GPI 2022 Rewind 2023 Kickoff Newsletter

CONTENTS

Message from the President

The President's Circle Inductees Honoring Career Milestones

Strategic Planning Update

Achievement Award Recipients

2022 Highlights

Project Highlight

Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) Esports Arena

Our GPI Geospatial Team Continues to Embrace Technological Innovations

Fantastic Fundraising Results

Our Building Systems Engineering Services Expand

Project Highlight Our Technology and Project Management Team Enhance Collaboration

Interns Highlight

Charitable Giving Update – The GPI Connect Team

Our New Wellbeing Program

In Memoriam

Cover Photo:

Located in Manistee County, Michigan DOT’s Mortimer E. Cooley Bridge carries M-55 traffic over the Pine River. The bridge was constructed in 1934 and in 1935 it received the American Institute of Steel Construction's Class C award for Most Beautiful Bridge. It is one of two cantilevered deck truss bridges in Michigan with extensive lattice work and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This strucutre was last recoated in 2019 and GPI's Chris Gibson is pictured performing an inspections during repairs to the coating system as a representative for MDOT. GPI works with many owner agencies providing assistance with corrosion protection and quality assuance inspections.

JANUARY 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Christer Ericsson, P.E.

Greetings and welcome to our annual Rewind and Kickoff newsletter that celebrates some of our achievements and looks ahead to things that we can expect and steer towards. In January (2022), we were notified that we were selected for the Corridor H project in West Virginia. It’s a “fast track” design of a new 10-mile section of highway through the Allegheny mountains, including bridges and interchanges. This is one of our largest design projects to date! Corridor H tested our One Team approach, as it had an extremely aggressive schedule requiring many people working on it immediately. As an indicator for how the year would start, our notice to proceed was delayed for months, as the West Virginia Department of Highways (WVDOH) wrestled with uncertainties on their end. Whether it was project holds in Florida or delayed starts in Vermont, across the company we began the year slower than we would have liked. Clients, like WVDOH, were still a bit uncertain about their projects and had some concerns, whether it was related to their staffing, funding, or supply chain impacts. But Corridor H eventually kicked off this past fall, as did several other large projects throughout GPI, which has made our second half much stronger than our first half and possibly on our way to the largest revenue year in history. Great work team!

As we step into 2023, we will continue to focus on several things:

Our people. Making sure that we are indeed providing the best opportunities for staff to grow and enrich their careers. Our processes. Focusing how we can work smarter. Are there tasks that can be simplified? Are there lessons learned that we need to share?

Our markets. Look back to our mission of “together we create the infrastructure people need most.” Use data to help guide better decision making. A major initiative is developing a new website, one that will help us communicate our broad services and the values that we deliver.

Our structure. To align ourselves for growth, build on a firm foundation for long-term success and opportunities for advancement.

And finally, our finances. If we do the right things the right way we will meet our financial obligations, including providing for a sustainable ESOP retirement benefit for all employees.

So, as we move forward, we move together. As one team, on one mission, creating the things that bring us all continued individual and company success. I am extremely optimistic about 2023, we have superior talent and a strong market full of opportunity. Thank you for all you do.

2023 Inductees

Donald Eimers

35 yrs

Marc Matalon 35 yrs

John Simkulet 35 yrs Philip Trapani 35 yrs

President’s Circle

GPI's continued success is dependent upon our dedicated employees. The President's Circle is comprised of full-time employees who reach 35 years of employment at GPI or an affiliated or acquired company. Congratulations to the 2023 inductees!

Strategic Planning Update

Denise Carter, P.E. - Chief Strategy Officer

35+President’s Circle

Strategy can be interpreted in many ways. It is used interchangeably with goals, tactics, mission, or even a to-do list. Strategy can be defined as ‘all the decisions and actions taken by a business for achieving the larger vision.’ And in complex organizations like GPI, being clear on our larger vision is the cornerstone for all these decisions. Our aspirational vision is to be One Team with a mission to create the infrastructure people need most. So, our strategic decisions must be developed and aligned to make these statements manifest.

GPI stepped through a strategic planning process about two years ago and identified initiatives to advance our vision and mission: strengthen leadership, improve business development collaboration, and strengthen and regionalize support teams. The four Regional Officers have been in place since the start of 2022. Pat, Doug, Melinda, and Greg spent the year getting to know the staff and understanding the operations within their regions. They have focused on supporting and mentoring branch managers and department heads, reviewed processes, and most importantly, continued to infuse the culture and values of GPI. These leaders' guidance and wisdom are the starting point for GPI One Team success.

Key to the One Team approach is improving business development collaboration. One goal is to break out of the mindset of, say, a 40-person office and think

and act more like the 1800-person firm we are. When we leverage our strength and talents to win and deliver interesting, challenging projects we can ‘create the infrastructure people need most’. We gathered in October for a meeting where incredibly talented business development leads, branch managers, regional officers, and key staff came together to set targets, share ideas, and get training in BD collaboration tools.

The third initiative that moved forward was strengthening the support teams. The HR team (branch and corporate) was expanded, and specializations were created to better serve the staff and increase engagement. The Health and Safety team was expanded and reorganized to ensure all staff are provided with a safe working experience. Finally, the Southeast Region established a regional marketing structure with new hire Jay Roebuck leading a team to provide marketing direction for the entire Southeast, including GPI Geospatial and UESI. This model will elevate marketing and proposal delivery by sharing this high-caliber team across the region and companies.

In the works are further development of already established initiatives and new initiatives to move our Vision forward. We will have more on that to share in Q1 of 2023. Every single person at GPI contributes to the One Team success and that is what makes this company so unique and so special.

The A. Beecher Greenman Achievement Award

Greg Johnson, P.E. Mid-Atlantic Regional Officer

This award recognizes the achievement of an individual who has had a profound impact on the company. This individual must have demonstrated excellence in leadership throughout their career.

President’s

Greg joined GPI in 1997, starting as a project manager in a 3-person bridge group in the Lebanon, NJ branch. The group grew rapidly, and Greg was promoted to department manager. In 2011, he was promoted to branch manager and under his leadership, the branch grew, becoming known across the state. After merging subsidiary company Keller & Kirkpatrick into the branch, making it part a larger New Jersey branch, and establishing a foothold with Connecticut DOT, among other things, Greg was elevated to Mid-Atlantic Regional Officer. Since becoming regional officer, he has been instrumental in building a cohesive region that has been proactive in sharing expertise across the region and introducing new services into the offices. As a regional officer, his focus is on looking for opportunities that capitalize on the experience of staff and that will allow them to grow.

With a background in the structural design of complex bridge and transportation projects as well as inspection and management of bridge construction projects, Greg has been in responsible charge of over 100 bridge repair/rehabilitation and replacement projects in NJ and PA. These projects ranged in construction cost from $0.5M to over $200M and have involved complex viaducts (several over 10,000 in length). Clients view him as a trusted advisor, always available to provide valuable insight on how to approach projects, which is greatly appreciated, especially to smaller clients with limited resources. He was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as the Young Engineer of the Year (ASCE NJ Section) and more recently, as the Civil Engineer of the Year (ASCE North Jersey Branch). He has served on the Advisory Board for Rowan University’s Department of Civil Engineering for the last ten years. His dedication to the community includes serving as Vice Chair of America’s Growa-Row charity that donates fresh produce to underserved communities across the country.

One of his award nominators had this to share about him: “Greg walks the talk every single day in what we all want our employees to be. He is selfless, always ready to reach down, lend a hand, and make someone better. He is also technically extremely talented and well respected by all our teaming partners and clients.”

Outstanding Achievement Award recipients each select a charity to receive a donation of $5,000 in their name.

Greg has chosen: Team Walker of Jersey City. Team Walker’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the children of Jersey City through academic and recreation programs that empower the children’s minds, bodies, and souls. By creating programs that provide safe and constructive alternatives to the negative influences that plague inner-city youth, children learn the importance of education, responsibility, persistence, teamwork, and unity.

The Emily Warren Roebling Woman of Impact Award

Nicki Jacobs, P.E., PTOE, RSP1 Director of Business Development - Scranton PA

This award recognizes a female employee who has demonstrated outstanding achievements or for efforts in promoting the industry to young women.

Anyone that has ever worked with Nicki would see the love and passion she has for the transportation industry, but what drives her even more is contributing to the growth and success of others. Her change-making spirit and work ethic builds a positive, forward thinking work environment, which has propelled her career very early on. Just 2 years into her career, she led the development of the first Traffic Engineering Handbook for new employees, which earned her team the NJDOT 2006 Teamwork/Partnership Achievement Award. In 2009, she was named an ITE Young Engineer Award recipient. By that time, she was managing complex projects and multidisciplined teams and was trusted by clients to provide solutions to their infrastructure needs.

She has served multiple roles since starting at GPI and in January 2022 was named Director of Business Development for transportation services in Pennsylvania. In this role she led many "first of its kind" initiatives for the Scranton Transportation Team including a formal in-house training curriculum; an annual statewide business development plan which has resulted in new

clients and higher sales; and numerous other tools and resources aimed to enhance the way we deliver products to our clients.

She enjoys mentoring, being active in professional organizations like ACEC/PA, WTS, and donating her time to positive causes in her community.

Outstanding Achievement Award recipients each select a charity to receive a donation of $5,000 in their name.

Nicki has chosen: Turning Point of Lehigh Valley. Turning Point is a safe place where ALL survivors of domestic and intimate partner abuse and their children can find refuge. They provide services in Lehigh and Northampton counties of Pennsylvania and reached over 3,500 people last year through trauma-informed, inclusive programs and services.

The Herbert M. Pedersen

Young Professionals Award

Doug Halpert, P.E.,

PTOE

Project Manager - Columbia MD

This award recognizes an employee under the age of 33, for their outstanding contributions to the company and their profession, demonstrating excellence in the performance of their practice area and leadership.

Doug joined the Columbia, MD branch in February 2021 as a transfer from the Wilmington, MA office. As a traffic engineer joining a highway group, Doug showed eagerness and determination to learn new skillsets and obtain necessary training, while also bringing new services to the department and pursuing new clients and work that better suit his passion of sustainable improvements. His team considers him an out-of-the-box thinker when it comes to developing unique solutions to transportation problems.

Doug received his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in 2013. During college, he served as President of the Northeastern University Student Chapter of ITE and went on to become the Treasurer and Board Director of the Massachusetts Chapter. He later served as the Continuing Education Chair for the New England Section, a role that required him to plan and implement annual training

programs for ITE members. He continues to serve on the ITE Sustainability Committee.

A graduating member of the Leadership ITE class of 2019, Doug applies concepts learned thorough the program by serving as a mentor to many younger staff, training them in how to prepare traffic impact assessments, conduct Road Safety Audits, and develop conceptual level plans.

Outstanding Achievement Award recipients each select a charity to receive a donation of $5,000 in their name.

Doug has chosen: A split donation between the Washington D.C. sector of ITE and Free Bikes for Kidz Maryland. Free Bikes 4 Kidz is a nonprofit organization geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT

Esports, short for electronic sports, is a form of competition using video games. Esports often takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players, individually or as teams. Following the pathway of traditional sports, many schools have started to develop their own esports programs. Universities are building esports arenas and recruiting talent from all over the world to compete at their schools.

Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) recently launched a new diploma program focused on esports coaching. The 17-credit program provides students interested in coaching eSports with the skills associated with eSports coaching at the high school, collegiate, and professional level. To accompany this new program, an Esports Arena was required for a full immersive learning experience.

The GPI team in Scranton provided MEP/FP design and construction services for this new Esports Arena at LCCC’s main campus in Nanticoke, PA. The arena is located in the Campus Center and includes a gaming arena, shout caster station, and adjacent student lounge. The space includes $55,000 worth of advanced gaming computers. Due to the increased computing demand, additional split system variable refrigerant flow cooling systems were added to the space to accommodate the increased heat rejection in order maintain space comfort. The space was provided with an upgraded lighting system designed to set the stage for events. General overhead lighting was coupled with accent lighting throughout to give the user the best control possible. A new power panel was also provided and dedicated to the gaming areas. This exciting project was completed in the fall of 2022.

Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) Esports Arena, Nanticoke PA

Our Scranton Team Steps into the World of Gaming...well sorta!

Our GPI Geospatial Team Continues to Embrace Technological Innovations

SLAM Technology, Kinematic Laser Scanning, Digital Twins, what the heck does it all mean? To some readers, terms like these may be in your wheelhouse but to others, this may sound like complex robotic research jargon, and you may just be wondering what this has to do with the Engineering and Construction industry. Well, it comes down to surveys, and how they are a must for infrastructure and development projects which are at the core of GPI’s portfolio.

During the design, planning, and pre-construction period of a project, surveys provide project managers and owners with important data through to project completion.

In the last 12 years, the pace of technological change in surveying has exploded. Today’s surveyor has access to some of the most technologically advanced reality capture tools. The introduction of SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) technology is said to have propelled a paradigm shift in the speed of reality capture, with data collected in minutes rather than hours, days, or even weeks.

Jumping into the driver’s seat with these advanced technologies is Paul Badr, C.P., P.L.S., P.P.S., S.P, - President of our subsidiary firm GPI Geospatial. “Investing in the latest geospatial technologies allows our team to provide the best method possible in helping our clients solve complex infrastructure challenges,” said Paul. “This new reality capture technology enhances our existing specialized geospatial services and provides robust options to give our clients the data they need, in a faster and efficient package.”

In June of 2022, GPI Geospatial purchased a wearable indoor 3D scanner produced by NavVis named the VLX. This wearable scanner is suitable for reality capture of construction sites, stairwells, technical rooms, and other AEC applications such as building documentation data. It is a SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) system comprised of two lidar sensors and four 20-megapixel cameras. The SLAM technology allows for laser scanning at up to 10 times faster than tripod-based scanning suited for rapid data collection of large indoor and outdoor spaces. The combination of high-quality data capture and a compact, design has transformed the way AEC projects

are captured with fast, efficient scanning for BIM and CAD applications, while also extending the scope of projects to new deliverables such as web-based digital twins.

Jamey Gray, P.L.S., G.I.S.P of our GPI Geospatial group has been hands-on with the VLX scanner for the past several months and feels that it is a game changer for our industry. “We have seen this technology open doors to conversations with clients which were previously closed due to level of effort and budgetary constraints for highly detailed reality capture datasets. The speed and efficiency of data collection with SLAM technology compared to tripod-based laser scanning is a true cost-effective solution that we can provide to our clients.”

GPI has used the VLX scanner in several states including Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, and North Carolina on a wide variety of projects. Applications have ranged from bridge construction inspection, substation mapping, urban streetscapes, state police station upgrades, various interior/exterior building mapping projects, and even a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale. We expect growth in 2023 and beyond with our reality capture services as the VLX scanner continues to become an important tool in our box for capturing geospatial data. When coupled with GPI’s rigorous survey control expertise and point cloud best practice approach, the VLX is sure to open a plethora of new and exciting possibilities.

“This new reality capture technology enhances our existing specialized geospatial services and provides robust options to give our clients the data they need, in a faster and efficient package.”

Fantastic Fundraising Results

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

GPI Connect reached the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Pacesetter Club for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. The Pacesetter Club is for donors who reach the minimum $2500 threshold. Our Connect team put out a call to action and challenged our male leaders to participate in the ACS’s Real Men Wear Pink challenge.

Doug Robb, Regional Officer and Branch Manager of our Columbia Maryland branch answered the call and helped us surpass our companywide goal of $5,000.00. This year, with Doug’s leadership and support, our team raised an impressive $18,243 companywide during October for the Making Strides fundraiser, with 62% coming from the GPI Columbia team.

Doug challenged his branch to raise $2,500. He promised to personally match their contributions up to that amount and dye his hair pink for one week. The branch delivered, and so did Doug!

MSABC - CENTRAL PARK, NYC

MSABC - WASHINGTON DC

MSABC - ORLANDO, FL

MSABC - BALTIMORE, MD

MSABC - GREATER CHARLOTTE, NC

MSABC - BUFFALO, NY

MSABC - ALBANY, NY

MSABC - LEON County

MSABC - WEST MICHIGAN

MSABC - PARSIPANNY

MSABC - NEW HAMPSHIRE

MSABC - LEHIGH VALLEY

MSABC - THE BRONX

MSABC - THE TREASURE COAST

MSABC - GREATER PHILADELPHIA & SOUTHERN NJ

Adding Depth of Structural Engineering Capabilities in the Washington, D.C.

Metropolitan Area

Our Building Systems Engineering Services Expand

In January, we were thrilled to welcome the talented group of Holbert Apple Associates, Inc. (HAA) to our GPI family. HAA was a structural engineering firm headquartered in Olney, MD with a team focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology to bring creative and innovative thinking to life. The transaction added significant structural engineering capabilities to the Building Systems group in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, while strengthening GPI’s service offering in complex markets such as life sciences, multi-family, assisted living, corporate interiors, cultural, government, and other key sectors.

GPI Executive Vice President, Lew Brode, P.E., LEED AP said “We are excited to have the experienced and skilled employees of HAA join our talented team. Their structural expertise has allowed us to offer more complete and comprehensive engineering services to our existing clients. We are also eager to work with new clients and on different project types that were part of the HAA portfolio.”

“HAA’s merger with GPI has provided our staff with tremendous professional and personal growth. We are fortunate and thrilled to have found GPI as our new home.” said President of HAA, David H. Holbert, P.E.

The addition of the HAA team has indeed brought many new opportunities throughout the year. The Olney office now offers mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering services to their clients, in addition to the structural engineering they are already providing. Also with the additional structural engineering staff in the Metro DC operation, we have been able to proactively pursue additional structural engineering services and our clients are now asking for the entire MEP/S package of engineering services.

Our Technology & Project Management Teams Enhance Collaboration - Improving

Project Outcomes

GPI is the lead designer on the El Sol/DeFoe JV team for the reconstruction of Bruckner Expressway and Bruckner Boulevard in an extremely congested section of the Bronx, including 1.4 miles of deck replacement, steel viaduct widening and repairs, and complete repaving and widening of Bruckner Boulevard below the viaduct. This $518-million design-build, now under construction and slated for completion in 2023, is part of a 3-phase project to improve safety and access to the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, the largest food distribution facility in the nation.

To successfully deliver a complex project such as this, effective coordination and communication are crucial. Babylon, with support from several GPI offices and a large external partner group, utilizes Bentley's ProjectWise and ProjectWise Web Portal for collaboration. GPI's technology and project management teams worked together to develop and implement policies and procedures for utilizing these tools on this project, plus automation that streamlines data creation, design, and document control and coordination. This "NEXT LEVEL" intra-branch coordination ensures that the project's demanding design schedule is met and that design decisions made throughout the project are thoroughly communicated to the team.

"ProjectWise was an invaluable tool to coordinate and collaborate between internal branch offices and multiple sub-consultants on Hunts Point Contract 2. I truly believe that it created an efficient environment in that we were able to create and track comprehensive design unit drawings that all looked as if created by one person. On the management end, with consistent file names and folder structures, the tracking of contract documents and stages of design proceeded efficiently." – Christian DeWalt

Due to the success of this cross-office collaboration, 19 projects (3 Autodesk and 16 Bentley) for a variety of clients are now hosted on GPI's ProjectWise tenant space.

Photo Contest Submission: Robert Hinnigan

Theme: Images that incorporate the GPI Logo GPI 's corrosion protection personal in action.

GPI Interns Work Collaboratively on Projects

GPI hosted 38 interns companywide this summer in our Albany, Babylon, Columbia, Metro DC, Metro NY, Scranton, and GPI Geospatial branches. Our Building Systems, Survey, and Civil groups provided the interns with unique engagement opportunities through crosstraining and professional development sessions specific to each discipline. The Summer Learning Program consisted of weekly Microsoft Teams presentations by local branch staff, corporate staff, and the Building Systems group, including a local DC architectural firm they invited into their schedule. Ethan Chappell from Metro DC told us to "continue the lunch and learns and the factory visits. Both gave great takeaways one would not receive at an average internship."

Interns were assigned a mentor, in addition to their supervisor, to provide general guidance and support.

Gianna Calciano, an intern with the Scranton office, said, "I enjoyed learning the new material and felt like my coworkers are always willing to help explain things to me."

The program is designed to allow interns to interact with professionals within their discipline and each other. Katelyn Pepe - an intern in the Columbia branch - shared, "I enjoy the fact that the Morgantown office and the Scott Depot office work together through Teams, so not only have I got to meet and collaborate with the people in my office in Morgantown but with also others in Scott Depot.”

The feedback from this experience has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to our next class of 2023 interns!

Our Interns Don't Push Papers or Run for Coffee, They Have a Hands-on Experience

Photo Contest Submission: Aubrey Duley “Green Roof at Hillel - The George Washington University” Theme: Projects that Support Sustainability GPI provided MEP/FP design for this new LEED Silver Certified building at George Washington University.

2022 Update on Our Three Pillars of Charitable Giving

GPI Connect continues to grow and focus on our three pillars of charitable giving, student outreach, and branch fun activities! We gave $109,631 back to the community through various corporate initiatives, branch donations, and individual employee gifts to their favorite non-profit. GPI's employees connected with the injection of a bit of fun during picnics, cornhole tournaments, Halloween parties, and more. Our professionals interacted with hundreds of students through local virtual and in-person events. GPI also participated in its first nationwide Ask Me Anything student outreach webinar with WTS International's Transportation You program.

Photo Contest Submission: CJ Williams

Theme: Drone Shots View of Valley View Bridge 400ft

Our New Wellbeing Program

Virgin Pulse is "changing lives for good" as the #1 health, well-being, and navigation platform. More than 6,000 organizations, including 25% of the Global Fortune 500, in 190 countries and territories trust Virgin Pulse with their health. GPI stepped into the wellness space ten years ago in 2012 with the Healthy Difference program through the Difference Card. We quickly matured from that program and established a relationship with Wellworks which has been a fantastic manager of our wellness program; however, over the years, we always wanted a platform that incorporated our One TEAM approach which Wellworks could not deliver. In our search for a more robust platform to include easy access to daily health information, tasks, and companywide challenges, we found Virgin Pulse, a technology designed to cultivate and reward good lifestyle habits for our employees.

In Memoriam

Marvel Bonham Inspector GPI Columbia, MD

Brian Kelley Coatings Inspector GPI New England

Michael Brodsky Inspector GPI Lebanon, NJ

Raymond Crump Lab Technician GPI Labs Grand Rapids, MI

Photo Contest Submission: Jason Brackin " Sunset on the Broadkill"

Theme: Projects Under Construction Pre-Cast Superstructure Installation