In this episode, I talk with Everett Litton, P.E., Vice President at WSP in the U.S., about what powers major underground construction engineering projects across North America and beyond, from early career moments that shaped his leadership to the role of mentorship in driving the industry forward.
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Everett:
- What first inspired you to choose engineering as a career, especially in underground construction engineering, and was there a defining moment that shaped that decision?
- Out of the 1,100+ miles of tunneling and trenchless projects you’ve worked on, which ones have been the most exciting and why, from a technical or leadership perspective?
- Can you share more about your international, human-focused projects and what lessons you’ve learned from those experiences?
- With your experience managing projects across different countries and geologies, how do you handle the complexity of underground construction engineering with varying teams and regulations?
- Can you explain what the Down for That initiative is, what kind of impact it’s having, and why it’s meaningful to you?
- Since underground construction engineering is such a niche area, do you find it harder to attract people to the field?
- How have organizations like UCA and NASTT helped you grow professionally, and what advice would you give young engineers about getting involved in industry groups?
- What final piece of advice can you give civil engineers who want to grow as leaders in technical or project-focused roles?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Underground Construction Engineering Leadership Insights That Drive Purpose and Impact:
- A childhood spent building trails and dams in the woods, along with hands-on work in construction, leads to a strong interest in engineering. An internship involving rock drilling introduces him to underground construction engineering and defines the direction of his career.
- Projects that protect natural environments and improve water quality stand out as the most rewarding. These efforts align technical work with a clear purpose that benefits both people and the planet.
- International work in places like Bolivia and Nicaragua shows how engineering can directly improve lives through access to clean water and sanitation. These projects offer powerful lessons in humility, purpose, and the global role of civil engineers.
- He begins each project by identifying its purpose and using that as a constant guide through technical challenges. This approach brings clarity when navigating different geologies, client expectations, and regulatory requirements.
- The Down for That initiative connects students with the underground construction engineering field through site visits, conferences, and professional interactions. It helps expand awareness of career paths that are often overlooked in traditional engineering education.
- Attracting people begins with awareness, which is often the hardest part. Once students gain exposure to the field, they tend to stay because of the strong community and meaningful work.
- Young engineers are encouraged to join one group they connect with, stay involved, and allow relationships to grow over time.
- Enjoying the work is key to long-term success, along with staying humble and speaking up with confidence when ideas arise. Finding that balance creates space for both learning and leadership.
More Details in This Episode…
About Everett Litton, PE
Everett Litton, P.E. is a vice president and senior technical principal at WSP in the U.S. within the firm’s Geotechnical & Tunneling National Business Line in St. Louis, Missouri. Everett has over 18 years of experience in the underground construction industry, involving assessment, design, and construction for over 1,200 miles of tunneling and trenchless technology projects. He is a registered professional engineer and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from the Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla, Missouri. His experience includes assessment, design, and construction management for a variety of tunneling and trenchless technology projects internationally and throughout North America.
Everett is proud to be an advocate for the Underground Construction Association (UCA) of SME. He has been actively involved with UCA of SME for over 10 years, and is currently on the UCA of SME Executive Committee and leads the Down For That (DFT) student outreach initiative that helps connect the tunneling community to 180+ universities throughout North America.
About the Host: K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E.
K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E., is a licensed professional engineer and an associate vice president at Verdantas, an emerging environmental, engineering, and technical consulting company with a green, sustainable, and people-first approach in the foreground. James has over 19 years of experience in civil engineering in the land development and municipal fields. James has served as a project manager since 2018. In 2021, James was recognized with the Outstanding Project Manager Award at Duffield Associates (now Verdantas) for outstanding performance as a project manager and his consistent display of leadership traits valued by the company, including scheduling, management, proactive communication, collaboration, responsiveness, and client-focused service.
James was selected as the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Delaware Section and is a Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 2024 honoree. He also serves as the president of the Delaware Engineering Society and on the National Society of Professional Engineers Board of Directors as the New Professionals Director from 2021 to 2023 and currently as the Northeast Region Director. James recently joined the Board of Directors for ACE Mentor Delaware, a no-cost after-school program designed to connect high school students with professionals in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) industry.
Sources/References:
WSP in the U.S.
Engineers Without Borders (USA)
Engineers in Action
St. Louis University
NASTT (North American Society for Trenchless Technology)
Engineers Club of St. Louis
Silicon Valley
Connect with Everett Litton, PE, on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
Keynote Speaking
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