steven harm kolthoff revised (cut5) resume 3-12-16

Steven Harm Kolthoff 1826 El Rey Road

San Pedro, California 90732

(310) 833-3820 (home); (310) 251-1717 (cell)

[email protected]

EDUCATION:

MS - Geology, California State University, Long Beach, California, December, l994

BS - Structural Geology, California State University, Long Beach, California, August, l978

REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS:

California: Professional Geologist, PG - 6180

Certified Engineering Geologist, EG - 1965

Utah: Professional Geologist, PG - 9573524-2250

Wyoming: Professional Geologist, PG - 219

The American Institute of Professional Geologists: Certified Professional Geologist, CPG - 9694

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

3/12 to the Present, CEO, SK Geological, Inc.

CEO of SK Geological, Inc., a geological consulting company specializing in independent

geology consulting for engineers and geologists. Consulting includes paleoseismic evaluation of

fault activity in urban environments such as the Hollywood Fault Zone and the Palos Verdes

Fault, slope stability evaluation, second party review for grading and forensic projects, and

evaluation of geotechnical impact and hazards for proposed construction adjacent to client

properties.

Performed multiple paleoseismic studies on the Hollywood Fault and the Palos Verdes Fault in

the city of Los Angeles. As the lead geologist, supervised and performed the fieldwork and

wrote final reports. This work included fault trench logging, CPT and continuous core

evaluations which included determining existence of faults, soil stratigraphy analysis in dating

soil horizons and Radiocarbon methods for dating soil layers to help determine if faulting is

active, and reporting final conclusions. Obtained Los Angeles city approval for the proposed

Millennium project near the Capitol Records Building, Hollywood, for 1800 Argyle Avenue,

Argyle Hotel, for 6230 Yucca Street Apartments and for the 1756-1760 Argyle Avenue, Yucca-

Argyle Apartments and performed a joint venture fault evaluation study with Advanced

Steven Harm Kolthoff of 9

Geoscience, Inc. on a development south of the Ken Malloy Park, Harbor City, California. This

study included seismic refraction-reflection profiling, seismic topology, CPT’s and continuous

core sampling.

Performed various forensic and code upgrade projects with ABI Engineering Consultants, Inc. in

the Silverado and Modjeska canyons area of Orange County, California. Also, multiple single

lot evaluations in the city of Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, city of Los Angeles and

the city of Laguna Beach.

Performed a detailed bluff study in Santa Barbara for a single lot for the installation of a solar

cell array. This included a historic photo evaluation of the slope, slope stability evaluation and

the effects of sea level rise on the site.

Wrote final EIR for the paleoseismic evaluation of the Ponte Vista Project, San Pedro, California

and various other projects throughout the city of Los Angeles.

Sited water reservoirs in Riverside County which included fault evaluation of proposed sites.

Performed field logging and evaluation of oscillating drilling of test piles for the Gerald

Desmond Bridge replacement and evaluation of artesian water conditions at the Port of Long

Beach.

Performed paleoseismic evaluations for the Gas Co., Sempra Energy, Inc. Evaluations included

determination of specific fault slip rates, activity of faults and the potential for earthquakes on

other faults due to regional stress.

11/11, State of California.

Member of Reviewing Committee for the California Specific Section of the California

Professional Geology Licensing Exam.

4/10 to 4/11, Mills and Kolthoff Geological Consultants, Inc. (MK Geo)

Owner and Principal Engineering Geologist.

Consulted for geotechnical engineers on various foundation projects.

5/09 to 3/12, Independent Consultant.

As an independent consultant, worked with Group Delta Consultants, Inc. performed geologic

hazard evaluations and reports for selected LAUSD/ARCADIS school sites. This included

historic aerial photo and topographic analysis, literature searches and site visits. For Leo Carrillo

State Park, evaluated a beach location to site overnight camping bungalows. This included the

determination of tsunami run up, slope stability, causes of erosion, field mapping and the

feasibility of installing private septic systems in a beach environment.


Additionally, performed pre-escrow and forensic geological evaluations for selected hillside lots

for selected clients and companies.

2/97 to 5/09, Group Delta Consultants, Inc., Torrance, California.

Associate Geologist - Partial Ownership.

Performed complete geologic analyses, from feasibility and preliminary through final plan

reports, for large domestic and international projects. Wrote proposals and managed budgets and

contracts for geologic work for these projects.

Geologic analyses included compiling and examining regional geology maps and aerial photos,

field mapping, setting up sub-surface studies using backhoe and/or drill rigs, implementing fault

studies when warranted, supervising and performing logging of fault trenches, supervising,

compiling and interpreting data from cone penetrometer tests done in conjunction with

continuous core sampling, and constructing and drafting structural cross-sections and final

geologic maps incorporating final field data.

Recommended to geotechnical engineers’ remedial designs for potential or incipient geologic

hazards. Wrote geologic sections of final soils engineering/geologic reports, including all logs,

final geologic maps and cross sections, to be presented to clients and controlling agencies.

As the project manager for geotechnical instrumentation, managed a team installing

inclinometers, Geokon vibrating wire extensometers, strain gauges and piezometers. These

instruments were used for monitoring excavations and tunneling.

Domestic projects consisted of: over 100 new and existing school sites, high rise/midrise

buildings, residential developments, pipelines, ports and harbors, public water facilities, rail

projects, highways and bridges, wireless phone towers and State Parks.

For LAUSD, developed report for the seismic safety and geologic hazard evaluation prior to

purchase of the property for the construction of new schools ranging from elementary to high

schools.

For State Parks, managed and performed geological/geotechnical field tasks.

International projects consisted of: $1.2 billion Hamaca Crude Oil Upgrader Refinery unit for

Petrolera Ameriven and Grupo Alvica (Fluor Daniel and Inelectra), in Jose, Anzoategui,

Venezuela.

Responsibilities on domestic projects:

Over 100 new and existing school sites: Performed seismic and geologic hazard

evaluation and wrote reports for the LAUSD, Anaheim, Santa Ana and Hawthorne school

districts. These studies included site recon, historical aerial photo analysis and office


research for each site or facility. Also conducted due diligence seismic and geological

evaluation reports on properties prior to the school district purchase.

Highrise/midrise buildings: Performed seismic and geologic hazard evaluation.

Residential developments: Investigated, evaluated and wrote reports with

recommendations regarding subsidence, faulting, liquefaction, methane and minor

environmental issues. Performed an initial paleoseimic study to evaluate the onsite fault

potential using seismic reflection and aerial photo analysis of the Ponte Vista

Development in San Pedro.

Pipeline design: Performed geologic evaluation and wrote reports. Worked with The Gas

Co. to install additional lines and performed slope stability recon and evaluation for the

flood damaged Sullivan Creek area in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Ports and harbors: Performed Quality Control for Pier “S” of Long Beach Harbor during

construction, which included constructing concrete “dead men” in slots along the toe of

an MSE wall, after discovering that the wall toed in an oil well sump.

Public water and gas facilities: performed initial geologic studies, field recon, and

mapping for water reservoirs and pipelines (including performing paleoseimic studies

along the San Andreas for two potential domestic reservoir tank sites in the Indio Hills

area and Banning area of California). Also performed office and field studies and wrote

reports with recommendations regarding tunneling.

Rail projects: Performed geological recon, evaluated areas for proposed structures and

new track turnouts and set up drilling sites for soil sampling and testing.

Highways and bridges: Performed and supervised rock coring, RQD, rippability studies

and wrote preliminary and final geology reports in conjunction with the geotechnical

report.

ATT wireless phone towers: Wrote local geologic evaluation reports using published

geologic data and reports.

State Parks:

Will Rogers State Park: As a team member with civil engineers, performed a site

drainage evaluation which included evaluating existing drainage, making

recommendations regarding soil moisture problems under the buildings and installing

inclinometers along slopes of an artificial terrace in recon with natural slopes. Final result

was a revised drainage plan.

La Purisima Mission: Evaluated water issues and made recommendations regarding

waterproofing and a new foundation.


Hungry Valley Off-Road Vehicle Park: Designed septic system for new bathrooms and

soil cement pads for RVs.

Pio Pico State Park: Designed and recommended improvements on the grounds around

California’s last Mexican Governor's residence.

Leo Carrillo State Beach: Evaluated geological hazards for the proposed construction of

small bungalows on the beach, such as liquefaction and tsunami threats to the beach that

could affect the safety of occupants

Responsibilities on international projects:

Oversaw Quality Control in the removal and replacement of collapsible soils at the $1.2

billion Hamaca Crude Oil Upgrader Refinery unit in Jose, Anzoategui, Venezuela,

intermittently from 8/2000 - 10/2003.

After the one square mile site had been brushed and graded, tank #8 was being

constructed during the summer rain season. The soils collapsed and further field testing

showed that the collapsible soils had been correctly identified throughout the locations

for critical structures. Responsibilities included Quality Control during the removal and

replacement of collapsible soils in the critical areas while leaving the non-critical areas

for future maintenance. The project was finished ahead of schedule.

2/89 to 2/97, Pacific Soils Engineering, Inc., Cypress, California.

Project Engineering Geologist.

Performed complete geologic analyses, from feasibility and preliminary through final plan

approval stages, for large single and multi-family residential, commercial and public works

development projects. Wrote proposals and managed budgets and contracts for geologic work for

these development projects.

Initial geologic analyses consisted of compiling and examining regional geology maps,

Earthquake Special Studies Zone 1:24,000 scale quadrangles and aerial photos. Field mapping

was then done at various scales to check the consistency of regional geologic data with the

geology of the site and to map the presence of potential geologic hazards such as active faults,

landslides and adverse bedding plane conditions.

After detailed field mapping was completed, sub-surface studies were set up to further determine

nature and extent of geologic hazards, such as landslides or adverse bedding plane conditions

determined during the mapping stage, and to reveal geologic structure masked by surficial

deposits. Backhoe and/or drill rigs were used to expose and sample on-site geologic units.


Implemented fault studies when development was located in an Earthquake Special Studies

Zone. Supervised and performed logging of fault trenches and additional measured stratigraphic

sections to find missing and/or repeated beds in a faulted regime. Supervised, compiled and

interpreted data from cone penetrometer tests done in conjunction with continuous core sampling

from bore holes and Carbon 14 sample collecting for dating. Performed paleoseimic studies in

Simi Valley, California, on the Newport Inglewood and San Gabriel fault zones in the Los

Angeles area and paleoseismic studies on the San Jacinto Fault in the Moreno Valley, California.

Constructed and drafted structural cross-sections and final geologic map incorporating final field

data. Recommended to geotechnical engineer remedial designs for potential or incipient geologic

hazards. Wrote geologic sections of final soils engineering/geologic report, including all logs,

final geologic map and structural cross-sections, to be presented to client and controlling

agencies.

Used monitoring wells to monitor groundwater conditions and wrote reports recommending

methods of remediation for nuisance groundwater. Did forensic foundation inspections and

manometer studies. Performed Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments and wrote

accompanying reports for controlling agencies. Did seismic refraction studies to determine if

bedrock was rippable using conventional heavy equipment, and to determine quantities of

unrippable rock for pricing by blasting contractor. Did percolation tests for private sewage

disposal systems to determine size and type of septic system needed and wrote accompanying

reports for controlling agencies.

2/86-2/89, Unocal Corporation, Division of Oil and Gas, Los Angeles, California.

Contract Geologist and Geophysicist.

Compiled and computer modeled gravity and geologic data for areas in onshore California,

central Nevada, eastern and southern Utah, western Colorado and Texas under supervision of

Chief Geologist for Division of Oil and Gas, western United States region. Data was compiled

from gravity stations typically spaced on a one to one-half mile grid, for regional oil exploration

in the above mentioned areas.

In conjunction with published and in-house geologic maps, compiled Bouguer gravity maps at

1:24,000 to 1:100,000 scales, from reduced gravity data of selected regions, to determine areas

for potential oil exploration. Drew and digitized geologic cross-sections through regions which

had gravity data but lacked quality sub-surface geologic data. Formation density values from oil

well data in known areas were assigned to geologic cross-sections, then checked with 2-D

gravity models. While modeling the gravity, variations in the residual gravity of the model were

compared to residual gravity values from the regional Bouguer gravity maps. Adjustments were

made to the model until the calculated residuals matched the regional Bouguer residuals and

compared with oil well logs within the area of study, hence defining the subsurface structure.


1983 – 1986, California State University, Long Beach, California.

Graduate Assistant.

During graduate studies, performed research and consulting gravimetric studies with Graduate

Advisor. Studies included detailed repetitive gravity surveys, in the microgal range, within the

Roosevelt Hot Springs KGRA in Milford, Utah, for Philips Geothermal and performing gravity

surveys of the Battle Mountain area of Nevada to define limits of caldera structures.

1978 – 1982, Fugro/Earth Technology Corporation, Long Beach, California.

Staff Geologist.

Under a federal government “Secret” classification, performed basin and aggregate studies and

managed field crews in the Basin and Range Province of Utah and Nevada. This consisted of in-

office examination of field data and mapping, with the aid of 1:24,000 scale aerial photographs,

of basin sedimentation and geomorphology by classifying alluvial fans, Pleistocene lake

shorelines and deposits, and adjacent rock units. After completing office work, mapping was

field checked by digging and logging test pits and drilling into the surficial deposits.

Field mapped, and trained and supervised staff geologists to observe, to company standards, in

both office and field, three stages of development of alluvial fans.

Set up geophysical surveys and compiled and interpreted seismic refraction and resistivity data.

Finalized all data and observations on 1:62,500 scale geologic and groundwater hydrology maps

and wrote accompanying reports.

Performed detailed aggregate studies in the same Province by sampling with a backhoe, and

performing pebble counts on basin fill gravels and sands, measured stratigraphic sections,

mapped bedrock outcrops and sampled for durability testing. Grain size units were differentiated,

per quality and grain size or bedrock outcrop type, and mapped on 1: 24,000 scale aerial photos,

then transferred to 1:62,500 scale maps.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS, EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) and Unocal proprietary geological and

geophysical programs. Attended 12-week extended education course on the Framework of

Environmental Law at UCLA, 10 hour course on Seismic Hazard Analysis, 10 hour course on

Soil Science and Overview and 40 Hour OSHA trained (expired).

Training - Gov. Office of Emergency in conjunction with ASCE Service Safety Assessment

Program (03/20/2009) Disaster Service Worker to inspect safety of structures after a disaster in

California.

Training - Use of gamma gamma logger (07/31/2003)


Use of the MGXII GEOPHYSICAL LOGGER + HLP-2375 PROBE

Specialized Education - Procedure for Implementing DMG SP-117 (06/20/2002)

Analyzing and Mitigating Landslide Hazards in California

Specialized Education - Short Course on Cone Penetration Testing (04/26/2000)

Interpretation of Cone Penetration Testing.

Specialized Education - Slope Stability Seminar (07/23/1999)

Evaluation of different techniques to analyze slope stability

Analyzing and Mitigating Liquefaction Hazards in California

Specialized Education - Seismic Hazard Analysis (01/20/1999)

Evaluation of liquefaction hazards.

Certification - Certified Professional Geologist (11/09/1995)

The American Institute of Professional Geologists - CPG - 9694

Certification - California Certified Engineering Geologist (07/14/1995)

California Certified Engineering Geologist Number EG-1965

License - Utah Professional Geologist (11-19-2015)

Utah Professional Geologist Number PG-9573524-2250

License - California Professional Geologist (02/09/1995)

California Professional Geologist Number PG-6180

License - Wyoming Professional Geologist (04/27/1992)

Wyoming Professional Geologist Number PG-219

License - Registered Environmental Assessor I (REA I) (04/01/1991)

REA I - 02892 Expired

Training - 24 hours of Hazardous Waste Training (01/16/1992)

Section 1910.120 of federal regulations.

Training - Radiation Safety and use of Nuclear Soil Gauge (12/19/1978)

Requirement to use Nuclear Soil Gauge and Gamma Gamma Logger.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

American Association of Petroleum Geologists, National and Pacific Section, active member.

American Geophysical Union, member of Tectonophysics section.

The Geologic Society of America, member.


Seismological Society of America, member

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:

Kolthoff, S. H., 2015, Structural Geology and Neotectonic Architecture of the Hollywood

California area: East-West Faulting of Not? Southern California Section AEG Field Trip:

Hollywood and Santa Monica Fault Zones, June 13, 2015 (abstract and presentation).

Mills, M. F., Kolthoff, S. H., and Shlemon, R. J., 1994, Paleoseismic Interpretations, a Caution:

Do Trenches Expose Seismotectonic or Landslide Slip Surfaces? Geological Society of

America, Cordilleran Section, Riverside, California (abstract and presentation).

Kolthoff, S. H., 1994, Tectonic and Gravity Study of the Coalinga Area, California. [M.S.

thesis]: California State University, Long Beach.

steven harm kolthoff revised (cut5) resume 3-12-16

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