GeoHeroes - Rick Heckel

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June 4th, 2025

38 mins 49 secs

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About this Episode

GeoHeroes - Rick Heckel

About This Episode
In this episode Guy Marcozzi interviews Rick Heckel, PE, D.GE, Chief Engineer at TTL, Inc. who shares his remarkable 40+ year journey. Rick "stumbled" into geotechnical engineering, building his career through persistence rather than natural talent, and navigating roles from branch manager to CEO to solo practitioner. Learn about his groundbreaking initiative to "Elevate the Geoprofession," find out why he believes engineers make undervalued leaders, and hear his uncompromising advice for career success. Rick's authentic storytelling and practical wisdom make this essential listening for professionals seeking both technical excellence and meaningful career impact.

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
Rick Heckel, PE, D.GE, Chief Engineer at TTL, Inc. is based in Nashville, TN. He has 40 years of geotechnical engineering experience working on projects with construction values exceeding $500MM. Rick is a licensed professional engineer in six states. He has been active in GBA for the last 20 years and served as the Chair for the Geotechnical Business Committee for 7 years. Rick is currently President of TNSAVE, which is a volunteer organization dedicated to training engineers, architects, contractors, and building officials to perform safety evaluations of structures following disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering at Lipscomb University.

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

• Chief Geotechnical Engineer at TTL
• Based in Nashville, Tennessee office
• Lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (35 miles away)

Early Life and Education

• Grew up in Louisville, Kentucky
• Played baseball and soccer
• Good student but had to work hard at engineering
• Strong in math, took calculus in high school
• Master's degree was the accredited degree (5-year program)
• Thesis on "time rate of settlement" using PL/1 programming
• Only one PC in entire civil engineering department at the time
• Self-taught computer skills
• Developed patience and tenacity through thesis challenges
• Summer jobs: Little league groundskeeper for 3 summers ($125/week)
• Umpired and refereed various sports

Career Path

• Graduated 1983 during severe economic recession
• Took 4 months to find job despite having master's degree
• First job: Utility company (family tradition - multiple generations worked there)
• 1984: Joined Law Engineering in Nashville
• Early projects: Dams, hospitals, various geotechnical work
• Opened branch office for Atlanta Testing & Engineering (later Core Property Sciences)
• Became CEO for 3 years: Financial distress → best year in company history → exit during 2008 crisis
• TTL as Chief Operating Officer (6 years)
• Solo practice: Ardent Geotechnical Consultants (6 years)
• GeoEngineers (3 years, until company withdrew from Nashville)
• Current: Returned to TTL as Chief Geotechnical Engineer

Leadership

• Engineers undervalued as managers and leaders
• Engineering is #1 profession among Fortune 500 CEOs
• COO role better fit than CEO (implementation vs. vision setting)
• Led GBA geotechnical committee for 15+ years
• Initiated "Elevate the Geoprofession" movement
• Philosophy: Fix ourselves first before criticizing others
• Believes in courage with business decisions (pricing, etc.)

The Geoprofessional Landscape & Life Advice

Current State:

• Profession experiencing uptick after period of decline
• Finally charging fees that reflect value provided
• Major challenge: Attracting college students to geotechnical

Technology & Tools:

• Desktop tools dramatically improved (historic aerials, online geological maps)
• AI will be a disruptor
• Still using 100-year-old standard penetration test (SPT)
• Need better field tools for data collection

Threats:

• Losing design work to geotechnical contractors
• Contractors have different risk profiles than consultants

Elevate the Geoprofession Initiative:

• Website: https://www.elevategeoprofessionalvalue.org/
• Voluntary accord to sign
• Focus on living professional values
• Hold colleagues to higher standards

Professional Advice:

• Work harder than everybody else
• Take every assignment offered
• Study previous similar projects before starting new work
• Read extensively (papers, books, technical literature)
• If starting over: Get geology minor or strong structures background

Speed Round

• Favorite Book: "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin (about Lincoln's leadership)
• Optimism Index: 4 out of 5 (glass half full approach)
• Proudest Moment: Competitor asking him to mentor their employee
• Do Differently: Better preparation with geology or structures background
• Advice for New Professionals: Work harder than everybody else

Final Thoughts

• Goal to leave profession better than he found it
• Importance of mentoring young engineers
• Value of helping others advance their careers
• Belief that hard work and persistence trump natural talent

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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members: