On February 18, 2023, the Pittsburgh Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers hosted their annual Engineers Week banquet at the Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania in downtown Pittsburgh. The engineering community, family members, and friends came out to show their support of the Section’s Award and Student Award Foundation recipients. Nadeen Agag, ASCE’s newly appointed Deputy Program Director, greeted event attendees and offered lapel flowers to the award winners.
The banquet started with a social hour, but like all other previous banquets ran a bit long because “Engineers, love to talk, catch up with old friends and meet new people. But the show needed to go on o in keeping with recent tradition, the Emcee for the event, Pat Sullivan, PE used his microphone like voice to ‘recommend’ that people start their trek upstairs to the banquet room.
Tom Batroney, PE, Pittsburgh Section President, ‘permitted’ Pat to dish out a 10-minute monologue about whatever Pat had on his mind… And this year it was toilet paper! You had to be there. Pat’s monologue also highlighted a pictorial presentation of “Who were they before they became ASCE officers?” that really got the audience engaged! Of course Pat went a bit long….you know how HE likes to talk, but unfortunately no one was going to tell him that he was done! Past Past president and Awards Chairman Jonathan Shimko tried, but to no avail! 
However, ASCE was excited to see four Past Presidents in attendance; Jonathan Shimko, Kemal Nitzik, Bob Dengler … and of course Pat Sullivan! We hope to see (most of) them again soon! ;-)
Corporate Sponsors were recognized with a certificate and true to form, Pat invited them to say a few words about whatever they wanted. Thanks again to our corporate sponsors Anser Advisory, Arcadis, HDR, and Michael Baker International.
Because Pat does not like to sit down, UESI Pittsburgh Chapter Chair Alma Rettinger, PE (Pat’s special assistant for the banquet) implemented some last minute seating changes to allow a few friends to sit together, resulting in Pat sitting at the Arcadis table, where everyone enjoyed a great buffet dinner of chicken, Italian pasta, prime rib, salmon, and vegetables. Dessert was vanilla or chocolate cake with chocolate icing (Pat lobbied hard for this dessert!) Did we mention that Maître de Mike Gaetano of ESWP is the powerhouse behind these events?
Following dinner, the real reason for the Engineer’s Week banquet commenced: To recognize the achievements of projects, people, students, and companies in our Section. This year, Jonathan Shimko, Erin Feichtner, PE, President-Elect Bill Trimbath, PE, and Jeff Argyros, PE did a marvelous job presenting the awards. Thanks for their help!
The 2022 award winners are as follows:
SAF American Bridge Leadership Award Cain Pfoutz, University of Pittsburgh
SAF Italo V. (Ody ) Mackin Achievement Award Josephine Reott, Slippery Rock University
Civil Engineering Achievement Award Fern Hollow Bridge Emergency Replacement Project
Award of Merit Highland No. 2 Reservoir Liner and Cover Replacement Project
Sustainability Award Somerset Dam Rehabilitation Project
Service to the People Award Rick Obermeier
Journalism Award Margaret Krauss
Young Government Civil Engineer Award Anna Bennett
Government Civil Engineer Award Barry King, PE
Young Civil Engineer Award Erin Feichtner, PE
Civil Engineer Award Brad Duda, PE
Distinguished Civil Engineer Award John Yadlosky, PE
Employer of the Year Award Langan
The event concluded with a second thanks to all of our sponsors, including our Gold Sponsors: Langan, Wade Trim and Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. and the prize raffle, which again was highlighted by the annual humongous CEC food basket.
Thanks to everyone who attended, and we will see you at the next Section event, the Lifetime Member Recognition Banquet at the LaMont Restaurant in October.
