“You’ve Got to Be Uncomfortable”: Lessons from a Triathlon Coach Turned CEO

In the newest episode of GBA’s GeoHeroes podcast series, Verdantas CEO Jesse Kropelnicki, P.E., joins GBA past-President Guy Marcozzi, P.E., D.GE, LEED AP BD+C for a wide-ranging conversation about grit, growth, and the human side of engineering.

Jesse remembers the specific day his spark for engineering ignited – and you might be surprised what a New York winter had to do with it. Kropelnicki didn’t sow wild oats in college – he buckled down. He started sculpting cities on projects during Boston’s Big Dig before his passion for triathlons and entrepreneurial spirit collided, leading him to launch a coaching business for elite IRONMAN athletes. There, he pioneered a fully remote workforce model 20 years before COVID.

In 2018, Jesse returned to the geoprofessions with a renewed purpose and people-first mindset. He reminds listeners that – no matter how many samples you take, numbers you crunch, and spreadsheets you create, “at the end of the day, so much of it is about working with human beings.”

Under Kropelnicki’s leadership, Verdantas grew from 415 to 1,900 employees in just 2.5 years. Jesse discusses the role of private equity in the geoprofessions and technology’s evolutionary impact. He emphasizes that culture and human characteristics—not just technical knowledge—will be the key differentiators for future engineering firms.

Key quote:
“If you want to grow, if you want to move up in your career, if you want to grow as a human being, you’ve got to be uncomfortable all the time. And if you find yourself in a position, in a scenario where you’re not uncomfortable and you want to be growing, then you’ve got to find your way into a new position.” –Verdantas CEO Jesse Kropelnicki, P.E.

This episode of the GBA Podcast was produced by GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee Chair Ryan White, P.E., G.E. (Apex Companies).

About GeoHeroes
In this series from the GBA Podcast, Guy Marcozzi interviews past, present, and future leaders in the geoprofessional industry to explore their personal and career journeys. The goal is to understand what motivates these individuals and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The podcast will examine the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.