ACEC Honors Outstanding Leadership in Engineering at 2025 Fall Conference

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) presented national awards recognizing outstanding engineers and industry leaders at its 2025 Fall Conference in San Diego, California. The honorees were celebrated for their excellence, service, and leadership in advancing the engineering profession, and strengthening communities nationwide. 

“The engineers we recognize this year remind us that progress doesn’t happen by chance, but by design,” said Linda Bauer Darr, ACEC President & CEO. “Their work keeps our water clean, our bridges strong, our communities connected, and our economy moving. Every day, engineers make modern life possible.” 

2025 Young Professional of the Year  

• Sarah McEwen — Central Region Hydrology & Hydraulics Area Manager; Vice President | Neel-Schaffer, Inc. 

2025 Young Professional of the Year Finalists 

• Christopher McKillop — Substation Section Lead | HDR Engineering 

• Apurva Sawant — Project Engineer | WSP USA 

• Dylan Seesman — Principal; Director of Operations | JQOL 

• Mallory Weber — Project Engineer | Gasperec Elberts Consulting, LLC 

2025 College of Fellows Inductees 

• David Brose — President | EMCS, Inc. 

• Andrew Ciancia — Senior Consultant | Langan Engineering, Environmental, Surveying, Landscape Architecture and Geology, DPC 

• Steve Donahue — President | Horner & Shifrin, Inc. 

• Tonya Lynne Finley — Associate Vice President, Risk Management | David Evans and Associates, Inc. 

• P.J. Fitzpatrick — Associate Vice President, Business Development – Transportation & Construction Business Units | HR Green, Inc. 

• Keith Foxx — President & CEO | FOXXSTEM 

• Jeffrey Gebhard — Vice President | Braun Intertec 

• Steven Gravlin — Vice President | Michael Baker International 

• James Hoffman — President | Summer Consultants, Inc. 

• Erica Jensen — Senior Project Manager | DOWL 

• Stephen Kathol — President & CEO | The Schemmer Associates Inc. 

• Benjamin Lilly — President | Mason & Hanger 

• Michael Matthews — President & CEO | The Structures Group, Inc. 

• David Sean McCone — Vice Chair | ACEC Executive Committee 

• Jim Meads — President & CEO | Sain Associates, Inc. 

• Linda Moen — President | EFK Moen, LLC 

• John Nelson — Vice President | Hanson Professional Services, Inc. 

• Carlos Penin — President | C.A.P. Engineering, Inc. 

• Tony Roos — Senior Principal Engineer | Kittelson & Associates 

• Bruce Schopp — President / COO | Oates Associates 

• Mugdha Tipnis — Senior Vice President; Transportation Business Leader – Mid-Atlantic South | WSP 

• Orhan Ulger — Vice President | 2IM Group, LLC 

• Kurt Yoshii — Principal Engineer | Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company 

2025 Community Service Award 

• Geri E. Boyer — President & Founder | Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC 

• Wallace Smith — Vice President; Director of Federal Services | Garver 

2025 Coalition Distinguished Service Award 

• Bryan Layman — Senior Vice President | ECS Mid-Atlantic 

2025 Distinguished Service Award 

• Mike Carragher — President & CEO| VHB & ACEC Research Institute Past Chair 

• Michael Cooper — President | HED  

These awards highlight the dedication and expertise that drive the engineering profession forward by improving lives, advancing infrastructure, and supporting economic growth across the nation.