2009 Young Professional of the Year Award Winners

	Sarah Freeman Sarah Freeman, a water resources engineer for the Louis Berger Group, has worked on projects around the world both as a student and in her professional capacity. She is the founder, president, and graduate advisor of the Tufts University chapter of Engineers without Borders, and the International Assessor for the "Union por la Ecología y el Medio Ambiente," Lima, Peru. Fluent in Spanish (as well as English), Ms. Freeman led intense field activities in a water provision project in rural Ecuador; was a field team leader for a sanitation provision and training in a rural community project in China; and collaborated with SEDAPAL, Greater Lima’s water utility, to develop a water resources planning model using Water Evaluation and Planning System (WEAP) for the city’s future development. Ms. Freeman recently conducted a two year study that used global water data sets and GIS to document how the newly emerging concepts of hydroclimatic regimes and the landscape water availability depict a much richer picture of water availability in Africa than traditional studies indicated. A graduate of Tufts University in Massachusetts, Ms. Freeman earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in water resources engineering. sfreeman@louisberger.com
	Walter (Kyle) Bogardus, P.E. Kyle Bogardus, P.E., an assistant project manager at Langan Engineering and Environmental Services in New Haven, Connecticut, is responsible for the oversight of the production of conceptual, permitting and construction documents for a wide variety of site development projects. A civil engineer, with a bachelor’s degree from The Citadel, he specializes in stormwater management design studies and regulatory permitting. In addition to his civilian career, Bogardus is a Captain in the United States Army Reserve where he is currently serving as Company Commander of the 424th Engineer Company in Rutland, Vermont. The 424th is a vertical construction company comprised of 162 soldiers that supports the Army’s Engineer mission around the world. His unit has deployed to Kuwait/Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, to Germany in support of troop construction projects, and to Niger Africa in support of the global war on terrorism. kbogardus@langan.com
	Anna Maria Dix, P.E. Anna Maria Dix, P.E., a structural designer at Liftech Consultants Inc. in Oakland, California, has contributed to the development of the design process for the “ductile link” tie-down system used on dockside container cranes. In hurricane and typhoon regions, extreme winds cause cranes to collapse, costing millions of dollars in damages. The system allows ductile redistribution of tie-down forces, greatly improving the structures ability to resist extreme winds. The system is now widely used worldwide. She has also been involved in a fatigue study and report for Zhenhua Port Machinery Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of dockside container cranes, to determine the possible causes for chronic unexpected fatigue cracking. Dix holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Virginia Tech and a master’s in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. She is active with the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California in their Young Member Forum and outreach activities. adix@liftech.net
	K. Brent Gatlin, P.E. K. Brent Gatlin, P.E., a senior staff engineer at Langan Engineering and Environmental Services in New York, New York, has extensive water resources engineering experience and has applied “green” design to city parks, greenways, bicycle lanes, public schools, institutions, and multi-use developments. His expertise has been enhanced through his broad international experience, including performing the site design and layout of the new U.S. Embassy in Panama, as well as site improvements for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and David Farragut High School in Rota, Spain. Gatlin has also given back, working with Engineers Without Borders on the Cambodia Water Project design team to design and construct a new dam providing irrigation water for residents dealing with severe food shortages. In addition, he volunteers with New York Cares to help revitalize New York City. bgatlin@langan.com
	Joseph R. Tamburini, P.E. Joseph R. Tamburini, P.E., a senior engineer at Tetra Tech RTW in Denver, Colorado, provides water and wastewater treatment systems with engineering, design, process evaluations and construction services. He has led the design of five arsenic removal treatment plants utilizing different technologies including coagulation/filtration, ion exchange, and media absorption. Tamburini also develops computer modeling and process simulation tools for water, wastewater and air emissions. His prior industrial achievements include positions as an environmental engineer with Intel and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Tamburini holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a U.S. patent co-author for “Solar Thermal Aerosol Flow Reaction Process” and also teaches at the University of Colorado Activated Sludge Operators Training School and at the Grand Junction Operators School. Joe.r.tamburini@tetratech.com

For additional information or questions, please contact Daisy Nappier, dnappier@acec.org.