Engineers in federal service are called upon to find and implement engineering solutions to complex problems while improving quality of life throughout the United States and around the world.
In recognition of the heroic efforts by these federal engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers is proud to honor 26 agency winners, including 10 finalists for the Federal Engineer of the Year Award. Sponsored by the Professional Engineers in Government, this award honors engineers employed by a federal agency that employs at least 50 engineers worldwide. The overall winner will be announced on February 23 during a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
This year’s top 10 finalists have collectively worked to protect everything from national security to the water we drink and the air we breathe. Their accomplishments include providing emergency support for diplomatic security missions, advancing sanitation for native and tribal communities, and improving grid reliability and outage support. They have led disaster recovery projects, reestablished military operations, repaired essential infrastructure, and designed and constructed systems for fresh drinking water. Their responsibilities include providing CDC ventilation guidance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, improving air bases’ efforts to deter and defend against enemies in Korea, and ensuring safe relocation for allies and refugees from Afghanistan. Their service includes deployments to contested environments, and their leadership has realized billion-dollar projects while identifying cost-saving and efficiency-improving measures.
Now in its 45th year, the Federal Engineer of the Year Award (FEYA) is the only award of its kind to solely recognize outstanding engineers employed in the federal government. This year’s nominees continue the legacy of representing the best and brightest engineers employed in the public sector.
The 2024 Federal Engineer of the Year Top 10 finalists are:
- LCDR Timothy R. Dahms, P.E., U.S. Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command
- CDR Christopher T. Fehrman, P.E., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service;
- Timothy N. Fritch, P.E., Tennessee Valley Authority;
- Stephanie R. Frizzo, P.E., U.S. Department of the Air Force, 316th Civil Engineer Squadron;
- LCDR Matthew C. Haith, P.E., U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District;
- Reyn S. Hashiro, P.E., U.S. Department of the Navy, NAVFAC Pacific;
- CAPT Stephen B. Martin, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health;
- Dana W. Moses, P.E., U.S. Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
- MAJ Jay F. Pearson, P.E., U.S. Department of the Air Force, Pacific Air Forces;
- MAJ Christopher E. Wittman, P.E. PMP, U.S. Department of the Air Force, Space Systems Command.
A panel of judges established by NSPE’s Professional Engineers in Government selects the FEYA winner. Hailing from various federal agencies, departments, and military branches, the nominated engineers are evaluated based on factors such as engineering achievements, education, professional and technical society activities, awards and honors, and civic and humanitarian activities.
Founded in 1934, the National Society of Professional Engineers supports over 500,000 professional engineers, and the public, by fostering licensed professional engineers in service to society, ensuring the public can be confident that engineering decisions affecting their lives are made by qualified and ethically accountable professionals. Through education, licensure advocacy, leadership training, multidisciplinary networking, and outreach, NSPE enhances the image of professional engineers and their ability to ethically and professionally practice engineering. For more information, please visit www.nspe.org.