ARCADIS outstanding professionals honored for commitment to improving communities

Sixteen ARCADIS professionals recently received awards from professional organizations and a national engineering magazine for excellence in their fields.

Craig Hebebrand, senior project manager, was named by the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Cleveland section as the Outstanding Civil Engineer of the Year. This is an annual award recognizing an individual’s contributions to furthering the awareness of civil engineering through his/her work or presence in the Cleveland community. Hebebrand, a Cleveland native, joined ARCADIS two years ago after more than 30 years with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). His major project experience with ODOT includes Cleveland’s Innerbelt, Opportunity Corridor and Lakefront West projects. Hebebrand earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Cleveland State University’s Fenn College of Engineering.

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) recognized Corin Marron, water resources engineer, as a Young Professional of the Year and a nominee for the New Faces of Engineering program for 2015, sponsored by DiscoverE. This recognition is awarded to an engineer under the age of 30 who has demonstrated outstanding skills, abilities and talents on significant projects. Marron began her ARCADIS career in 2010 and has made critical contributions through her work to advance the field of potable water reuse. Marron is working to bring renewable, high-quality drinking water supplies to two arid Southwest U.S. communities facing long-term drought. She cites her experience as a foreign exchange student in Brazil as her motivation to pursue environmental engineering.

“A chemical reservoir at a paper factory upstream of my community burst and caused one of the largest ecological disasters in Brazilian history,” said Marron. “My community, along with others on the river, were cautioned not to use the water for drinking, bathing or cooking. The site of the once thriving river and the devastating impact on my community was disheartening, yet in the end enlightening and inspiring.”

In addition, 14 ARCADIS professionals received Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) esteemed “Top 20 Under 40” award which annually names remarkable young professionals in all facets of design and construction.

A list of the ARCADIS 2015 ENR award winners by region follows:

Mountain Region

Claire Booth, senior environmental engineer, is based in Boulder, Colo. Booth was inspired to become an engineer by her father, her love of math and problem solving, and influential professors at Auburn University and Virginia Tech where she earned her academic degrees. Booth’s exceptional engineering skills, determination and her client-focused attitude has brought several new clients to ARCADIS.

Rhiannon Parmelee, senior environmental engineer, is based in the ARCADIS U.S. headquarters in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Clients have specifically requested that she lead on-site efforts for some of their most critical, highly visible and sensitive projects. Parmelee demonstrates an unrelenting commitment to excellence in technical and schedule performance.

Senior Hydro Geologist/Certified Project Manager Kelli Jo Preston’s innate leadership skills quickly led her to her project management position based in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Her outstanding performance, ability to follow complex technical processes and evaluate remedial performance has set her apart. Preston was driven to enter the hydrology field by her commitment to take care of the environment.

Mid-Atlantic Region

Paul Bracken, senior environmental engineer, is based out of Newtown, Pa. With 15 years of experience in construction management, construction cost estimating, engineering and project management, Bracken is regularly asked to support ARCADIS’ most complex and high-risk proposal efforts. Bracken co-founded the charitable organization ARCADIS CARES which promotes volunteer work.

Jennifer Buckels-Mayers, associate vice president, has worked out of multiple ARCADIS offices, spending two years in Alaska and several months in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. She is currently based in Baltimore where she manages four active United States Army Corps of Engineers contracts, including environmental and water service lines, valued at more than $230 million.

Midwest Region

Elizabeth Cohen, senior environmental specialist, is originally from a beachside town in Sydney, Australia and is now based in Novi, Mich. Cohen has contributed to more than 20 journals and conference publications and proceedings. She has conducted comprehensive external training sessions and courses for tracer testing and remediation hydraulics.

Southeast Region

Holly Bauman, roadway engineer, attributes her career to her father, an aerospace engineer, who she shadowed as a child. Bauman’s remarkable ability to implement complicated roadway design components landed her selection for a high-priority, reversible toll lane project in the Atlanta area. Bauman has received multiple awards for her volunteer work in the engineering community in Atlanta where she is based.

Prasoon Sinha, vice president, is based out of Atlanta. He is a well-published expert in field traffic engineering and intelligent transportation systems. His systematic approach to pursuing and positioning for pursuits has landed him the nickname “Prasoon the Pursuer” by company leaders and colleagues. Sinha manages a large engineering team and is pivotal in ARCADIS’ technology, knowledge and innovation efforts.

New York Region

Rick Cianfaglione, associate vice president, spent his childhood summers on the job site of his father, a construction superintendent. Cianfaglione became intrigued by construction scheduling while watching his father coordinate subcontractors using his desk calendar and rotary phone. He is based out of Middletown, Conn. where he leads the scheduling services team for ARCADIS.

Dumrong Ongkasuwan, risk assessment manager, is a civil engineer from a small town in Chiang Rai, Thailand. He has contributed to one of the largest capital programs in the U.S. with a revenue exceeding $26 billion. Ongkasuwan has extensive experience with training ARCADIS staff in the use of various project control systems he developed himself, enabling teams to manage complex projects. Ongkasuwan is based in New York.

New England Region

James Collins, Certified Project Manager, is based in Wakefield, Mass. Collins is a top ARCADIS expert for UV disinfection and advanced oxidation technologies. Being in and preserving nature has always been important to him. This interest drove him to study environmental engineering. Collins’ passion for UV disinfection has been one of the biggest factors that has shaped his career and allowed him to work on projects across the country.

Texas and Louisiana Region

Briana Herrmann, civil engineer, is originally from Houston but is now based in the California Bay Area. Herrmann attended Texas A&M University and was actively involved with Engineers Without Borders, which inspired her to pursue a career in providing sustainable living for our built and natural environments. She believes in utilizing her skills to help others who don’t have the resources to provide necessary living conditions in their communities.

Jennifer Ivey, principal consultant, joined ARCADIS in 2002 and is based in Dallas. Ivey became interested in environmental and water engineering during her studies at the University of Texas. Upon graduation, Ivey accepted a position working with hydraulic and hydrologic models. She later transitioned into financial and management consulting for municipal utilities. Ivey volunteers with the Junior League of Dallas and other nonprofits in her community.

Ben Kuhnel, Certified Project Manager, is based in Dallas. Kuhnel is a top ARCADIS design expert for the ozonation of water and is also the top design expert for UV disinfection of drinking water. His dedication to improving public life does not end with his work, he is also very active in his community. Kuhnel recently helped build a playground and garden for a school in a low-income neighborhood.

The ENR Northwest region award winners have not yet been announced. ARCADIS’ Adam Griffin is an award candidate for this region.