Remembering Mike Tecci: Committed Leader and Selfless Mentor

Mike was a steadfast professional who was deeply committed to his colleagues, clients, and future generations of engineers. The first to raise his hand to help and the last to put it down, we could always count on Mike to show up without expectation or self-interest. He put others at ease with his calm presence and dependability, and devoted himself to sharing his knowledge and love for engineering.

He spent his entire professional career with SGH, joining the firm in 2003 after a co-op placement with Northeastern University, where he received his M.S. and B.S. in civil engineering. He amassed impressive project experience over more than twenty years with SGH’s structural design team in Boston, specializing in delivering high-performing structures for educational and institutional clients. Mike’s extensive portfolio of structural engineering for buildings—from new construction to renovations and alterations of existing and historic structures—includes many award-winning projects. His thoughtful and creative approach to challenging projects is why clients trusted him and chose to work with him, again and again.

We will remember Mike fondly for his selfless contributions to mentoring future professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. He was an engaging teacher with unparalleled patience who saw promise in every individual. He was also the heart and soul of SGH’s internship and co-op program. As a former SGH intern referred to him, he was “one of those rare, shining mentors among the community,” helping to recruit and hire many engineers who have become leaders and mentors themselves. He also served as a mentor, board member, and past president of ACE Mentoring of Greater Boston, which helps high school students pursue careers in the industry. Mike helped to start the Boston Chapter in 2007 and expand the program to six locations around Greater Boston. He was named an ACE-ENR Outstanding Mentor in 2016 and Co-op Supervisor of the Year from Cornell University.

Mike was passionate about addressing climate change in our industry. He served as SGH’s co-champion for the Structural Engineering Institute’s Structural Engineers 2050 Commitment Program (SE 2050) and helped oversee our participation in these efforts to reduce embodied carbon in structural systems. He also gave back professionally as a member of several local and national organizations.

With his usual humility, and in the way he approached all his efforts, Mike recently commented about his work to reduce embodied carbon:

“Some may consider this a small contribution in the grand scheme of things, but it’s directly within my control. I think about the personal contribution that I am making and get excited about that level of effort multiplying. If my colleagues can adopt these policies over the next three to five years … the impact will be enormous.”

This was Mike—generous, sincere, kind, and looking to make a difference one day at a time.

Outside of work, he had many interests. Affectionately known as “Coach” at SGH and within his local community, Mike inspired hundreds of people by coaching multiple youth sports teams, and for several years, SGH’s softball team. He also loved to share his encyclopedic knowledge and mastery of cooking.

Thank you, Mike, your impact was enormous.

If you are interested in helping to honor Mike’s legacy, you may donate to the CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars program. Gifts can be given online or mailed to the following address, noting the Michael Tecci Scholarship:

CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars
P.O. Box 585
Bedford, MA 01730

Read more about Mike.