2007 MLAB AWARD WINNERS

By Hector Bordas, P.E. - Chair of MLAB Awards Committee

As the deadline for people to nominate projects or persons for an MLAB award came closer and closer I started to get a bit nervous because I had not received any nominations for 2007. Numerous emails were sent out and phone calls were made to get folks excited about nominating Civil Engineering achievements for 2007. My fears were relived when a flurry of nominations came in mid-June and once again we had success. Thanks to all that came through to nominate and praise achievements in our field.

Now before you read on, I need to point out that I was one of the persons that received a nomination (and also selected for an award). And no, I didn't ask someone to nominate me, but I am very grateful and honored to receive an award.

Without any further ado, following are the 2007 ASCE MLAB award winners:

Outstanding Government Civil Engineering Project

Greater LA County Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP)

The IRWMP is an unprecedented effort to address water quality, water supply and environmental issues through collaborative efforts of hundreds of organizations including cities, county, water supply agencies, non-profit and environmental groups.

Technical Excellence

Solid Waste Information Management System (SWIMS)

SWIMS is a web-enabled solution developed by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works that allows for the uploading, managing, reporting, publicizing, and downloading of solid waste disposal information for the County of Los Angeles.

Outstanding Younger Civil Engineer

Julia Moye

Ms. Moye spearheaded social events, community outreach programs, engineers without borders coordination, and the overall financial management of the budget for MLAB Younger Member Forum. Her successes included securing a $60,000 dollar operating budget that allowed all MLAB YMF activities to be possible.

Outstanding Civil Engineer in Government

Hector J. Bordas

As a result of Mr. Bordasâ?? direct leadership in Los Angeles County, significant progress is being made towards the planning and funding of critical civil engineering infrastructure for the improvement of the Countyâ??s water resources over the next 20 years.

Outstanding Civil Engineer in Private Sector

Michael Drennan

Mr. Drennanâ??s ongoing leadership in Los Angeles County and southern California over the past 16 years has resulted in significant progress towards important civil engineering achievements in the field of water resources management. Mr. Drennan is the Southern California Watershed Management Practice Leader for Brown and Caldwell. Michael assists urban communities meet their water resource, water quality, and public infrastructure needs, while protecting and enhancing their natural ecosystems.

Outstanding Public/Private Sector Civil Engineering Project

City of Santa Clarita, Intelligent Transportation Management System

The project implemented nearly ten miles of single mode fiber optic cable in a combination of new and existing conduit to provide cable based communications to critical intersections in the City. The system will have the capacity and topology to migrate into an ultimate multiple ring communication system. The project includes connection of all existing video detection units and CCTV cameras within the project limits.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Nominations for the 2008 awards are due in June 30, 2008. It is never too early to start to think of whom to nominate.