In 1991, Thomas Driver and his former partner organized the engineering firm known as Geosciences, Inc. and began with offices in Macon, Columbus, Albany and Valdosta. The pair later split, and Driver took over the Macon and Columbus offices with the name Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants, Inc., or GEC, and he later added an office in LaGrange. Now Driver, president and senior engineer for Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants, wants to thank the community for supporting him and his team with the celebration of 25 years of service on July 15.

According to Driver, GEC works in three key areas of service: “Environmental Engineering and Consulting; Geotechnical Engineering and Consulting; and Construction quality control testing,” he explained.  “The Environmental field that we work in is very broad. We perform Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments for property transactions; groundwater and soil remediation; asbestos surveys, management plan preparation and abatement oversight; lead based paint surveys; specifications and management plans; radon testing; wetlands delineation and permitting; ecological and endangered species surveys; noise studies; landfill methane and groundwater testing and remediation planning; preparation of spill prevention (SPCC) and storm water management plans (SWPPP); Brownfield consulting; the preparation of reports and oversight of sites in the Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP); OSHA compliance and other services.  

“In the Geotechnical field, we perform geotechnical studies for new construction sites, failure investigations and construction engineering. In the Construction testing field, we perform testing of soil, concrete, masonry, structural steel, asphalt, waterproofing, fire proofing and other materials.”

He said he tries to be brief when asked what services GEC offers to the community, but with the broad based service line of his company geared toward their clients, it’s almost impossible to just gloss over the details. 

Driver added that not only are their services geared toward clients’ needs, but the overall mission of GEC is geared toward the clients by providing “quality, cost-effective and professional consulting services…”

“While our mission is completely client focused, it is our belief that the communities that we work, live, and play in are instrumental to our success.  We believe in giving back to our community not only monetarily--which we do--but also by service to the community.”

He said that his company has shown consistent growth over the past 25 years and GEC now employs about 60 people with 35 of those employees in the Macon office. And giving back to the communities they serve is an important part of their growth. 

“Our mission is based on service and ours is a service industry. We believe in providing that same service to our community endeavors. 

“GEC is involved throughout the community. We have worked on houses for Habitat for Humanity, been a part of cancer walks, participated in the Hephzibah Mud Run and been a part of the Dragon Boat Races. Annually we have a team in the Cherry Blossom Bed Race, we have participated in the Macon Kickball league and others. 

“We have on staff board members with Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, Tubman Museum, Capital City Bank, Navicent Health, the Grand Opera House, Macon and Columbus Chambers of Commerce, Keep Columbus Beautiful, and we have members of Rotary, Sertoma, Leadership Macon, Leadership Columbus, etc. on staff--not to mention the various churches that our employees attend and assume leadership and volunteer positions in.”  

When asked about highlights of his career, Driver once again tips his hat to the people who have helped grow GEC.

“I believe that the highlights of our company are totally within our employees and the clients for which we serve,” he said. “Most of our professional staff has been with GEC for more than 10 years, with some having been with GEC for 20 or more. 

“We feel that this allows continuity in client service and provides a level of expertise unparalleled in our industry. Likewise, many of our clients have selected GEC for its engineering and testing needs since our inception and our growth has been through the continuity of our clients and referrals.  

“Outside of that, we are especially proud to have been honored with the Small Existing Business/Industry Award from the Macon Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and in 2011 the Macon Chamber of Commerce named GEC the 2011 Small Business of The Year in the Professional Services category.  These are great honors and we are humbled to have received them.” 

And with the celebration of 25 years of service, Driver reiterated that a big part of that celebration includes saying thanks to his community.

“Most of all, I would want to thank all of the communities and clients that we serve, as well as our current and former employees, for having confidence in GEC over the last 25 years. Our success would not be possible without the three-legged stool of ‘Clients, Community and Employees.’  Our employees continue to be committed to service and we look forward to another great 25 years.”

While Driver wants to stop and appreciate the accomplishments he and his team has made these past 25 years, he said they are always looking toward the future plans of the company.  

“… Our future plans are to continue to serve our clients and grow our employees, as well as bring up a future group of leaders both within the company and in the community. We will continue to look at providing cutting edge services and technology and look at growth opportunities when they become available.”