E. Scott Tezak, PE

Scott Tezak, PE, is the Chief Operating Officer at Tidal Basin. He brings over 30 years of experience in business leadership, strategic program management, and risk mitigation within the federal sector. 

Before joining Tidal Basin, Scott drove operations for AtkinsRéalis USA Inc., where he oversaw an operational portfolio encompassing resilience, emergency management, and contingency engineering practices that delivered outcomes for clients across FEMA, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other key federal and state agencies. 

In his tenure, Scott has excelled as a strategic leader in disaster response, recovery, and hazard mitigation, spearheading multi-disciplinary teams on pivotal initiatives. Highlights include his executive oversight of FEMA Individual Assistance programs for housing inspections, which resulted in over $500M in disaster aid, and the state-funded My Safe Florida Home Program, a landmark $800M wind mitigation initiative benefiting thousands of homeowners in Florida. Additionally, his contributions during the Midwest Tornadoes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as well as his work on Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and Maria, Super Typhoon Yutu, and other disaster events, underscore his commitment to improving building codes, enhancing public safety, and advancing community resilience. 

Previously holding positions on Joint Venture Boards for FEMA disaster response and US Army Corps master planning contracts, Scott maintains his focus on operational excellence, delivering strategic resilience across client bases. His educational background includes a master’s degree in civil engineering/structural design from the University of Virginia, as well as a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Syracuse University. He holds Professional Engineer (PE) licenses in multiple states, further solidifying his technical mastery and expertise. 

A recognized thought leader in his field, Scott has served on panels and committees for clients (FEMA) and industry (ASCE) and in leadership roles, including the International Code Council (ICC) Storm Shelter Standard Committee, where he chaired innovative updates that were adopted into U.S. building codes. He has also contributed as an instructor for FEMA and DHS training programs, mentoring engineers and expanding capabilities in risk management, facility hardening, and disaster preparedness. 

Acknowledged for his leadership, Scott received the esteemed Kiesling Award for contributions to the storm shelter industry. Leveraging a unique blend of hands-on disaster response experience and executive acumen, he continues to be an influential force shaping policy, leading recovery efforts, and guiding organizations toward enhanced resilience and readiness