Interview with D.GE, Rudolph Frizzi
Bio: Rudolph Frizzi’s geotechnical engineering and project management experience is extensive, with particular emphasis on: foundations for high-rise structures and stadia/arenas in urban areas, and large-scale land and waterfront development on projects throughout the United States and internationally. During his over 27 years in the industry, he has interacted on projects located in practically every continent world-wide, and has performed geotechnical investigations and designs, prepared plans and technical specifications, and observed field testing and construction as “engineer of record” on countless projects. He attended Ohio State University for his undergraduate degree in civil engineering and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for his master’s degree in civil engineering. He has his PE license in 11 states and also holds a California GE license. He earned his D.GE in 2009. Mr. Frizzi has prepared and presented over 50 technical presentations at universities, conferences, and seminars throughout the United States and internationally on a variety of geotechnical issues, including land development engineering, foundation design, and construction. Professionally, Mr. Frizzi is affiliated with DFI (Past-President), ACI (Committee Chairman), ISSMGE, TRB, ADSC/IAFD, NBCA and ASCE. Five Things You Didn’t Know about Rudy: Most fun class while in school: As an undergraduate at Ohio State, I was given the opportunity to assist Brian Randolph and TH Wu in their research and field investigation of highway slope failures in southeastern Ohio. I was grateful for the chance to get out in the field and see geotechnical engineering not in a textbook, but in its raw form: taking-in all the information, and then trying to make sense / order of it all. Most fun project you worked on: Seriously, every job at Langan. We are not hired to give textbook solutions; rather we are hired because we: know what’s “in the book”, have our extensive technical and practical experience, and bring it together to help solve our client’s unique challenges. I’ve had the good fortune to work with some very talented individuals (Bernie Langan, Dennis Leary, Peter Yu) who gave me opportunity and responsibility at a very early stage in my career. An item you always wanted: Patience Favorite song & artist: Anything by Little Feat, Gov’t Mule, Phish Favorite movie or television show: Move: The Natural Interview questions: Please share with us on where most of your childhood was spent? What was it like for you growing up there? Morris Plains, NJ - Not the way most folks would think of New Jersey: wooded, no traffic lights, walked or rode a bike everywhere. From a small family, with the responsibility to provide at an early age. How early on did you know that you wanted to study civil engineering? What were the key factors in your decision to be a civil engineer? I always enjoyed being outside and building things; rock walls, working the yard, exploring, trying to figure out why things fell down and why they didn’t. My grandfather worked as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic on civil works projects during the depression and thereafter - he had to travel extensively to find work and provide for the family. I took his advice to get an education, and a willingness to go wherever necessary in order to provide for others. I worked at a variety of jobs in grade school, high school, and college (dishwasher, grill cook, laborer, golf course night waterman (before mechanized watering systems!), math/science tutor, basketball official) - what better way to figure out what not to do for a career?!? Engineering assignments at the Ohio Department of Transportation and then at the US Army Corps of Engineers gave me valuable insight regarding state and federal contracting before entering private consulting. What is your message to professional engineers out there regarding specialty certification that you feel that they should know or be aware of? Specialty certification gives faces, names, and voices to our profession - let’s embrace, support, coordinate, and promote it for the good of the public and the profession. Why are you certified as a D.GE and what made you choose to become a Diplomate in the Academy? My purpose is to elevate our profession by being actively involved in giving back to the profession (speaking at colleges and universities, being active as a leader in professional organizations, preparing technical papers and preservations), making a positive impact in the community where I live (volunteer lacrosse coach and league trustee, active in community church), and working on high-profile projects throughout the world. Having the D.GE after my name allows me to share the academy wherever I am active. How do you feel about the state of Civil Engineering and the profession as it is today? The profession is regularly in the news due to the state of our decaying infrastructure. I believe the profession is looked upon favorably since we are not lawyers, politicians, and actors! We are a credible, hard-working bunch often satisfied by the success of our clients and projects. Perhaps, humble to a fault. The challenge (in addition to those below), is to respectfully increase the positive image of those in our profession - and continue to do what we do best: lead by action and example. What do you personally feel are the biggest challenges that are on the horizon for the profession?
What are some of your personal hobbies and interests?
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