NSPE Winner
Captain Thomas Synovec, P.E., PMP, LEED AP
Captain Thomas Synovec, P.E., PMP, LEED AP is an Air Force Civil Engineer who has designed and executed over $300 million in infrastructure projects in support of military and humanitarian operations across 13 countries. These projects ranged from building schools and clinics in third-world countries to building critical infrastructure that kept coalition partners from backing out of contingency operations. Most recently, he was selected as the Designer of Record and lead planner for the largest troop labor project in Air Force history, a $101 million air base in a remote region of Africa supporting counter-terrorism operations throughout the region.
“I get excited about being an engineer because of the ability to make a tangible difference in other peoples’ lives,” explains Synovec. “As an engineer, you get to solve unique and often complicated problems on a daily basis, and then a few months later, actually see people benefiting from your efforts.”
Throughout his career he has earned numerous awards, to include the Air Force Runner-Up for Military Engineer of the Year and as the inaugural winner of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Young Alumni Excellence Award. Additionally, Captain Synovec is an award-winning researcher specializing in airfield pavement design and evaluation, and was an Adjunct Instructor at The Civil Engineer School. During his time as an instructor, he developed and taught the Air Force’s first Professional Engineer Exam Preparatory Course. In three years, this course has helped hundreds of military and civilian engineers across the Department of Defense earn their engineering licenses.