Stephen W. Bartha, P.E., serves as a senior tunnel safety engineer for the Federal Highway Administration (FHA). His duties in the role include maintaining, updating, and implementing the National Tunnel Inspection Program (NTIP), which oversees the safety of all highway tunnels throughout the United States. A graduate of Northeastern University with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering, Bartha has spent more than 20 years working to ensure road safety in America.

Among Bartha’s numerous accomplishments, he played a major role in laying the groundwork for the publication and implementation of the National Tunnel Inspection Standards in 2015. Since then, he has continued his work to refine and enhance those standards, identifying knowledge gaps within the program and helping to develop projects and policies designed to improve the inspection, operation, and maintenance of highway tunnels. Bartha has also served as a leader on various initiatives related to the implementation of the 2022 update to the National Bridge Inspection Standards and the Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory. Through this work, he has identified and mitigated national risks to bridge and tunnel safety.

He has won numerous awards, including the 2020 FHWA Administrator's Excellence in Teamwork Award for National Tunnel Inspection Oversight Team and the 2023 FHWA Administrator's Excellence in Engineering Award.

John Constantinide, P.E., is a range engineer and energy manager for the Engineering Flight at the 45th Civil Engineer Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base in Florida. He has served in multiple engineering roles throughout his career, demonstrating excellent leadership and technical expertise.

Constantinide managed a $22 million energy and utility program in support of operations at Patrick Space Force Base, Cape Canaveral Space Station, and Ascension Auxiliary Airfield. He provided leadership in more than 200 launch missions and oversaw design, site planning, and project reviews that contributed to a cumulative project value of $80 million and saved the U.S. government more than $1.8 million annually.

In addition, Constantinide has made significant contributions to his field’s body of knowledge through numerous peer-reviewed publications, guest lectures at universities, and technical and professional seminars. These efforts have helped enhance understanding of indoor air quality, workforce health, and environmental controls for space habitats.

Constantinide is the recipient of the 2022 ASHRAE George B. Hightower Technical Achievement Award and was selected as a Fellow of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) in 2023. He holds bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and biology as well as a master’s degree in environmental resource management.
 

Lt. Matthew R. Fann, P.E., is a facilities engineer for the United States Coast Guard at Base Charleston. He received multiple degrees from The Citadel, including a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in project management.

As a lead engineer and subject matter expert for the electrical engineering discipline, Fann identified a potentially life-threatening shock hazard on the newest National Security Cutter in January 2024. After authoring a technical engineering memo, he led an electrical working group that rapidly deployed safe electrical infrastructure for the cutter, eliminating the danger. In the process, the team identified a plethora of Coast Guard-wide systemic electrical issues regarding ship-to-shore power. Subsequently, Fann led technical discussions that led to the identification and addressing of electrical issues at every Coast Guard installation and on every National Security Cutter. He is currently working on proposed changes to the National Electrical Code to address specific ship-to-shore electrical safety requirements.

As facilities engineer, Fann is also providing technical guidance for the design, construction, and maintenance of Base Charleston’s shore infrastructure as it expands to become the operational center of gravity for Coast Guard east coast assets. For his efforts, Fann has been awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.

CDR Praveen K.C., P.E., is a senior mechanical engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a team lead, K.C. conducted a six-year project that identified and rectified health and safety issues that potentially impacted 90% of fume hoods nationwide due to equipment reliability issues. That process included creating a new fume hood performance manual that recommends a collaborative approach process and outlines health and safety requirements for EPA Lab projects across the country.

As a contracting officer representative, K.C. also managed 80 engineering tasks to ensure that facilities in 13 states were in compliance with all regulations to reduce their environmental impact. In 2024, he led the troubleshooting and reopening of 20 forensic labs in Colorado that had been shut down for several days due to electrical issues.

Throughout his distinguished career, K.C. has received numerous awards and citations. Most recently he was named USPHS Engineer Responder of the Year and was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Medal and Commendation Medal. He holds bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu and the University of Alaska and has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lamar University.

Md Adnan Khan, Ph.D., P.E., MBA has more than a decade of professional experience in engineering design, research, and management. Since joining the Department of Veterans Affairs, he has demonstrated strong technical leadership while overseeing project development, contractor vetting, and contract awards.

Among Adnan’s various impressive achievements, he established a water management program that prioritizes patient safety and implemented a real-time data acquisition system to aid in long-term planning and resource allocation. Under his guidance, the Maintenance and Operations group significantly increased work order completion and reduced task completion times. Adnan also leads training programs designed to help facilitate transitions as senior employees retire and junior employees become shop leaders.

Adnan is also heavily involved in advancing post-pandemic risk management practices to move agencies out of crisis mode and back to a focus on routine. In addition, he is committed to sharing knowledge and resources across the VA network, working to build partnerships with other VA stations.

In addition to his bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees in civil engineering, Adnan holds an MBA in general management from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Major Brigham Moore, Ph.D., P.E., PMP has served in the United States Air Force for nearly 15 years. In that time, his roles have included civil engineer, chief of programs, chief of operations engineering, and deputy commander of the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron.

As a civil engineer, Moore supervised, led, and instructed a team of project managers for a multi-million dollar Department of Defense contract. As chief of programs, he served as lead engineer for an airfield and repair agreement between the Department of State and the Government of Honduras. In 2021, he earned his PhD in systems engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology.

In 2024, Moore was assigned to oversee a military construction project that sought to alleviate carcinogenic exposure to industrial chemicals and provide corrosion control for aircraft assets. The project had previously been deemed a failure and was on the verge of cancellation when Moore took control and quickly developed an innovative design solution that saved the effort.

Currently, Moore leads a diverse team of military, U.S. and Korean civilians, and contract engineers to maintain and manage two runways, 284 linear miles of utilities, and 2400 housing units with a combined worth of $7.4 billion.

Ann Taylor Priest, P.E., is a graduate of Virginia Tech University and Old Dominion University, holding both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in civil engineering. In her current role as a civil engineer with the United States Navy, she has proven to be an exceptional leader and technical expert who has achieved outstanding results in various NAVFAC projects to deliver mission-critical infrastructure in support of the U.S. Navy and NATO.

As an engineer for MH60R Squadron Support Facilities on Rota, Priest oversaw technical administration and design during the construction of a helicopter hangar. She worked assiduously to ensure contractor adherence to UFCs, DD1391, and local regulations while addressing complex technical queries and conducting rigorous quality assurance reviews. Priest also managed design/construction oversight for a $40 million Hot Cargo Apron Expansion and Dangerous Cargo Pad in Keflavik, Iceland. As design manager, Priest oversaw construction of aprons, taxiways, and storm water systems in coordination with the Icelandic Coast Guard. In addition, she led the in-house design for a P8A Taxiway-Apron Upgrade at NAS Sigonella, conducting surveys, field assessments, and pavement design while ensuring operational continuity of the airfield during construction. For her efforts, Priest has been the winner of the Performance Award for four years running.

Lt. Colonel Thomas M. Synovec, Ph.D., P.E., is commander of the 7th Civil Engineer Squadron in the United States Air Force. He holds a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and PhD in civil engineering as well as master’s degrees in engineering management and military operational art and science. Over the past three years, he has commanded two squadrons and a Mission Support Group, leading 2,000 personnel and overseeing the maintenance of 2600 facilities while also being responsible for a large construction portfolio that includes the B-21 beddown at Dyess Air Force Base.

Synovec led the planning of the Air Force’s first water blackout exercises and the base’s first energy exercises, validating the continuity of operations for a $9 billion flying mission. He also implemented a $137 million energy savings performance contract, coordinating high-voltage switching operations, installing automatic electrical meters, and establishing a base-wide micro-grid for backup power.

During the worst natural disaster in NATO's history, Synovec personally safeguarded his unit through base recovery and humanitarian operations. He led 45 airmen in assessing 1400 facilities, 932 houses, and the region’s only operable airfield in the first 24 hours.

Synovec is a two-time winner of the Meritorious Service Medal Award, and in 2024 he was given the Maj Gen Dean Fox Award as Civil Engineering Field Grade Officer of the Year.

Dr. Brandon L. Toliver P.E., holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, master’s degrees in business administration and international relations, and a PhD in engineering management. In 2022, Toliver led a specialized branch in managing Air Force Installation & Mission Support Assets. That year, he won the Outstanding Federal Planning Program Award for developing a command planning playbooks that standardized U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) installation requirements. He has also overseen the F-35 beddown, designed a vital HVAC system for the USAFE server center, managed $340 million in classified infrastructure projects supporting nuclear surety assets, and coordinated a $900 million consolidation plan that influenced decision by the Secretary of Defense.

Toliver currently serves as the SAME Service Liaison Officer, a role in which he is the primary link between the Air Force and the SAME National Leadership Team. He is a leader in climate and resilience strategies with a focus on preparing for and adapting to utility disruptions and environmental changes to maintain mission-critical operations.

Highly regard for his communication skills, ethics, and conflict resolution acumen, Toliver has won numerous awards, including the US Navy National Defense Award & Global War on Terrorism, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, the Non-Article NATO 5 Medal.

Before becoming Program Manager and Lead Hydrologist at the Tennessee Valley Authority, Mile Yaw, P.E., earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Washington State University and his master’s degree in the same engineering discipline at Colorado State University. His education has served him well in his professional endeavors.

At the TVA, Yaw led a team to develop and improve estimates of hydrologic risk in order to enhance dam safety. Under his guidance, they created a highly efficient system to generate baseline risk estimates, evaluate structural and policy alternatives, and estimate climate change impacts on the safety of the TVA’s dam portfolio as well as the benefits of the agency’s management of the Tennessee River System. This framework has become an essential component of readiness in advance of significant natural events, helping TVA prepare for and manage the risks of extreme hydrology.

Due to its impact on the industry, Yaw’s work has been featured in a USSD Bulletin, won the TVA Climate Change Action Award, and been the subject of a keynote address on Modeling Frameworks to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s PFHA conference. Yaw has used the platform he has earned to engage the industry more broadly, providing lectures and presentations to federal partners, universities, and industry groups.