Isidoro celebrated his 20 year anniversary with Raba Kistner in September and recently earned his Diplomate of Geotechnicial Engineering (D.GE) Certification from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The D.GE certification recognizes geotechnical engineers who possess specialty education, extensive experience, integrity and sound judgment. We reached out to him to learn more about his career and how our work supporting clients in the Rio Grande Valley has progressed.
How did you find Raba Kistner and why did you decide to join the firm?
I found Raba Kistner through an online position in 1999, at a time when online recruiting was in its infancy. After a telephone interview, I was invited to come to San Antonio, and after meeting the executive team, I knew it was the company I wanted to build my career with.
What was your first position at Raba Kistner?
My first position was as Manager of the Laredo Office.
What have you enjoyed most about your career with Raba Kistner over the past 20 years?
I have enjoyed the people corporate wide. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with the most outstanding professionals in our industry. We have faced difficult technical project challenges, but we’ve always come ahead because of the drive and professionalism of our team.
What is Raba Kistner’s culture like? How has it evolved?
I always believed that Raba Kistner has a family culture. Over the years, we have grown to different service lines, different geographic markets, and our staff has grown significantly, but the culture of respect, professionalism, and shared purpose, has not been lost as our company has expanded.
What do you enjoy most about your current role here?
I enjoy working with a great team. I believe the quality of our people is unmatched in our region.
How has our role in the RGV area grown over the years?
We have solidified our presence in the RGV region with a reputation of technical excellence and a focus on client service. We have Clients who have given us opportunities to serve them for almost three decades. We work very hard to continue earning their preference and trust.
How have you seen our Purpose demonstrated in your office and career at Raba Kistner?
I share our company purpose: to provide professional consulting services with passion and integrity, to help build a better world for our employees, their families, our clients, and the communities we serve. The transformation of the Rio Grande Valley from my arrival about 19 years ago, and our participation in many important projects reflects the impact we have had in improving the quality of life in our region.
How would you define your leadership style?
I aim for a servant leadership, but I also enjoy a democratic leadership style with input from my team.
What are a few of your favorite projects that you helped support at Raba Kistner over the years?
The levee improvements project along the Rio Grande, the terraced garden retaining wall project in Mexico City, and the commercial store developed over a large karst cavern in Merida, Mexico, are some of the most interesting project I have had a chance to collaborate in.
What advice would you give to individuals who just started in our industry?
Don’t be afraid to meet new people. Networking is extremely important at a personal and professional level. Social media is no substitute for the personal contact. Try to meet your Clients in person. Trust is gained through personal interaction.
What advice would you give to people who are considering applying to work for Raba Kistner?
Be professional, meet your commitments, and be prepared to be challenged.