Q&A with Blake Gibson, P.E.
As we recognize Professional Engineers Week, we’re highlighting the people behind the work — the engineers whose curiosity, collaboration, and experience help shape successful projects across North Texas.
We sat down with Blake Gibson, P.E., Geotex’s Director of Geotechnical Engineering, to talk about what inspired his career, lessons learned along the way, and how he’s helping build a culture of continuous learning within the firm.
What inspired you to become a Professional Engineer?
I’ve always had a love for mathematics and science. When I discovered engineering geology was a field that combined everything I was interested in, I was hooked.
When I met my first Professional Engineers and Professional Geologists in 2013, I knew that was the direction I wanted my career to go. That clarity has only grown stronger over time. About five or six years into the industry, after gaining hands-on experience in geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing, I realized this was exactly what I was meant to do.
What advice would you give to students or early career engineers?
Keep reading.
An early mentor once joked, “If you read more, you’d be a real threat to me.” That moment stuck with me and became a lifelong reminder to never stop learning.
In a technical field that constantly evolves, curiosity and continuous improvement are what separate good engineers from great ones. The more you invest in understanding the “why” behind the work, the more confident and effective you become.
What’s one project you’re especially proud of?
One of the most memorable projects in my career was a three-story subterranean parking garage beneath an eight-story office building occupying a full city block in Dallas.
I was involved from proposal through construction completion, which gave me exposure to complex geotechnical challenges and some less common engineering recommendations. The project required close collaboration across multiple disciplines and the ability to communicate technical solutions clearly to both design teams and clients.
It pushed me to intelligently discuss complex recommendations and defend them with confidence — something that shaped how I approach projects today.
Tell us about an engineering challenge that pushed you outside your comfort zone. What did you learn?
A former boss once asked me to run a modeling program I had never used before. I said yes without hesitation.
I was given two weeks to build a model demonstrating potential moisture seepage from a broken pipe.
After numerous iterations, collaboration with senior experts, and months of refinement, we created a model that successfully combined lab data and field investigations — closely matching real-world test pit observations.
The final step was presenting our findings to the mayor and city council of the town where the project was located. Every stage of that process was stepping into unfamiliar territory — politely terrifying, honestly — but it reinforced something important: say yes to opportunities. You can always learn how to do it later.
How do you help your team stay current and continue learning?
My goal is to turn every opportunity into a teachable moment. I have a great team with a real thirst for knowledge, and it’s rewarding to invest in their growth.
That also means I have to keep reading and learning myself so what I teach is grounded in research and experience. Too many young engineers are
taught to copy and paste reports without understanding them. I’ve never wanted to work that way, and I don’t think this team does either.
We have an opportunity to become the standard in how we approach geotechnical engineering — by staying curious, collaborative, and committed to improving every day.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about leading Geotex’s geotechnical team?
What excites me most is the chance to help develop engineers who understand not just the technical work, but the impact that work has on real projects and communities.
When engineers take ownership of both the science and the communication behind their recommendations, projects move smoother, risks are reduced, and clients get better outcomes. Helping build that kind of team is what I’m most energized about.
Closing
During Professional Engineers Week, we celebrate not only technical expertise, but the mindset that drives it — curiosity, courage, mentorship, and the commitment to continuous improvement.
At Geotex, we believe strong engineering leadership sets the foundation for better projects, better teams, and better results for the communities we serve.
