GeoHeroes - Dan Schaefer

GeoHeroes - Dan Schaefer About This Episode In this episode Guy Marcozzi interviews Dan Schaefer, PE, Vice President of Operations at Froehling & Robertson, Inc. who shares his remarkable 35-year journey that started as a construction-obsessed kid reading "Mike Mulligan and The Steam Shovel." Schaefer discusses how early mentorship shaped his career, his evolution from a demanding manager to an empathetic leader, and his optimistic vision for tackling the geoprofession's workforce crisis. He advocates for embracing technology while expanding beyond traditional hiring practices, emphasizing that not every role requires an engineering degree. This episode is packed with practical advice on finding mentors, managing complexity, and maintaining perspective throughout a demanding but rewarding career. About Our Guest Dan Schaefer, PE, has more than 30 years of experience specializing in geotechnical engineering, construction inspection and materials testing, and environmental consulting. In addition to his branch management duties, he continues to serve as a senior engineer on a wide variety of site development, building, and transportation projects with particular emphasis in foundation, retaining wall, pavement and slope design. Dan is actively involved with the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) and has been a member of the GBA CoMET Business Committee for more than 15 years, and is currently serving as GBA's President-elect. Our Host Guy Marcozzi, PE, D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, is a GBA past-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. Show Notes Introduction Dan Schaefer, VP of Operations at Froehling & Robertson Based in Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill area, North Carolina 35 years with F&R Early Life and Education Grew up in Rochester, New York Loved outdoor activities: biking, camping, boating, canoeing, sailing, fishing Childhood fascination with construction books: "Who Built The Highway?", "Mike Mulligan and The Steam Shovel" High school jobs: dishwasher/server at Italian restaurant, wilderness camp counselor Camp counselor at canoe tripping camp in Algonquin Park, Canada Originally planned to be math teacher Dad's client suggested civil engineering -