Alan R. Poeppel

CEEAA Distinguished Alumni Award, 2017

For worldwide leadership in geotechnical engineering with a focus on design of high- and ultra-high-rise buildings and many notable projects throughout the world, while establishing a new standard in high-rise design practice; for a demonstrated high degree of competence, leadership and entrepreneurship in geotechnical and structural engineering practice; and for commitment to technical excellence and betterment of civil engineering.

Biography

Alan Poeppel is a native of Illinois, growing up in the Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1991 and M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering in 1993. Poeppel’s advisor was Professor Timothy Stark and was Stark’s first Master’s student at Illinois. Poeppel then joined Langan directly from Illinois in January, 1993.

Today, Poeppel is a member of Langan’s Executive Committee and a Managing Principal in the New York City office. Poeppel has 24 years of geotechnical engineering experience in the U.S. and Middle East focusing on deep foundation design for super-tall buildings. In 2016 he was honored by the editors of Engineering News Record (ENR) magazine as one of the year’s “Top 25 Newsmakers” for his work on the 1000+ meter tall Jeddah Tower. Poeppel brings his thoughtful manner and total commitment to each project, large or small, and this has garnered him the respect of many of the country’s top design professionals.

As an adjunct professor at Columbia University, Poeppel teaches a graduate course focused on deep foundations for SuperTall buildings. As a member of  ASCE’s NYC Met Section, he continues to mentor young engineers as they develop in their careers. Additionally, he is an active member of his New Jersey community and enjoys sailing in his free time.