Captain Timothy Callahan, P.E., an instructor and course director at the Air Force Institute of Technology's Civil Engineer School at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, has been named the National Society of Professional Engineers’ 2014 Federal Engineer of the Year. Callahan received the honor during the 35th Annual FEYA Banquet at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on February 20, 2014.

The National Society of Professional Engineers recently played a lead role in drafting the 2014 National Engineers Week Resolution, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Daniel Lipinski (IL-3) on February 11. The bipartisan resolution, H. Res 483, supports the goals and ideals of Engineers Week, which is being celebrated February 16–22.

–The National Society of Professional Engineers has recently released the first edition of the Engineering Body of Knowledge (EBOK), a document aimed at defining the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for the practice of engineering as a professional engineer. While other organizations have developed bodies of knowledge specific to their engineering disciplines, this is the first effort within the U.S. engineering profession that addresses those issues specifically related to professional engineers and is applicable to all disciplines.

The National Society of Professional Engineers, at the request of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, has endorsed the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014. Introduced by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT), this legislation (S.1982) addresses the needs of the veterans’ community and responds to issues raised by veterans and their organizations in numerous hearings and private meetings.

Whether its directing national or global disaster recovery and mitigation efforts; maintaining power stability and efficiency of vital infrastructure; providing airfield and weapons expertise to support military operations; identifying and reducing occupational hazards; or instructing the future generations of military civil engineers, these are just some of the responsibilities of the 10 high-caliber finalists for this year’s Federal Engineer of the Year Award program.

–The National Society of Professional Engineers has endorsed the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Enhancement and Improvement Act of 2013. Introduced by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV), this legislation (S.1579) would ensure that our nation’s service members are recognized for their invaluable contributions to our nation and for their personal sacrifices.

The National Society of Professional Engineers has urged the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to strengthen its qualification standards for filling federal professional engineering positions. OPM recently issued a proposed draft revision to the current qualification standards that would add ABET-accredited engineering technology bachelor degrees as qualifying for professional engineering positions.

As part of its "100 Years of Licensure" celebration activities, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has partnered with the National Council of Engineering Examiners and Surveyors (NCEES) to continue the promotion of licensure and its importance to both the engineering profession and the public health, safety, and welfare.

The National Society of Professional Engineers is pleased to announce that Lawrence A. Jacobson has been named to serve as the Society's executive director by the NSPE Board of Directors at its meeting on January 6 in Jacksonville, Florida. Jacobson brings a wealth of leadership experience in association management and will lead the organization in its efforts to promote professional licensure and the engineering profession.