My name is Guy Rawls, a recent graduate from JMU’s geology program. I am currently working in a geology firm with Schnabel Engineering, which has allowed me to further my practice. After working in my field for 3 years I am working on obtaining my Virginia Professional Geologist License.

The PG is vital to development and the environment. It allows professionals to review many things with the subsurface that can result in failures in construction or environmental disasters. The construction of the St. Francis Dam is an excellent example of the problems could occur without proper geologic insight. In 1928 the foundation of the dam had become unstable due to improper soil characteristics. This led to movement of the dam, cracks in the concrete, and eventually the dam failed killing nearly five hundred people.

Please consider the preservation of the PG License in Virginia and help keep people safe.

Respectfully,

Guy Rawls