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In this issue:
- 5 Reasons why you or your staff should attend a conference
- Geotechnical Engineer of Record - Updated
- Member Highlight: Bob Lokteff
- CalGeo Annual Conference - REGISTER THIS MONTH!
- Fore! Its the CalGeo Annual Golf Tournament
- Help support the Students
- Deep Foundations coming to SoCal - October 2018
- Salary Survey & Board of Director Ballots coming soon!
- Need a job? Are you an Emerging Professional looking to get involved?
- Welcome our new members
5 Reasons you should attend a conference in your field (especially ours!)
 In our busy social media crazy world we often forget the importance of being in a live face-to-face setting with others from the business community.
Being active in your industry trade association can bring with it many benefits. There is power in being connected to other people who are active in your line of work, but it can also be easy to talk yourself out of committing to that annual meeting year after year. Many people think that joining the organization is enough, but to capitalize on the return on your investment you need to be engaged and participate in the meetings.
Small business owners are busy, so the thought of taking a few days away from the office to participate in a conference, trade show, convention or seminar can seem like a waste of time. However, these live meetings might be just what you need to uncover new ways to growing your business.
Many think that being around competitors can be a waste of time, or worse, a chance for others to steal their ideas. But not everyone in your business is actually a competitor, as many can be allies and friends. The mindset you choose about participating in events will impact your results.
Here are five reasons to attend your industry conference >>
Article by: Thom Singer is a professional speaker, corporate training and the author of ten books on the power of business relationships, networking, presentation skills and entrepreneurship.
Geotechnical Engineer of Record - Document Updated
 The Geotechnical Business Council of GBA has updated the guide to help identify the roles and responsibilities of the geotechnical engineer of record, client, and owner involved with the geotechnical-engineering aspects of a conventional design/bid/build construction project.
The guideline addresses the range and nature of services that should be included in the geotechnical engineer’s scope of service if the geotechnical engineer is to sign and seal instruments of professional service, and accept the geotechnical engineer of record designation.
Download the document from GBA's website HERE
Member Highlight: Bob Lokteff
Principal, Blackburn Consulting
 Mr. Lokteff is a Principal and Vice President with Blackburn Consulting (BCI) and has devoted his 27-year professional career to geotechnical engineering. He has been with BCI for 19 of those 27 years and currently manages BCI’s West Sacramento office. Bob obtained his Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Civil Engineering form California State University, Sacramento. Bob has provided geotechnical engineering services for levees, roads, bridges, pipelines, communications towers, schools, commercial buildings, residential subdivisions, and landslides as well as forensic and expert consultant services for pavement distress, building settlement, expansive soil issues, and moisture vapor migration. Mr. Lokteff is active in many engineering societies including ASCE, ACEC, APWA and has presented at several associational conferences on topics such as the Importance of Geotechnical Laboratory Testing and Geotechnical Considerations for Underground Construction.
Bob is currently the President of CalGeo. Make sure to say hi at the upcoming conference in Santa Rosa!
Conference Registration cut-off is THIS MONTH and filling-up!
Why should you attend CalGeo's Annual Conference?
CalGeo's Annual Conference is the only Geotechnical Engineering conference focused on the needs and issued faced by California engineers.
Here's why you should consider attending this year:
- Emerging Professional break-out sessions to help you with report writing and liability issues you could face in your career.
- Technical presentations by industry leaders on liquefaction, instrumentation, case histories and lessons learned - all with a California focus. DOWNLOAD PROGRAM NOW
- No 10-min paper presentations where you barely scratch the surface. Our conference features all full-length key-note lectures by industry professionals.
- Great networking event with fun social activities. Meet and socialize with your suppliers and colleagues.
- Don't be scared to ask your company to sponsor you! The worst response you could get is a refusal, but its worth a try. Many firms are willing to invest in the education of their staff - IF YOU JUST ASK!
- Attend a short course before the conference and stay for a day, or the whole she-bang. One-day options available!
What people are saying about CalGeo's Conference:
 The annual conference has allowed me to expand my knowledge of geotechnical engineering outside of the typical challenges I face and has greatly expanded my network of colleagues that I am able to call on for advice. The presentations are always top notch and well worth the money.” - Lindsey Angell, Golder
“The CalGeo conference is a great way to learn more about how other companies conduct business in California. You will find answers to many questions related to the standard of practice, labor laws, the economic outlook, new technologies, building code requirements, and so much more. The fees are reasonable and the information is invaluable!” - Neal Berliner, Geocon
Download our full (and updated!) conference brochure
Book your hotel @ the Flamingo Resort & Conference Center - only $169/night
 Book your room online through the CalGeo reservation portal, e-mail [email protected] or call: 707-545-8530 to make your room reservation before April 5th, 2018 to receive CalGeo's rate of $169/night (plus taxes & fees). Book early to ensure availability!
The Flamingo Resort is also offering CalGeo guests 20% off spa services so make sure to book yourself or a guest in before you arrive.
The Charles M Schultz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa has flights daily with Alaska Air to and from Orange County, SNA. There are also direct non-stop flights to and from LAX and San Diego. Santa Rosa is approximately a 1.5hr drive from Oakland airport and a 2.5hr drive from Sacramento Airport.
Fore! Its the CalGeo Annual Golf Tournament April 19th
 Do you enjoy a perfectly good day ruined by chasing around after a small white ball? Then listen up!
CalGeo's Annual Golf Tournament, Playing for Peanuts is now available for registration.
Location: Foxtail Golf Course, Santa Rosa, CA
Date/Time: April 19th Registration & Breakfast 6:30-7:30am, Tee-off at 7:30am
Why should you play? Get out of the office and enjoy California's wine country with other geotech professionals AND win some great prizes! Continental breakfast is included because, Good Grief! That's an early tee-time!
CalGeo Member rate $75, Non-members $85. Regist er HERE.
Thank you to our golf tournament sponsors:
Help us support CalGeo Student Chapters
This year CalGeo is sponsoring 2 students from each CalGeo student chapter to attend our Annual Conference FOR FREE! Additional students can register for only $100. This is great for the students to volunteer with the conference operation as well as meet and mingle with possible employers.
Firms benefit by getting to know the next generation that will be entering their workforce. Not to mention highly self-motivated young engineers that are involved in CalGeo!
This year we will be donating 10% of proceeds back to the community that is hosting us to aid in the rebuilding efforts. We found the North Bay Wildfire relief fund (https://www.redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief) to be the best option for the community.
Please assist us in making this year's silent auction the best yet! If you have items, tickets, gift cards, software or training programs to donate, or even fun experiences - we would love to have them. Please e-mail [email protected] to help contribute to the education of a California engineer.
If you are unable to attend the closing banquet on Saturday April 21st, consider donating your ticket to a student - let us know at registration or during the conference or e-mail [email protected]
Deep Foundations is coming to SoCal - OCTOBER 2018
Registration is now open for the 2018 Deep Foundations Institute National Conference. It will be heold October 24-27, 2018 at the Hilton Anaheim. CalGeo will be there, will you?
The 43rd Annual Conference on Deep Foundations in Anaheim, California, is THE event where you will network with the largest gathering of practitioners specializing in the deep foundation industry; attend special lectures featuring our world-renowned keynote speakers; learn about innovations in design, construction and delivery of deep foundations; become updated on design, construction, QC/QA and risk assessment/management; hear about DFI’s global initiatives and research to promote foundation safety, quality, durability and sustainability. There will also be an Exhibit Hall featuring 120+ companies.
Watch your inbox: Board Ballots & Notice of General Membership Meeting coming soon!
We have mailed out Board Nomination and voting ballots so keep an eye on the snail mail for you ballot. Please remeber that only the key-contact from each Active member firm (with a registered GE or CE on staff) is allowed to vote.
We will be holding the General Membership Meeting at the conference in Santa Rosa on Friday April 20th at 8:30am. Notices are in the mail.
Another Salary Survey too??
2017 Salary survey excel sheets will be e-mailed out shortly. Please forward these to the HR department or appropriate person to complete. We would like to get the info out to our members faster this year which is why we are setting the deadline for July 1, 2018! Please complete the excel sheet and. you will receive our printed and bound salary survey in the mail once all entries are compiled. Late entries delay the entire process so please send them in as soon as they are completed.
By participating in CalGeo's salary survey you save $350! Even non-member firms can participate, but why not join and then get the salary survey for free.
What's the big deal about our salary survey anyway?
- Gain detailed information on salary, benefits, bonuses for varying levels of experience and education.
- Salary info for Engineers, Geologists, Soil Field Techs, Soil Lab Techs, Environmental personnel, and Administrators.
- Breakdown on average/max/min firm billing across California.
- Regional information from 4 distinct zones in California.
- Experience levels seperated into 7 professional grades, 4 field grades and 3 lab grades.
- The perfect tool for performance reviews and new hires. Offer competitive salary and benefits to retain your staff.
CalGeo has a Job Board - and Emerging Professional Groups
 Everyone is expanding and looking to fill rols from technicians to experienced project engineers. Check out our job board on the website - lots of new postings are available.
Emerging Professionals
If you are a young professional just looking to get more involved in the CalGeo community, think about joining our Emerging Professionals group. We have a Northern California and Southern California chapter. They hold their own dinner meetings, bring in speakers and plan fun events.
Contact: Jonathan Ontiveros for Southern California EP and Lindsey Angell for Northern California.
We are holding a Student & Emerging Professional Happy Hour at our Conference in Santa Rosa on Friday April 20th at 5pm! Students can learn invaluable advice from Emerging Professionals that have suceeded in the field over a few appetizers and drinks. Tickets will be provided to EPs and students at registration.
Welcome our new members
We are pleased to welcome the following new members to CalGeo! Make sure to stop by and meet them at our Annual Conference in April.
Individual Members:
Lisa Yabusaki, GEI Consultants
David Froster, GEI Consultants
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