Matthew Geary

About Matthew Geary

I’m a geotechnical engineer and passionate about my profession. I’m satisfied any time there is a hole or sensor going in the earth that requires my analysis. I appreciate the nuances of subsurface interpretation and how the best site characterization adds value for both engineer and end user. Geotechnical engineering has a level of freedom and creativity which I relish. With an array of subsurface investigation techniques, defining the problem can take many avenues. To the trained eye leveraging the latest technology, the field reconnaissance may prove even more valuable. Even once a model is defined, a solution may be available from multiple theories. I have been fortunate in my career to have been associated with talented leaders who have guided me. These mentors and colleagues have involved me in research and facilitated opportunities to experience and manage field investigations for challenging projects. Because of their support, I have learned to account for multiple perspectives of a problem and to appreciate the need for getting outside to understand the problem in the field. I have found the Pittsburgh region to be abundant in career resources, especially though my association with ASCE, the Geo-Institute, and DFI. Because these organizations have some of the most respected engineers I know, one of my greatest professional honors has been to chair the Pittsburgh Section Geo-Institute for 20••••20. It has also been an honor to play a role in educating the next generation of Pitt civil engineers. As adjunct faculty for Engineering Geology, my goal is to transfer knowledge and skills I gained from experience to Pitt students. Whether they are Geotech or not, my hope is that they finish class with new knowledge and an appreciation for the profession’s skills and methods. Geotechs are not just performing calculations but writers, marketers, managers, negotiators, financial and environmental resource stewards, project and people leaders, and successful businesspeople. We work mainly in offices, but we can never hang up the boots if we want to know the ground. We interact with various technical disciplines in our roles, working across field operations and engineering groups and with finance and accounting. No matter where you go, geotechnical engineering is part of a team and great things can be accomplished with an incredible team. I’m thankful to have been a part of teams that have known the value of good geotechnical engineering. To tweak a phrase from coach Bob Johnson,\"It\'s a great day to be a geotechnical engineer!\"

Experience

1. Consulting Engineer - Civil Discipline

   Duquesne Light Company

   Oct 2022 — Present · Pittsburgh, PA, US

Education

• University of Pittsburgh

  Bachelor’s Degree, Civil Engineering

  2005 — 2009

• University of Pittsburgh

  MS, Civil Engineering

  2010 — 2011

Skills

• Foundation Design
• Oil & Gas Industry
• Engineering
• Slope Stability Analysis
• Piezometers
• Retaining Wall Design
• Landslide Repair
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Slope Stability
• Data Analysis
• Retaining Walls
• Road
• Drainage
• Civil Engineering
• Geology
• Pavement Engineering
• Construction
• Geotechnical Investigations
• Concrete
• Geohazard Assessment
• Foundations
• Site Investigation
• Inclinometers