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American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): And the Award Goes to…
Read more about the I-4 Ultimate project on Page 36. Photo source: ASCE Florida Section
BY TZUFIT BOYLE, PE, PMP, F.ASCE
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Florida Section recognizes our members and the work that they do.
Each year we seek nominations for awards through our branches, which are reviewed and selected by our Award Committee comprised of recent past presidents. Several of our award winners have also received recognition through the years within Region 5 of ASCE, which encompasses Florida, Puerto Rico, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia.
Here is a look at this year’s Florida winners:
Project of the Year: New River Renewable Natural Gas Project
The work we do every day is often unseen by the public. The lives we improve with each completed project enjoy all modern comforts, but seldom do we think about how they happen. We recognize outstanding civil engineering achievements for the Project of the Year to highlight this work and recognize the project team.
Nominated by the Gainesville Branch, the New River Regional Landfill consists of an active 99-acre lined Class I Landfill and supporting infrastructure. The New River Solid Waste Association collaborates on research projects and pilot programs with the University of Florida's leading solid waste and sustainable materials management expert, Dr. Timothy Townsend.
The Renewable Natural Gas project is the first in Florida to convert landfill gas into pipeline-quality natural gas, as well as the first landfill to interconnect to the Florida Gas Transmission's interstate pipeline and inject processed landfill gas, which is treated to meet the strict pipeline-gas specifications.
Sustainable Project of the Year: I-4 Ultimate Project
This new award recognizes projects that use innovative design or construction methods to improve economic, social and environmental sustainability. These projects have attained Envision rating and/or Society awards, involve the public at the planning, design, construction and operations stages in the development of the project, and demonstrate significant participation by other disciplines on the team.
I-4 Mobility Partners, the public-private partnership rebuilding I-4 through Central Florida, earned the Envision Platinum rating for its ongoing programs to minimize environmental impacts, including relocating protected wildlife, using efficient machinery, controlling stormwater runoff, planting noninvasive vegetation, and recycling 99% of the concrete and steel removed from roads and bridges. The project also integrates rail projects and improved pedestrian crossings and connections with bike trails.
Young Engineer of the Year: Madeline Batey
Madeline Batey is actively involved in a vibrant Younger Member Group in Orlando, where she has organized many events and activities. She is involved with her local branch, the Florida Section and the Region, serving as a representative for the Florida Section on the ASCE Region 5 Younger Member Advisory Council.
She is also involved with the local chapters of other professional organizations, such as the Florida Engineering Society (FES) and the American Water Works Association. In her free time, she attends events with the Florida Trails Association and is a member of the Tarflower chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society in Central Florida. Batey is an Associate Engineer at Chen Moore and Associates.
Government Engineer of the Year: Nicole Bohaczyk
Nicole Bohaczyk has not only been involved in all aspects of her local branch but is also the past ASCE Younger Member Group Chair within the Florida Section. She enjoys working closely with the University of North Florida Student Chapter and local branch.
Bohaczyk was instrumental in the planning and hosting of the 2023 ASCE Southeast Student Symposium that was held in Jacksonville in March. She is involved with MATHCOUNTS, the American Society of Highway Engineers, and the Northeast Florida Construction Career Days. She enjoys volunteering at Feeding Northeast Florida and at HabiJax, the local Habitat for Humanity Chapter, positively and directly impacting her local lives in her community. Bohaczyk is a Geotechnical Engineer at the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Engineer of the Year: Matt Landschoot
The award for Engineer of the Year recognizes an individual who has personal character, integrity and public image above reproach, an established reputation for service to ASCE and the engineering profession, and for civic, community and public activities.
Matt Landschoot’s involvement and volunteer activities have been felt throughout the local branches and Florida Section, as well as other organizations such as Geotechnical and Materials Engineers Committee of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida. He also serves on the Northeast Florida Construction Career Days. His continued mentorship and leadership are qualities that we should all aspire for to enrich our local community and to inspire the engineers that come after us. Landschoot is a Vice President, Senior Geotechnical Engineer, and a partner owner of Environmental and Geotechnical Specialists, Inc. (EGS).
In addition to these awards, winners have been promoted to Region 5 for award consideration. The Florida Section is proud of all these achievements and hopes that the candidates we have put forward will be selected in the Region as well.
