/EINPresswire.com/ -- AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - August 30, 2016) - Ali Khataw becomes the first Asian American ever elected as Board Chair of Leadership Austin.

Founded in 1979, Leadership Austin offers leadership training for emerging community leaders, focused on collaborative communications, stewardship and personal responsibility. The program has produced an impressive alumni roster of state, county, city elected officials, and public and high-profile private sector professionals like: Pike Powers (1980), Mark Curry (2000), Catherine Robb (2003) and Joshua Baer (2015).

Ali Khataw, P.E. a 2009 graduate of the program, has served on the board since 2012. In his new role, he plans to focus on three key areas: alumni engagement, community dialog, and community trusteeship according to a recent interview. A problem solver, connector, and an inclusive leader, Khataw hopes his passion and example will encourage more Asian and minority professionals to join and benefit from this program. "It is a privilege to serve on this board with so many outstanding, engaged and passionate Austin leaders," says Ali Khataw, president of Encotech Engineering Consultants, Inc.

Khataw's many professional and civic contributions have prepared him for this role. He was the first engineer to be a Member of the Board of Directors for the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He is a past chair emeritus of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce and has served on numerous non-profit organization boards.

Khataw earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984. In 1990, he founded Encotech with the dream of becoming a multi-disciplinary engineering firm. Today, Encotech has 30+ employees, specializing in structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing design for commercial, institutional, and government buildings. The firm also provides project management, cost estimating and LEED and sustainability construction design services for clients across Texas.

Mr. Khataw is also an accomplished photographer known for his inspiring images of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and his photo philanthropy. His photos have been in numerous exhibitions, and often are donated to charity auctions supporting local charities, or sold online at Ali Khataw's Photo Philanthropy, with all proceeds destined to charitable causes.

Encotech Engineering Consultants, Inc. is a multidisciplinary engineering firm based in Austin, Texas, specializing in sustainable engineering design services. http://www.encotechengineering.com

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