GeoHeroes - David Lourie

GBA Podcast

GeoHeroes - David Lourie

About This Episode
In this episode Guy Marcozzi interviews David Lourie, PE, D.GE, F.GBA , CEO of Lourie Consultants where he discusses his journey in the geoprofession. Early interests in building and the space program led him to engineering. An ankle injury shifted his path from mechanical engineering and Navy ROTC to civil engineering. A soils class ignited his passion for geotechnical engineering. He worked at STS and the innovative McClellan Engineers before founding Lourie Consultants in New Orleans in 1992. He stresses client focus, technical quality, and service, advising professionals to be curious, give back, and work with class.

Series Summary
In this podcast series Guy Marcozzi interviews past, present, and future leaders in the geoprofessional industry to explore their personal and career journeys. The goal is to understand what motivates these individuals and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The podcast examines the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

About Our Guest
David Lourie, PE, D.GE, F.GBA is a respected consulting engineer specializing in geotechnical and geoenvironmental services. He is CEO of Lourie Consultants, the firm he founded in 1992 near New Orleans, Louisiana. His career began in 1979 with Soil Testing Services (STS). In 1981, he joined McClelland Engineers and advanced to become President of Fugro-McClelland (Southeast) in 1990. Mr. Lourie has extensive experience managing large-scale, high-profile engineering and construction projects and conducting forensic investigations. He has been an expert witness in multiple jurisdictions and an independent peer reviewer for major USACE projects. He actively shares his expertise as an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Orleans and contributes to the profession through technical and business publications and presentations. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the engineering profession, notably serving as the 39th National President of GBA (formerly ASFE).

Our Host
Guy Marcozzi, PE, D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, is a GBA past-president and an experienced CEO, President and Board Member with a demonstrated history of working in the engineering, science and data technology industries and in leadership for various boards of ESOP, non-profit, professional and business organizations.

Introduction

• David Lourie introduction as geotechnical engineer and entrepreneur
• Currently based in New Orleans, Louisiana
• Long-standing relationship with host Guy

Early Life and Education

• Childhood Geography: Born Chicago → Tampa (9 years) → Waterloo, Iowa → back to Chicago
• Early Interests: Space program, sports, building models, taking things apart
• Father's Influence: Engineering background, quality control work, taught responsibility through earning baseball glove and car payments
• Lane Tech High School: 5,000-student all-male selective admission school in Chicago
  • Unique combination of trade classes (machine shop, welding) and college prep
  • Claims most PhD graduates of any US high school
• High School Job: Gas station attendant - learned responsibility, customer service, fiscal accountability

Career Path

• College Plans Derailed: Navy ROTC scholarship at Illinois Institute of Technology
• Pivotal Injury: Baseball ankle injury ended Navy career and scholarship
• Career Shift: Mechanical → Civil Engineering (fraternity advisor's suggestion)
• Co-op Program: Alternated work/study semesters to pay for school
• Graduate School: Master's degree with thesis on coal mine waste embankments in West Virginia
• First Jobs:
  • Soil Testing Services (STS) in Chicago
  • Metropolitan Sanitary District - worked on Chicago's deep tunnel project
• McClellan Engineers: Houston-based firm, pioneers in offshore soil mechanics
• Louisiana Move: Volunteered to salvage struggling office in Lake Charles
• Fugro Acquisition: Became youngest president in Fugro McClellan worldwide operations
• Entrepreneurship: Founded Lourie Consultants in New Orleans (1992)
• Major Projects: $500 million Superdome renovation

Leadership

• Management Philosophy: Based on McClellan's culture of "lots of freedoms and holding them accountable"
• Three-Legged Stool: People, technical, financial/business - identified strengths in business development and technical work
• Client Focus: "Outstanding service and high caliber technical work" - not just lip service
• Bram McClellan's Philosophy: "Do it right, do it right the first time, and do it with class"
• Mentoring Approach: Organic, system-wide mentoring vs. formal programs

The Geoprofessional Landscape & Life Advice

• Industry Changes: Erosion of advisor capacity, increased price pressure, less focus on human aspects
• Technology Philosophy: Leverage technology for client benefit, not just internal efficiency
• Future Optimism: Firms can differentiate through client focus and personalized service
• Key Success Factors:
  • Client satisfaction drives profits, not the reverse
  • Alignment of operations with desired outcomes
  • Continued investment in people
  • Acceptance that failure is part of learning

Speed Round

• Favorite Books:
  • [BOOK] The Nine Nations of North America by Joel Garreau
  • Food and wine books
  • [BOOK] Judgment in Geotechnical Engineering: The Professional Legacy of Ralph B. Peck
• Optimism Index: 3-4 out of 5
  • Based on teaching experience at University of New Orleans
  • Sees passionate students entering the profession
• Biggest Impact: Positive influence on colleagues, clients, ASCE involvement, teaching
• What Would you Do Differently: Maybe "held my mouth more" early in career, but no major regrets
• Life Philosophy: "People make the best decisions they can, given the information they have at the time"

Final Thoughts

• Advice for New Professionals:
  • Remain intellectually curious
  • Give back to the profession and pay it forward
  • Have fun doing the work
  • Remember: if you build "on, in, or of the earth," you need geotechnical engineering
• Key Quote: "Be the difference that makes a difference and hope to inspire before you expire"
• Professional Motto: Engineering isn't a zero-sum game - "we can all win" by helping others

Calls-to-action:

• Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
• Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes
• Contact us at [email protected] with any podcast-related questions or comments

Subscribe

• Subscribe to the GBA Podcast https://www.gbapodcast.com/subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

• Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Apex