Ali Khataw, CEO of Incoteq Engineering and a Round Rock Chamber board member, appeared on Episode 96 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, titled "Ali Khataw | From Immigrant Entrepreneur to Community Leader," hosted by Bryan Eisenberg and released October 20, 2026. The conversation traces Khataw's path from arriving alone in the United States and enrolling at the University of Arkansas to founding Encotech in 1990, which he grew into a 45-person mechanical, electrical and structural engineering firm that has now operated for 35 years.
Why does this story matter? Khataw's journey illustrates how immigrant entrepreneurs can build lasting institutions that shape their communities. Encotech's portfolio includes prominent projects such as the Austin Central Library, the Butterfly Bridge and Zachary Scott Theater, demonstrating the firm's impact on Central Texas infrastructure and culture. Beyond business, Khataw's leadership extends to chairing the Austin Chamber of Commerce and serving on boards across the region, underscoring the role of civic engagement in sustained success.
Khataw also shares personal lessons, including the value his father taught him: "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." That principle has guided his approach to both business and philanthropy. He recounts a pivotal moment when former Goodwill Industries CEO Jerry Davis advised him to take a 10 to 15 percent pay cut, stop designing and focus on business development—a shift that unlocked Incoteq's growth.
The episode further highlights Khataw's humanitarian work through photojournalism in Oaxaca, Mexico, Pakistan, Cuba, Tanzania and Kenya, including a feature on transgender communities in Pakistan for LFI magazine. He describes photographing a blind Oaxacan sculptor for a Tono magazine piece titled "Hands That See" and weeping on a street in Oaxaca while documenting Semana Santa, moments that reflect the human connection threading through his career. These stories emphasize the importance of visibility, failure and putting ideas into the world—lessons that resonate with entrepreneurs and community leaders alike.
Khataw also previews an upcoming workshop trip to Tanzania and Kenya with Fair Trade Safaris CEO Saurabh Katipal, where proceeds will support a wildlife conservation group working with elephants and education funding for a young woman in Tanzania. Additionally, he discusses a firm-wide points competition proposed by principal Patrick Morrissey that rewarded volunteer hours rather than board seats or donations, earning Incoteq a small business win from Austin Gives. Such initiatives show how companies can embed service into their culture, creating ripple effects beyond the bottom line.
The podcast, produced by Round Rock Studio, spotlights the entrepreneurs, nonprofits and corporate leaders shaping Round Rock and the broader Central Texas economy. Khataw's episode offers actionable insights on leadership, community trusteeship and the immigrant grit that drives long-term success—making it essential listening for anyone interested in building businesses that endure and give back.
