Meet the Expert

With more than 35 years of professional experience, Bill Carter, vice president and principal of GBA’s Water Environment Group, has been tapped to provide his insight at the WEFTEC conference this week at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago.  Bill will be available from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Learning Lounge for a Question and Answer period.  Stop by and try to stump this expert!

http://www.weftec.org/meettheexperts-collectionsystems/

Celebrating 22 Years of Energy Awareness

October marks the annual celebration of Energy Awareness Month. Since 1991, the U.S. Department of Energy has recognized the significance of energy efficiency and energy conservation by promoting smart energy practices. We hope you will join GBA in supporting clean energy initiatives during this month, which in turn will help the economy and protect our environment. Help us honor energy awareness by participating in the following sustainability efforts at your home, business or school:

• Install quick-fix energy conservation measures. For example, switch incandescent light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs or install programmable thermostats.
• Schedule an energy audit, create a Climate Action Plan, or sign a pledge to become carbon neutral.
• Educators or Unified School District Energy Managers can discuss the importance of energy and the environment with their students through initiatives currently implemented by the school such as recycling, energy conservation and renewable energy.
• Walk, bike or take the bus to your destination to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Bring reusable bags to the grocery store or your own mug to the coffee shop. Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
• Gather a group of friends and honor the month by planting a tree help the environment thrive.

We invite you to share your ideas – join the conversation in the comments below!

Kline Selected for 2014 APWA Emerging Leaders Academy

GBA roadway engineer Rob Kline was selected for the 2014 class of the APWA Emerging Leaders Academy.

The academy is a national, year-long program providing intensive leadership and management training within the context of public works. In addition, it provides participants with opportunities to network with peers from around the country. Rob is the first engineer from GBA selected for the prestigious group, which will be in its seventh year.

“Through the ELA, I hope to continue to develop my leadership skills,” says Rob. “I think this is a great opportunity to meet and network with other young professionals from all over the country and learn about their diverse experiences with leadership and specifically how they use it within the field of Public Works. I hope to use the information and tools that I learn from the class to become a more dynamic leader as I get more opportunities in leadership roles at GBA.”

An Iowa State grad, Rob has been with GBA since 2006, and is P.E. in both Kansas and Missouri. His resume includes projects with KDOT, MoDOT plus several counties and municipalities.

We Will Always Remember

Beck and Margheim Collaborate as Technical Reviewers

GBA leaders Gary Beck, P.E., vice president and principal, and Waldo Margheim, P.E.,

associate, recently served as reviewers for the Water Environment Federation’s Manual of Practice 17 “Prevention and Control of Sewer System Overflows (Third Edition).”

This book is the authoritative go-to manual for managers and engineers seeking to understand and analyze an overflow problem.  The book provides in-depth guidance on finding the most efficient and cost-efficient strategies to reduce or eliminate overflows.  The book can also be used as a planning tool for developing long-term control plans for combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).

 

"The water environment industry knows it can turn to GBA to provide technical expertise when needed," sadi Bill Carter, P.E., vice president and principal of GBA's Water Environment Group. "Our team consists of thought leaders that have made valuable contributions to the way the industry solves CSOs and SSOs."

 

To order your hard cover or e-book copy, please click here. Gary and Waldo are available to autograph your copy to make it a one-of-a-kind edition!

Golf and "the Game" on the Front Range

GBA returned for the 7th year to sponsor and play in the Rocky Mountain ISPE golf Tournament. The sold out tournament attracted players from pharmaceutical and bio-related companies as well as vendors. As the sponsor on the 148-yard hole #3 at Todd Creek Golf Club, everyone was invited to play our game by spinning the wheel of “club” choices, then teed off with either a hockey stick, driver, baseball bat or tennis racquet. 

Good sports participating in the game were captured on video as they attempted to hit the green, some were more successful on the first tru than others - check out the highlight reel on YouTube!

     
The winner of the game landed closest to the pin and took home a Golf Buddy GPS! We hosted two teams in the tournament and enjoyed a beautiful day of golf, followed by the awards program.

Animal Health Homecoming and Forum

Dan Abitz, Craig Rogge, Kent Dyck and Heidi Thummel attended the KCADC Animal Health Corridor Homecoming dinner. The event is in its eighth year and was attended by more than 800 guests from all around the world.

The event always showcases some great speakers and entertainment within the animal health industry. This year, Kostas Kontopanos, president of Hill’s Pet Nutrition was the host and entertainment was provided by Animal Planet star Victoria Stilwell.

The KC Animal Health Investment Forum was held the following day and 13 emerging animal health companies presented their ideas. The forum attracted more than 20 early  to mid-stage animal health companies, as well as animal health executives and investors seeking business partnerships.

This event continues to grow each year and GBA is excited to have been a part of it.