Encotech CEO Ali Khataw on Immigrant Grit, Engineering 35-Year Firm and Photo Philanthropy

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ali Khataw and what does Encotech Engineering do?

Ali Khataw is the CEO of Encotech Engineering, a 45-person firm he founded in 1990 that has operated for 35 years. Based in Central Texas, Incoteq provides mechanical, electrical and structural engineering across eight markets including aviation, healthcare, civic buildings, multifamily and transportation. Notable project contributions include the Austin Central Library on Cesar Chavez, the Butterfly Bridge and Zachary Scott Theater.

What pivotal advice did Khataw receive from Goodwill Industries CEO Jerry Davis?

After admiring Goodwill's growth under Jerry Davis, Khataw asked him how to scale past roughly 12 employees. Davis challenged him to accept a 10 to 15 percent pay cut for a year, stop doing engineering design himself, hire great engineers, and focus on business development and people, the areas where Khataw excelled. Khataw followed the advice to the letter and the company began growing.

How did Leadership Austin change Khataw's management style?

Khataw completed Leadership Austin in 2009 with a cohort of 52, where exercises centered on collaborative thinking and community trusteeship. At the time Incoteq had 10 to 12 employees run largely his way. The experience became a turning point that pushed him toward drawing more ideas from his team, and he later served 10 years on that board, including one year as chairman.

What is the Encotech community-service points competition?

Principal Patrick Morrissey proposed a friendly in-office competition in which 5 or 6 employee groups earned points for community good deeds. Board service and monetary donations did not count, only volunteered time, often during office hours since weekend turnout was weak. The program earned Encotech a small business win from Austin Gives and, Khataw says, built compassionate employees and future leaders.

What humanitarian photography projects does Khataw highlight?

Khataw discusses an LFI magazine feature on transgender communities in Pakistan, where he explored how clergy support helped secure third-gender legal recognition. He also describes a Tono magazine piece titled "Hands That See" about a blind Oaxacan sculptor inspired by his wife, and a deeply emotional Semana Santa shoot in Oaxaca featuring a 21-year-old civil engineering student portraying Jesus Christ.

How does Khataw fund his photo philanthropy work?

Because selling images has become difficult, Khataw generates income primarily through photography workshops in Tanzania, Kenya, Morocco, Indonesia, Cuba and Pakistan. Proceeds support causes including a wildlife conservation group working with elephants, orphanages, and recently computer equipment for a young woman in Tanzania pursuing university. He partners with Fair Trade Safaris, whose CEO Saurabh Katipal also donates 100 percent of profits.

What core value from his father does Khataw credit as foundational?

Khataw repeatedly cites a lesson his father told the family growing up and that he recently shared as commencement speaker at St. Edward's University: "If money is lost, nothing is lost because you can always make it up. If health is lost, something is lost. But if integrity is lost, everything is lost." He says his children now live by the same standard.