Jay Graf, President

Geo-Graf has been setting the industry standard for accuracy, integrity, and professionalism for nearly two decades. We have performed over 1,800 nonintrusive subsurface investigations using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). We’ve worked large scale, high profile projects at the U.S. Capitol Building, over a half-dozen Nuclear Power Plants, and assisted in the discovery of the original 1607 Fort in Jamestown, Virginia. We also are hired by local engineering and environmental firms, historical societies, clubs, and even the curious individual. While our projects span a wide range of disciplines, our expertise is the utility/infrastructure industry.

Geo-Graf, Inc. (GGI) is an independent private small business founded in 1989 by Fred L. Graf, P.E. Geo-Graf is currently helmed by his son Jamieson (Jay) Graf, Sr.

As a senior research engineer for the Philadelphia Electric Company Fred Graf developed a technique for utilizing GPR in the detection of natural gas pipeline leaks. With grants from the Gas Research Institute, and others, he developed GPR data collection methods, unique antenna configurations, and hardware profiles using a Geophysical Survey Systems SIR-10, to successfully pinpoint pipeline gas leaks. He published his findings in several trade journals and was also a featured presenter in a 1986 GPR conference held in China.

Prior to his foray into GPR, Fred Graf researched the use of vertical field gradiometers, i.e. Magnetics, for the detection of bell joints in cast iron piping. Since the majority of pipeline gas leaks occur from loose fitting joints, his research provided a valuable and cost saving technique for finding possible leak points.

Realizing the multitude of applications for the use of nonintrusive subsurface delineation techniques beyond the gas industry, he retired from the utility company and founded Geo-Graf in 1989. With his intimate knowledge of GPR and Magnetics, Fred Graf and Geo-Graf quickly vaulted to the forefront of a burgeoning industry.

In addition to gas leak pinpointing, Geo-Graf pioneered applications for the use of GPR in the detection of underground storage tanks, utility locating, sinkhole/void delineating, and plume/contaminant mapping. Now after two decades, use of GPR for the delineation of these features is commonplace.

While other GPR service providers are rooted in the Geosciences or Educational disciplines, Geo-Graf’s expertise is in the Utility and/or Infrastructure Industries. This provides us with a unique and unparalleled insight for GPR use within these fields.

Since 1991, Jay Graf has worked with his father, serving as a field technician and gaining real-world experience in the use of GPR and Magnetics. Upon graduation in 1995 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Jay weighed his options and decided to join the family business full-time. With industry-related field experience, engineering background, and technical sophistication; he quickly brought Geo-Graf up to speed by incorporating CAD mapping and other computer based technology into each project. With the addition of RF and EM techniques, Jay went on to establish unique and propriety data collection methods enabling Geo-Graf to expand its services in new directions, all while maintaining accuracy and reliability our clients count on.

In 2003, with nearly 13 years of industry experience, Jay took over as President for his retiring father. Now, in its 19th year of operation, Jay Graf and Geo-Graf look to continue the level of excellence, professionalism, and quality service into the new millennium.