For 125 years, Tuck has been recognized for the strength of its alumni network—often called the best network in the world. Tuck Network in Action shares the stories of alumni who are answering the call, tapping into the Tuck network to support one another and drive meaningful change.
Last summer, Enstructure Co-CEO and Founder Philippe De Montigny T’07 was preparing to launch one of the firm’s largest projects to date—a new $400 million shipping container terminal on the Delaware River. Needing someone to quarterback the project, he knew instantly where to turn: the Tuck alumni network.
After a few exchanges with De Montigny and others at Enstructure, Diego Ignacio López T’22 joined the company in August 2024 as vice president of corporate development. López’s background in engineering and management consulting made him uniquely suited for the role. Prior to Tuck, he worked for an infrastructure design firm that led renovation and expansion projects for several of the largest airports in the U.S., including LAX, JFK, LaGuardia, and Boston Logan.
It’s gratifying to be doing interesting work that also has a significant impact on the economy.
— Diego Ignacio López T’22
“I knew I wanted to get back into large-scale infrastructure, and the opportunity at Enstructure was exactly what I was looking for,” says López. “It’s gratifying to be doing interesting work that also has a significant impact on the economy.”
De Montigny had spent nearly a decade in business development for the renewable energy companies Verenium, Joule Unlimited, and Drax Biomass, when he recognized an opportunity in marine logistics. He and his partner, Matt Satnick, co-founded Enstructure in 2016, which has since grown to become one of the largest port operators in the U.S., responsible for 22 marine terminals across nine states.
We spoke with De Montigny and López to learn more about their work at Enstructure and the critical role the alumni network has played in their life and career.
Co-CEO and Founder, Enstructure
What led you to start a company focused on maritime shipping logistics, and what have been some of the biggest successes so far?
One of the companies I worked for after Tuck moved materials by ship, so I got to visit a lot of port facilities and meet their owners. I realized that the marine terminal industry in the U.S. is very fragmented and that if you could acquire some of these ports and create a network, you could provide a better solution to customers. Our customers include many blue-chip companies that rely on us to provide a holistic solution across their entire supply chain. As we’ve grown, we’ve diversified the business, starting with bulk commodities like salt and fertilizer and expanding into metals, forest products, perishables, containers, and large project cargo like wind turbines. This diversification has made the business more resilient. I’m very proud of the team we’ve assembled. Having a team that’s effective at securing both M&A and organic growth opportunities has been a key differentiator for us.
What stood out to you about Diego as a candidate, and how has his role evolved since joining Enstructure?
Diego’s profile stood out because not only does he have a clear passion for all things infrastructure, but he also has a unique combination of engineering consulting and management consulting experience. He even attended the University of Delaware as an undergrad, which was very fitting in this case! Diego joined us less than a year ago and is now a key member of our Corporate Development team, reporting directly to our COO and leading several organic growth and M&A projects.
Tuck does a great job on that front, developing leaders who are smart and results-oriented, but who also act with integrity and treat people the right way.
— Philippe De Montigny T’07
How has the Tuck network played a role in your career and in the way you think about hiring and building teams?
My first manager after Tuck was a fellow alum who was a great leader and had a lot of experience developing and financing infrastructure projects. I learned a lot working with him and gained many of the skills and experiences that I would rely on as an entrepreneur. As a founder, I have come to appreciate the immense value of human capital and the importance of both EQ and IQ. Tuck does a great job on that front, developing leaders who are smart and results-oriented, but who also act with integrity and treat people the right way.
VP of Corporate Development, Enstructure
What was your path to joining Enstructure, and how did you first connect with Philippe?
After Tuck, I joined BCG and consulted on all kinds of projects, but ultimately ended up doing a lot of work with nuclear energy companies. Eventually, I realized I wanted to get back into large-scale infrastructure. I connected with Philippe on LinkedIn and asked if we could talk about his work with Enstructure. After a few months, he shared that they were looking for somebody to lead the Delaware terminal project. Once the offer came, it was an easy decision. I was really impressed with what they were building and wanted to be a part of it.
What has been the most exciting or challenging aspect of your work, particularly in leading calls with the Delaware Port Authority?
Leading the terminal project entails a bit of everything. No two days are the same, which I enjoy. You’re working with customers and the operations team on the operational component. Then, there’s a part of the job that includes working with lawyers to ensure contracts are in place. Since the terminal is a public-private partnership, we also work closely with our government partners. During weekly meetings with the Delaware port authority, we provide status updates and offer support and recommendations for key decisions that need to be made.
What role has the Tuck network played in your career growth, and how do you see it shaping your future opportunities?
Coincidentally, a lot of my classmates ended up working in energy, infrastructure, and industrials. I talk with many of them often about different challenges and business impacts they are facing. Most of us heard about the alumni network when we applied to Tuck, but I’ve since experienced its value in so many ways. The least I can do is pay my experience forward, helping others answer important questions and figure out the kind of impact they want to have on the world.
This story originally appeared in print in the summer 2025 issue of Tuck Today magazine.
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