November/December 2019

PEople

Bergmann, a national engineering firm, has added Nikhil Bodhankar, P.E., as a principal in its Albany, New York, office. Bodhankar has more than a decade of experience in engineering research, sustainable infrastructure design, and renewable energy. Bodhankar is president of the Capital District chapter of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers and received the NSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award in 2018. He is also a trustee of NSPE Education Foundation. Bodhankar holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics and telecommunications engineering from the University of Pune (India) and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University.

Sam Cole, P.E., was hired by the city of Danville, Illinois, to serve as city engineer. With more than 12 years of experience, Cole has worked as a municipal engineer and engineering consultant for private businesses, developers, and municipalities of various sizes. He has experience serving as a project manager for several engineering design projects, completing topographic surveys, and overseeing construction by outside contractors and public works staff. Cole is a graduate of Danville Area Community College and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Mike Opat, P.E., has joined Houston Engineering Inc.’s Fargo, North Dakota, team as a senior project manager. In this role, Opat will support business development strategies and manage water resources projects for the firm. He has more than 15 years of experience as a senior project manager. The West Fargo resident is a certified floodplain manager with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University and a master’s degree in management from the University of Mary.

Pare Corporation, a multidisciplinary engineering firm, has promoted Kenneth DeCosta, P.E., to chief operating officer. DeCosta has been with Pare for more than 25 years. As COO, DeCosta will be responsible for leading company initiatives, including the implementation of strategies and policies, contract administration, IT, CAD, and health and safety. DeCosta earned his bachelor’s in civil and environmental engineering at Southeastern Massachusetts University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut.

Howard “Skip” Harclerode II, P.E., has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award with special commendation from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Harclerode, president and owner of KBD Engineering Company in Phoenix, Maryland, has served NCEES in many positions, including chairing the Committee on Finances and serving as 2011–13 northeast zone vice president. A volunteer with the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering Chemical Exam Development Committee since 2005, Harclerode served as vice chair from 2015 to 2018 and has served as chair since 2018.

Ken Todd, P.E., was chosen unanimously as the recipient of the 2019 Civil Engineering Outstanding Fellows Award by the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alabama for his contributions to the department and for his professional achievements. Todd, an advisory board member for the department and alumnus of the university with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, is the vice president of construction at McAbee Construction Inc., based in Tuscaloosa.