James Des Cotes

James started his career at RVA right after graduating with a degree in chemical engineering. Though he didn’t specialize in water or wastewater engineering at the time, he quickly immersed himself in the field, learning on the job and growing alongside the team.

As a Principal and Manager of RVA’s Water group, he plays a key role in designing, upgrading, and overseeing infrastructure projects that directly impact communities. For James, the most fulfilling part of his work is knowing that it leads to tangible improvements, better infrastructures, cleaner water, and better wastewater treatment.

He sees engineering as more than just drawings on paper; it’s about thoughtful, long-term solutions that shape the way things are built, operated, and maintained. His role extends beyond technical expertise, he also focuses on staff development, ensuring that team members, no matter their level, have the support they need to grow and succeed, as well as overseeing projects from proposal to execution.

One of his proudest achievements is his career journey, which started from conducting site reviews at RVA to becoming a shareholder and leader of the firm. He has since contributed to RVA’s industry-recognized process engineering work, and he values the company’s open-door culture, where collaboration happens at every level. He appreciates the opportunity to effect change internally, knowing that at RVA, people aren’t just numbers, they’re part of a team that works together to create impactful solutions.

Outside of work, James enjoys spending time with his family, playing games, and curating several collections he is passionate about. And as someone who cares for and about water, you’ll rarely see him without a glass of water in hand.