GeoHeroes - Leo Titus
About This Episode
In this episode Guy Marcozzi interviews Leo J. Titus, Jr., PE, F.GBA, COO of Engineering Consulting Services (ECS), about resilience, leadership, and giving back to the geotechnical community. Leo shares his remarkable journey from a teenager working at a racetrack to leading a 2,800-person engineering firm, while navigating profound personal challenges including his deployment to the Pentagon on 9/11 as part of the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue team and the tragic loss of his wife to cancer. Leo reveals how these experiences shaped his people-first leadership philosophy and passion for mentoring the next generation. Packed with career wisdom, this episode offers invaluable insights on professional growth, the importance of industry involvement, and finding perspective through life's toughest moments.
About Our Guest
Leo J. Titus, Jr., PE, F.GBA is Chief Operating Officer of ECS, Ltd. a national geotechnical, environmental, materials testing and facilities engineering firm. A graduate of Clarkson University, he has been an active leader in industry organizations including serving as president of GBA in 2022-2023, chairman of ASTM E36 committee from 2016 to 2021, and two terms as president of WACEL. Mr. Titus has been an active member of the community and was a member of Fairfax County's Urban Search and Rescue team for eleven years, being deployed to the Pentagon on September 11, 2001; as well as being a top fundraiser, along with his family, for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, raising over $350,000 since the passing of his first wife in 2003.
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.
Show Notes
Introduction
- Leo Titus, Chief Operating Officer of Engineering Consulting Services (ECS)
- Lives and works in Northern Virginia
- ECS: 2,800 employees, 100 locations nationwide
Early Life and Education
- Born in Western New York, grew up in Saratoga Springs, New York
- Worked summers at horse racing track as teenager in concessions/bar support
- Learned valuable life lessons about how people treat each other
- Witnessed gambling addiction, which taught him moderation
- B/B+ student through high school and early college
- Initially pursued mechanical engineering, inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Switched to civil engineering after struggling with dynamics class
- Graduated from Clarkson University in 1991 during recession
Career Path
- Started at PSI doing geotechnical materials testing services
- Became branch manager in Worcester, Massachusetts at age 23 with minimal experience
- Moved to ECS as project engineer to focus on learning engineering
- Progressed through roles: project engineer → department manager → office manager → Mid-Atlantic president (2007-2021) → COO
- Company grew from 12-13 people in 1988 to current size
Leadership
- Early management success based on listening to both upper management and field workers
- Served as mediator/buffer between different organizational levels
- Life-changing experiences shaped leadership philosophy
- These experiences provided perspective on what's truly important
- Believes in learning from both positive and negative management examples
The Geoprofessional Landscape & Life Advice
- Fundamentals of geotechnical engineering remain unchanged
- Technology and communication tools have evolved significantly
- Sees AI as helpful tool, not disruptive force
- Believes relationships with clients and employees are fundamental to success
- Basic client expectations: timely delivery, good communication
- Optimistic about profession's future despite challenges like technical talent shortage
Life Advice
- Get actively involved in professional organizations like GBA
- Don't just attend meetings - serve on committees and be engaged
- Ask more questions to better understand clients and employees
- Focus on building relationships and communication skills
- Bring outside involvement back to benefit your company
Speed Round
- Favorite Book: David McCullough's historical works (Johnstown Flood, Great Bridge, Panama Canal, Wright Brothers)
- Optimism index: 5 out of 5
- Advice for newcomers: Get involved in professional organizations
- Biggest impact: Teaching and mentoring, especially inspiring students to enter geotechnical engineering
- Regrets: None, but would ask more questions to learn about employees and clients
Final Thoughts
- Actively participate in professional associations
- Your involvement will help improve the entire industry
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