By the ASCE Blog Editor and ASCE Awards Committee
Mr. Gregory Rumbaugh, M.Sc., P.E., M. ASCE, is the ASCE-PGH 2015 Government Engineer of the Year. “The award is really a testament to the endless opportunities to be involved with the organization, whether it is at the section-level, technical institutes, Student Award Foundation, or Younger Member Forum,” says Greg. “It is also reflection on the caliber of the mentors that I’ve been fortunate enough have throughout my career, working in both the federal government and in private industry.”
“Greg is truly deserving of this award,” says colleague Angela Mayer. “I am confident that he will continue to serve as a role model for other young Civil Engineers in the greater Pittsburgh area.”
Greg has been active with ASCE and the Geo-Institute since his graduation from the University of Pittsburgh with his B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2006. He subsequently earned his M.S. in Engineering Management from Robert Morris University in 2012. Greg is currently a Civil Engineer with the Department of Labor in the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in Pittsburgh.
“I’ve been fortunate in my career with the agency to have the opportunity to work with both surface and underground mine operators extracting various products such as coal, ores, and aggregates,” he explains. “The most enjoyable part of the job is working with our technical or enforcement personnel, in conjunction with mining engineers in the industry, to solve difficult ground control issues.”
Greg has demonstrated noteworthy performance and meritorious achievement as demonstrated by his selection in 2013, and again in 2014, for the “Certificate of Excellence for Historic Achievement” presented by the U.S. Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. He was also recognized as the 2013 Outstanding Young Engineer in the Public Sector by ASCE’s Eastern Region Council.
“Greg is a very matter-of-fact person with a sense of humor,” say Ms. Mayer. “When working with Greg, he creates an open environment where he injects humor with work.”
While in college, Greg was the University of Pittsburgh ASCE Student Chapter President and remained involved with ASCE following graduation through the YMF, GI, and ASCE Section. He was chair of the YMF Technical Committee for five years where he organized numerous presentations on such topics as networking, financial management, and leadership for younger engineers.
He also organized the YMFs first Mock Interview Workshop Session in 2012. This Workshop, held at the University of Pittsburgh, provided Junior and Senior engineering students the opportunity to practice their interviewing skills with several practicing engineers. “I don’t think I realized the impact that these workshops would have with students at the time we were organizing them,” he says. It was later recognized by ASCE National as one of the best practices by an ASCE organization. “Only after [the event], and through the feedback from the students, did we get a sense for how beneficial these types of events were for the students involved,” says Greg. “I think the students that attended the event were able to leave with more confidence in their ability to interview with prospective employers.”
Greg is currently serving as Vice Chair of the Geo-Institute. Greg has attended numerous ASCE sponsored conferences including the National Convention and the Eastern Regional Younger Members Council (ERYMC) as a Pittsburgh Section Representative. He also works with the Student Award Foundation (SAF) as a past Trustee and Treasurer. “The Student Award Foundation is one of the most worthwhile causes I have had the opportunity to be involved with in our industry. Each year, the group manages to recognize students that either reside or attend colleges within the Pittsburgh Section’s area,” explains Greg. “The most enjoyable part of working with the SAF is participating in the selection of each year’s awards. I am amazed at the achievements and ambition of the civil engineering students in the Pittsburgh area.”
