Citation by Charlie Andrews
Carl Fricke is recognized for the professionalism, knowledge, trust and integrity he has brought to the GSA/GSAF Investment Committee as member and Chair over the past 15 years. Often overlooked in scientific circles is the role of managing investment assets in supporting professional societies. GSA/GSAF is blessed to have a large investment portfolio that has consistently grown over the past decades under the stewardship of the Investment Committee, performing top half to top quarter amongst peers. Carl recruited new members that brought exceptional, diverse, and wisdom-filled experience to guide strategy and investments. He keeps the committee focused to ensure that fiduciary duties are upheld, and that the investment strategies for GSA are successful. The amount of personal time he has dedicated to reporting and researching relevant investment-related topics has been tremendous.
Carl is a business visionary. Carl and a co-partner recognized the commercial opportunities created by the passage of the Superfund laws in the early 1980s, and they co-founded a successful environmental engineering consulting firm dealing with these laws and environmental impacts. The firm expanded from two to several hundred employees, in nine offices, earning national recognition as one of Engineering News Record's top-rated firms. After 15 years, the successful and profitable business was acquired by a French conglomerate. Since then, Carl has been a serial entrepreneur across a wide variety of industries, from local to global enterprises, working with corporate leadership to decipher trends, and to enable new and innovative solution roadmaps.
Carl received two MS degrees, in Geology and in Water Resources Management, from the University of Wisconsin, where he was mentored by David Stephenson, a past president of GSA who emphasized the importance of belonging and contributing to professional societies. Though Carl’s professional interests evolved away from an emphasis on geology and water resources, he recognizes the importance of contributing to the geoscience’s profession. He is an inspiration to all.
In chatting with staff at GSA, several noted that he’s just a great guy and was always a pleasure to work and collaborate with. He has endless positivity and wisdom which he graciously offers GSA.
Response by Carl A.P. Fricke
Thank you for this incredible honor. I am deeply humbled and blessed to receive the GSA Distinguished Service Award and grateful to all who supported my nomination. Special thanks to Charlie Andrews for his kind citation.
Serving GSA and the Foundation as Committee Chair and Trustee has been a privilege. Under our stewardship, the investment portfolio has grown from around $24 million to $85 million, excluding annual withdrawals to support GSA’s activities. The most rewarding aspect has been connecting with the remarkable investment committee members and GSA/F representatives. Their dedication and talent as a team have been truly inspiring.
I've been driven by the extraordinary volunteer investment industry experts, GSA/F Executive Directors, and Council members, whose guidance and support have significantly benefited the Society. This group’s generosity and contributions, in time and intellect, have made a huge difference and fostered lifelong friendships. Our outside investment committee advisors, Paul Schreder and Andy Fiegel at CapTrust, have provided exceptional guidance and service to the committee, as have Eric Henry, Steve Farrell, Thayer Tutt, and others.
I am particularly grateful to Jack Hess, Peter Lipman, Bruce Clark, Tom Haberthier, Anita Monk-Ryan, Rex Buchanan, Lisa Rossbacher, and Tom Holzer, as well as GSA/F’s Executive Directors and Officers, for their invaluable support and contributions. Seeing GSA/F succeed has been its own reward.
My journey in geology began with my mother, who studied the subject as an undergrad at Augustana College and as a grad student at the University of Iowa. During my time Augustana, I was inspired by Dr. Richard Anderson's teachings on glacial geology and Professor Fryxell, Grand Teton National Park’s first naturalist and Park Ranger, and the first person to reach the top of Mt Moran, which influenced my graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. There, mentors like Professors Dave Stephenson, David Mickelson and Herb Wang, as well as exceptional grad school colleagues, shaped my interests in groundwater and water resources management, especially fellow Badgers Tom Johnson, Charlie Andrews, Bob Sterrett, Bill Mode, Richard Alley, Bill Woessner and Mark Stewart. Such professional and academic relationships continue as treasured personal friendships.
After two years as Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska, I moved to California, where I tackled major environmental engineering issues and engaged with the Silicon Valley venture community. GSA has been my professional home for over 40 years, starting from my days as a graduate student. The support from professors, colleagues, and the welcoming GSA/F leadership has motivated me to contribute to the Society.
Thank you once again for this remarkable recognition.