INDIANAPOLIS, IN — 28th March 2026 — The Buried Asset Management Institute - International (BAMI-I), in partnership with the ASCE Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute (UESI), is pleased to announce that the 28th Utility Investigation School (UIS) will be held in Indianapolis from May 18-21, 2026. This intensive training program, designed for project owners, engineers, and subsurface utility professionals, focuses on mitigating the high-stakes risks associated with underground infrastructure.
The 28th UIS comes at a critical time as infrastructure projects face increasing complexity and the rising costs of "unknown" utility strikes. The school provides a definitive curriculum based on the national engineering standards ASCE 38-22 (Standard Guideline for Investigating and Documenting Existing Utilities) and ASCE 75-22 (Standard Guideline for Recording and Exchanging Utility Infrastructure Data).
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Strategic Industry Partnership
This session is made possible through the support of key industry partners dedicated to standardizing utility investigation. Andrea Sloan , CEO at GroundBreakers, LLC, emphasized the importance of this collaboration for the wider industry.
"Our partnership with BAMI‑I and support of the Utility Investigation School reflects Ground Breakers’ commitment to advancing standardized utility investigation practices," said Larry Oliver. "Training aligned with ASCE 38 and 75 helps strengthen the industry and improve outcomes across every phase of a project."
Advancing the Mission of BAMI-I
The UIS has seen significant growth in recent years, expanding its reach to DOTs, municipal agencies, and leading engineering firms nationwide. BAMI-I leadership views this momentum as a major step toward a more resilient and predictable infrastructure landscape.
"We are incredibly pleased with the overwhelming response to the Utility Investigation School and its significant progress in establishing rigorous standards across the sector," said Wei Liao, Executive Director of BAMI-I. "By sharing critical knowledge and directly improving the skills and capacities of utility teams, the UIS program aligns deeply with BAMI-I’s core mission and our long-term vision for the buried assets industry."
Program Highlights & Options
Attendees of the 28th UIS can choose from two specialized tracks:
- 2-Day Option (18 PDHs): Focuses on what project owners and designers need to know about utility risk mitigation and national standards.
- 4-Day Option (36 PDHs): A comprehensive deep dive for licensed professionals in charge of utility investigations, covering geophysics, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and advanced mapping technologies.
The school was originally developed by Jim Anspach, PG(r), Dist.M.ASCE — Chair of ASCE 38, Founding Governor of UESI, and widely recognized as a pioneer of the Subsurface Utility Engineering profession — in partnership with Dr. Tom Iseley of Purdue University. Together, they established a curriculum that bridges the gap between theoretical standards and field-ready expertise.
Meet the Instructors
The 28th UIS faculty brings together nationally recognized experts in utility engineering, standards development, and subsurface investigation:
John P. Campbell, PE, SR/WA, M.ASCE
Principal — JPC Professional Solutions
- 2021 UESI President
- Former Director — TDOT Right of Way & Utilities Division
- Board Member — ASCE Civil Engineering Certification
- Executive Committee — UESI Standards and Publications Council
- Chair — ASCE 38 Standard Committee
- Member — ASCE 75 Standard Committee
- Past Chair (2006–2012) — AASHTO Committee on Utilities and Right of Way
Andrew Sylvest
Former SUE Department Manager — Lamb-Star Inc.
- Board of Directors — SUE Association
- Past President — SUE Association
Andrew brings hands-on project experience and industry governance perspective to utility investigation training — helping attendees understand not just how standards are applied, but why they were developed.
Joseph Porter
Quality Manager, Utilities — Lamb-Star Engineering
Joseph oversees quality assurance for utility investigation operations at Lamb-Star Engineering, with direct field accountability for subsurface data accuracy and ASCE 38 compliance. His instruction bridges the gap between standard requirements and practical execution.
Registration Information
Registration is now open for the Indianapolis session. Early-bird discounts and group rates for organizations sending three or more attendees are available.
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About BAMI-I: The Buried Asset Management Institute – International is a non-profit association whose mission is to provide a center of excellence for education, research, and certification in the field of buried asset management.
About GroundBreakers, LLC: GroundBreakers is a 100% veteran- and woman-owned underground utility services company serving the Midwest, with 24/7 operations across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. The company specializes in hydrovac excavation, CCTV line inspection, line jetting, private utility locating, and Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), serving clients in construction, utilities, telecom, oil & gas, and government sectors.
