of Phil McGoldrick as its international sales manager. McGoldrick will focus on the growth of Strata’s business in Europe, India, the Middle East, and South America.

A new Hayward Baker (HB) office, under the leadership of project manager Dan Holley, PE, will be based in Charleston, SC. It will support clients and projects in South Carolina and surrounding states.

Hayward Baker Inc. (HB), North America’s leader in geotechnical construction, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new president, along with several other senior leadership staff appointments. Eric Drooff has been named the company’s sixth president.

The University of Virginia has announced that Craig H. Benson, PhD, PE, D.GE, NAE, F.ASCE, has been selected as the 13th dean of the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science. Dr. Benson’s appointment is effective July 1, 2015.

Theresa Engler, executive director of the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI), has been named a board member of the Academy of Geo- Professionals (AGP). She is the first female AGP Board member.

Teams of four students designed and built a model mechanically-stabilized Earth wall. 1st place and recipient of the coveted Atterberg Cup for the second year in a row: Cal State...

Students had the opportunity to present their research findings and to receive achievement recognition during the GeoPoster Competition. First place winner was Nasser Hamdan of Arizona State University (pictured below with Scott Merry).

New to the competitions this year at IFCEE 2015 was the GeoVideo, in which students developed short videos explaining various geotechnical concepts accessible to a variety of educational levels. Pugazhuel Palanivelu, Jesus Esquivel, and Miriam Woodley of Arizona State were first place winners.

Students predicted the behavior of a “real world” geotechnical system. The winning team most accurately matched the actual field performance. Placing first in the GeoPrediction Competition and recipient of the...

Luis O. Garcia, P.E., M.ASCE was approved as chair of the G-I Deep Foundations Committee effective March 16, 2015. Luis is a Principal at Geo Cim, Inc.

Paolo Gazzarrini, P.Eng, M.ASCE was approved as the new chair of the Grouting Committee effective March 16, 2015. Paolo works with Sea To Sky Geotech Inc. in West Vancouver, British...

Adrian Rodriguez-Marek, A.M.ASCE was approved as the new chair of the Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics Committee effective March 16, 2015. Adrian works in the Virginia Tech Civil and Environmental...

GEOSTRATA, 2015, May/June, 64-67 Gannett Fleming’s Pittsburgh, PA, office has moved to a new building within the Foster Plaza office park. The move accommodates the firm’s growing staff and provides...

Yeager Airport is located east of Charleston, WV, on top of a steep-sloped hill. In 2005, an overrun area was created at the end of the main runway. The project included the installation of an engineered materials arrestor system (EMAS), a concrete surface designed to bring aircraft to a safe stop.

On February 19, 2015, G-I member and president of the Kazakhstan Geotechnical Society, Professor Askar Zhussupbekov, received the title of “Honorary Doctor of the St. Petersburg State Architectural and Civil Engineering University.”

Dr. Jamal Rostami, PE, M.ASCE, made a presentation to the BSCES-GI community on March 5, 2015, on the development of permanent human bases on the Moon

The Cleveland Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers proudly celebrated its 100th Anniversary on April 22, 2015

The Utah Geo-Institute would like to congratulate Dr. Kevin Franke, PE, M.ASCE, assistant professor at Brigham Young University, on being selected as the 2015 ASCE Utah Section Educator of the Year

The 38th Spring Seminar and 18th Geo-Expo of the ASCE Los Angeles Geo-Institute Chapter was held at The Queen Mary on April 15, 2015

The Student Leadership Council (SLC) has been hard at work this semester creating its inaugural, all-student newsletter.