Vision
The ASCE Seattle Section Geotechnical Group will be the recognized leader of geotechnical practice throughout the Puget Sound Region.

We have outstanding officers this year that have agreed to volunteer their time and efforts to make the upcoming year great. Eric Heller is your president-elect this year. Eric is with GeoEngineers and will be in charge of this year’s Spring Seminar. Dominic Parmantier is this year’s Secretary and will publish this year’s Groundhog in early February. Dominic is with Condon-Johnson & Associates. Jon Brown, with Landau Associates, is this year’s Treasurer and will be in charge of keeping the groups’ finances in order. Sean Caraway will have the demanding job of Education Chair this year in charge of the dinner meetings and group functions. Sean is with Cornerstone Geotechnical. Alan Macnab, with Condon-Johnson & Associates, will again serve as the Membership Chair and I, more than anyone, will appreciate his knowledge and insight this year. Sarah West, with Golder Associates in Redmond, is this year’s Public Relations Chair and will be looking to expand that chair’s role this year. Grace Weaver, with LACHEL FELICE & Associates will again provide updates to our website this year.

This year we are planning many great events including our annual Spring Seminar, April 5, 2008, our annual publication of the Groundhog, eight dinner meetings, a couple of field trips and a couple of short courses. We are planning outreach to the local universities to educate students in the benefits of Geotechnical Engineering. We are also planning on having several joint meetings this year with other organizations so that our members have the chance to meet with others outside of our profession.

We are planning to finalize our $100,000 donation to The Dr. Robert D. Holtz Fellowship at the University of Washington this year. We have been asking our member firms to donate towards the fellowship and if this amount is reached, we will get an additional $25,000 from the State of Washington.

We will continue to ask for our member’s assistance this year as we provide many stellar events. Many of you are already involved in the group in one way or another and we truly appreciate it.

Thank you for your continued support.

Jeff Fowler, P.E.
City of Seattle