Barry K. Thacker, P.E. founded Geo/Environmental Associates, Inc., a consulting engineering firm in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1995, where he is the president and principal engineer. He is also founder of the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation, Inc., a non-profit watershed restoration group.
| Mr. Thacker grew up in the Louisville, Kentucky area. He became interested in engineering when his father took him to an engineering career day. He holds B.S. and M.E. degrees in geotechnical engineering from the University of Louisville and is pursuing a Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the University of Tennessee. He worked his way through college by selling music lessons door to door and playing in a rock band called Abraham Rush. |
Thacker in his rock band
days at the
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Thacker (in Boy Scout uniform) providing a tour of abandoned mine land in the Coal Creek watershed to Congressman Zach Wamp and other government agencies.
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Mr. Thacker has 25 years of experience on multi-disciplined geotechnical and environmental projects including waste disposal facilities, environmental remediation projects, and groundwater modeling studies, earth and rock-fill dams, landslide repairs, foundation studies, and tied-back retaining structures. His responsibilities on these projects have included developing conceptual design schemes and performing site characterization, design analyses, preparation of reports, design/construction drawings, specifications, groundwater and related environmental assessments, and construction quality control monitoring. His qualifications include a thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Mr. Thacker has developed specialized expertise in cost-effective compliance with environmental regulations, emergency response actions, liquefaction assessments, and performance monitoring. |
| He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Trout Unlimited, and he is a Boy Scout leader. He has published over 50 articles on engineering, watershed restoration, and regulatory compliance topics. Last year, he was named "Tennessee Water Conservationist of the Year" by the Tennessee Conservation League and received the "Professional Award in Engineering" from the University of Louisville in part for his community service work in Coal Creek. | |
| Previous work experience includes working as Vice President and Principal Geoenvironmental Engineer at Ogden Environmental and Energy Services Company, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Previous positions included Senior Engineer, Geotechnical Branch Manager, Environmental Branch Manager, and Office General Manager. |
Thacker teaching scouts |
He was a design engineer with Bowser-Morner, Inc., Dayton, Ohio from 1977 to 1980. During 1974 and 1975, he worked as a geotechnical technician at Law Engineering Testing Company in Tampa, Florida
Professional registrations, affiliations and awards include, but are not limited to:
Professional Engineer: Kentucky (1980), Tennessee (1981), West Virginia (1982), Virginia (1982), Ohio (1984), Indiana (1987), Illinois (1987), Alabama (1996), North Carolina (1997), and New Jersey (1998).
Steering Committee Member representing the Eastern Coal Region at EPA's National Watershed Forum 2001
Tennessee Water Conservationist of the Year 2001
The Professional Award in Engineering by the University of Louisville Speed Scientific School. This award is presented each year to an alumnus who has distinguished himself by career performance in engineering. Mr. Thacker was the winner of 2001 Professional Award in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Distinguished Lecturer (Kentucky Geotechnical Group of ASCE) 1997
Outstanding Young Engineer (University of Louisville) 1986
Mr. Thacker and his wife, Mary, have three children, Laura 21, Daniel 18, and Julie 14. They reside in Knoxville, Tennessee.
[ASFE Home Page] [ASFE
Founders' Award Info]
[Barry K. Thacker, PE, First Founders' Award Recipient]
[Barry K. Thacker Nomination Package]
[Thacker's Presentation to ASFE at Fall 2001 Meeting]]
