
From left to right: Rich Benton, 2016 annual luncheon award winner Dr. Wayne Clough, Dr. Liza Durant
Engineering Excellence and Leadership Award
In recognition of Exceptional Leadership, Outstanding Lifetime Achievement, and Significant Contribution to the Profession of Civil Engineering.
2022 Engineering Excellence and Leadership Awardee

Jamie Bain Hedges was appointed as General Manager of Fairfax Water in July 2021 after 31 years of progressive responsibility and service. Prior to her appointment as General Manager, she served in various roles, including Deputy General Manager, Director of the Planning and Engineering Division, and Manager of Planning. Ms. Hedges has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from Virginia Tech. Ms. Hedges is a licensed Professional Engineer and a member of the American Water Works Association.
Past Winners
2006 - Lieutenant General Carl Strock, Chief of Engineers, US Army (Ret.)
2007 - Dr. Patricia D. Galloway, President of ASCE (Ret.)
2008 - Hon. Thomas Rust, Virginia Delegate and Chairman of Patton, Harris, Rust, and Associates
2009 - Mr. Sidney O. Dewberry, Founder, and Chairman of the Dewberry Companies
2010 - Lieutenant General Henry J. Hatch, Chief of Engineers, US Army, (Ret.)
2011 - Dr. Joseph Hartman, Bridge and Tunnel Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration
2012 - Mr. Milton V. Peterson, Founder, and Chairman of The Peterson Companies
2013 - Sean T. Connaughton, Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia
2014 - Mr. John T. (Til) Hazel, Jr., Reed Smith Hazel & Thomas (Ret.)
2015 - Mr. Bob Chase, Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance
2016 - Dr. Wayne Clough, P.E., HON.M.ASCE., N.A.E, Secretary Emeritus, The Smithsonian Institution
2017 - Stephen T. Ayers, AFIA, CCM, LEED AP, the Architect of the Capitol
2018 - Dr. Gerald E. Galloway, PE, Glenn L. Martin Institute Professor of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, and Faculty Fellow of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study Texas A&M University.
2019 - James Patteson, P.E., Manager, Countywide Strategic Planning at Fairfax County Government
2020 - Paul Weidefeld, P.E., General Manager and CEO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority