2009 Individual Award:
VERNON B. SPALDING LEADERSHIP AWARD

The nominees for the Vernon B. Spalding Leadership Award must be outstanding individuals who have contributed significantly to the profession through their leadership role in ACEC, professional societies, academic, and community service organizations. The nominees shall be perceived by the profession and in their communities as leaders and demonstrate, though their civic involvement, how the quality of life in their community has been enhanced.

Everett S Thompson, P.E.

Vernon B. Spalding Leadership Award

During his more than 40-year career as a civil engineer, Mr. Thompson demonstrated his personal commitment to improving the quality of life through his leadership in the engineering profession and his involvement in the community.

After graduating from Michigan State University in 1951, Mr. Thompson began his engineering career as Assistant City Engineer/Manager for the City of Mt. Pleasant. In the fall 1953, he accepted the position of City Manager in St. Johns, fulfilling his dream of becoming a city manager.

After passing the exam for his Engineering Registration certificate in 1954, Thompson joined Williams & Works, where he helped build the firm from 25 employees in the 1950s to more than 350 in the late 1970s. Thompson became president of Williams & Works in 1972. In the early 1980s, Mr. Thompson became a managing consultant before starting his own engineering firm in 1984.

Mr. Thompson's career highlights also include participating in an exchange program with Russia; serving as state president of MSPE in 1968-1969; and vice president and chairman of the NSPE Private Practice Group in 1973-1974. He also served as state president of the American Consulting Engineers Council (1971-1973) as well as its national president in 1980-1981.

Mr. Thompson was a member of the Cascade Township Planning Commission, the St. Johns Rotary, and the Downtown Grand Rapids Rotary. He has been an active member of the Ada Congregational Church since 1957.

Mr. Wagner served as Executive Director of ACEC/Michigan for 34 years, creating and directing many events and programs that remain vital to ACEC/M's continued success.

Mr. Wagner worked with Felix Anderson and Phil Hampton to build an awards program that would recognize excellence in engineering and surveying.

The Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards quickly spread to other states and became a national program.

During his tenure, Wagner helped develop the ACEC Scholarship Program to build interest in engineering to Michigan students. Mr. Wagner also worked with the Michigan Department of Transportation to enhance the design professions, which led to the annual MDOT-ACEC conference and its jointly sponsored training programs.

Wagner was also a main contributor to building the QBS selection process and its training. He worked with ACEC volunteers and staff to start “Legislative Days” to meet and discuss engineering issues with state lawmakers.

Mr. Wagner was a member of the Michigan Society of Association Executives Membership Committee, and is an Honorary Affiliate Member of AIA Michigan. He is a former Certified Association Executive (CAE) of the American Society of Association Executives. Mr. Wagner received the Distinguished Service Award from ACEC, the President's Citation from MSPE, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Road Builders Association.