GeoHeroes - Laura Register

About This Episode
In this episode Guy Marcozzi interviews Laura Register, P.E., F.GBA, the National Director for Strategic Business Sectors at Terracon. Laura shares insights into her professional journey, starting with her childhood and early influences, including her father's engineering and entrepreneurial spirit. She recounts her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated engineering field, her career progression through various companies, and her current role at Terracon. Guy and Laura discuss the evolution of the geoprofessional industry, the value it offers, and advice for those entering the field, emphasizing the importance of company culture and mentorship.

Series Summary
In this podcast series Guy Marcozzi will interview past, present, and future leaders in the geoprofessional industry to explore their personal and career journeys. The goal is to understand what motivates these individuals and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The podcast will examine the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

About Our Guest
Laura Register, P.E., F.GBA is a passionate advocate and leader for advancing women in their professions. Notably , Laura is the Founder of AEC Power Women, a 300-member group dedicated to educating, showcasing, and connecting female leaders in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). As the first female board member in the history of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA), Laura served as GBA's President in 2016-17 and was elected to the GBA Council of Fellows in 2018. She is proud to have co-founded Terracon's iWIL/Increasing Women in Leadership employee resource group.

Our Host
Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, is the current GBA president and an experienced CEO, President and Board Member with a demonstrated history of working in the engineering, science and data technology industries and in leadership for various boards of ESOP, non-profit, professional and business organizations.

Discussion Topics:

Introduction

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 00:12 Laura provides a brief professional introduction as the National Director for Strategic Business Sectors at Terracon
• 00:40 Laura shares personal details about her life outside of work in Tennessee

Early Life and Education

• 2:07 Discussion about Laura's childhood in Jacksonville, Florida
• 05:10 Laura reflects on the positive aspects of having older siblings
• 07:52 How her exploratory nature has continued into adulthood
• 08:17 The path to the geoprofession influenced by being good at math and science,
• 10:47 The decision to attend Vanderbilt University School of Engineering

Career Path

• 12:28 Laura's experience as a woman in a mostly male engineering class
• 15:17 Joining Law Engineering and finding a supportive community and opportunities in project management
• 16:11 How rapid growth provided opportunities for younger engineers to manage clients and learn about risk management
• 19:47 Re-entering corporate consulting and joining Terracon through connections made at GBA
• 20:34 Laura's 10-year journey at Terracon and her current role as her dream job

Leadership

• 21:35 Discussion on the keys to success in client-facing roles
• 23:15 Importance of a focused approach and the idea that the profession is in the business of data and people
• 24:15 Addressing the lack of a female role model by creating personal boards of directors
• 25:51 The informal nature and impact of these personal boards of directors

The Geoprofessional Landscape

• 26:45 Laura's perspective on the evolving geoprofession
• 27:36 The geoprofession's involvement from start to finish in projects
• 27:55 Positive changes in embracing diverse contributors beyond traditional engineers and scientists
• 29:59 The challenge and opportunity of a shifting workforce and the role of technology and AI
• 30:58 Laura's view on the core value proposition of geoprofessionals as being present from start to finish of projects

Speed Round

• 32:19 Geo Hero Speed Round
• [BOOK] The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
• [BOOK] Radical Candor by Kim Scott
• [BOOK] Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott
• [BOOK] The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks
• [BOOK] Dracula Daily by Matt Kirkland
• 36:21 Optimism index for the geoprofession
• 36:57 Proudest professional achievement
• 38:13 Career regrets
• 39:32 Advice for someone entering the geoprofession

Final Thoughts

• 42:51 "Take the vacation" to refresh and unplug

Calls-to-action:

• Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
• Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes
• Contact us at info@geoprofessional.org with any podcast-related questions or comments

Subscribe

• Subscribe to the GBA Podcast https://www.gbapodcast.com/subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

• Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental LLC