daniel j. smola p.e.
Daniel Smola, President of HCI, began his professional journey in an unconventional way after graduating from high school in McHenry, Illinois. In 2005, he was hired by a local sole proprietor specializing in the design of residential development projects and private sewage disposal systems. Through this early experience, Dan learned the fundamentals of fieldwork for collecting data used in the preparation of construction documents. He also honed the quickly fading art of hand drafting construction plans—a skill that was soon replaced by modern technology. Recognizing the need for efficiency, Dan self-taught AutoCAD and transitioned the small company into the next technological era.
n 2007, the company merged with a local surveying and engineering firm in Woodstock, Illinois. This merger exposed Dan to additional facets of design and surveying, further expanding his professional foundation. However, the timing coincided with the onset of the economic recession, which challenged many firms, including Dan’s, to maintain staff. It was during this time that the Principal Engineer offered Dan both professional guidance and motivational words, encouraging him to solidify his career path. Dan decided it was the right moment to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.
In 2009, Dan left to earn his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). Starting his collegiate journey later in life, combined with his previous real-world experience, Dan fully embraced the academic rigors of mathematics, physics, and civil engineering. He focused his course load on land development and drainage analysis, areas that aligned with his professional passion and experience.
After completing his degree, Dan returned to Woodstock for a brief period, rejoining the surveying and engineering firm he had worked with prior to college.
In 2014, Dan moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he began working as a project engineer for a local civil engineering design firm. During this time, he continued to refine his technical expertise in land development, planning, and drainage analysis, working on a variety of projects across multiple sectors—including multi-family, commercial, mixed-use, educational, industrial, healthcare, and municipal transportation design.
The journey that led Dan to establish Harpeth Civil, Inc. is one defined by hard work, dedication, and a commitment to the civil engineering discipline. His technical skills, combined with a strong emphasis on clear communication of project goals, expectations, and details with clients, contractors, and sub-consultants, ensure that each project moves forward efficiently and successfully.