Enjoy Retirement, Roy!!

We knew the day was coming, but it seems as though it arrived too soon. Roy Wilson is retiring after 34 years with GBA. During his time with GBA he was a mentor to many and he will be missed. He served on the Board of Directors and was a Principal in our Buildings Group since 1987. The company owes much of its success to him. Thanks Roy!

It will not be the same around here without Roy, but we are very excited for him. Good luck and we hope you enjoy retirement.

The following are some well wishes from those who have worked with Roy over the years.

Since the day Roy hired me he has been my mentor and has provided his unwavering support. He gave me an opportunity, provided a foundation on which to base my career, and been a great friend. He has provided his unwavering support for our group, and has always been available to listen to our gripes, help us with the hard decisions and celebrate with our successes. We could not have asked for a better leader and there are not enough words to thank him. I wish him all the best in his new career with his family. – Alan Lehman

 
I have enjoyed getting an opportunity to work with you, and I appreciate your tutelage. Best wishes in retirement! – Katie McKenzie

Good luck Roy, thanks for all your coaching and your level-headed and calm approach to all situations. - Steve C.

Hey Roy, its “Old Wood” here talking at you. Man, it’s been a long haul but you’ve made it. I will always remember those awesome eggroll’s you brought in on special occasions and the bacon-burger-dogs at our cookouts – you are the master. Thanks for all the good times we’ve had together at GBA. Enjoy your retirement and keep in touch!   - Gale Starman

Congratulations and best of luck as you enjoy your retirement years.  Your organizational skills and constant attention to detail made us a good team and improved the quality of our documents.  You were my teacher, mentor and dear friend, and I miss you very much.  Thank you for all of your help and guidance.  I hope you will stay in touch and let me know how your family grows.  Aloha, E Hui Ho, Malama Pono… - Pat Cotter

Roy, thanks for all you have taught me in my time at GBA, it is greatly appreciated. I look forward to updates on your new endeavors and know we will stay in touch. - Brian Steiner

Roy, I have really enjoyed working with you over the last 14 years and have learned a lot from you. Enjoy retirement and best of luck in all future endeavors! - Dennis Eisenbarth

Memorial Day

During this Memorial Day, we at GBA want to acknowledge all of those who have died while serving in our military. We truly appreciate their sacrifice and know that our freedom is due to their courageous service. They will always be remembered.

Teaching Students about Public Works

Prior to National Public Works Week (NPWW) which is May 20-26, the APWA K-12 Outreach Committee visited two elementary schools in an effort to promote public works and help students understand it. GBA employees Waldo Margheim, Cory Clark, and Heidi Thummel were a part of the visits.

The activities included coloring pages from the P.W. Paws Works for Our City book, a video produced by American Public Works Association (APWA) titled “Everday Heroes”, and completing exercises in Discovering the World of Public Works workbook. The students also created the centerpieces used at the NPWW Luncheon on May 23.

Waldo Margheim teaching the
students about Public Works.

One student from Prairie Ridge wrote a thank you letter that said, "Yesterday I learned about public works. I learned about Mr. Margheim's job, he makes water clean. If we didn't have him we wouldn't have clean water. If we didn't have him we might be sick. I could think of a lot more - that is why public works is so important."



Upcoming Conferences We’re Attending

GBA employees will be attending the following conferences in June and hope to see you at the conference programs or the social events.

WEF Collections Systems Conference

• June 3-6
• St. Louis, MO
• Attending: Bill Carter, Gary Beck, Waldo Margheim, Dennis Cantrell, and Jim Dunajcik
• Hope to see you at the MWEA opening social event that starts at 6:30 p.m. on June 3 at the Anheuser Busch Brewery.

AWEAWindpower 2012

• June 3-6
• Atlanta, GA
• Attendign: Alex Garr

7x24 Exchange

• June 10-13
• Orlando, FL
• Attending: Alan Lehman

MWCC (Missouri Waste Control Coalition)

• June 17-19
• Lake of the Ozarks, MO
• Stop by and see us at Booth #9
• Attending: Jennifer Gunby
• Jennifer will also co-present with James Price of Spencer, Fane and Britt & Browne, LLP. The topic is Renewable Energy at Remediation Sites: Legal, Technical, and Financing Considerations

KSPE Annual Conference

• June 27-29
• Overland Park, KS
• Attending: Tim Ross, Clarence Munsch, Adam Stodola, Andy Floy, and Tawn Nugent

Congratulations Waldo Margheim

Waldo Margheim, an Associate with GBA’s Water Environment Group, was recognized for serving as co-chair of the Missouri Water Environment Association’s Government Affairs committee.  Presenting the award to Waldo is Jeff Clarke, past president of MWEA. Waldo has been a MWEA member for six years. Congratulations, Waldo!

MWEA is a non-profit organization focused on the preservation and enhancement of water quality and water resources that was formed in 1928.

Lea Murray – US Citizen

Congratulations to Lea Murray! She is officially a US Citizen. Lea is an administrative assistant in our O’Fallon, MO office and is originally from the Philippines.

“I am very excited that I finally became an American Citizen after 10 years of living here in the US as a Permanent Resident. Few of the privileges that I am excited about are The Right to Vote for Federal Government, get a U.S. passport and I can sponsor my mom and my sister to come to the United States and that is one of my biggest dreams is to reunite with them finally after ten long years of waiting.”

On May 7, 2012 Lea participated in the Oath Ceremony at the Ulysses S. Grant National Park in St. Louis, MO. The ceremony was administered by the Honorable May Ann L. Medler, Chief United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. Christopher W. Dempsey, Senior Litigation Counsel for National Security of U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division was the guest speaker. Lea was one of 96 petitioners from 42 different countries who became US Citizens at the ceremony.

We are so excited for Lea and hope all of her dreams come true!

Nathan Johnson Awarded the 2012 KCASA Engineer of the Year

Congratulations to Nathan for being recognized as the Engineer of the Year through the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Subcontractor Association (KCASA). On April 19, Nathan attended the 2012 KCASA Industry Awards Dinner where he received his award. This was the first time in the 16-year history of the awards that an individual engineer was recognized. Way to go Nathan for being the inaugural winner!

Nathan is a structural engineer at GBA and works on a variety of structures including steel, masonry, concrete, and timber. With this work he is in contact with many general contractors and subcontractors and obviously made a good impression on them. Over 200 ballots were sent and Nathan received the top vote in his category.

KCASA is a non-profit organization that represents construction subcontractors, specialty trade contractors, and suppliers.