The National Society of Professional Engineers officially welcomed William “Bill” Atkinson, P.E., F.NSPE, as its 2023-2024 president beginning July 1, 2023. A formal installation ceremony took place at the Society’s annual Professional Engineers Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on August 3, 2023.

“I am honored and humbled to stand here before you,” said Atkinson at the installation ceremony. “But as I look out and see all the remarkable people in the room, I know that the true power of the association does not lie with me, it lies within you. We have so many state and chapter organizations and individuals who are doing amazing things in the pursuit of excellence for the profession, NSPE, and our future. As with everything we do, together we are stronger.”

A member of NSPE and the Vermont Society of Professional Engineers, Atkinson has held many volunteer leadership positions with NSPE including serving on the Committee on Policy and Advocacy, as a mentor for the Emerging Leaders Program, as Vermont’s representative to the NSPE House of Delegates, and as the NSPE Vermont President . Atkinson was named an NSPE Fellow in 2021, and previously served as the state society president in Vermont.

Atkinson is currently the director of engineering, and a member of the executive team, at Vermont Mechanical Incorporated (VMI). There he is responsible for all engineering and has input into the overall company direction for one of the  largest mechanical and plumbing contractors in Vermont. He started at VMI as a mechanical designer and has progressed to his current position after over 20 years of service. At VMI he found strong support from the Owner Randy Kimball in pursuing professional development through civic and volunteer engagements that benefited the Profession and local community.

Atkinson became a professional engineer through a somewhat nontraditional route, first attending a community college program at SUNY Canton where he earned an associate degree in engineering science and later transferred to Clarkson University, where he completed his studies in mechanical engineering. After graduation, he worked “in the woods” as a chainsaw and skidder operator before moving to Maine where he worked for Diamond Phoenix, designing automated material handling equipment. He then relocated to Vermont and began working at VMI. It was at VMI where Atkinson realized becoming a PE was instrumental to progressing in his career and attaining a leadership role and proceeded to take the exams to become licensed. He is currently a licensed professional engineer in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.

During his fundamental years as an engineer, Atkinson joined the American Society for Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) where he honed his technical skills and his leadership skills, participating in volunteer roles as a leader and trainer at the state and regional levels. This led to becoming one of the founding members of ASHRAE’s Design Build Task Group, as well as serving on national committees and training the presidents-elect at the regional level.

In 2005, Atkinson attended a meeting of the Vermont Professional Engineering Licensure Board, and shortly thereafter was appointed to the Board by the Governor. He served on the Board for the maximum tenure of 10 years, four of those as Chair, which then made him eligible to serve on national committees for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). He has been appointed to an NCEES committee or task force yearly since 2013, including serving as chair of the Committee on Examination Policy and Procedures, the Leadership Development Committee, and currently serves on the NCEES Examination Audit Committee as a Vermont Emeritus Licensing Board Member.

As a leader, Atkinson firmly believes that the strength in any team is a building a strong consensus from a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and opinions. A diverse team developing and building a consensus allows everyone to have a productive voice and be a part of crafting the best possible outcome.

Outside of work and volunteering, Atkinson enjoys spending time with his two sons and wife Kim (also a professional engineer). The family can be found playing outdoors in all seasons, especially in the woods, at a hockey rink (or their backyard rink), on the soccer field, or on a ski slope.