Ryan McDowell, E.I.T.

Ryan is a Water Resources Engineer specializing in hydraulic, hydrologic and water quality modeling. His work focuses on supporting local government compliance with federal and state regulations. Before joining Michael Baker International, Ryan served on a submarine in the U.S. Navy for five years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Irvine and a master’s degree from San Diego State University.

Ryan is driven by his commitment to serving communities in need. He is chair of a committee that volunteers in the local community, helping to organize events to support food banks, serve meals in homeless shelters, clean up local beaches and more. Ryan lives in San Diego with his wife and two children, and they enjoy spending time outdoors—from paddleboarding in the bay to hiking and camping in the California deserts.

Fun fact: Ryan loves taking long road trips and has been to 47 out of 50 U.S. states. His favorite was driving the entire length of Pacific Highway 101 from Port Angeles, Washington, to San Diego, California.

How has being a member of Michael Baker’s Fika team impacted you?

I felt really honored to be selected to represent Michael Baker for this trip. The work Fika does is tremendous, and taking part in building the physical structure of the bridge has left a lasting impression on me. I felt a real sense of pride watching the locals cross the bridge and knowing what it will mean for them and their future.