With 28 autonomous offices across the Mid Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, and Texas, GTA operates in diverse markets and delivers a wide range of projects. At first glance, those geographic differences seem significant. Different cities bring different clients, regulations, landscapes, and technical challenges. Yet conversations with employees across these offices reveal that what defines GTA is not where the work happens, but how it happens.

From Charlotte to Raleigh, from Pittsburgh to Richmond, and across Dallas-Fort Worth, team members describe a culture that connects every region. Regardless of office size, employees are encouraged to invest in their professional growth with strong support behind them. That foundation is what allows them to do their best work and deliver meaningful results for the clients and communities we serve.

Small Offices, Big Opportunities

In newer offices like Dallas-Fort Worth, the pace of growth creates meaningful opportunities for employees to expand their skills and take on new challenges. The Texas branch currently operates with a small, focused team consisting of Branch Manager Jeromi Kelsey and two engineering technicians. Everyone contributes across both field and lab operations, supporting geotechnical, construction materials testing, and environmental consulting projects in Texas. 

Aidan Owens’ life as a field and lab technician has given him a front row seat to the full scope of the work: “It’s been really cool to be on the ground floor building this office up. I’m doing everything from constructing some of the lab to kind of seeing what works for us and how we can implement the GTA processes.”

Branch Manager Jeromi Kelsey emphasized the opportunity and responsibility inherent in a small team: “Currently, we have three people here in our office who do a combination of work in the field and in the lab. We’re looking forward to helping serve all of the local communities here in Texas.”

In Richmond, employees have experienced growth in a slightly different way, moving from hands-on fieldwork to more leadership roles within the office. Owen Billard began his career in the field, working on the New Kent City Center VDOT roadway. That early experience set the foundation for his next chapter. Recently, he transitioned into a new role as Lab Manager for the Richmond office: “I’ve kind of been moving into more of the lab side,” Owen said. “Recently I took over the position as lab manager, and that’s been a really rewarding challenge.”

These experiences create pathways for employees to step into greater responsibility while continuing to build new skills and expand their professional capabilities with strong support behind them.

Where Learning Never Stops

Across offices, employees gain exposure to multiple aspects of the business, which strengthens their expertise and perspective. 

In Dallas-Fort Worth, Aidan Owens splits time between field and lab tasks, gaining insight into how field data and laboratory analysis inform one another. In Richmond, Owen Billard now balances managerial responsibilities with oversight of lab operations, building a broader skill set. 

Sam Poth of the Richmond office highlighted the importance of this cross-functional approach:

“I think our secret sauce is our personnel. We’ve developed a strong cultural fit, and we tend to be a results-driven group who are willing to try new processes and new solutions.”

Even in bigger and more established offices, employees are encouraged to continue developing their skills. In Charlotte, younger field staff bring curiosity and energy, engaging with complex residential geotechnical projects and learning quickly from senior staff. In Pittsburgh, team members often wear multiple hats to meet the demands of a smaller office, further enhancing their technical versatility and problem-solving abilities. 

Lewis Tupper, Lab Supervisor in Pittsburgh, recently had the opportunity to expand his expertise into a new area of the industry: “Lately, we’ve been working on several solar farm projects in the Ohio area. It’s a side of the industry I haven’t been very familiar with before, so it’s been awesome to explore something new and see how it all comes together.”

By encouraging cross-functional experience, GTA develops professionals who communicate effectively across disciplines and proactively address challenges before they arise.

The Challenges That Make Work Exciting

Delivering results is central to GTA’s culture, but the approach to achieving them is equally important. Across offices, teams combine technical expertise with a willingness to explore new methods and solutions.

The Pittsburgh team provides a strong example. Working on projects such as a wastewater treatment plant with extremely soft glacial soils and a shallow groundwater table required innovative foundation and excavation support designs. Team members collaborated closely to determine the most feasible and effective solutions, developing skills that are valuable across other projects and regions.

In Raleigh, employees also navigate unique challenges. Lab technician Jessica Herzog described the process of learning to operate new equipment: “We recently got a new direct shear machine. Another team member and I had no idea how to use it at first, but we worked together to figure it out. I’m really proud of us for learning how to do that.”

In Charlotte, team members navigate both design and field consideration. Associate David Peñalva of the Charlotte office shared, ”We’ve been working on some pretty complex residential projects from a geotechnical standpoint. There’s been a lot of analysis and design involved. As they move into construction, it’ll be exciting to see how they come together.”

Across GTA, innovation is not limited to leadership roles. Employees at every level are encouraged to suggest improvements to processes, lab procedures, and field techniques. Open communication and trust create an environment where teams feel confident testing ideas and solving complex problems in smarter, more effective ways.

How GTA Team Members Support Each Other

One of GTA’s strongest differentiators is its culture. Employees consistently describe their work environments where professionalism and camaraderie go hand in hand. People feel comfortable being themselves while holding one another to high standards, a balance that strengthens both working relationships and project outcomes.

Bhabani Shankar Dhital, Project Engineer, shared a similar perspective: “We have great relationships with coworkers, and everyone is very helpful. Good communication and teamwork make this office an ideal place to work.”

Sam Poth also shared how Richmond’s culture encourages experimentation and innovation while maintaining accountability: “We’re always looking for a better way to do something.”

Support at GTA is not just an abstract value. It shows up in mentorship, shared problem-solving, and a culture where employees are encouraged to grow together.

One GTA Spirit

While offices vary in size and project type, the principles behind the work remain consistent. Across regions, team members collaborate closely and support one another, creating opportunities for meaningful career development while delivering quality work on every project that we take.

John Moscati, Vice President of Geotechnical and COT in Charlotte, described it this way: “We treat each other like teammates and work for one another. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, but the camaraderie is strong.”

If you are seeking a career where growth is not just encouraged but built into the day-to-day experience, GTA offers opportunities to expand your skills. Visit our careers page to explore current openings and learn more about where your path could begin or grow next: gtaeng.com/careers.