Being a civil engineer in his hometown was something Lawrence Ortega had wanted to do ever since he was in junior high school. After graduating from Questa High School in 1967, he began to take steps to make this dream come true.
After graduation, he moved to Las Cruces and attended New Mexico State University, obtaining his degree in civil engineering in 1972. He and his wife Rosalie then made a big move to Texas, where he worked for the city of Dallas designing water and sewer facilities. His wife, who had majored in education, worked for the Dallas Independent School District as an educator.
After a year in Texas, the couple started a family with the birth of their eldest son, Lorenzo. Soon after, they had their daughter Melissa. The duo realized they wanted to return home to continue to grow their family. “The weather is better here, the climate is better, and the city was too big for us—Questa was always in our hearts, so we knew it was time to return home,” Lawrence says.
Upon their arrival back in New Mexico, Lawrence took a job with a consulting and engineering firm in Santa Fe, where he worked for five years, officially becoming a licensed engineer in 1976. While his career was taking off, Lawrence and Rosalie welcomed twin sons to their family in 1977. “It was a busy time but we were young and we could handle it,” Lawrence says.
During his time with the firm in Santa Fe, he was assigned to the Village of Questa as an engineer, and worked closely with then-Mayor Max Ortega Sr. “It was a pleasure working under Max at the time. He was a very progressive mayor and had the best interest of the community in mind.” Lawrence fondly remembers working for other village leaders—former Mayors John Gaillour and Bobby Ortega. “Like Mayor Max, all were very pro-Questa and had the best interest of the community in mind,” Lawrence recalls.
In 1981, Lawrence left the Santa Fe firm and entered into partnerships working alongside other engineers throughout Taos county for several years. Lawrence believes he was the very first licensed engineering consulting firm based in Taos County dating back to 1981.
It wasn’t until 1988 that he decided to venture out on his own and start his own engineering company called Lawrence A. Ortega and Associates. “I always had aspirations to be my own boss and make decisions for my own company. It was very rewarding to see a design come to fruition.”
“As a civil engineer, your main role is to serve the public with public works projects and projects the local government and elected officials believe in.” His profession has allowed him to help people who may want a house, bridge, or foundation designed or even a driveway to their house. “The most satisfying part of my career is that my work was functional for the overall betterment of the community. That is so important to me.”
Engineering projects can range from months or even years to complete, Lawrence mentions. Specifically, his job as an engineer is focused on creating plans for his clients. He then goes through the rigorous process of ensuring his work is up to code and addresses all of the main objectives of his client. Once plans are finalized, his client enlists a contractor to complete the work, based on his design and plans. “The main goal through my work has always been to ensure it is done well and done right.” Throughout his career, he has worked with the Village of Questa, the Town of Taos, and Taos County.
His career started in Texas, continued in Santa Fe, and eventually led him and his family back to his hometown of Questa. In 1995 Lawrence and Rosalie completed their family after the birth of their son, Jesus. “It was a big surprise for us! Lorenzo and Melissa had graduated already and the twins were seniors. We were starting all over again with a newborn but Jesus kept us active.”
During his career, Lawrence also ran a ranching business which operated with up to 75 head of cattle, with help from his dad and kids. Currently, he has less than ten cows. While ranching can be a lot of work, Lawrence says it’s therapeutic and considers it a hobby. “I was brought up working on a ranch, it’s in my blood and I enjoy it,” he says, and it keeps him connected to his ranching roots.
When asked what prompted a career interest in engineering, Lawrence said that he just always wanted to be an engineer. “I always did well in math and took courses such as geometry, trigonometry, and calculus to help prepare me. I also had a high school counselor, John Gonzales, who helped me tremendously in following my ambition and helped me get information for the university I was interested in attending,” he says. “Having the support I needed in school and also having parents who believed in me was instrumental in giving me the courage to pursue a career in engineering—I’ll never forget that.”
After 48 years of service, Lawrence’s business still operates to this day, at a reduced capacity. “The thought that somebody still needs my service and help, that’s what keeps me going.”
While having a long and esteemed career is a big accomplishment for Lawrence, he acknowledges the importance family has had in his journey. “I’m proud of my engineering career, my civic duty, and my ranching, but I’m most proud of being able to do this alongside my wife of 54 years, Rosalie. She’s been my rock and has supported me through it all. We have five kids—four sons and one daughter, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. All of our family is a huge blessing!”
Lawrence expressed how proud he is of his family as well as the support he’s received over the years from his kids and family. “One of the things that’s been most rewarding to me is being able to come back to my community and help out and make an impact. I love this community.”
