Morgan's Mentors Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/morgans-mentors In this series (primarily intended for young professionals and undergraduate students), Morgan NeSmith will be discussing with various professionals about mentoring and being mentored. Each episode will follow a standard format with the purpose of providing general advice on career development and being mentored from a range of perspectives. Sponsored by Dan Brown and Associates Morgan NeSmith is a director of engineering at Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc., and has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech and over 20 years of experience in geotechnical contracting and consulting. NeSmith has authored and co-authored numerous papers on deep foundations and ground improvement systems. He also regularly speaks to companies, universities, and professional organizations on these topics on behalf of Berkel as well as DFI, of which he is the immediate past chair of the ACIP and DD Pile Committee. NeSmith currently serves on the DFI Board of Trustees as the liaison to the ACIP and DD Pile Committee and is a Diplomate of the Academy of Geo-Professionals. © 2025 Morgan NeSmith | DFI cb411c3f-18ba-58d0-a929-05a540085ac1 no en Fri, 09 Feb 2024 15:10:13 -0500 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:19:14 -0500 https://img.transistor.fm/Iv9lkIO1PmQ-QXf-UJovyL5-Jh3zI0aW0uAD-vhcsOQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMxNjE1LzE2OTMw/MDE4NDktYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Morgan's Mentors episodic Morgan NeSmith | DFI In this series (primarily intended for young professionals and undergraduate students), Morgan NeSmith will be discussing with various professionals about mentoring and being mentored. Each episode will follow a standard format with the purpose of providing general advice on career development and being mentored from a range of perspectives. Sponsored by Dan Brown and Associates Morgan NeSmith is a director of engineering at Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc., and has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech and over 20 years of experience in geotechnical contracting and consulting. NeSmith has authored and co-authored numerous papers on deep foundations and ground improvement systems. He also regularly speaks to companies, universities, and professional organizations on these topics on behalf of Berkel as well as DFI, of which he is the immediate past chair of the ACIP and DD Pile Committee. NeSmith currently serves on the DFI Board of Trustees as the liaison to the ACIP and DD Pile Committee and is a Diplomate of the Academy of Geo-Professionals. In this series (primarily intended for young professionals and undergraduate students), Morgan NeSmith will be discussing with various professionals about mentoring and being mentored. Deep Foundations Institute No No Morgan's Mentors Episode 12: Karen Armfield 12 12 Morgan's Mentors Episode 12: Karen Armfield full 03f2fece-fcf5-4624-a7ff-4e933190ddb0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/54a32f8d Host Morgan NeSmith is moving the needle for the final time in 2023. Karen Armfield, P.E., director of the NYC Geotechnical & Tunneling Group of WSP USA, joined us to talk about career development and when to take a chance.

Contents of this video: 
0:00 Intro 
0:24 Welcome 
14:04 Sponsor 
16:55 Wrap up 

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> Host Morgan NeSmith is moving the needle for the final time in 2023. Karen Armfield, P.E., director of the NYC Geotechnical & Tunneling Group of WSP USA, joined us to talk about career development and when to take a chance.

Contents of this video: 
0:00 Intro 
0:24 Welcome 
14:04 Sponsor 
16:55 Wrap up 

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 1075 Host Morgan NeSmith is moving the needle for the final time in 2023. Karen Armfield, P.E., director of the NYC Geotechnical & Tunneling Group of WSP USA, joined us to talk about career development and when to take a chance.

Contents of this video: 
0:00 Intro 
0:24 Welcome 
14:04 Sponsor 
16:55 Wrap up 

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> No Morgan's Mentors Episode 11: Ben Stroyer 11 11 Morgan's Mentors Episode 11: Ben Stroyer full e4e96470-c8dd-4813-bed7-6a279a523d34 https://share.transistor.fm/s/02288438 We get right down to business on this episode of Morgan's Mentors as our host Morgan NeSmith moves the needle toward entrepreneurship. Ben Stroyer, co-founder and managing director of IDEAL Group, joined us to talk about business ownership and how to advance after setbacks.

Contents of this video: 
0:00 Intro 
0:24 Welcome 
16:50 Sponsor 
29:47 Wrap up

Wrap up Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> We get right down to business on this episode of Morgan's Mentors as our host Morgan NeSmith moves the needle toward entrepreneurship. Ben Stroyer, co-founder and managing director of IDEAL Group, joined us to talk about business ownership and how to advance after setbacks.

Contents of this video: 
0:00 Intro 
0:24 Welcome 
16:50 Sponsor 
29:47 Wrap up

Wrap up Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 19:42:27 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 1827 We get right down to business on this episode of Morgan's Mentors as our host Morgan NeSmith moves the needle toward entrepreneurship. Ben Stroyer, co-founder and managing director of IDEAL Group, joined us to talk about business ownership and how to advance after setbacks.

Contents of this video: 
0:00 Intro 
0:24 Welcome 
16:50 Sponsor 
29:47 Wrap up

Wrap up Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> No Morgan's Mentors Episode 10: Wayne Clough, Ph.D., P.E. 10 10 Morgan's Mentors Episode 10: Wayne Clough, Ph.D., P.E. full 17c7f38d-1233-4b1b-aec0-aae74a75784f https://share.transistor.fm/s/9ea72b2a Wishes are granted on this episode of Morgan’s Mentors as Morgan hosts the first guest requested by a previous guest! Wayne Clough, Ph.D., P.E., secretary emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution and president emeritus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, joined us to talk about navigating the worlds of research and administration along with the importance of finding mentorship throughout our careers. 

Some of Dr. Clough's Awards and Honors:
- Arthur M. Beuche Medal in 2008 for national service in public policy
- Two Norman Medals
- The OPAL Award for Lifetime Achievement
- Georgia Tech’s Joseph M. Petit Award for Distinguished Service in 2009 
- Named to the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia in 2009 
- The Medal of the Foreign Policy Association in 2011 
- The Ralph Coates Roe Medal of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 2013
- The President’s Medal of Emory University in 2014 
- The Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal of the Army Corps of Engineers in 2014
- The Engineering Excellence and Leadership Award from George Mason University in 2016

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> Wishes are granted on this episode of Morgan’s Mentors as Morgan hosts the first guest requested by a previous guest! Wayne Clough, Ph.D., P.E., secretary emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution and president emeritus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, joined us to talk about navigating the worlds of research and administration along with the importance of finding mentorship throughout our careers. 

Some of Dr. Clough's Awards and Honors:
- Arthur M. Beuche Medal in 2008 for national service in public policy
- Two Norman Medals
- The OPAL Award for Lifetime Achievement
- Georgia Tech’s Joseph M. Petit Award for Distinguished Service in 2009 
- Named to the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia in 2009 
- The Medal of the Foreign Policy Association in 2011 
- The Ralph Coates Roe Medal of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 2013
- The President’s Medal of Emory University in 2014 
- The Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal of the Army Corps of Engineers in 2014
- The Engineering Excellence and Leadership Award from George Mason University in 2016

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:42:07 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 3328 Wishes are granted on this episode of Morgan’s Mentors as Morgan hosts the first guest requested by a previous guest! Wayne Clough, Ph.D., P.E., secretary emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution and president emeritus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, joined us to talk about navigating the worlds of research and administration along with the importance of finding mentorship throughout our careers. 

Some of Dr. Clough's Awards and Honors:
- Arthur M. Beuche Medal in 2008 for national service in public policy
- Two Norman Medals
- The OPAL Award for Lifetime Achievement
- Georgia Tech’s Joseph M. Petit Award for Distinguished Service in 2009 
- Named to the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia in 2009 
- The Medal of the Foreign Policy Association in 2011 
- The Ralph Coates Roe Medal of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 2013
- The President’s Medal of Emory University in 2014 
- The Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal of the Army Corps of Engineers in 2014
- The Engineering Excellence and Leadership Award from George Mason University in 2016

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> deep foundations, construction, mentorship No Morgan's Mentors Episode 9: Lori Simpson, P.E., G.E. 9 9 Morgan's Mentors Episode 9: Lori Simpson, P.E., G.E. full 5dd9af5d-4313-4821-9290-aee2b2120705 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c2945f13 We’ve interviewed well known engineers, we’ve talked with highly regarded industry leaders, and Morgan has talked to people he’s enjoyed working with. Now we get to move the needle with all three types of guests encompassed in one guest. Lori Simpson, P.E., G.E., an award-winning consultant and long-time leader at both Langan Engineering and DFI, joined us to talk about mentor/mentee relationship contributions and obligations along with how large, unexpected changes can be navigated and ultimately rewarding.

Contents of this video:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Welcome
22:40 Sponsor
24:10 Wrap up

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> We’ve interviewed well known engineers, we’ve talked with highly regarded industry leaders, and Morgan has talked to people he’s enjoyed working with. Now we get to move the needle with all three types of guests encompassed in one guest. Lori Simpson, P.E., G.E., an award-winning consultant and long-time leader at both Langan Engineering and DFI, joined us to talk about mentor/mentee relationship contributions and obligations along with how large, unexpected changes can be navigated and ultimately rewarding.

Contents of this video:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Welcome
22:40 Sponsor
24:10 Wrap up

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:03:28 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 1583 We’ve interviewed well known engineers, we’ve talked with highly regarded industry leaders, and Morgan has talked to people he’s enjoyed working with. Now we get to move the needle with all three types of guests encompassed in one guest. Lori Simpson, P.E., G.E., an award-winning consultant and long-time leader at both Langan Engineering and DFI, joined us to talk about mentor/mentee relationship contributions and obligations along with how large, unexpected changes can be navigated and ultimately rewarding.

Contents of this video:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Welcome
22:40 Sponsor
24:10 Wrap up

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> No Morgan's Mentors Episode 8: Martin Larisch, Ph.D. 8 8 Morgan's Mentors Episode 8: Martin Larisch, Ph.D. full 95b7fe49-9db1-4a59-9e94-0de715ffb1d6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5a655d39 It’s time to move the needle all the way across the Pacific! Martin Larisch, Ph.D., of Larisch Consulting in New Zealand, has written some of Morgan’s favorite papers on deep foundations and was generous enough to spend some time talking about his journey from Germany to Australia and New Zealand, the influential people he had the opportunity to work with along the way, and why mentorship is as important for engineers in mid-career as it is for people just starting out.

Contents of this podcast:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Welcome
41:29 Sponsor
43:01 Wrap up

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> It’s time to move the needle all the way across the Pacific! Martin Larisch, Ph.D., of Larisch Consulting in New Zealand, has written some of Morgan’s favorite papers on deep foundations and was generous enough to spend some time talking about his journey from Germany to Australia and New Zealand, the influential people he had the opportunity to work with along the way, and why mentorship is as important for engineers in mid-career as it is for people just starting out.

Contents of this podcast:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Welcome
41:29 Sponsor
43:01 Wrap up

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:06:35 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 2747 It’s time to move the needle all the way across the Pacific! Martin Larisch, Ph.D., of Larisch Consulting in New Zealand, has written some of Morgan’s favorite papers on deep foundations and was generous enough to spend some time talking about his journey from Germany to Australia and New Zealand, the influential people he had the opportunity to work with along the way, and why mentorship is as important for engineers in mid-career as it is for people just starting out.

Contents of this podcast:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Welcome
41:29 Sponsor
43:01 Wrap up

Music: Pursuing Darkness by XTaKeRuX

]]> No Morgan's Mentors Episode 7: Sina Javankhoshdel, Ph.D. 7 7 Morgan's Mentors Episode 7: Sina Javankhoshdel, Ph.D. full d07bc01d-ceca-4cd3-a6d1-53eadbaed781 https://share.transistor.fm/s/651a1938 “We’re baaack. And we’re moving the needle farther than ever. For the first episode of 2023, Sina Javankhoshdel, Ph.D., P.E., of Rocscience, talked with us about his path from civil engineering research to software development and a couple of the people that were instrumental on his journey. We also talked about the human judgment necessary for using software tools in engineering analysis as well as what engineers should be prepared for with coming AI technology (hint: it’s already here and it’s here to stay).
Music by XTaKeRuX

]]> “We’re baaack. And we’re moving the needle farther than ever. For the first episode of 2023, Sina Javankhoshdel, Ph.D., P.E., of Rocscience, talked with us about his path from civil engineering research to software development and a couple of the people that were instrumental on his journey. We also talked about the human judgment necessary for using software tools in engineering analysis as well as what engineers should be prepared for with coming AI technology (hint: it’s already here and it’s here to stay).
Music by XTaKeRuX

]]> Sat, 20 May 2023 13:57:11 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 2327 “We’re baaack. And we’re moving the needle farther than ever. For the first episode of 2023, Sina Javankhoshdel, Ph.D., P.E., of Rocscience, talked with us about his path from civil engineering research to software development and a couple of the people that were instrumental on his journey. We also talked about the human judgment necessary for using software tools in engineering analysis as well as what engineers should be prepared for with coming AI technology (hint: it’s already here and it’s here to stay).
Music by XTaKeRuX

]]> No Morgan's Mentors Episode 6: Ed Garbin 6 6 Morgan's Mentors Episode 6: Ed Garbin full 14eaa897-84e2-4645-976c-356f1757b800 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b8a25531 Wed, 07 Dec 2022 13:54:05 -0500 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 1717 For the final time in 2022, it is, once again, time to move the needle. Dr Ed Garbin has been a designer, a contractor, a manager, and best of all for us, now the founder and principal engineer of Garbin Geostructural Group. Dr. Ed joined us to talk about his path to starting his own business including the highs and lows, the worries but also numerous rewards that come with getting out and doing your own thing. Sponsored by Dan Brown and Associates Music by XTaKeRuX For the final time in 2022, it is, once again, time to move the needle. Dr Ed Garbin has been a designer, a contractor, a manager, and best of all for us, now the founder and principal engineer of Garbin Geostructural Group. Dr. Ed joined us to talk about No Morgan's Mentors Episode 5: Hannah Iezzoni 5 5 Morgan's Mentors Episode 5: Hannah Iezzoni full 5229dc11-8096-499a-b7b7-5caf0c19956e https://share.transistor.fm/s/ccdc6cfd Tue, 01 Nov 2022 16:02:45 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 1634 If you still don’t know what time it is, it is once again time to move the needle. Along with being a 2022 DFI President’s Award winner, new chair of the DFI Augered Cast-in-Place and Drilled Displacement Pile Committee, and technical program co-chair for the 2022 DFI Annual Conference in National Harbor, Hannah Iezzoni is passionate about mentorship and advocacy and joins us this week to dig deep into these topics. We talk about the roles and responsibilities of both mentors and young professionals in their relationship along with the importance of staying open to opportunities that present themselves during one’s career. Sponsored by Dan Brown and Associates Music by XTaKeRuX If you still don’t know what time it is, it is once again time to move the needle. Along with being a 2022 DFI President’s Award winner, new chair of the DFI Augered Cast-in-Place and Drilled Displacement Pile Committee, and technical program co-chair for No Morgan's Mentors Episode 4: Vanessa Bateman 4 4 Morgan's Mentors Episode 4: Vanessa Bateman full c31e00c4-1be0-4788-beb0-a1519032bc36 https://share.transistor.fm/s/82306d4f Tue, 06 Sep 2022 18:08:47 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 2719 If you still don’t know what time it is….it’s time to move the needle. In this episode, Vanessa Bateman brings over 25 years of service with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss what young engineers will find rewarding when working with a state or federal agency, what strengths are key for a successful leader in this area, and the characteristics that are a predictor of success or longevity for geotechnical engineering and construction. Sponsored by Dan Brown and Associates Music by XTaKeRuX If you still don’t know what time it is….it’s time to move the needle. In this episode, Vanessa Bateman brings over 25 years of service with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss what young engineers wi No Morgan's Mentors Episode 3: Helen Robinson 3 3 Morgan's Mentors Episode 3: Helen Robinson full c24d3f90-88a5-407a-984e-bee6c037caa0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f56591c6 Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:50:02 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 1378 Once again, it’s almost time to move the needle. In this episode, we take a deep dive into being active within the industry’s various organizations, and what the demands and rewards can be. And we couldn’t have a better guest than Helen Robinson of GEI Consultants, former executive editor of Deep Foundations magazine, the inaugural chair of the DFI Women in Deep Foundations Committee, and a member of the DFI Educational Trust Board and the Board of Governors of the ASCE Geo-Institute. Helen shares her experience with industry service including how to get started and how to get the most out of your activity. Sponsored by Dan Brown and Associates Music by XTaKeRuX Once again, it’s almost time to move the needle. In this episode, we take a deep dive into being active within the industry’s various organizations, and what the demands and rewards can be. And we couldn’t have a better guest than Helen Robinson of GEI C No Morgan's Mentors Episode 2: Dr. David Frost 2 2 Morgan's Mentors Episode 2: Dr. David Frost full d3e9d17f-c384-4c86-84f7-f83fbc889fb8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d3ec8ed4 Tue, 05 Jul 2022 21:07:54 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 2606 It almost time, once again, to Move the Needle! Dr. David Frost is a professor of Geosystems Engineering who has been recognized by Georgia Tech’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering for his student mentorship. In this episode, he and Morgan talk about David’s mentors, the characteristics he likes to see in the students he gets to work with and the rewards of being a mentor to so many students and young professionals over the years. Sponsored by Dan Brown and Associates and ConeTec It almost time, once again, to Move the Needle! Dr. David Frost is a professor of Geosystems Engineering who has been recognized by Georgia Tech’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering for his student mentorship. In this episode, he and Morgan tal No Morgan's Mentors Episode 1: Liz Smith 1 1 Morgan's Mentors Episode 1: Liz Smith full 5cab529c-7849-4b61-b1b0-d19971dbccd4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/566221c9 Wed, 08 Jun 2022 13:09:48 -0400 Morgan NeSmith | DFI Morgan NeSmith | DFI 1818 It's time to Move the Needle! THE Liz Smith joins Morgan to talk about her journey through the geotechnical consulting field and drop some knowledge for young engineers on what to look for early in their careers and what characteristics/habits will set them up for success in the industry. Sponsored by Dan Brown and Associates Music by XTaKeRuX It's time to Move the Needle! THE Liz Smith joins Morgan to talk about her journey through the geotechnical consulting field and drop some knowledge for young engineers on what to look for early in their careers and what characteristics/habits will set th No