John Wolosick has had a knack for designing and engineering since his high school days. The self-proclaimed “technical guy” initially dreamed of being an architect, but says he wasn’t as artistic as he was good with science and math. After deciding on civil engineering as his college major at the University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign, he was drawn to concentrate in geotechnical engineering by a professor who specialized in the trade. Now, more than 35 years later, he’s a leader in the industry. Wolosick, who’s been with Hayward Baker just short of two decades, directs engineering at the company’s Atlanta office. The specialist in slope stabilization, soil nailing, micropile foundations, grouting and support of excavation was has been appointed president of the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI), effective Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2016. He recently spoke with National Driller about his plans for the role, the state of the industry and what’s different about the geotechnical and deep foundations fields now compared to three decades ago.
Q. How does it feel to be elected president of the DFI?