Business Details
42 Years
experience
Trusted Engineering Solutions for Critical Infrastructure
RIZZO INTERNATIONAL has evolved over nearly four decades from a small six-person office to a globally recognized engineering firm with headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our team of over 100 professionals, including licensed engineers and geoscientists, specializes in addressing complex challenges in dams, nuclear power plants, and critical infrastructure. With regional offices in Denver, Tarrytown, and Orlando, and international collaborations spanning 15 languages, we deliver tailored solutions for technically demanding projects. Our ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification underscore our commitment to excellence and diversity. We prioritize collaborative client engagement, leveraging advanced technologies and multidisciplinary expertise in geotechnical, structural, and seismic engineering.Our global footprint includes projects in over 30 countries, supported by a culture of innovation and sustainability. Leadership transitions in 2017 solidified our focus on strategic growth while maintaining core values of integrity and technical rigor. Our engineers have contributed to landmark projects like the Bagnell Dam rehabilitation and Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant site characterization. We maintain a vertically integrated approach, combining earth sciences and civil engineering under one organizational framework. This holistic methodology enables us to tackle unprecedented infrastructure challenges in an evolving global landscape.
Services
Dams Engineering
Geotechnical Analysis
Structural Seismic
Hydrologic Modeling
Nuclear Siting
Construction Testing
Hazard Analysis
Forensic Engineering
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of specialized expertise in critical infrastructure engineering
- Our ISO-certified quality management system ensures rigorous technical standards
- We maintain a globally diverse team fluent in 15 languages for international projects
- Our collaborative approach integrates client input throughout project execution
- We combine multidisciplinary engineering with earth sciences under one organization
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001:2015
- ISO 14001:2015
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council
Services
Dams Engineering
Our dam engineering services encompass new design, remedial analysis, and safety compliance for concrete and embankment dams. We specialize in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Part 12D inspections, emergency action planning, and seismic rehabilitation. With 35+ years of experience, we've completed projects like the Bagnell Dam post-tensioned anchor replacement and Willow Brook Dam rehabilitation.
Geotechnical Engineering
We provide comprehensive geotechnical field investigations, liquefaction analysis, and rock mechanics assessments using advanced software like FLAC and PLAXIS. Our expertise includes ground improvement programs and forensic investigations for nuclear power plant siting. Recent projects include Turkey Point NPP site characterization and seismic hazard evaluations for Romanian nuclear facilities.
Structural Seismic
Our structural engineering services cover seismic load analysis, probabilistic risk assessment, and forensic evaluations for extreme conditions. We've conducted seismic fragility analyses for Swiss nuclear plants and developed safety analysis reports for UAE nuclear facilities. Our team specializes in nonlinear dynamic analyses and seismic margin assessments.
Hazard Analysis
We perform comprehensive hazard analyses for natural and human-induced phenomena, including earthquakes, floods, and aircraft impact assessments. Our proprietary software supports probabilistic risk assessments for critical infrastructure. Recent work includes aircraft crash frequency calculations for Louisiana facilities and hazard mapping applications for North Carolina nuclear projects.
Testing Inspection
Our construction materials testing includes concrete strength verification, aggregate gradation analysis, and field compaction control. We provide quality assurance for major infrastructure projects like the Pipestem Dam spillway modification and Texas border infrastructure developments. Our services comply with nuclear industry quality assurance standards.
People
Rachelle Rizzo
President | CEO
With 33+ years of leadership experience, Ms. Rizzo directs strategic vision and corporate governance for RIZZO INTERNATIONAL. She oversees global operations and business development while maintaining ISO-certified quality systems.
Michael Edwards
Chief Operating Officer
As COO, Mr. Edwards manages daily operations and technical execution across all engineering disciplines. He brings 20+ years of geotechnical expertise and nuclear power plant siting experience to project management.
Mara McClain
Senior Vice President | Administration
Ms. McClain leads administrative operations and WBE certification compliance. With 20+ years at RIZZO, she coordinates international logistics and maintains strategic partnerships with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council.
John P. Osterle
Senior Vice President | Dams and Water Resources
A 40-year veteran in dam engineering, Mr. Osterle specializes in flood protection and rehabilitation projects. He chairs the Environment and Sustainability Committee for the United States Society on Dams and has led major projects like the Saluda Dam rehabilitation.
Eddie M. Guerra
Sr Vice President | Civil Infrastructure
Mr. Guerra directs global civil infrastructure development with expertise in energy projects. He advises the U.S. Department of Commerce on nuclear trade policy and has led engineering delegations to the White House for national security discussions.
Questions
What engineering services does RIZZO INTERNATIONAL specialize in?
We specialize in dams and water resources engineering, geotechnical analysis, structural seismic design, hazard analysis, and nuclear power plant siting. Our ISO-certified team handles technically challenging infrastructure projects globally.
Is RIZZO INTERNATIONAL certified for quality management?
Yes, we maintain ISO 9001:2015 certification for our quality management system and ISO 14001:2015 compliance for environmental management systems.
How long has RIZZO INTERNATIONAL been in business?
Our history spans 40+ years since founding in 1984 as Paul C. Rizzo Associates, transitioning to RIZZO International in 2017 with continued leadership from the founder's daughters.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We operate from three U.S. offices in Pittsburgh, Tarrytown, and Orlando, with international projects across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, and South America through local partnerships.
Are you a women-owned business?
Yes, RIZZO INTERNATIONAL is certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, reflecting our commitment to industry diversity.
What makes your engineering approach unique?
We integrate earth sciences and civil engineering under one organization, combining multidisciplinary expertise with a collaborative client approach to solve complex infrastructure challenges globally.
