Catching Up with a Rising Star: James Bristow

When James Bristow was nominated for the 2022 “Rising Star” award in multidisciplinary engineering, he was the Managing Partner at Universal Engineering Services (UES). His colleagues knew they had a rising star on their team and wanted to recognize him for his many years of great work. 

The Rising stars in the AEC Industry award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership in the AEC industry by managing, mentoring, researching, and offering public service to their team members and communities. 

In addition to Bristow’s proven critical leadership, his nomination was inspired by his active involvement to improve his community socially, economically, and environmentally and by his passion for fostering rich opportunities for career path development among young engineering professionals. 

Bristow reflects back on winning the award and encourages AEC firm leaders to nominate future rising stars. 

“An award like this can help propel their career even further in the AEC industry,” he says. 

Why Nominate a Rising Star? 

Nominating a rising star at your firm is important because it publicly recognizes and encourages high-performing individuals in early stages of their career, boosting their morale, promoting professional development, and signaling to the company that they are valued potential future leaders within the organization 

Here are some key reasons to nominate a rising star:  

Motivation and engagement: Recognition through a nomination can significantly motivate an employee to continue exceeding expectations and contribute more meaningfully to the company. 

Talent development: Identifying and highlighting high-potential employees early in their careers allows the company to proactively develop their skills and prepare them for future leadership roles. 

Positive company culture: Recognizing rising stars demonstrates a commitment to employee growth and can foster a positive and supportive work environment. 

Attract and retain talent: Publicly acknowledging rising stars can attract top talent to the company, as it signals a culture that values potential and career progression. 

Leadership pipeline: By identifying rising stars, companies can build a strong pool of candidates for future leadership positions. 

Industry recognition: Depending on the award, nominating a rising star can also bring positive recognition to the company within the industry. 

How to Nominate a Rising Star

Nominees must be 35 years of age or younger as of Dec. 31, 2024, and working in the United States for a private-sector company (or self-employed), public agency (i.e., federal, state, county, or city), military, a non-profit organization, or educational or research institution. Self-nominations are acceptable too. 

Firms are allowed up to three nominations and the nomination period ends on March 28, 2025 at midnight. Selected nominees will be notified via email on or before April 25, 2025 and will be formally recognized at the Elevate AEC Conference in San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 17-18, 2025. 

So, make it a priority to create a company where people want to work and grow. Nominate your rising star today and capture the excitement of a new generation tomorrow. 

Get all the details about how to do it here: 

2025 Rising Stars in the AEC Industry.

See what James Bristow had to say about his award: James Bristow Rising Stars Video.