GeoHeroes - Rick Heckel
About This Episode
In this episode Guy Marcozzi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-marcozzi-b12744a/) interviews Rick Heckel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-heckel-37ab5a31b/), PE, D.GE, Chief Engineer at TTL, Inc. (https://www.ttlusa.com/) 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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-heckel-37ab5a31b/), PE, D.GE, Chief Engineer at TTL, Inc. (https://www.ttlusa.com/) 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 (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.
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 l