5 Questions with an Expert: Mohammad Ismail

October 23, 2024

We had the pleasure of sitting down with one of our seasoned leaders to discuss his inspiring journey as a civil engineer and how his early experiences in disaster-prone regions shaped his dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.  

1. Can you share some background about yourself, starting with how you got started in this field and what inspires you most in your work?  
I grew up in a country known as the world's largest delta. Natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and cyclones were part of my early life. I often wondered if there was a way to lessen the devastation caused by these disasters. When I was in high school, an environmentalist introduced me to civil engineering and its important role in minimizing damage from natural disasters. The potential to improve lives and reduce loss of life in places like Bangladesh motivated me to pursue civil engineering. I now have over 34 years of Civil Engineering experience on four continents – North America, South America, Asia, and Africa.  

2. Could you describe your position at HVJ and what contributes to success in this role? Which part of your work or daily activities do you most enjoy?
 My current role at HVJ Associates is Houston CoMET Department Manager. My day-to-day work involves overseeing infrastructure projects and managing my team and department. I especially enjoy finding solutions to more complex and unconventional challenges. My approach is to stay focused on the problem and to empower my team to own the solution. It's about being adaptable to understanding and meeting each project's unique needs, with clear communication both within our team and with the client.  

3. Can you briefly describe one of your recent projects and what you found most interesting or rewarding? What was the most significant achievement of the project?  
One of my recent projects was the construction of approximately 23,000 linear feet of 96-inch diameter water lines in Houston, Texas, from West of 1-45 to the South Side of Hopper Road. It's a 96-inch water line installation with all the necessary valves and appurtenances, which is being installed in conjunction with tunneling construction. The tunnel will cross property from multiple owners - Harris County roads, TxDOT roads, the Union Pacific Railroad, the BSNF Railroad, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) drainage systems, and private pipelines. Installing such large pipelines through a diverse and extensive area is both complex and fascinating. Yet, I appreciate the importance of the project, which will ultimately reduce the need for groundwater and land subsidence.  

4. HVJ places a high priority on ongoing learning, personal growth, and mentorship. How have these values helped you develop leadership skills that you've needed to apply in your everyday work life or on complex projects? 
 Ongoing training and learning are powerful components of professional success. HVJ's emphasis on personal growth and mentorship has significantly shaped my leadership skills. HVJ supports us in attending various seminars and provides regular in-house training. They also provide training through a program called Generative Leadership, which has helped me solve day-to-day problems by looking at issues from different perspectives. Topics like team building, managing projects, and reducing waste are helpful tools for running projects efficiently and reducing costs.  
 
I have also enjoyed learning about emotional intelligence as a key component of effective leadership. Emotional intelligence involves self-awareness and principles like reflecting on experiences, seeking feedback from peers and mentors, leading with empathy, and fostering a collaborative environment. 

Finally, HVJ's emphasis on mentorship has allowed me to learn from experienced leaders who have been in my position and have shared practical insights and strategies. I have learned how to mentor others with skills such as active listening, coaching, and conflict resolution. Together, all these tools create a strong foundation for leadership and allow me to navigate the everyday challenges that come with complex projects.   

5. What advice would you give businesses looking to start a new engineering project about choosing the right partner?   
You might be surprised to hear that choosing the right partner for an engineering business has some of the same requirements as choosing a relationship partner. First, businesses should start with a clear goal and a sense of what they are looking for. Next, they should evaluate the potential partner's integrity and track record. It's not always easy to assess this upfront, but it helps to evaluate their industry reputation, specialized expertise and experience, and technical capabilities. You can ask for information like case studies and references for past projects, details to confirm their financial stability, legal/compliance awareness, and their approach to managing projects from the standpoint of communication, flexibility, and scalability. Last, there is an element of "fit" that includes things like cultural fit, long-term relationship potential, and level of comfort with their responsiveness and communication during the proposal stage. Look for alignment with your values and a long-term vision for relationship success. 

Ismail
 

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