5 Questions with an Expert: Ashish Tripathi

We sat down with department manager Ashish Tripathi to learn more about his passion for construction and materials testing and what has been most important to his professional success. 

1.    Starting with some background about yourself, can you share how you got started in this field and what inspires you most in your work? 
My fascination with bridges, highways, and towering building structures sparked my interest in civil engineering. This led me to pursue graduate school, where I earned a master’s degree and started work as an engineer in Houston. It was my hands-on experience that made me interested in the dynamic work of construction & materials testing. I like that it is a fast-paced discipline that requires being proactive and solving challenges. Beyond the technical work, I enjoy managing a talented team, mentoring them for career growth, and ensuring our clients always receive the best service and outcomes. 

2.    Please tell us about your role at HVJ. What is important to success in this role, and which aspect of your work or daily routine do you like best? 
My career at HVJ began as a staff engineer, and today, I’m proud to serve as a department manager.  I oversee, train, and manage 35 talented team members. I spend a lot of my time empowering my team, supporting their career development, and equipping them with the tools and support they need to excel.

Managing projects is also an essential part of my role. I work with a variety of projects such as TxDOT, the City of San Antonio infrastructure & capital projects, SAWS water line projects. My favorite part is that our projects are an important public service, and we take pride in high-quality results. Effective communication and detailed project coordination are the foundations for a smooth project. 

3.    Tell us about one of your recent projects and what you found most interesting?
I enjoyed working on the US 281 PH 2 CEI project, spanning an 8-mile stretch of US 281 in Bexar County. As a long stretch project, it involves elements like elevated bridges, including bridge decks, abutments, column slabs, bent caps, asphalt paving & approximately 1.1 million cubic yards of density-controlled embankment.

 Collaboration with multiple stakeholders was key to anticipating upcoming construction activities. We need to ensure that representative samples, including available native on-site samples or any imported samples from the plant, were procured for testing and had quick turnaround time test results. Through proactive planning and analysis of problematic areas, we used representative samples of embankments. This approach mitigated potential breakdowns during field compaction testing and avoided unnecessary delays. Another challenge was overcoming gap areas in Site Manager, the TxDOT database, to keep up with the project’s dynamic requirements. It was rewarding to see our team come together to overcome the challenges, provide the best possible solutions for the client, and achieve a project that serves the public.

4.    HVJ places a high priority on ongoing learning, personal growth, and mentorship. How have these values helped you develop leadership skills?
Training & learning should be continual for anyone throughout their career. HVJ’s culture prioritizes each employee’s growth through leadership training and mentorship. I have especially found the Generative Leadership Program to be impactful. I’ve improved skills such as maintaining strong customer relationships, effective conversations, and building team morale. At HVJ, I am surrounded by experienced leaders who invest in mentoring & supporting my career growth. I try to pass this on by providing my team with the same level of guidance & supportiveness as I have received from HVJ’s senior leaders.

5.    What advice would you give businesses looking to start a new engineering project about choosing the right partner?  
Choosing the right partner should go beyond immediate project needs. My advice is to consider which partner has the potential for a long-term working relationship. An ideal partner will take the time to communicate clearly, establishing their plan and expectations at the beginning of any project. Reviewing their technical capabilities, specializations, recent accomplishments, and past clients will provide insight into their work quality and level of expertise.