Marc Ballouz, Ph.D., C.Eng, M.ASCE Joins G-I Board of Governors

Marc Ballouz will be serving a one year term on the G-I Board of Governors as the ASCE President’s appointee. Dr. Ballouz was born in Beirut, Lebanon and attained his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the American University of Beirut. He worked in Lebanon for two years before pursuing graduate studies at Texas A&M University, where he earned his master’s degree and his Ph.D.. He worked as a consultant in Houston, Texas, before returning to Lebanon to start his own company, the Institute for Geotechnics & Materials, in 1997.  As a practitioner, Dr. Ballouz developed a particular interest in deep foundations in difficult soil conditions for special structures. He also continued work in academia, teaching soil mechanics and foundation engineering courses at the Lebanese American University, Notre Dame University, and the Lebanese University.  He continues to publish technical papers about deep foundations, landslides, and general geotechnics. 

Dr. Ballouz has been very active with the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE). He has served as the Vice Chair of the Innovation & Development Committee and as leader of the Society’s Public Relations Committee. He served on the ISSMGE Board from 2009-2017.

Dr. Ballouz lives with his family in Austin, Texas, and travels frequently to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe on professional engagements.  He is fluent in English, French and Arabic, and enjoys outdoor sports and activities.