Engineer of the Year
Annually, ACEC/MD honors the accomplishments of an engineer from a small firm and an engineer from a mid-large firm who have contributed to the engineering profession and impacted society. These are two separate awards. The nomination form below can be used to apply for either award.
Submit completed nomination form electronically to the appropriate link below by January 8, 2025.
Engineer of the Year (Small Firm):
https://gfnet.sharefile.com/r-ra3bc7eb2279a4022a9319daf60a977d6
https://gfnet.sharefile.com/r-ra3bc7eb2279a4022a9319daf60a977d6
Engineer of the Year (Mid-Large Firm):
https://gfnet.sharefile.com/r-r1f540d35cf954ebd8a2eb5c2fe324349
https://gfnet.sharefile.com/r-r1f540d35cf954ebd8a2eb5c2fe324349
2022 Winners
Aneesha Griffin
Small Firm
Aneesha has dedicated the last five years since CST Engineering Inc.’s inception to its stability and growth, as well as to advocacy efforts in the industry and K‐12 education. She wears many hats within CST, being responsible for technical duties such as the performance of traffic analyses and preparation of design plans; managerial duties such as the supervision of junior engineers and technicians, as well as billing and marketing staff; and administrative duties such as the management of financial, contractual, and marketing/proposal matters. Through her hard work and dedication, she has helped to build CST’s reputation for quality, not just for technical deliverables, but also for invoices and proposal materials. Aneesha has participated on a variety of challenging projects including implementation of innovative techniques and technologies. Her major projects include the Purple Line P3, the Congestion Relief Plan P3, and the Harry Nice Bridge Design‐Build projects. She also played a pivotal role in the preparation of two winning proposals for SBE set‐aside contracts with MDOT SHA.
In addition to her dedication to CST, Aneesha has been a champion for the concerns of the small business industry by being the chair of the ACEC/MD SBE Committee for the last four years. She also volunteers her time outside of work to advocate for STEM education in K‐12 schools, especially efforts that encourage young women and minorities to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Aneesha has dedicated the last five years since CST Engineering Inc.’s inception to its stability and growth, as well as to advocacy efforts in the industry and K‐12 education. She wears many hats within CST, being responsible for technical duties such as the performance of traffic analyses and preparation of design plans; managerial duties such as the supervision of junior engineers and technicians, as well as billing and marketing staff; and administrative duties such as the management of financial, contractual, and marketing/proposal matters. Through her hard work and dedication, she has helped to build CST’s reputation for quality, not just for technical deliverables, but also for invoices and proposal materials. Aneesha has participated on a variety of challenging projects including implementation of innovative techniques and technologies. Her major projects include the Purple Line P3, the Congestion Relief Plan P3, and the Harry Nice Bridge Design‐Build projects. She also played a pivotal role in the preparation of two winning proposals for SBE set‐aside contracts with MDOT SHA.In addition to her dedication to CST, Aneesha has been a champion for the concerns of the small business industry by being the chair of the ACEC/MD SBE Committee for the last four years. She also volunteers her time outside of work to advocate for STEM education in K‐12 schools, especially efforts that encourage young women and minorities to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Bharat Kumar Peddu
Mid-Large Firm
Bharat’s creative design work on the MARC Wedge Storage Yard, Purple Line, CSX Transportation MARC Capacity Expansion projects, and Lehigh Access Tracks, among many others, illustrates his strong focus on providing Rail and Transit clients with innovative solutions that overcome the complex challenges they face. Bharat started working at Gannett Fleming in 2008 and immediately took the lead track design role on the MARC Wedge Storage Yard project—a $38.5 million, multi‐phase project that provides midday storage, planned maintenance, inspection, and servicing of 46 MARC commuter railcars—winning the past MdQI Project of the Year Award.
Bharat exemplifies Gannett Fleming’s commitment to delivering excellence to clients. Bharat’s capabilities were wholeheartedly endorsed from Harry Romano, Rail Program and Policy Manager for Office of Freight and Multimodalism, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). MDOT praised Bharat’s work in a letter where Mr. Romano wrote, “I have worked closely with Bharat since September 2015 on capital projects, studies of varying complexity, and random matters that arise. His engineering experience and expertise, and enthusiasm for tasks and subject matter have proven a valuable asset.”
Bharat’s enthusiasm, engineering expertise, attention to detail, outstanding communication skills, and exceptional management skills allow him to execute engineering projects at a very high level. As demonstrated by the projects above and client’s feedback, through Bharat’s work, clients are able to continue to serve their constituents, customers and protect the environment.
Bharat’s creative design work on the MARC Wedge Storage Yard, Purple Line, CSX Transportation MARC Capacity Expansion projects, and Lehigh Access Tracks, among many others, illustrates his strong focus on providing Rail and Transit clients with innovative solutions that overcome the complex challenges they face. Bharat started working at Gannett Fleming in 2008 and immediately took the lead track design role on the MARC Wedge Storage Yard project—a $38.5 million, multi‐phase project that provides midday storage, planned maintenance, inspection, and servicing of 46 MARC commuter railcars—winning the past MdQI Project of the Year Award.Bharat exemplifies Gannett Fleming’s commitment to delivering excellence to clients. Bharat’s capabilities were wholeheartedly endorsed from Harry Romano, Rail Program and Policy Manager for Office of Freight and Multimodalism, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). MDOT praised Bharat’s work in a letter where Mr. Romano wrote, “I have worked closely with Bharat since September 2015 on capital projects, studies of varying complexity, and random matters that arise. His engineering experience and expertise, and enthusiasm for tasks and subject matter have proven a valuable asset.”
Bharat’s enthusiasm, engineering expertise, attention to detail, outstanding communication skills, and exceptional management skills allow him to execute engineering projects at a very high level. As demonstrated by the projects above and client’s feedback, through Bharat’s work, clients are able to continue to serve their constituents, customers and protect the environment.
2021 Winners
David R. Hoffman, PE
Small Firm
Dave is an extraordinary mechanical engineer and leader. His passion for mechanical engineering radiates from him and those working around him benefit from his willingness to share his experience and knowledge. He is “hands on” with every single project produced. He collaborates and invites others to share their engineering or construction experience, regardless of position or credentials. Because of Dave’s willingness to collaborate and share his knowledge, he was nominated and awarded the Association of Energy Engineers, National Capitol Chapter’s Energy Engineer of the Year Award in 2017.
Dave’s focus is always on “what is right for the Owner” and their facility or system. He often spearheads the research and feasibility of new technologies and examines how to apply them to our projects. He develops checklists and master templates for his colleagues regarding what will work, what won’t, and always shares his “lessons learned”. His fundamental engineering knowledge and field expertise are un-paralleled in the industry. Our owner clients seek Dave out to address their “unsolvable” issues. This shows a high level of respect, trust, and appreciation for his abilities.
Finally, Dave loves to share his passion for mechanical engineering and design. He has presented engineering topics for ASHRAE, MD Public Schools, the ACE Program, and various other organizations. He volunteers his time to meet with students, contractors, facility planners, and other engineers to share his knowledge and experience in designing mechanical and plumbing systems for public facilities.
Dave is an extraordinary mechanical engineer and leader. His passion for mechanical engineering radiates from him and those working around him benefit from his willingness to share his experience and knowledge. He is “hands on” with every single project produced. He collaborates and invites others to share their engineering or construction experience, regardless of position or credentials. Because of Dave’s willingness to collaborate and share his knowledge, he was nominated and awarded the Association of Energy Engineers, National Capitol Chapter’s Energy Engineer of the Year Award in 2017.Dave’s focus is always on “what is right for the Owner” and their facility or system. He often spearheads the research and feasibility of new technologies and examines how to apply them to our projects. He develops checklists and master templates for his colleagues regarding what will work, what won’t, and always shares his “lessons learned”. His fundamental engineering knowledge and field expertise are un-paralleled in the industry. Our owner clients seek Dave out to address their “unsolvable” issues. This shows a high level of respect, trust, and appreciation for his abilities.
Finally, Dave loves to share his passion for mechanical engineering and design. He has presented engineering topics for ASHRAE, MD Public Schools, the ACE Program, and various other organizations. He volunteers his time to meet with students, contractors, facility planners, and other engineers to share his knowledge and experience in designing mechanical and plumbing systems for public facilities.
Elrold D. Jackson, PE
Mid-Large Firm
Elrold’s leadership and effective project management skills, coupled with his knowledge of multiple disciplines within civil engineering, serve as the foundation for his professional success. He oversees the design and construction of large public works projects for Baltimore City and the Maryland Department of Transportation. He has served as Project Executive or Program Manager on some of the largest projects in Baltimore City’s recent history, including the $441 million dollar Sinclair Lane Bridge Reconstruction Project and the $1.2 billion dollar Southeast Baltimore Development Infrastructure Improvement Program. This $1.2 billion dollar effort was supported by a diverse group of design and construction professionals representing 12 minority and women-owned business enterprises and involved coordinating with multiple agencies and community stakeholders. As a result of his efforts, he was recently selected as the Director of the Maryland Transportation Authority’s $3 billion dollar Capital Program.
Elrold’s leadership and effective project management skills, coupled with his knowledge of multiple disciplines within civil engineering, serve as the foundation for his professional success. He oversees the design and construction of large public works projects for Baltimore City and the Maryland Department of Transportation. He has served as Project Executive or Program Manager on some of the largest projects in Baltimore City’s recent history, including the $441 million dollar Sinclair Lane Bridge Reconstruction Project and the $1.2 billion dollar Southeast Baltimore Development Infrastructure Improvement Program. This $1.2 billion dollar effort was supported by a diverse group of design and construction professionals representing 12 minority and women-owned business enterprises and involved coordinating with multiple agencies and community stakeholders. As a result of his efforts, he was recently selected as the Director of the Maryland Transportation Authority’s $3 billion dollar Capital Program.