GBA Podcast

Covid Concerns Episode 2 – GBA Pop-Up Town Hall Meeting for April 10, 2020 – Health and Safety Best Practices Senior leaders of GBA Member firms have been invited to attend Pop-Up Town Hall meetings each of the past three weeks in response to the dynamic events related to the COVID-19 pandemic to discuss issues that impact geoprofessional firms. Panels of experts have discussed operational issues, health and safety, and leadership through these unprecedented times. GBA hopes to address its members questions and concerns by sharing experiences and challenges in the hopes to learn and help each other during this trying time. Our Panel: Joel Carson (host and GBA Executive Director – Link to Profile) Richard “Rick” Ecord, Senior Vice President of Health, Safety and Learning (GZA) - LinkedIn Profile Paula Loht, Corporate Director of Safety (Gannett Fleming) - LinkedIn Profile James “Jim” Wright, Director of Safety and Health (Terracon) - LinkedIn Profile Topics for discussion include What are member firms “Plans in place to respond to crisis and risk management for unplanned events”. [min 3:45] What have been some of the biggest challenges caused by this pandemic. [min 9:30] Are firms requiring face masks in the office? [min 18:52] What communication methods are being used to reach employees? [min 21:35] What changes to soil laboratories are being made during this time? [min 30:35] What are the biggest challenges your clients are having right now? [min 35:06] What opportunities have firms identified to provide clients new services (or services already being provided) in response to this pandemic? [min 41:10] Communication with subcontractors and what requirements are being put on them (i.e. face masks, gloves, etc.)? [min 46:35] What companies are doing to help in their local communities. [min 51:48] Recommendations for employees who work with health care workers. [min 55:10] Social distancing with drill crews (driller and helper). [min 56:45] Calls-to-action: Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for more information about Covid-19 resources and/or to become a member Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes Contact us at [email protected] with any podcast-related questions or comments This episode was produced by the following GBA Members: Ryan White, PE, GE – Principle/Geotechnical Engineering Group Manger/PBS Engineering and Environmental Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2 – Chief Consultant/SME Donald K. Blackburn, MBA – Business Manager/Blackburn Consulting Shawn Leyva, PE – Associate Senior Engineer/Crawford & Associates

Covid Concerns Episode 1 – GBA Pop-Up Town Hall Meeting for April 3, 2020 – Operational Leadership Senior leaders of GBA Member firms have been invited to attend Pop-Up Town Hall meetings each of the past three weeks in response to the dynamic events related to the COVID-19 pandemic to discuss issues that impact geoprofessional firms. Panels of experts have discussed operational issues, health and safety, and leadership through these unprecedented times. GBA hopes to address its members questions and concerns by sharing experiences and challenges in the hopes to learn and help each other during this trying time. Our Panel: Joel Carson (host and GBA Executive Director – Link to Profile) Mark Kramer (CEO of SME – Link to Profile) Martin Laroche (VP of Operations at SNC Lavalin Inc. – Link to Profile) Guy Marcozzi (President of Duffield Associates, Inc – Link to Profile) Topics discussed in this episode: Future Outlook: backlog, revenue, and profit. [min 3:40] What tools are being used to analyze and track business volume and billability during this time? [min 10:49] What business opportunities are there during this Covid-19 crisis? [min 20:25] How the CARES Act Provision, mostly the SBA payroll protection, can provide aid to GBA member firms. [min 27:25] Families First Leave Act discussion [min 32:35] Cutting cost: What are you doing to decide between reduced hours vs. pay cuts? [min 38:20] Can employee refuse a pay/salary cut? [min 40:58] PTO donation and extended leave. [min 46:04] Have any of you had employees contract Covid-19 and what are you doing about it? [min 48:46] Calls-to-action: Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for more information about Covid-19 resources and/or to become a member Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes Contact us at [email protected] with any podcast-related questions or comments This episode was produced by the following GBA Members: Ryan White, PE, GE – Principle/Geotechnical Engineering Group Manger/PBS Engineering and Environmental Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2 – Chief Consultant/SME Donald K. Blackburn, MBA – Business Manager/Blackburn Consulting Shawn Leyva, PE – Associate Senior Engineer/Crawford & Associates