GeoHeroes - Ryan White
About This Episode
In this episode Guy Marcozzi interviews Ryan White, PE, GE, F.ASCE, principal geotechnical engineer at Apex, chair of the GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee, and GeoHeroes podcast producer, from accidentally discovering geotechnical engineering through misunderstandings about what different engineers actually do, to losing his job in the 2008 crisis, Ryan's unconventional path reveals how setbacks often become catalysts for growth. Now leading a thriving team, he shares hard-won insights on transitioning from technical expert to strategic leader, why doing what others won't do creates opportunity, and how the profession is evolving into a technology-driven future. Plus: his surprisingly competitive approach to giant pumpkin racing.
About Our Guest
Ryan White, PE, GE, F.ASCE, is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer at Apex in Portland, Oregon. With 28 years of experience in the geoprofessional industry Ryan leads Apex's geotechnical practice in the Pacific Northwest, growing the team to eleven professionals while focusing on strategic client service and integrating technology into traditional engineering practices. Ryan is an active member of GBA and chair of the multimedia delivery committee. In partnership with Guy Marcozzi, Ryan has produced the GeoHeroes podcast series, showcasing the diverse stories and wisdom of geoprofessionals across the country.
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
- Ryan White, Principal Geotechnical Engineer at Apex (PBS Engineering) in Portland, Oregon
- Producer of the GeoHeroes podcast
Early Life and Education
- Grew up in Seaside, Oregon (population 5,000) on the Oregon coast
- Parents were both science teachers, fostered academic mindset
- Early exposure to technology through mother's work as librarian/media specialist
- Played multiple sports: football, basketball, baseball, track
- Performed better academically when busier with sports—learned time management early
- Side hustles: mowing lawns, backup for paper routes
- Built balsa wood bridges while recovering from mono—sparked engineering interest
- Mistakenly thought bridges were mechanical engineering, then switched to structural, but didn't resonate
- Discovered geotechnical engineering, intuitively clicked
- Earned bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering/geotechnical engineering at Oregon State University
Career Path
First break: Collapsed lung from sneezing (!) prevented travel, led professor to connect him with startup GeoDesign
- Memorable interview: arrived in suit/tie, found engineers in shorts and Birkenstocks throwing things at each other
- Worked at GeoDesign 5 years, gained early autonomy managing projects with 3-4 years experience
First risk: Left secure job with 2-month-old son to join mentor's 3-person startup company
2008 crisis: Lost job when economy tanked, devastating to ego
- Unemployed 2 months—reframed as rare opportunity to read, nap, time with kids
- Persistence paid off to get job with Kleinfelder
- Worked 3 years at Kleinfelder, then recruited by Arlan Rippe to PBS/Apex
- Took over geotechnical group management
Leadership
Key realization: "Never thought about our business as being a people business. It was a math and science business to me"
- Day-to-day now: email management, people management, strategic thinking
- "What got you here won't get you there"—had to develop new skills beyond technical expertise
- Pride comes from team success, not personal achievements
What excites him now: Strategizing to win projects, not executing them; seeing younger staff and friends succeed
Biggest frustration: Email—"I'm at the mercy of other people's priorities" - Wishes administrative tasks (AR, invoices) could be streamlined
- Focus shifted to long-term strategy and "putting the right chess pieces in the right place"
The Geoprofessional Landscape
- Early exposure removed fear of technology, sees it as "another form of play"
- Not threatened by AI: "Our jobs aren't going to disappear because of AI"
- Sees companies morphing into "technology companies that do engineering" vs "engineering companies with Microsoft subscriptions"
- Fundamentals won't change: "Soil mechanics are what they are"
- Technology will handle routine work, freeing engineers for client management and strategy
Life Advice
- Do what others won't: "It's a lot less crowded for you when you do those things"
- Growth through discomfort: "We don't learn much when things are going well"
- Join committees and leadership positions—"that's where you get the biggest benefit"
- Pursue people skills and emotional intelligence, not just technical expertise
Speed Round
- Favorite Book:
- Optimism index: 4 out of 5 (optimist, but "hard for me to give anything a perfect score")
- Proudest accomplishments: Helping build the geotech group at PBS/Apex; GBA contributions
- What he'd change: "I wouldn't change anything because the bad things are what got us here"; Consider a career in technology
- Advice for young professionals: Get involved, don't just attend. Take risks. Just doing the job isn't enough. Do what others won't to gain valuable experience. Volunteer/participate outside your career field.
Final Thoughts
- Encourages following interests and experimenting without fear
- GBA fanboy: Getting actively involved (not just attending) is key to growth
- Engineers naturally avoid uncomfortable situations, but "that's when you grow"
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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:
