Dana V. Cowger, PE
Principal Engineer
“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.” –Roy T. Bennett
Background
Dana was born and raised in Billings, Montana and attended Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering. He eventually moved to Spokane, Washington to raise his family.
Dana joined the firm in 1991 and still lends assistance as a principal emeritus. He brings an enormous amount of knowledge, experience, and skill to Varela. Dana specializes in wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water funding acquisition, system evaluations, planning, design, and project management. He has more than 40 years of municipal infrastructure engineering experience.
His wisdom, integrity, and experience have shaped Varela culture through the decades. Dana and founder Mark Varela, consistently taught employees that we do what’s right for the client first, and what’s right for the company second. He cares deeply for others — employees and clients alike — and is open-hearted, plain-spoken, and intrigued by the passions and pursuits of those around him.
Interests
Dana splits his leisure time between golf and pickleball and enjoys swimming for exercise. He is big on family values, spending most of his time with his wife, four children, and 22 grandchildren.
Dana has volunteered his time with a nonprofit that is close to his heart, Spring of Hope International. Its mission is to provide clean drinking water, economic empowerment, and gospel hope for the people in Kenya. Several Varela employees, including Dana and his wife, have visited the organization’s base operation in Kenya and helped out.