March/April 2024 - 78

that needs tackling, including the key
role that engineers are currently, and
will be playing, in the future.
Due in part to his work with DFI's
Educational Trust, he is well aware of
the needs of aspiring engineers. When
asked if he had any advice to give to
folks just entering the profession he
responded, " I rarely give advice to
young professionals as I am always
afraid of sounding patronizing but, if
asked, the advice I like to give is, learn
The growing Verity family portrait
'ingenieur' comes from 'genie' or
'genius,' which may cause you to think
that it has to do with mathematics, so
when you put these together you have
an idea of essence of the profession. " As a
member of the DFI Educational Trust
Board of Trustees, he seeks to bring this
message to young future engineers. In
this regard, long-time friend Lucky
Nagarajan, senior business development
manager, Geocomp, offers, " I have
seen him engage, encourage, support
and celebrate younger generation engineers
around him. He is truly remarkable,
inspiring, a role model to many. "
Verity fostered Terracon's generous
$50,000 donation in 2020 to establish
the Terracon Consultants Scholarship
Fund. He also initiated the idea for the
popular Trust 5K Fun Run/Walk held at
DFI's annual conference. He organizes
the fundraising event with a terrific
volunteer team that he has built.
78 * DEEP FOUNDATIONS * MAR/APR 2024
In addition to his activities within
DFI he has also been an active member
of the American Railway Engineering
and Maintenance-of-Way Association's
Concrete Structures & Foundations
Committee, the Environmental
Section of the American Railway
Development Association, as well as
the Levees Committee of the United
States Society on Dams.
Challenges and Opportunities
Verity is cognizant of changes occurring
in the deep foundations industry. He
notes a continuing emphasis on safety.
He mentions how things were " back-inthe-day "
and wonders how he came
through those years scratch-free. An
emphasis on diversity is another factor
that he feels is much needed, hence his
participation in WiDF initiatives. Verity
sees sustainability as the next key issue
to listen and keep learning! " He adds,
" I've been in this industry for over 30
years, and I still learn stuff all the
time. " For him, and for so many others
in the profession, that is one of the
things that keeps it interesting. He
feels strongly that you have to listen to
others, whether that be seasoned
professionals, peers or the younger
generation. He says, " If you listen carefully,
you'll find something that can be
applied to your field, your situation or
your life in general. " Verity is admired
as being a " good listener " by all of the
people he works with at every level.
One of his personal challenges is
balancing his professional life with
being the father of three lovely girls ages
2 months to 17 years. He does find time
to travel to France every year where he
thoroughly enjoys catching up with old
friends around the famous French
cuisine. Being an avid runner helps him
manage the calorie implications of
these journeys.
In sum, Andrew Verity is the kind of
person others like to be around, and who
they can rely on, be they colleagues,
clients, family or friends. Nagarajan
captures his persona when she says,
" He always welcomes you with a
contagious smile, genuine interest and
willingness to do good for everyone. "
Verity's service to others is the personification
of his surname as defined
in Webster's Dictionary: " A fundamental
and inevitably true value. "
March/April 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March/April 2024
