--- title: 5  Questions With An Expert:  Jason Schwarz description: Inspiring the confidence of our stakeholders is Jason Schwarz' specialty in his 20-year career with HVJ Associates as he anticipates problems before they occur. --- [![HVJ Logo](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HVJ%20logo_141x71.png?width=110&height=71&name=HVJ%20logo_141x71.png "HVJ Logo")](https://www.hvj.com/) ** [ Let's talk ](https://www.hvj.com/contact-us) ** ** Geotechnical Engineering Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives. Learn More → Construction Materials Engineering & Testing Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.     Learn More → Civil/Pavement Engineering A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.   Learn More → Environmental Geology & Engineering Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals. Learn More → Roads & Bridges Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures. Learn More → Water, Wastewater & Flood Control Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively. Learn More → Airports, Ports & Dredging Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen. Learn More → Rail & Transit Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track. Learn More → Buildings & Parks Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects. 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Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → The Opportunity Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network. Learn More → How It Works Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise. Learn More → Who's A Fit? Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you. Learn More → FAQs What do you want to know?  Find the answers to common questions. Learn More → Success Stories Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems. Learn More → Search **Menu** ** ** [![Let's Talk](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/5496911/6233d0db-c76c-4678-9152-08331c17b6f1.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/5496911/6233d0db-c76c-4678-9152-08331c17b6f1) ![](https://www.hvj.com/hubfs/I-10%20El%20Paso.png) [Geotechnical](https://www.hvj.com/blog/tag/geotechnical) | [South Central Texas](https://www.hvj.com/blog/tag/south-central-texas) | 2 min read # 5  Questions With An Expert:  Jason Schwarz Written by [HVJ Associates](https://www.hvj.com/blog/author/hvj-associates) April 14, 2022 Earth’s unpredictability is something Jason Schwarz became familiar with at an early age on his family’s ranch in Texas. Working to ensure that our clients’ infrastructure projects are anything but unpredictable has become his specialty during his 20-year career at HVJ Associates®   **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? **  Growing up on a ranch in Boerne, TX where we raised cattle, sheep, exotics and hay, I started learning at a young age the value of resourcefulness and problem solving to deal with the unexpected, which was quite normal on the farm, as we worked through the elements of nature. I mostly enjoyed working with the farm machinery, and this matched well with my interest in Geotechnical engineering, so I went on to earn a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas in 2002.   **2.  What is your role at HVJ? **  I mostly work on large geotechnical and materials projects throughout South Central Texas, helping our clients resolve unpredictable issues. I lead our teams drawing from a broad base of past experience and engineering practice to provide cost-effective solutions that meet and exceed our clients’ budget and schedule requirements.   **3.  You’ve been at HVJ for 20 years. What do you like most about being part of the HVJ team? What are your future goals?  **  Problem solving on large, complex projects  where we have to stay one step ahead of any unforeseen issues--this is what our clients seek us out for. I would be content to continue doing this type of work with our clients, working with them to solve their most challenging engineering design issues.  **4.  Can you briefly describe one of your recent projects, and what you found most interesting or challenging? What was the most rewarding achievement that came out of the project?**  TxDOT I-10 Collector Distributor Project was on an expedited schedule despite the need to overcome a uniquely large slope--without compromising freeway traffic or safety at an adjacent shopping mall. The slope was a problematic cobblestone and boulder mix that required highly skilled drillers amidst a complex drilling schedule. During the process an auger became stuck while in the middle of the roadway during overnight construction. Fortunately, we anticipated potential breakdowns and planned accordingly.  I already had the necessary equipment on site, so we were able to remove the auger without any damage before the morning rush-hour traffic commenced. This prevented a lot of potential public dissatisfaction. Enabling our client to keep this project on schedule and within budget amidst these challenges was most rewarding. **5.  What would you say is most important in a project being successful? What are the common challenges you need to overcome?**  Experience combined with deep investment in the final outcome of the project--this is key to the success of any Engineering project.  And communication is a huge part of this, because each project has highly diverse teams of people who each have a different frame of reference, each looking to solve the problem from a different angle. We need to listen to the newer less experienced engineers on a project too, because they can offer a unique perspective that is equally valuable. Distilling all of the different comments and perspectives into a creative solution that benefits the overall project and our client is where the real challenge and value lies for all of our stakeholders.  Previous Story [← Passion for Water Delivery ensures Success of Leonard WTP & Pipeline](https://www.hvj.com/blog/passion-for-water-delivery-ensures-success-of-leonard-wtp-pipeline) [** ](https://www.hvj.com/blog) Next Story [HVJ  Manages City-Wide Pavement Condition Survey  for Corpus Christi →](https://www.hvj.com/blog/hvj-to-coordinate-pci-based-pavement-condition-survey-for-corpus-christi) ## You May Also Like These Stories on Geotechnical [![](https://www.hvj.com/hubfs/shutterstock_2398711917.jpg) ](https://www.hvj.com/blog/project-announcement-williamson-county-5-year-capital-improvement-plan) [Announcements](https://www.hvj.com/blog/tag/announcements) ### [Project Announcement: Williamson County 5-year Capital Improvement Plan](https://www.hvj.com/blog/project-announcement-williamson-county-5-year-capital-improvement-plan) October 16, 2024 | 1 min read [![](https://www.hvj.com/hubfs/Crestview%20Cropped.jpg) ](https://www.hvj.com/blog/persevering-through-early-stage-challenges) [Geotechnical](https://www.hvj.com/blog/tag/geotechnical) ### [Persevering Through Early-Stage Challenges](https://www.hvj.com/blog/persevering-through-early-stage-challenges) August 2, 2023 | 1 min read [![](https://www.hvj.com/hubfs/Saheem%20Ahmed.png) ](https://www.hvj.com/blog/introducing-hvj-north-texas-new-vice-president-for-geotechnical-services) [Geotechnical](https://www.hvj.com/blog/tag/geotechnical) ### [Introducing HVJ North Texas' New Vice President of Geotechnical Services](https://www.hvj.com/blog/introducing-hvj-north-texas-new-vice-president-for-geotechnical-services) February 1, 2023 | 1 min read ## No Comments Yet Let us know what you think #### HVJ Associates, Inc. 6120 S. 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