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 - combined math, outdoors, and building interests
Career Path
- Summer job as engineering technician at Empire Soils in Rochester during junior year
- Hired full-time at Empire Soils headquarters in Groton, NY after graduation
- Spent 5 formative years learning under mentors Bent Thomsen and Charlie Gaynor
- Moved to North Carolina in 1990 following girlfriend (economic reasons too)
- Interviewed with 3 firms, received 3 offers, chose Froehling & Robertson
- 35 years at F&R progressing from field work to VP of Operations
- Early exposure to ASFE/GBA through Empire Soils membership
Leadership
- Initially modeled tough, direct management style after mentor Charlie Gaynor
- Turning point: employee feedback "You'll get more out of me if you don't push me so hard"
- Learned to adapt management style to individual motivations
- Focus on mentorship, leading by example, and "client building through office operation building"
- High employee retention as validation of leadership approach
- Philosophy: Help people focus on one task at a time to manage overwhelming workloads
The Geoprofessional Landscape
- Biggest industry challenge: workforce development and staffing shortages
- Technology has revolutionized data transfer from field to office/clients
- Core competencies remain critical: problem-solving, engineering judgment, human communication
- Future requires embracing technology AND non-traditional staffing approaches
- Questions whether all project roles require engineering degrees
- Industry has consistently shown resilience and adaptability through disruptions
- 10-year outlook: similar fundamental work with advanced AI and more diverse workforce
Life Advice
- Proactively find mentors if organization doesn't provide them
- Attach yourself to people you respect and can learn from
- Stay humble and seek continuous learning
- Get out of comfort zone but "explore the margins" rather than jumping recklessly
- Focus on immediate priorities - "can't do two things well at the same time"
- Put aside noise and concentrate on current task
Speed Round
- Favorite Book: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
- Optimism index: 4 out of 5 (very optimistic about industry future)
- Biggest Professional Impact: Client building through training and mentoring people
- What he'd change: Get more formal training in people management earlier in career
- Advice for young professionals: Find someone you respect and can learn from, attach yourself to them
Final Thoughts
- GBA involvement has been a career highlight
- Importance of having fun along the way in your career
- Balance working hard with enjoying the challenging times
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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:
