In this episode, I talk with Rodney Jones, RCE, GE, principal engineer and CEO at Skyline Geotechnical Inc., about leadership in geotechnical engineering firms, building a geotechnical engineering firm from the ground up, the lessons learned in engineering leadership strategies and business ownership, and how adaptability, people skills, and strong client relationships drive lasting AEC project management success.
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Rodney Jones, RCE, GE:
- How did your experience at a mid-sized geotechnical engineering firm influence your leadership style and approach to running Skyline?
- What challenges did you face when starting your geotechnical engineering company, and how did those challenges become learning opportunities in leadership?
- How does having an in-house certified materials testing laboratory improve geotechnical project outcomes and decision-making for your clients?
- When hiring someone without all the technical skills, what qualities do you look for that convince you they’re the right fit to train in a geotechnical engineering environment?
- What advice would you give AEC leaders and project managers about leading effectively in today’s geotechnical industry?
- How do you maintain strong client relationships while also balancing the demands of running a geotechnical firm and managing engineering projects?
- What do you see as the biggest project management pitfall in geotechnical engineering, and how can PMs avoid or overcome it?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Leadership in Geotechnical Engineering Firms That Drive Project Success:
- A mid-sized geotechnical engineering firm environment gives professionals access to every aspect of the business, from fieldwork to management decisions. This experience shapes leadership in geotechnical engineering firms by combining respect for people in the field with the ability to improve company operations.
- Starting a geotechnical company introduces unexpected responsibilities such as licensing, contracts, billing, and insurance. Learning these tasks provides lasting insight into the critical functions that support successful engineering firm leadership.
- An in-house laboratory ensures faster turnaround times and direct oversight of soil testing. This hands-on approach improves accuracy and gives clients results that support better geotechnical project decisions.
- Adaptability, willingness to learn, and customer service experience stand out as the most valuable qualities in new team members. These traits reflect resilience and the capacity to perform effectively in demanding geotechnical environments.
- Effective leadership in geotechnical engineering firms requires openness to new methods and readiness to adapt when challenges arise. Staying flexible and receptive helps projects run more smoothly and reduces stress on the team.
- Client relationships strengthen when professionals personalize geotechnical projects and remember details that matter to people. Direct communication and thoughtful follow-ups build trust that leads to long-term collaboration.
- The most common project management pitfall is failing to bring the right geotechnical experts into a project at the beginning. Assembling a skilled and collaborative team early prevents setbacks and supports efficient delivery.
More Details in This Episode…
About Rodney Jones, RCE, GE
Rodney Jones, RCE, GE, is a California-registered civil and geotechnical engineer with over 15 years of experience in the construction industry. He spent more than a decade with a medium- to large geotechnical, testing, and inspection firm before its acquisition by a national company. Through that experience, he came to believe that geotechnical engineering is at its best in small to mid-sized firms, where close client contact, deep local knowledge, and thoughtful value engineering can truly shine.
Rodney enjoys collaborating directly with clients and fellow design professionals to develop innovative, practical solutions that meet each project’s unique needs. Most days, you’ll find him in work boots with a hand auger in tow, because being involved from proposal to field investigation, through reporting and design development, allows his team at Skyline to truly understand the soil. This hands-on approach means they don’t need to be overly conservative in their recommendations, because they’ve been there in the field, gathering the data themselves.
Rodney also started a fully certified materials testing laboratory to help test soil and construction material from their field investigations and inspections to be hands-on with determining strength characteristics and material properties.
About the Host
Fiona Johann, PMP, AEC PM
Fiona Johann, PMP, joined The Engineering Management Institute as the strategic initiatives team leader in February 2025. With eight years of experience in developing leadership programs in an academic setting, she brings valuable expertise in planning and executing impactful initiatives. Fiona utilizes her PMP certification and program management skills to oversee events like PM AEC Connect and optimize internal processes for improved efficiency. Based in central North Carolina, she combines her strategic approach with a passion for driving successful outcomes at EMI.
Sources/References:
Skyline Geotechnical Inc.
San Diego State University
Microsoft OneNote
ChatGPT
McDonald’s
Connect with Rodney Jones, RCE, GE on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
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