PSPE 2023 Awards Program

Engineer of the Year

Brian A. Krul PE, PTOE

Brian is a VP in the Northeast Region for TranSystems leading bridge, highway, traffic and multimodal pursuits within the region as well as serving as a Senior Project Manager on various transportation and infrastructure projects. Brian has 26 years of transportation and infrastructure experience and is active in several engineering and transportation organizations and

industries.

Brian has been active in PSPE serving on the board of directors since 2017 and currently is Vice President and state director for

the Pittsburgh Section, serves as the western representative on the Nominating Committee, and assists as a PSPE Webinar Moderator.
Brian received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) in 1997 at West Virginia University and earned his Masters of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) with a specialty in Transportation at the University of Pittsburgh in 2005. He obtained his Professional Engineering License in PA (2004) and has since received reciprocity for his PE License in the states of WV, KY, MD, NY and NJ. Brian received his Professional Traffic Operations Engineering Certification (PTOE) from the US Institute of Transportation and Traffic Engineers in 2007. Brian is also a certified Road Scholar I and II for PennDOT’s Local Technical Assistance Program.
Brian started his career at PennDOT District 11-0 as a Civil Engineer Trainee and later worked in the Construction, Plans, and Liaison Units. He progressed his career as a consultant in the technical field of transportation and highway design, project management, business development, office operations, and leadership and staff development. Brian is a frequent presenter at numerous societies and organizations while serving various roles within the transportation and engineering industry. This includes serving in roles for the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE), Construction Legislative Council (CLC), Penn State University Traffic and Safety Conference Steering Committee, Board of Directors for the Three Rivers Regatta, and Ohio Township Planning Commission Chairman.
Brian and his wife Julie have been married for 21 years and have 4 children, Karly, Jackson, Logan and Quentin. Brian leads an usher team at his local church and coaches midget football.

Young Engineer of the Year

Thomas Monda, PE

Tom graduated with a B.A. in Civil Engineering from Penn State University and is currently a Highway Engineer at Michael Baker International in Moon Township. As an active member of the Pittsburgh Chapter for the past several years, he was eager to step into the Director position when it became available. Tom has been a supportive Chapter Director who participates actively in discussion during board meetings. He is interested in learning why things are done the way they are but is not afraid to discuss making changes to our “standard practices” to help attract new members and greater attendance at chapter functions. In addition to his work with PSPE, he is also a member of ASHE Pittsburgh. His technical expertise, especially with InRoads and OpenRoads is above and beyond. He is on a committee for digital delivery that meets regularly with PennDOT to discuss their initiative for an all-digital delivery program in the near future. When not at work, he spends a considerable amount of his own time developing and researching new tools. In addition to his work with PSPE, Mr. Monda volunteers at the St. Teresa Parish Summer Festival.

The Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers Awards Program recognizes the performance and accomplishments of chapters, individuals, projects, and other professional organizations whose efforts have enhanced the integrity of our professional engineering society or the stature of our engineering profession. All awards described below may be nominated through each PSPE chapter awards committee or President.

Award recipients will be honored and presented with their awards during the PSPE Installation of Officers & Awards Ceremony on Friday, September 22, 2023, at the Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast.

Chapter Awards recognize the outstanding outreach initiatives of PSPE Chapters for giving back to their communities and the various engineering disciplines. Chapter Awards are given annually to a Chapter for:

Communication (via the website, newsletter, etc.) that keeps members informed of events, meetings, and news;
Membership has substantially grown and maintained in the year;
Outstanding Program of topics/meetings throughout the year that is exceptional and educational;
Special Project(s) undertaken by the Chapter that is impactful and advances the mission of PSPE.

Chapter Award Categories

Communications Award

This Chapter Award is presented to the Chapter whose communication with its membership improved significantly, and whose attendance at Chapter functions increased measurably during the past year. Examples of enhanced communication may include developing a Chapter newsletter (mailed or digital) or a Chapter telephone committee that contacts each member with news and upcoming events and promotes Chapter activities. A Chapter should include examples of improved communications and documentation that the measures taken significantly increased awareness of programs, improved meeting attendance, and enhanced Chapter communications.

Membership Growth Award

The Chapter Membership Growth Award is presented to the Chapter having the largest percent increase in membership for a given year. The measure of growth will be based upon the percentage of increase in membership for one year, from May 31 of the previous year to June 1 of the current year.

Outstanding Program Award

This award is presented to the Chapter whose overall programs during the year are judged to be the most informative and which achieve in content the professional and timely objectives of the Society. Attention is given to special programs that promote significant membership participation and attain a high degree of publicity for the Society.

Special Projects Award

The Chapter Special Projects Award is presented to the chapter that has given special attention to a specific project of accomplishment in the interest of promoting the engineering profession, for example, a unique forum on educating the public on pollution, a special high-level Engineers Week program, or special professional seminars or panel discussions. Any chapter can submit a resume of the special project undertaken to be considered for this award.

Questions | don’t hesitate to contact the PSPE office by phone at (717) 441.6051 or contactpspe@pspe.org