Flood Risk Management and Dam Safety group joins GEI

Team of four experts brings more than 50 years of combined experience

Boston, MA (Sept. 9, 2025) – A team of four expert engineers has joined GEI Consultants to strengthen the firm’s Flood Risk Management services. The team comes to GEI from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), where they were recognized in 2024 as the National Risk Cadre of the Year by USACE’s Risk Management Center. The team has extensive experience in risk assessment and risk-informed decision making during all project phases from feasibility through post-construction. The team worked nationally on high hazard potential dams and levees, and more recently focused on risk-informed design initiatives along the eastern seaboard from Boston, MA to Norfolk, VA. The team has conducted all levels of risk evaluation, including screening level risk evaluation, Potential Failure Mode Analysis, Semi-Quantitative and Quantitative Risk Assessment, and Dam Safety Modification Studies. They are:

Cheyne Aiken, R.G. – A professionally Registered Geologist in Oregon, who most recently served as a Geology team member for the USACE Dam and Levee Safety Risk Cadre. Cheyne began his USACE career working for the Portland District’s Dam Safety and Geotech Design section for 5 years before joining the New England District’s Risk Cadre in 2023. Cheyne brings extensive design experience in risk-informed dam and levee projects.

Michael Boiardi – Michael has over 15 years of experience leading civil works risk assessments and risk-informing design decisions for flood risk infrastructure across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is a recognized national leader in risk-informed design, with deep knowledge of USACE processes, exceptional interdisciplinary team coordination skills, and an ability to translate complex risk findings into actionable project decisions. Michael is adept in guiding stakeholders across agencies, municipalities, and engineering disciplines toward aligned outcomes in technically and politically complex environments.

Nicole Brennan, P.G. – A geologist and recent member of the USACE New England District’s Dam and Levee Safety Risk Cadre and Risk-Informed Design Group. Nikki specializes in flood risk management including riverine and coastal levee feasibility, design, and construction. She has supported a variety of complex civil works and environmental remediation projects across the U.S. and has contributed to USACE risk assessments for various high-hazard dams and levee systems. Nikki applies risk-informed decision-making to the planning, design, and implementation of flood risk management projects.

Patrick (PJ) Mion – PJ has over 15 years of experience specializing in risk analysis and site characterization for dams, levees, and coastal protection projects. His technical expertise includes event tree and failure mode analysis, subsurface investigations, data visualization and geospatial modeling, and analysis of seepage and internal erosion. He has facilitated risk assessments for high-hazard potential federal dams, leading multidisciplinary teams to ensure alignment with risk standards and best practices. He has served as geology lead for risk-informed design work, developing recommendations to mitigate flood risk during and after construction of civil works projects and supporting decision-making through clear risk communication and stakeholder engagement.

“We are delighted to bring this team of Flood Risk Management experts to GEI,” says Troy Naperala, Senior Vice President, Water Resources at GEI. “Together, Cheyne, Michael, Nicole, and Patrick will expand and solidify our expertise in risk-informed dam design and dam safety.”

GEI continues to grow and invest in its dam safety practice, building on a legacy of leadership in the field. GEI’s experts are widely recognized for delivering a comprehensive suite of services that span the full lifecycle of dam infrastructure — from planning and feasibility studies to design, construction management, and instrumentation and monitoring. The firm is deeply committed to addressing the evolving challenges faced by dam owners and operators, including climate change, aging infrastructure, and increasing regulatory demands. Through unmatched technical excellence, a client-centered approach to problem-solving, and a focus on forward-looking, innovative solutions, GEI remains a driving force in safeguarding critical water infrastructure for communities across the nation.

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About GEI: GEI Consultants, Inc. is a consulting engineering firm and member of GISI Consulting Group that delivers professional services that improve our world’s built environment. With more than 1,500 staff and 59 offices in North America, GEI is a leader in providing multi-disciplined engineering and environmental services to a range of private and public sector clients, both domestically and abroad.

As a member of the employee-owned GISI family of companies, we foster personal relationships with our clients and support our staff in a partnership model, which is underpinned by continuous learning and sharing of knowledge. We retain proven, recognized experts and attract the best minds to deliver to our clients a refreshing blend of technical expertise, collaborative spirit, and innovation that is rare in our profession. We engineer solutions in five primary end markets: Water Resources, Energy, Buildings, Infrastructure, and Industrial. For more information on GEI, please visit www.geiconsultants.com.