It has been 8 years since The Rios Group was founded, and we have been growing ever since. Today, TRG has 5 offices throughout Texas and employs a team of 75 employees. We have helped clients across the vast state of Texas from running into utility conflicts. TRG has provided Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) and Utility Coordination (UC) services for numerous industry sectors, such as, transportation (roadway - including 22 of the 25 TxDOT districts, airports, rail), electric and water transmission, municipal streets, drainage, water, wastewater, hospitals, universities, schools, and other facilities. We pride ourselves on providing responsive and reliable results and we continue that responsibility for each and every project.
Our Director of Utility Engineering Services, Joe Anderson, PE, has been with The Rios Group from day one. Joe has worked in the civil engineering and civil construction fields for more than 35 years. In his current role at TRG, Joe is responsible for the management and oversight of SUE investigations for both public and private clients, coordination and reimbursement of utility adjustments in rights-of-way, preparation of cost proposals, preparation and maintenance of project schedules, cost tracking, project staffing, negotiation and management of subcontracts, procurement of project materials and supplies, and interaction with client representatives. Mr. Anderson has been the Engineer of Record on hundreds of Subsurface Utility Engineering projects throughout the state of Texas for various clients including TxDOT, DART, City of Fort Worth, City of Houston, DFW International Airport, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
We asked Joe some questions as we look back over the past eight years.
- You have been with The Rios Group since Day 1, looking back what, if any, advice would you give yourself 8 years ago?
“Always be looking for quality field and office personnel. We did not anticipate the rate of growth that we’ve experienced over the past 8 years.”
- What excites you the most about the future of The Rios Group?
“The SUE industry is still growing and there is a high demand for quality SUE work. The younger field and office personnel that we’ve hired over the past 8 years have stayed with us and many are now holding key positions within the company. These individuals are the future of TRG and the future is in good hands.”
- As a leader in the SUE industry in Texas, what makes us stand out?
“Two things. One, TRG is the largest engineering firm in Texas that exclusively provides SUE and UC services. Two, TRG has an excellent track record of retaining both field and office personnel.”
- Any advice for someone just starting their career in the SUE or UC fields?
“Spend time in the field and learn everything you can from field personnel. Spending a few days working on a vac truck goes a long way.”
- What do you think will be some challenges or innovative solutions our industry will meet in the next few years?
“I think our biggest industry challenge is, and will remain to be, finding qualified field personnel to keep pace with the demand for SUE and UC services while maintaining high quality standards.TRG is committed to retaining our experienced leaders and to hiring individuals and training internally.”
- How has your role as Director of Utility Engineering Services evolved during the last 8 years?
“In the beginning I wore a lot of different hats and my role included directly managing the majority of the SUE projects being performed at TRG. As we’ve grown and hired a number of additional project managers, many that are Professional Engineers, the number of projects that I directly manage has decreased significantly. I now spend a significant amount of time working with office and field personnel to maintain and improve our standard operating procedures.”
The Rios Group continues to provide quality Subsurface Utility Engineering and Utility Coordination services to our clients and continues to grow as a company. Raise a glass for the past 8 years of success and to many more years to come! The Rios Group would like to thank all our employees, clients and individuals who have contributed to the past 8 years of achievements. We would not have been able to make it this far without your dedication and passion.
