GeoHeroes - David Lourie
About This Episode
In this episode Guy Marcozzi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-marcozzi-b12744a/) interviews David Lourie (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lourie-pe-dge/), PE, D.GE, F.GBA , CEO of Lourie Consultants (https://www.lourieconsultants.com/) 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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lourie-pe-dge/), 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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-marcozzi-b12744a/), 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 -