Press Release

Release: Immediate
Contact: Stacey A. Ober
703-684-2815

Federal Engineers Receive Well-Deserved Recognition

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (December 27, 2007) – In recognition of the vital role engineers play in national security, infrastructure improvement, disaster recovery, new technologies, and other important areas, the National Society of Professional Engineers has again selected 10 high-caliber finalists for its prestigious 29th Annual Federal Engineer of the Year Award program. This award is the only one of its kind to solely recognize outstanding engineers employed in the federal government. The FEYA winner will be announced during a ceremony on February 21 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

According to a recent poll of thirteen federal agencies, departments, and organizations, there is a need for over 10,000 new engineers to fill federal jobs between 2007 and 2009. Apart from recognizing the nominees, the FEYA highlights important workforce issues such as science, technology, engineering, and math education; workforce retirement concerns; and the need to fill the engineering "pipeline." The program also showcases the exciting and often cutting-edge federal jobs available to engineers.

This year's nominees are definitely of the highest caliber. Of the 91,000 federally employed engineers identified by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 34 were nominated and only one of the 10 finalists will be selected for the award. This year's candidates are

Florence M. Ching, P.E., General Engineer, Project Management Division, Capital Improvements Business Line, Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii;

Thomas Choinski, P.E., Emergent and Transformational Systems Division Head, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Sensors and Sonar Systems Department, Newport, R.I.;

John F. England, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., P.H., D.WRE, Hydraulic Engineer, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colo.;

Joel Myklebust, P.E., Director, Division of Physics, Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Silver Spring, Md.;

Perry L. Oakes, P.E., State Conservation Engineer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Auburn, Ala.;

Capt. Paul Robinson, P.E., Public Health Consultant, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Public Health Program, Oakland, Calif.;

James B. Rossman, P.E., Senior Manager, Power Quality, Tennessee Valley Authority, Power System Operations, Hopkinsville, Ky.;

Neil T. Schwanz, P.E., Regional Technical Specialist for Geotechnical Engineering, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, St. Paul District, St. Paul, Minn.;

Maj. Christopher T. Senseney, P.E., Course Director, U.S. Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Civil Engineer and Services School, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and

Capt. Anthony Todd Zimmer, Ph.D., P.E., C.I.H., Senior Engineer, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, Ohio.

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. 

The 2008 award winner will be announced at a ceremony on February 21, beginning at 1 p.m. Invited guests include all nominees and their agency heads or commanders; leaders from engineering associations; members of Congress and their staff; members of the judging panel; and local media and journalists. Tickets are $55 per person. For more information about the FEYA program or to order tickets, contact Marcia Prichard at mprichard@nspe.org.

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The National Society of Professional Engineers is the national society of licensed professional engineers from all disciplines that promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering, advocates licensure, and enhances the image and well-being of its members. Founded in 1934, NSPE serves more than 45,000 members and the public through 53 state and territorial societies and more than 500 chapters. For more information, please visit www.nspe.org.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Complimentary press passes are available for the event. Please watch your e-mail or mail for an invitation and more information, or contact Stacey Ober at 703-684-2815.