3
P R O F I L E
Birnamwood Drive in Harris County, Texas. It was the first county project to use low impact design criteria. RPS Klotz Associates took the standard county boulevard and replaced the storm sewer with a bio-swale. The project uses native plants to improve water quality, and the total project cost was reduced. / RPS Klotz Associates, Inc.
Constructively dissatisfied The Klotz firm is reaping national accolades for its growth and its workplace, but since a firm never arrives, the quest for excellence never ends.
A CONVERSATION WITH KLOTZ. The Zweig Letter: How have you seen the firm evolve since its founding? D. Wayne Klotz: We have maintained our core val- ues throughout our history. Significant changes fit into two categories: 1)Client expectations. Clients now expect us to have all technical and electronic capabilities. I remember when having CADD was an advantage. They also expect us to have an understanding of their financial limitations and the desires of many stakeholders. We have had to become more efficient as we deliver more and more services. 2)Employee needs. The desires of our employees have changed dramatically. When we began, the work- force was primarily WWII and baby boomer genera- tions. Today, the boomers are stepping off the stage, and millennials now are the largest generation in the workforce. Millennials have much different job and lifestyle preferences. We have adapted our workplace See Q&A, page 4
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent M aintaining the status quo is not an option for D. Wayne Klotz, president of RPS Klotz As- sociates, Inc. , (#32 Best Firm Civil and #43 Hot Firm for 2016) a 165-person, full-service civil en- gineering firm based in Houston. “Any organization that does not evolve dies,” he says. Klotz is a man of his word. He continues to try new things and to seek new connections. If you want proof, check out the news section of the firm’s web- site. Promotions and key hire after key hire. Klotz’s CV paints the portrait of a man deeply en- gaged with his community. Among the long list of accomplishments are scholarship foundations at two universities, an appointment by the mayor of Houston to the Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors, and service on the Community Resil- ience Task Force for the Department of Homeland Security.
Wayne Klotz, President, RPS Klotz As- sociates, Inc.
THE ZWEIG LETTER October 3, 2016, ISSUE 1170
Made with FlippingBook Annual report