Vatsal A. Shah, Ph.D., P.E., BC.GE, F.ASCE, the chief executive officer of ANS, a rapidly growing, national multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm, has been named a fellow by the ASCE Board of Direction.
Shah founded the firm, which specializes in geotechnical, civil, structural, electrical, and high voltage engineering. He has helped transform the organization from a small, three-person startup in 2020 into an award-winning engineering concern with over 400 professionals supporting complex infrastructure and renewable energy projects across the United States. His leadership has centered on building a people-focused culture while delivering innovative, technically driven solutions for clients and partners.
Over the course of his career, Shah has led and contributed to major transportation, water, wastewater, power, and port infrastructure projects at a Top 25 ENR firm. Shah previously held senior leadership and technical management roles in this previous role, and helped establish a U.S.-based geotechnical practice across North America. His experience spans both highly technical engineering execution and executive leadership, with a strong reputation for integrating multidisciplinary teams to solve complex engineering challenges.
Shah is also passionate about mentorship, education, and advancing the engineering profession. For over a decade, he has served as an adjunct professor at both New York University Tandon School of Engineering and New Jersey Institute of Technology, teaching undergraduate and graduate civil, environmental, and geotechnical engineering courses while mentoring the next generation of engineers. He has also taught Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and P.E. civil engineering review courses across the country, helping hundreds of young professionals pursue engineering licensure and professional growth. He has done this while returning all of his financial proceeds from teaching to creating multiple endowed scholarships to lower the barrier of entry to students entering the engineering profession.
An active leader in the engineering community, Shah previously served as president of the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers, president of the New Jersey Institute of Technology Alumni Association, and a number of other volunteer roles with NSPE, ASCE, and community organizations. Throughout his career, he has championed leadership development, professional advocacy, student engagement, and the importance of engineering’s role in shaping resilient communities and sustainable infrastructure.
Shah earned his bachelor of science, master of science, and doctor of philosophy degrees in civil engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he specialized in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. He is licensed as a professional engineer in 46 states and holds a Board Certification in Geotechnical Engineering (BC.GE) through the Academy of Geo-Professionals.
