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The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has welcomed seven (7) professional engineers to its 2025 class of Fellow members. The Fellow designation honors active NSPE members who have demonstrated exemplary and devoted service to their profession, the Society, and their community. Requirements for the title include holding at least one elected office at any level and active involvement at the national level.

Among this year’s distinguished honorees is Phil Gundvaldson, P.E., from South Dakota. He has been a dedicated member of NSPE and the South Dakota Engineering Society (NSPE-SD) for many years. He is the cofounder of Infrastructure Design Group, Inc., a Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based firm that provides engineering, surveying, and consulting services to municipalities, departments of transportation, and private sector clients. In his role as president, he has overseen the company’s growth from two employees to nearly 30 full-time employees in three offices across South Dakota.

Throughout his professional career, Gundvaldson has served as an impactful member of NSPE, NSPE-SD, and the Eastern Chapter of NSPE-SD. Among the leadership roles he has taken on in these societies are chapter and state society president, South Dakota representative in the NSPE House of Delegates, and the NSPE North Central Regional Director. In these positions, he has worked tirelessly on initiatives focused on promoting the profession, protecting licensure, and enhancing professional development. He has also strived to foster a sense of community and service among NSPE members while serving as a mentor to countless young engineers who have benefitted tremendously from his willingness to share his knowledge and insights.

In addition to being a valued member of NSPE, Gundvaldson and his firm are also members of the American Council of Engineering Companies of South Dakota, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and the American Public Works Association.

Gundvaldson’ s dedication to the engineering profession has not gone unrecognized over the years. Early in his career, he was named the NSPE-SD Young Engineer of the Year. In 2020, NSPE-SD named him Outstanding Engineer of the Year. He has also won outstanding engineering achievement awards as team leader/design team member in 2020 and 2021.

NSPE state and territorial societies can nominate one person for each 500 voting members on their rolls per year. Nominations are also open to NSPE interest groups, chartered affinity groups, and the Board of Directors. Since its establishment in 2000, around one percent of all NSPE members have advanced to this highest rank in volunteer membership.

“It is with great enthusiasm that we recognize this year’s class of Fellows, who have been selected by their peers for exceptional and dedicated service at the chapter, state, and national levels of NSPE,” says NSPE President Brian Malm, P.E., F.NSPE. “NSPE is proud of their accomplishments and indelible mark on the engineering profession, the Society, and their communities. We look forward to their continued leadership and contributions.”

The 2025 NSPE Fellows include the following (in alphabetical order):

Phil Gundvaldson, P.E., South Dakota – North Central
Susan Habina-Woolard, P.E., North Carolina – Southeast Region
Colin Hewett, P.E., Maine – Northeast Region
Brian LaFoy, P.E., ENV SP, Texas – Southwest Region
Jennifer Nolan-Kremm, P.E., Pennsylvania – Northeast Region
Travis L. Rhoades, P.E., Ohio – Central Region
Aurea L. Rivera, P.E., PMP, PMI-ACP, Ohio – Central Region