ACEC-Nebraska Honors Benesch with Three Awards

Lincoln, Nebraska – March 2011 – The Nebraska chapter of the ACEC/N has recognized the Benesch Lincoln Division with three awards. (Pictured from left to right) Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE); Alissa Hobelman, Benesch Business Develoment Coordinator; Austin Yates, Designer at Benesch; Kim Beil of Benesch and ACEC/N President Martin Wiedenman.

2011 Merit Award: Benesch received this honor in the “Studies, Research and Consulting Services” category for its outstanding work on the Waverly Watershed Master Plan in Waverly, NE. The City of Waverly, NE, has four major tributaries that drain in and around the City limits. A significant increase in water flow was found due to the watershed’s urbanization. By creating a master plan, Benesch provided the City of Waverly and Lower Platte South Natural Resources District with the necessary tools and identified capital improvement projects needed to reduce flooding impacts to the City. Benesch won the same award in 2010 for its work on the East Adams Improvements in Lincoln, NE.

PRIDE Award of Excellence: The Benesch Business Development Team proudly accepted the Public Relations Image Development and Enhancement (PRIDE) Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Committee of the ACEC/N. This award focuses on public relations, brand/image development and/or enhancements within the engineering industry or firm. The committee evaluated Benesch’s rebranding efforts and marketing materials which included a new logo, rebranding announcement, service brochures and folder.

2011 Young Professional of the Year: Austin Yates, EI, a member of the Benesch Design Team, has been named 2011 Young Professional of the Year by the Public Relations Committee of the ACEC/N. This award recognizes accomplishments of Nebraska engineers under age 30 who have contributed to the engineering profession and had an impact on their communities. Mr. Yates specializes in transportation planning and traffic engineering at Benesch. His project experience in Nebraska includes the Lincoln East Beltway and Long Range Transportation Plans for the cities of Hastings and Seward. He has also been a major part of the NP and 1st Avenue Corridor Development Plan in Fargo, North Dakota.

Mr. Yates is active in professional organizations such as Lincoln-Omaha-Council Bluffs Association of Transportation Engineers (LOCATE), Institute of Transportation Engineers and the Society of American Military Engineers. In addition, through LOCATE’s Making a Difference Campaign, he has impacted the community by coordinating with local schools and educating young drivers on the dangers of distracted driving.