Engineering

CONSTRUCTION

KEITH ROTOLO

President and CEO

Rotolo Consultants Inc.

Rotolo oversees a family business that began 44 years ago when a previous generation purchased Jack’s Little Nursery in Slidell. The Rotolos grew the business throughout the 1980s and won a national award in 1992 for a Disney World contract. For three more decades, the business has thrived despite hurricanes and other challenges. It now boasts hundreds of employees in several states.

Education: Louisiana State University (BA) Military Service: Rotolo served in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm On Second Thought: In 2000, the Rotolos sold Jack’s Nursery to a national company. In 2004, the family bought it back and gave it a new name — Rotolo Consultants Inc. — and a “new sense of direction.”

CONSTRUCTION

ALLEN SQUARE

CEO

Square Button Consulting

Through strategic business acquisitions, Square hopes to expand his company’s portfolio of consulting and construction clients while creating wealth, equity and opportunity for a diverse workforce across the Gulf Coast. Square previously served as chief information officer for the City of New Orleans and the chief technology and innovation officer for PosiGen Solar Solutions.

Education: University of Pennsylvania (MBA), Southern Methodist University (MS), Tulane University (BS) Highlight of Leadership: “Being of service to others, and the daily challenge of building a culture of greatness” Advice: “You should never make a dollar off another man’s back.”

CONSTRUCTION

ROBERT WOLFE

Owner

Robert Wolfe Construction

Wolfe started his construction company back in 1984, and he said the secret to their success is the emphasis they put on what he called their greatest asset: people. The company trains construction professionals and uses current technologies and tested systems to bring a project in on time. “I love working and growing our team to build stuff that matters for our clients,” he said.

Education: University of Southwestern Louisiana (BSBA) Best Fest: French Quarter Festival Hidden Gem: Sailtime Passion: Sailing Hero: Jesus Christ Nonprofit Cause: White Dove Fellowship Mission Work

ENGINEERING

GARY BELL

Managing Partner

U.S. Forensic

Bell is a managing partner at U.S. Forensic, which was started in Metairie in 2006 and now has more than 60 locations nationwide. The forensic engineering company has performed thousands of evaluations to determine the origin and cause of a loss and the extent of damages. Bell also serves on the executive board of the Kenny Vaccaro Foundation.

Education: Troy University (MS), University of Holy Cross (BS) Go-to Restaurant: “Charley’s Steakhouse. New Orleans people serving steak to New Orleanians.” Hobby/Passion: Guitars, songwriting Advice: “Life is short. Be happy in your work life. If you are, you will succeed. If you are not, you will not.”

ENGINEERING

JOE BRINZ

CEO

Engineering & Inspection Services

In 2000, Brinz and Bill Davies co-founded a professional engineering firm that focuses on the petrochemical industry. One of the company’s specialties is troubleshooting and equipment retrofits. In 2019, Brinz created a new division focused exclusively on emerging technologies, including 3D scanning, virtual reality, augmented reality, animation and artificial intelligence.

Education: University of New Orleans (BS) Best Fest: Greek Fest On the Horizon: “Development of digital twins for industrial facilities as well as commercial properties” Nonprofit Cause: Wounded Warrior Project Go-to Restaurant: La Boca Hidden Gem: Mama’s Place

ENGINEERING

SAM BRIUGLIO

Senior Vice President

Pond & Company

Pond & Company is an Atlanta-based, full-service architecture, engineering and planning firm that specializes in servicing government, energy and community development clients worldwide. Briuglio started Pond’s Metairie office with just one employee and has since grown it to the become the company’s second largest office with more than 35 employees.

Education: University of New Orleans (MS) Advice: “Get out of your comfort zone! We all benefit from innovation and collaboration.” Hidden Gem: “Maïs Arepas. It’s a great example of the diversity of our city’s food culture, and the food and atmosphere are fantastic! I take all our out-oftown clients there.” Best Fest: New Orleans Greek Fest

ENGINEERING

THOMAS H. BUCKEL

Vice President of Engineering

Duplantis Design Group

At 26, Buckel secured a promise from DDG’s executive management that he could help drive the company’s growth and, eventually, become an owner. Nearly two decades later, he has helmed coastal and public infrastructure projects, and worked on site developments for commercial and healthcare facilities. He also provides day-today client assistance.

Education: University of Southwestern Louisiana (BS) Associations: Louisiana Engineering Society Poboy Pick: Oyster Fave Jazz Fest Food: Softshell crabs Go-to Restaurant: Cochon Snoball Style: Nectar Fave Marching Krewe: St. Augustine’s Marching 100

ENGINEERING

ROY CARUBBA

President

Carubba Engineering

For nearly three decades, Carubba has led a civil and structural engineering firm that specializes in the production of design drawing and specifications for industrial, commercial, marine and institutional clients across the Gulf Coast. CEI has completed over 6,000 projects ranging from small residential additions to high-rise towers as well as deepwater docks and site master plans.

Education: University of New Orleans (BE, BS) Advice: “Say what you are going to do and do what you say you will.” Big Deal: Carubba and Christian Amedee are developing the multi-million-dollar NOLA Oil Terminal in Plaquemines Parish. Quotable: “My business is my family and my family is my business.”

ENGINEERING

LEO HOLZENTHAL JR

President and CEO

M S Benbow and Associates

MSB provides engineering design, consulting and project integration services for a diverse portfolio of clients that includes everything from petroleum gas facilities to university sports stadiums. Holzenthal manages the day-to-day operations at the company and has served as president since 2007. In April 2021, he became CEO after founder Michael S. Benbow retired.

Education: University of Texas at Austin (MSE, MSEE), University of New Orleans (BSEE) Nonprofit Cause: GNOStem, United Way Advice: “A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” Go-to Restaurant: Commander’s Palace Hidden Gem: The Galley

ENGINEERING

JIM MARTIN

President

Design Engineering Inc.

In addition to leading the design and development of marquee projects — including the Xavier University College of Pharmacy building and flood-control infrastructure at New Orleans Lakefront Airport — Martin is a local real estate investor and endurance sports coach. He’s also chairman-elect of the Jefferson Business Council board of directors.

Education: Tulane University (PhD, MS), University of Alabama (BS) Advice: “Hire smart people and let them be smart.” Hobby/Passion: Playing guitar Go-to Restaurant: Saba Best Part of the Job: “Learning new things every day” Hero: Isaac Newton

ENGINEERING

TED MOSES

President

Moses Engineers

Moses joined the family business as a project manager. Now, he manages the engineering firm’s administrative and financial activities and leads large-scale projects, including serving as senior project manager for the restoration of the city’s historic Criminal District Court building, Orleans Parish Prison, NOPD headquarters and New Orleans District Attorney’s office.

Education: University of Denver (MBA, BSBA) Nonprofit Cause: Second Harvest Food Bank Dream Career: “Running a bar on a paradise island where shoes are not allowed” Advice: “It is better to be quiet and let people think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Fave Jazz Fest Food: Soft shell crab

ENGINEERING

GWENDOLYN SANDERS

President

Eustis Engineering

Sanders joined the company in January 1993 and worked her way up through the ranks of the engineering department to become head of the organization. She said the reason she’s stayed so long is simple. “I love the people, their commitment to each other and the company and the projects, which are challenging and provide opportunities for learning, even after 30 years,” she said.

Education: University of New Orleans (MS, BS) Go-to Restaurant: Rosedale Best Fest: New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival Hidden Gem: Francesca Deli Who Do You Admire? “Too many to name them all, but one is my mentor Bill Gwyn” On the Horizon “Opportunities from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” BIZNEWORLEANS.COM