Editorial

On behalf of the Geotechnical Testing Journal (GTJ) and ASTM International, I’m writing to thank Dr. Majdi Othman for his outstanding service as a GTJ Co-Editor-in-Chief and to welcome Dr. Kenneth Bell as he transitions into this role starting in January 2024. Majdi received a BS in Civil Engineering from Kuwait University in 1987 and MS and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1989 and 1992, respectively. Majdi is a senior principal engineer with Geosyntec Consultants and is a registered professional engineer with extensive experience in geotechnical, environmental, and civil engineering projects. His work focuses on waste disposal facility siting; design, permitting, and construction; hydrogeological investigations and groundwater impact analysis; remediation of contaminated sites; and renewable energy projects. Majdi has published his work widely and has previously served as editor of Geotechnical News. Majdi served two terms as Co-Editor for a total of 6 years, from January 2018 through January 2024. He provided exceptional leadership in the management of GTJ in attaining and maintaining the high standards of the journal, including increasing the impact factor, timely processing of manuscripts, and overall respectful and conscientious advocacy for authors, reviewers, editorial board members, and ASTM International and GTJ staff. Majdi’s outstanding contributions and service are greatly appreciated and acknowledged. In line with the unique tradition of having Co-Editors representing both academia and industry, Dr. Kenneth R. Bell will begin his first term as a GTJ Co-Editor in January 2024. Dr. Bell has more than four decades of experience in geotechnical engineering in support of engineering design and construction on projects worldwide across all of Bechtel’s Global Business Units (GBUs). He was elected as a Bechtel Distinguished Engineer in 2010 and then elected as a Bechtel Fellow in 2011. His fields of experience include nuclear, fossil, and hydropower plant projects; mining projects; liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities; and large civil infrastructure projects. Dr. Bell’s project experience includes overseas assignments in Hong Kong on a rail project, New Caledonia on mining project, and Trinidad on an LNG project. Dr. Bell retired as a full-time employee from Bechtel on July 29, 2018, and between 2018 and 2021, he participated in several short-term assignments. In November 2021, Dr. Bell returned to Bechtel as a full-time employee supporting Bechtel’s Energy Business Line working on several LNG projects around the world, which includes Pluto LNG in Australia and several projects on the Gulf Coast. Dr. Bell has been active with ASTM since 1987 when he joined Committee D18. He has served as 1st Vice Chair of Committee D18 and Chair of the Committee on Technical Committee Operations, and he has also Chaired two Subcommittees, D18.02 on Field Testing and D18.11 on Deep Foundations. He received the A. Ivan Johnson Outstanding Achievement Award from Committee D18 in 2021, an Award of Merit in 2014, and the Woodland G. Shockley Memorial Award from Committee D18 in 2011. In closing, I would like to thank Majdi for all his efforts and welcome Ken in his new role. Also, I would like to thank all authors for selecting the Geotechnical Testing Journal for publication of their manuscripts and the ASTM International staff, our outstanding editorial board members, and the numerous peer reviewers for their time, effort, and service to GTJ. I look forward to continued success of GTJ in collaboration with all stakeholders. Sincerely, Nazli Yesiller, PhD Director, Global Waste Research Institute-California Polytechnic State University Co-Editor, Geotechnical Testing Journal