Award Winners
CEE Alumni Merit Award Winners
2023
Paul C. Ajegba, with a career spanning over three decades, has shown unwavering dedication and commitment to the field of engineering. Having served as the former CEEFA Board president and the Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), he has always led with a robust vision for quality and innovation.
In his various roles at MDOT, including Metro Region Engineer and University Region Engineer, Ajegba masterminded several critical projects. Notable among them is the US-23 Flex Route, an achievement that merited national recognition being among the top twelve finalists for America’s Transportation Award.
Broadcasting his educational prowess, Ajegba holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and a master’s degree in Construction Engineering from the University of Michigan. His expertise garnered him the accreditation of a licensed professional engineer in Michigan and induction into the 2022 National Academy of Construction Hall of Fame.
Beyond professional achievements, Ajegba actively contributes to various boards like COMTO, AASHTO, ITS America, M-City, and the Mackinac Bridge Authority, showcasing his commitment to societal development. His tenure in engineering is marked by a profound impact on both his profession and his community.
2022
A progressive leader and catalyst for growth, Larry Brinker, Jr. has been involved in more than $4 billion dollars of construction projects, primarily in the transformation of Detroit and is furthering his impact through investments beyond the construction industry that are making a difference on a global scale. Whether it’s in his role as part owner, CEO and successor to his father of Brinker—a family of five commercial construction companies—or through thoughtfully targeted investments with Iroquois Equities, his life’s work is driven by one mission: “Impact the community where passion and purchase intersect by providing scholarship, mentorship and opportunity.” He serves on several boards and is an active member of industry associations, focusing on his charitable commitments, spending quality time mentoring and providing opportunities for young people in our community. Some highlights of his focus on community building include these initiatives he established:
- Larry Brinker, Jr. Impact Scholarship – Founder of this
University of Michigan scholarship fund which will be
awarded to four students annually. - COVID-19 Legacy Survivor Scholarship – Knowing
firsthand the devastation and loss that hit our community,
Brinker, Jr. created a national scholarship fund with a
mission to provide financial support to students who may
be struggling with college tuition after losing a parent to
COVID-19.
2020
Jamie Gentoso is the Global Head of Solutions & Products and an Executive Committee Member for LafargeHolcim. Prior to this appointment, she was CEO of US Cement for LafargeHolcim and Senior Vice President of Concrete at Sika Corporation US. She holds a degree in civil engineering and a master’s in business, both from the University of Michigan. Jamie is passionate about the cement/concrete industry, enhancing its contributions to society and reducing its impact on our environment. She is a lifelong athlete, enjoys running, outdoor activities and spending time with her three school aged children.
2019
Bruce Dorfman (BSE ’82) is a co-founder of Thompson | Dorfman Partners, LLC and current Senior Managing Director at Trammell Crow Residential. Prior to founding TDP, he was a senior vice president with Irvine Apartment Communities from 1997 through 1999, and directed site acquisition and development activities for the apartment REIT’s California Division, creating a portfolio of 5,000 apartment homes. Previously, he was a co-founder and vice president of Thompson Residential Company in 1996, acquiring sites, obtaining entitlements, and financing projects in Northern California. Mr. Dorfman obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from CEE and received his MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
2018
James Jacobi is the Chief Information Officer and Executive Director for Walter P. Moore’s Technology group. He has more than 35 years of experience in engineering design, project management, and construction, both in the United States and internationally. Mr. Jacobi helped to implement Building Information Modeling at Walter P. Moore, and continues work on integrating information technology into corporate industry. He is also a registered professional engineer in five states. Mr. Jacobi obtained both his Master and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from CEE.
2017
Jim Fausone (BSE ’76) is a current partner of Fausone Bohn, LLP, where his areas of practice include Environmental, Business, Municipal, and Veterans Law. He has served on various civic boards, including the Center for Digital Engagement, Schoolcraft College, as well as serving as the Wayne County representative to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Board of Water Commissioners. Mr. Fausone and spouse Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone are enthusiastic supporters of the University of Michigan School of Nursing, College of Engineering and Alumni Association, and they established the James G. and Carol Ann Fausone Endowed Scholarship in the College of Engineering. Mr. Fausone obtained his Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from U-M as well as his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from CEE.
2016
Professor Carlos F. Daganzo (PhD ’75) is a Chancellor’s Professor of the graduate Civil and Environmental Engineering program at the University of California, Berkeley. He is one of the world’s most well-known transportation scientists, and earned his PhD under Professor Donald Cleveland. The International Symposium on Transportation and Traffic Theory of 2011 was dedicated to him in recognition of his contributions to transportation science. Professor Daganzo’s former students hold faculty positions at schools of engineering, business, and management all over the world. Professor Daganzo obtained his Master of Science in Civil Engineering and PhD from CEE and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.
2015
Jeffrey Jozwiak (BSE ’87) is a co-owner and co-founder of Norcon, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, and serves as a director for the Habitat for Humanity Chicago Board of Directors. He and his partner Charles Norwesh were inducted into the UIC Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2008. Norcon served as the general contractor for an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, where labor and materials were all completely donated. Norcon continues to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Jozwiak obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from CEE.
2014
John Crittenden is the Director of the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also holds the Hightower Chair in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and is a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Environmental Technologies. His research expertise includes sustainability, pollution prevention, physical-chemical treatment processes in air and waste water, and modeling of fixed-bed reactors and absorbers. Dr. Crittenden is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
2013
In Michigan, chances are that when you’ve driven over a bridge, you’ve been on a project that Mr. Joseph Malloure helped build. Following graduation, Mr. Malloure began his career in the construction industry with Bechtel Corporation. Among his first projects was the complex METRO subway system in Washington, DC. That experience served him in good stead when he joined his father Don’s highway contracting firm, C.A. Hull Company, which specializes in bridge construction. Initially, Mr. Malloure served as a site surveyor. As he gained experience, he took on positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately being named President. He is now the Chairman of the company. He has also been active in industry affairs, serving as President of the Michigan Road Builders Association.
2012
Mr. John McCarthy has more than 30 years’ experience in the building and engineering industry. Most notably, he was the Director of Structural Engineering at the SmithGroup, one of the country’s oldest architectural and engineering firms. Among the many projects with which he was involved are hospitals, water and wastewater treatment plants, and nuclear power plants. Specifically, you’ve no doubt seen the results of his leadership in projects like Comerica Park and Ford Field, and the McNamara Terminal at Metro Airport. That’s in addition to his numerous projects here at U-M. Mr. McCarthy is now concentrating on power plant engineering, having joined Black & Veach. Mr. McCarthy also has found time to contribute to the student edition of one of the field’s best known texts, Architectural Graphic Standards.
2011
Jennifer (Starrman) Macks (BSE ’94) joined Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. in 2015 as Vice President of Business Development. A licensed professional engineer and LEED Accredited Professional, she will assume top management for Shockey’s sales and marketing team. She brings to this position 20 years of commercial construction expertise. In 2003 Macks received the Recent Engineering Graduate Award from the U-M College of Engineering. She has been involved with CEEFA since 2004, and once served a two-year term as president. She also served on the College of Engineering’s Board of Governors.
2010
Khalil Z. Atasi is senior vice president at CDM Smith. Throughout his 35-year career in the design, research development and management of water, wastewater and industrial waste process engineering, Dr. Atasi has been a leading champion of water resources. He also served as an adjunct professor and the Detroit Water and Sewerage District (DWSD) Chair in Civil & Environmental Engineering at Wayne State University, where he developed and taught graduate level courses in environmental engineering for 17 years. Atasi has been an advisor for water/wastewater engineering projects all over the United States and the world, most recently as a representative on a recent U.S. Public Health trade mission to Qatar. Among his many distinctions, Dr. Atasi is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a board-certified environmental engineer through the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, and was elected a National Chapter Honor Member of Chi Epsilon by the U-M chapter.
2009
Anne Voshel was an early female graduate of Civil Engineering. Since graduating in 1977, Anne has become a very successful developer in Chicago and has been involved with the restoration of many of the city’s landmark properties.
Anne has been a highly committed and dedicated advocate for the Civil and Environmental Engineering program, as well as a significant ally for the Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Engineering.
CEE was the first CoE department to propose and implement junior Faculty Scholar awards and Anne was among the first donors in this effort when she created the Anne Voshel and Gerald Nudo Faculty Scholars.
2008
Frank Transue is the Chairman Emeritus at Walker Parking Consultants. He has more than 38 years of experience developing parking projects for corporations, retail centers, universities, government and medical institutions. He has proven experience in civil and structural engineering, cast-in-place, post-tensioned, precast/prestressed concrete, parking consultation and planning of parking projects from inception to operation. Shortly after graduating from U-M, Mr. Transue joined Walker Parking Consultants and worked in project management design and office management. He founded and managed the Chicago office from 1972 to 1983. Eventually, Mr. Transue was elected president, appointed chief executive officer and elected chairman of the board of directors.
2007
Bruce Dorfman (CEE ’82) is a co-founder of Thompson | Dorfman Partners, LLC and manages the company’s development and financing. Prior to founding TDP, he was a senior vice president with Irvine Apartment Communities from 1997 through 1999, and directed site acquisition and development activities for the apartment REIT’s California Division, creating a portfolio of 5,000 apartment homes. Previously, he was a co-founder and vice president of Thompson Residential Company in 1996, acquiring sites, obtaining entitlements, and financing projects in Northern California. Mr. Dorfman obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from CEE and received his MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles. He currently serves on the boards of a number of local non-profits, and is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Lambda Alpha International, an honorary land use economics society.
2006
Richard J. “Rick” Haller is President and COO of Walbridge, a global construction company headquartered in Detroit. He has responsibility for all day to day operations at the company, which specializes in construction management, general contracting, design-build and related services. Haller, a civil engineer, joined Walbridge in 1976 as a member of its Estimating/Project Administration team, and during his tenure has contributed to the success of some of the firm’s largest projects; they include redevelopment of Ford Motor Company’s historic, 2 million-square-foot Rouge Center, construction of the 44-floor One Detroit Center in downtown Detroit, and construction of Chrysler’s 4.45 million-square-foot World Headquarters and Technology Center. Haller was named President and COO in 1997.
2005
Thomas Newhof, cofounder and president of Prein & Newhof, was awarded the Alumni Society Merit Award by the College of Engineering during the College’s annual Engineering Alumni Weekend. Newhof is cited for his expertise in the planning and design for water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment; storm water detention and flood control; airport and road improvements and residential and commercial development. A licensed professional engineer in the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois, Newhof has won numerous professional awards, including the National Community Service Award (bestowed by the American Consulting Engineers Council) and the George Warren Fuller Award, from the Michigan Section of the American Waterworks Association.
CEE Recipients of the College of Engineering Alumni Medal
- Ali Nihat Gokyigit & Feyyaz Berker (2014)
- General Paul J. Kern (ME & CEE; 2002)
- Tawfiq N. Khoury (1994)
CEE Recipients of the College of Engineering Distinguished Service Award
- Jim Jacobi (2018)
- Tarolyn Buckles (2017)
- Anne Voshel (2013)
- James Fausone (2007)
- H. Carl Walker (2003)
CEE Recipients of the College of Engineering Recent Alumni Award
- Michael D. Lepech (2011)
- Jennifer Macks (2003)
CEE Alumni Merit Award Winners (1992 – 2004)
- Kenneth H. Stokoe (2004)
- Gui Ponce de Leon (2003)
- Paul L. Freedman (2002)
- Ray W. Judson (2001)
- Charles R. O’Melia (2000)
- Gloria J. Jeff (1999)
- Vincent P. Drnevich (1998)
- James W. Hubbell (1997)
- Thomas M. Keinath (1996)
- David C. Breiholz (1995)
- Curtis E. Bottum, Jr (1994)
- Philip G. Hall (1993)
- H. Carl Walker (1992)