Meet Lauren Armstrong, the newest member at Presto Geosystems, who joined the team in August 2023. Hailing from a small town near Chicago, Lauren has had quite the career journey. She began her career in IT in downtown Chicago, later transitioning to the Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) industry, with her persistent passion for business development guiding her every step. Now at Presto Geosystems, she’s learning all about geosynthetics and facing new challenges head-on. Join Lauren as she shares insights from her past experiences, aspirations for the future, and the path that led her to Presto Geosystems.

How long have you been with Presto Geosystems?

I am pretty new to the crew—I started at Presto Geosystems in August 2023.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I have lived in a small town that is about 50 miles southwest of Chicago for my entire life. While it may not be the most exciting place in the world, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.  I attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated with a degree in Marketing.

My first job out of college was in downtown Chicago at an IT company working as an Account Manager.  The idea of working in the big city was very exciting as a newly college graduate; however, I failed to realize this would mean I would have to commute a total of four hours a day getting to and from downtown. Six months after I started, I got stuck on the highway for over five hours due to a bad ice storm while attempting to make it to work. Once I was finally able to loop around, I returned home feeling so defeated. About 10 minutes after I got home, an HR manager for a company I had interviewed with that prior summer called because they had a job opening (15 minutes from my house, might I add) and asked if I would be interested. The timing of this call could not have been more impeccable. I enthusiastically responded with a “YES!” and moved on to my next journey.

For the next six years, I worked for a company that manufactures Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) wall paneling, as well as the siding and roofing for RVs and semi-trucks. For those of you that do not know what FRP is—it is the white wall panels with a bumpy texture that you typically see in restaurant kitchens, janitor closets, restrooms, etc. While here, I was able to gain experience in account management, customer service and inside sales; however, the most recent position I held while here was Lead Generation Coordinator. In this role, I would follow up on inbound leads, as well as utilize various sales tools and market research to identify potential projects where FRP could be installed. I worked with architects and contractors to get our products specified on projects, as well as assisted the sales team to help win opportunities. The role gave me great experience and helped me get to where I am today.

What led you to a career in business development and how did you come to join Presto Geosystems?

Earlier this year, I decided I was ready to embark on a new adventure in terms of my career, which is what eventually led me to joining the team at Presto Geosystems. My goal was to find a role that would allow me to use my existing skills, but would also be able to challenge me. My background in the manufacturing industry plus my prior experience with lead generation made the position at Presto very appealing to me.

There are many routes you can take with a degree in Marketing. One reason I gravitated towards a career in business development was the opportunity to work in all different aspects of the business, including sales, marketing and customer service. I enjoy the wide range of responsibilities when working in this role, as well as being able to build relationships with end-users, distributors and my fellow teammates.

Could you walk us through a typical day for you at Presto Geosystems?

Every day seems to entail something new here at Presto Geosystems, which keeps things interesting.  For example, I never thought I’d be writing a blog post, but here I am!

One of my main responsibilities is managing leads and opportunities in our CRM system. Leads are generated when someone fills out one of our webforms, requests a complimentary project evaluation, attends a webinar and more.  After I receive these leads, I then connect these customers with one of our distribution partners who will further assist with their project needs. It is also my job to respond to all general customer inquiries and technical questions, as well as assist with various administrative tasks.

What’s a skill you’d like to master?

I don’t know if this necessarily qualifies as a skill, but one thing I’d like to be better at is being more present and living in the moment. One of my New Years resolutions was to reduce screen time, which I have been successful at this year. However, if you are looking for an actual “skill”… I would have to say waterskiing. It is an inside joke between my family, as well as something my brothers enjoy making fun of me for. I attempt it every summer, but usually just end up ingesting way too much lake water.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned so far during your time at the company?

The world of geosynthetics was completely foreign to me when I started at Presto a few months ago, so I feel like I am constantly learning something new every day. Overall, what I find to be the most interesting is the history of geocells.  For those that do not know, in the 1970s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering needed a confinement system for load support, and thus, the geocell was born. It is very cool to see pictures of some of the first installations that took place decades ago, as well as see how the product has evolved since then. Aside from that, it is interesting to read about all the different projects from all over the world where GEOWEB® has successfully been utilized.

When you’re not working, what are some of your favorite hobbies or activities?

Nothing makes me happier than spending time with my loved ones. One major perk of residing in a small town is living within a two-mile radius of the majority of my friends and family. I love having my parents over for dinner, hosting game nights for my friends and being able to see my niece and nephew on a regular basis.

I consider myself to be quite crafty and enjoy DIY projects. I spend more time on Pinterest than I’d like to admit. In the past few years, I have started to enjoy reading. While I may be a few years late to the game, I recently started reading the entire Harry Potter series. In the summertime, my favorite place to be is the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. I have been going there my entire life and appreciate the quality relaxation time more and more the older I get.

Though it can be heartbreaking at times, my favorite sports teams to root for are the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Fighting Illini. I am well aware they are not always the best, but I am still loyal!

If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be?

Perhaps it’s just the times we are living in… or perhaps it is because I am a millennial… but I’m going to have to say Taylor Swift. While I may not know all her songs or be a die-hard “Swiftie” like some others, she truly just seems like the most captivating person in the world right now.  Whether she is performing her sold-out international tour, attending NFL football games, or just grabbing a bite to eat, everything she does seems to be top news nowadays. Overall, she just seems like a normal girl, despite being mega famous, and I like to think we would be good friends if she got to know me. Oh—and during this meet-up, I would kindly ask if she could spare some tickets for the next round of the Eras tour for me and some friends.

What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited?

A few years ago, I visited Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah with one of my best friends. The bright orange hoodoos and rock formations are absolutely breathtaking and truly something out of this world. I love looking back at all the pictures I took from my day there because the scenery was just so incredible. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend adding it your bucket list.

I have never left the country, but am hoping to explore other continents and discover more interesting places within the next couple years.

What’s something you’re looking forward to either personally or professionally in the coming year?

Professionally – I am excited to continue learning about the world of geosynthetics and engineered soil stabilization solutions, as well as getting more familiar with all our products.

Personally – I am at the age where it seems like everyone in my life is getting married. I have weddings to attend in Utah, Florida, and Chicago all within the next year; however, I am most excited for my younger brother’s wedding in Cancun next May. I am looking forward to all the fun to come within the next year (though my bank account is not).

Written By: Cory Schneider, Environmental Scientist, Presto Geosystems

Natural resources are finite, or at a minimum, can easily be consumed faster than they can be replaced. As such, the conservation of natural resources is a pragmatic endeavor. Geosynthetics—widely available materials used in construction, civil engineering, and environmental protection—can be useful in promoting the conservation of these resources. When used as intended, geosynthetics can enhance soil properties and reduce the demands placed on natural resources.

Types of Geosynthetics

Geosynthetics are typically made from synthetic polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and/or polyester, and are designed to be durable and resistant to weathering and other environmental factors.

General groupings of geosynthetics include:

• geotextiles,
• geogrids,
• geomembranes,
• geocells,
• erosion control blankets (ECBs),
• and turf reinforcement mats (TRMs).

Geotextiles (permeable) and geomembranes (impermeable) provide separation, while geogrids and geocells provide varying degrees of stabilization and confinement. ECBs and TRMs, made with a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, resist surficial erosion by preventing seed washout prior to germination.

Application areas where these geosynthetic materials are used typically include:

• load support,
• slope, shoreline, and channel protection,
• and earth retention.

Using Geosynthetics in Load Support Applications to Conserve Natural Resources

In load support applications, geogrids, geotextiles, and geocells can all be used to reduce structural cross-section depths, thereby conserving natural resources. The figure below illustrates this benefit and provides a comparison of four structurally equivalent unpaved road sections over a very weak subgrade with a CBR of 0.5%.

As shown, the conventional cross-section in this case would require more than 36 inches of aggregate to achieve minimal stability, while the planar geosynthetic option (geogrid + geotextile) would require 26 inches of aggregate. Most notably in this case is that geocells—specifically the GEOWEB® Geocells—can be used to achieve an optimal section thickness of only 15 inches, and where suitable on-site material (OSM) is available, it is possible to limit imported aggregate to just the wearing course.

How Geocells Conserve Natural Resources

Through full-depth confinement, geocells allow for the use of lower-quality, non-cohesive soils and recycled materials (concrete, asphalt), further conserving resources through beneficial reuse. Beneficial reuse of any of the aforementioned reduces imported material requirements, thereby conserving aggregate, and with the additional benefit of less truck traffic to the site, conserves oil and gas and puts less stress on local roadways. Properly designed geosynthetics can also increase your roadway´s useful life and reduce or eliminate maintenance needs.

In slope, shoreline, and channel applications, ECBs, TRMs—and to a further extent—geocells, help prevent surficial soil erosion—a process that can cause significant damage to natural ecosystems and lead to the loss of valuable topsoil. While ECBs and TRMs are suitable to protect the surface, adding geocells to the cross-section can prevent supersaturated soils below these products from washing downslope or downstream, and can improve the hydraulic performance of the materials used in the geocells.

Finally, geosynthetics can be used in constructing retaining walls and embankments, which can help conserve resources by reducing the need for land excavation and fill. In retaining wall construction, geogrids—and occasionally geotextiles—are used as tiebacks in Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) structures, while geocells and TRM wraps are just a few of the many different geosynthetic facing options available. Geocells can not only be used to create living green walls to help stormwater infiltrate naturally and add an aesthetically pleasing finish to a structurally sound engineering solution, but research has also shown that geocells can withstand high levels of seismic shaking and may be a suitable option in many earthquake-prone parts of the world.

Let Our Engineers Run Design Calculations on Your Next Geocell Project.

See the Cost and Material Savings for Yourself!

Presto Geosystems’ engineering team works closely with you to provide free project evaluations, with engineering support from the preliminary stages through construction. The project evaluation will deliver a technically sound, cost-effective solution based on four decades of accredited research and project experience.

Contact our knowledgeable staff and network of qualified distributors to discuss your project needs today and see how we can help you save money while conserving natural resources. Responsible use of engineered materials designed for long-term performance in the environment can help you achieve a more sustainable approach to construction.

Use our free online tools to keep your projects moving forward.

When extreme weather events occur, communities are often left to grapple with the devastating effects. An increase in extreme weather patterns, coupled with aging or inadequate infrastructure, amplifies the often dangerous and costly damage that ensues—especially for vulnerable communities living in low-lying areas.

According to a recent study, the United States could see a 26.4% increase in flood risk by 2050, which could cause significant damage to existing infrastructure. For this reason, it is vital to build resilience into infrastructure projects to mitigate climate risk and ensure the long-term reliability of critical infrastructure.

Incorporating geosynthetics into infrastructure can improve the ability of communities to withstand and recover from extreme weather events. For example, in hurricane-prone parts of the country, designing robust access roads along power transmission lines allows repair crews to safely and quickly restore power to communities that might otherwise be without electricity for days or even weeks. Geosynthetic products, such as geocells, can be used to construct reliable access roads along transmission infrastructure, which often traverse very remote areas with difficult terrain and very soft ground conditions. Through an interconnected honeycomb-like network, geocells confine and stabilize soils that would otherwise be unstable under loading.

When used in load support, slope stabilization, channel protection, and retaining wall applications, geocells are a powerful weapon against the long-term effects of climate change. This article discusses several examples where GEOWEB geocells were successfully used to help communities adapt to, and recover from, extreme weather events.

GEOWEB Porous Pavements Used for Rebuilding Roads, Replacing Transmission Lines Damaged During Hurricane Michael in Florida’s Panhandle

Hurricane Michael caused extensive damage to Florida’s power grid network, leveling more than 100 transmission towers in a 34-mile right-of-way from Port St. Joe to Callaway. This right-of-way crosses swampy, remote, and hard-to-reach areas, making rebuilding the grid even more challenging. This extremely wet, muddy ground prevented repair vehicles from accessing the area. Helicopters were employed to transport the new steel towers installed on-site.

Accessing the lines for maintenance would require a stronger roadway to support heavy vehicles in the wettest areas. The GEOWEB Load Support System was used to make the roads operational and improve performance in saturated conditions.

The GEOWEB system was placed over an enhanced geotextile and filled with crushed aggregate to create access roads across critical wetlands and stabilize pole pads. The access roads and pads are permanent.

GEOWEB Geocells Repair Storm-Ravaged Trail & Maintenance Road

In the spring of 2018, several storms violently swept through areas along southern Maine’s coastline, devastating the beaches and trails of Fort Foster—a town-owned park in Maine. Known as “nor’easters,” these destructive storms form along the east coast, bringing strong winds, rain, and flooding to the New England states. As the storms rolled past, the damage was visible to Fort Foster and Kittery Point’s 2.1-mile-long shoreline walking trail and maintenance road, as well as on the slopes leading down to the beach.

The park’s goal was to repair the damage and protect the slopes, maintenance road, and recreational trail from future storm damage. The GEOWEB® Soil Stabilization System was chosen to restore and protect two sections of the park’s shorelines and trails.

By using the GEOWEB System, the park was able to armor the maintenance road, recreational trail, and slopes from future storm events. Since being installed in 2018, the GEOWEB Load Support and Shoreline Protection Systems continue to perform as designed, allowing the community to once again enjoy the trail system and local beaches.

GEOWEB Hard-Armored Shoreline Protection System Protects Vulnerable Riverbank from Erosive Forces

The extreme El Niño event caused the western Pacific to warm, developing atmospheric convection and increased rainfall. The storm events caused catastrophic flooding and severe erosion in the eastern equatorial region of Ecuador and Northern Peru. A portion of the Zarumilla River, located in the remote Tumbes region in Northwestern Peru, was experiencing severe erosion and required a shoreline protection solution to prevent further deterioration of the riverbank.

The GEOWEB® Shoreline Protection System was selected to protect the Zarumilla riverbank against future storm events. The GEOWEB system with concrete infill provides economical, hard-armored protection of slopes and channels exposed to high flow velocities and high shear stresses. The system has been proven to withstand sustained flow velocities over 36 ft/s (11 m/s) and shear stresses of 20.9 psf (1.0 kPa), outperforming rip-rap, gabions, and other conventional hard armor strategies.

The product was shipped to the site in September 2020, and installation was complete by December 2020. The project was completed on schedule and within budget. The GEOWEB® Shoreline Protection System is performing to expectations and will provide much-needed protection to the Zarumilla River and the communities that depend on it when the next major storm hits.

GEOWEB Geocells Used for Erosion Protection of Canal Floodwall

Erosion of the 17th Street Canal’s flood protection system was a major concern for the Southwest Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East. The Authority required a solution to protect the canal’s slope against erosive forces and prevent a floodwall breach in the event of a tropical storm event.

To mitigate channel slope erosion, engineers chose the GEOWEB Confinement System to stabilize the slopes along the Metairie side of the drainage channel. By confining the infill material, the GEOWEB system prevents flow from causing scour and erosion on slope surfaces.

The construction company installed approximately 380,000 square feet of GW40 (mid-cell size, six-inch deep panels) over a woven geotextile along the canal’s slope and infilled the cells with crushed aggregate sized based on research and testing at Colorado State University hydraulics lab.

The GEOWEB System:

• Allows the use of smaller, less expensive rock—even waste rock which decreases installation and transportation costs.
• Creates a permeable, cover when drainage is desired but vegetation cannot be established.
• Resists high velocities and tractive forces.

Design Support & Resources for the GEOWEB System Applications

The engineering team at Presto Geosystems works closely with engineers and project planners, offering free project evaluation services and on-site support. Our recommendations will deliver a technically sound, cost-effective solution based on four decades of accredited research and testing data.

Please contact our knowledgeable staff and network of qualified distributors and representatives to discuss your project needs today.

How long have you been with Presto Geosystems?

Time flies when you are having fun! I have been with Presto Geosystems going on 14 years. In that time, I got to work with some really great people and enjoyed speaking with Gary Bach on how geocells were invented back in the late 70s and early 80s.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and enjoyed doing all things outdoors. My father was an Olympic ski jumper, so I had no choice but to strap on a pair of skis and follow in his footsteps. I became pretty good and was in three junior Olympics before a bad fall ended that part of my life. I grew up before video games, so we were always outside playing football, baseball or just riding bikes.

After a year at Michigan State University, I attended college at Michigan Tech University in Houghton, MI and graduated with a degree in Environmental Engineering. After graduation, I moved to Green Bay, WI, and worked for Foth & Van Dyke and then Robert E. Lee engineering consulting firms before joining Presto Geosystems.

What attracted you to the world of engineering and geosynthetics?

I was lucky enough to land a wonderful job out of college at Foth & Van Dyke in Green Bay, WI. Foth was a growing consulting firm at the time and the staff was always at the leading edge of technologies. When I started in consulting, geosynthetics were just becoming an option for roadway and earth retention projects. I got to see early on how engineers included geosynthetics in their projects and how the approval agencies accepted them. I guess I’m really showing my age…

What does your job entail? Can you take us through a day in the life as the Chief?

The best part of my job is that every day is different and it seems there are no “typical” days. Our products can solve so many soil stabilization problems that I am blessed to work with engineers all over the world on their challenging projects. It is rewarding to walk away from my computer at the end of the day knowing that the Geosystems Team and our worldwide distribution network work together to make a difference.

What do you like most about your job and/or what do you like most about this industry?

The people and relationship building through the years has been enjoyable. Our industry really works closely to ensure successful geosynthetic projects. I enjoy working on the AREMA, ASTM, and ISO committees and the discussions with the industry experts.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

How do you turn it off? When I first started consulting 35 years ago, we didn’t have the technology we have today. We didn’t even have AutoCAD or personal computers at the time! Everything was done by hand, and I think we understood the calculations better. When you left work, it allowed you to unwind. Today, it seem it is 24/7, especially with the advancements in technology. It can be a challenge to turn it off.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t out helping solve the world’s soil stabilization and erosion challenges?

My wife and I stay pretty active, especially in the summers. We live on a golf course, and you will always find us out playing or enjoying a cocktail on the 19^th hole! Family is a big part of our life. We are lucky to have four wonderful kids who have moved out of the house and are employed! They have given us three beautiful grandchildren (one more on the way in December) that we love to spend time with and spoil which is what grandparents are supposed to do.

What is your favorite place in the world to visit?

I have been lucky to have traveled all over the world for leisure and work. A few of my favorites include Austria, Switzerland, Australia, and Banff in Canada. If had to pick one it would have to be Punta Cana since my wife and I have the best of times when we visit. We have so many great memories there. We both have stressful jobs, so it is nice to get away, relax on the beach, enjoy some cocktails and let someone else do the cooking.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?

This is an easy one but hard to decide which person. I am a huge old western movie fan. It is to the point that if I am watching tv and scrolling through the channels and come across one, my wife just gets up and goes to another tv. I would have to pick my top 20, throw them in a hat, and just pick one and would be fine.

What would you name the autobiography of your life?

Never a Dull Moment.