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74 l Macon Magazine aPRiL/MaY 2014 ADVERTISING | WOMEN IN BUSINESS WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR MORE UNIQUE CONSULTING SERVICES? MARY: There are so many. One service that clients may not be aware of is watershed assessment. It is the study of streams and rivers within a municipality. These studies include habitat assessment and the identification of fish and macro- invertebrates within the ecosystem. Many of GEC's projects involve the identification and delineation and permitting of wetlands and endangered species. GEC also works on Greenspace projects, land application systems, wetland and stream mitigation projects, Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, lead-based paint and asbestos, radon, mold and air quality assessments in addition to the typical geotechnical evaluation and construction quality control testing. WHAT ARE THE MOST CHALLENING ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING IN 2014? TAMEKA: Environmental consulting at GEC means providing turnkey services with multiple service lines that include Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments, Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Services, etc. Being a company that offers multiple services brings with it a certain level of challenges. Even with those challenges, GEC brings top-notch personnel and provides the most reliable service in this industry. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST INTERESTING AND REWARDING LOCAL PROJECTS? KATHLEEN: PEARL STEPHENS VILLAGE: This 1928 historic landmark was converted from a decaying building into a modern, affordable housing village with 61 units. GEC was responsible for the testing and abatement monitoring of extensive amounts of lead-based paint and asbestos. GEC also has worked on multiple large construction projects for local colleges and universities, Robins Air Force Base, the Perry Agricultural Center, The Bibb County Board of Education and The Medical Center of Central Georgia. WHAT DOES FORENSIC INVESTIGATIVE ENGINEERING ENTAIL AND WHY DID GEC GET INTO THIS AREA? BRIGITTE: Investigative Engineers of Central Georgia is the forensic investigation division of GEC. Our engineers are trained and certified to provide engineering analysis of claim investigations to the insurance and legal industries. Joining the Investigative Engineer's Association has assisted in our expansion of clients and engineering opportunities. HOW IS YOUR COMPANY GIVING BACK TO MACON? HEIDI & TANYA: GEC is involved in numerous philanthropic organizations. One of our most rewarding projects involved Habitat for Humanity. In 2009, GEC celebrated our 10th year in business, as GEC, with a 10-10-10 campaign. Employees worked together to raise $10,000, and each gave a minimum of 10 hours labor to build a house in Lynmore Estates. WHAT EXPERIENCE DID YOU RECEIVE INTERNING WITH GEC? PAIGE: Internships are important because they allow students to gain knowledge, skills and experience in a professional work environment that they would not experience in a classroom. By interning with GEC, I have been exposed to and been involved with many different aspects of the environmental field. This experience led me to accepting an engineering position with GEC upon my graduation from Mercer University. Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants, Inc. 514 Hillcrest Industrial Blvd. | Macon, Georgia 31204 478.4747.1606 | www.geconsultants.com GEC was originally founded in 1991 as Geosciences, Inc. A corporate restructuring in 1999 led to the formation of Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (GEC). GEC has offices in Macon, Columbus, and Lagrange. Our Corporate Mission is to provide Quality, Cost-Effective, and Professional Consulting Services to our Clients in the areas of Geotechnical Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, and Construction Testing and Engineering. Brigitte Moten Director of Marketing & Human Resources Stockholder Board of Directors Heidi Monroe Adminstrative Assistant Tanya Bridges Construction Administrative Assistant Kathleen Brown Accounting Analyst Mary Brooks, CWP Wetlands Coordinator Stockholder Tameka Gordon Office Manager Sr. Environmental Specialist Stockholder Paige Sforzo, EIT Project Engineer Pictured from left to right ADVERTISING | WOMEN IN BUSINESS Connie L. Williford Attorney at Law 577 Mulberry St., Ste. 810 | Macon, Georgia 31201 TheWillifordLawFirm.com | 478.743.4069 WHERE IS YOUR LAW OFFICE LOCATED? After eight years on Cherry Street, I recently relocated my practice to the Fickling Building at 577 Mulberry Street in downtown Macon (across from the Bibb County Courthouse). We are on the 8th floor, Suite 810. The view of the city is fantastic. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING LAW? I have been practicing law for 14 years. I say "practicing" because not a week goes by when I don't learn something new. I think that is one of the things that makes the legal profession so intriguing. WHAT KIND OF LAW DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN? I consider myself a general practice attorney. A general practice attorney provides services to private individuals and/or small businesses. Think of a general practitioner the way you would a primary care physician. Most of the cases we handle involve the following areas of law: family law/divorce/child custody, personal injury/automobile accidents, state and local criminal defense/DUI, probate administration, simple wills, and power of attorneys. We ask our clients to think of us as their attorney for all of their legal needs; however, if a client requires help with a legal matter we do not feel qualified to handle we will gladly refer them out to someone who can. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING A CAREER AS AN ATTORNEY? Really think through why you want to be a lawyer. The legal profession is not for everyone. Unfortunately, I do know my fair share of attorneys who do not love their jobs. However, for those of us who do feel a calling, a passion, and a love for the law, it is a career path which is highly recommended. To be entrusted with the legal affairs of someone else is a great honor and never dull. When you get the opportunity to help someone who desperately needs your help, it's a wonderful feeling. Happy lawyers do exist! NAME ONE CASE WHICH HAS BROUGHT YOU THE MOST SATISFACTION IN YOUR 14 YEARS OF PRACTICING LAW. That's a tough one. There have been many cases that I'm extremely proud of but, the happiest and proudest cases are probably the adoption cases or really any case that improves the life of a child. I recently attended the first birthday party of a precious little boy who was born drug addicted and deprived. He has now been adopted by two incredible parents. To see his wonderful, happy family celebrating him and his life made me tremendously proud. I'm truly honored to have played a small role in it all.