Barry E. Isett, PE, PLS, F.NSPE, chairman and founder of the regional engineering firm that bears his name, has received the 2014 Distinguished Service Award accorded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). The award is presented annually to a licensed member of the organization in recognition of exceptional contributions to the Engineering Profession, to one’s community, and specifically to NSPE.
Mr. Isett opened his company in October, 1977 in the midst of a recession. Originally providing surveys, civil engineering and structural engineering to Lehigh Valley, PA clients, the company today has five offices in two states with well over 100 associates. In addition to civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and environmental engineering, the company offers landscape design, municipal engineering, code services, forensic engineering and construction services. Long-term clients include Fortune 500 companies, a host of institutions of higher education such as Lehigh and DeSales University as well as Lafayette and Muhlenberg College, local municipalities and authorities and high technology companies including Olympus North America and Almac Pharmaceutical.
Mr. Isett has served as the president of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE), the president of the state chapter, was the State Chairman of Professional Engineers in Private Practice and served a two-year term as the NSPE Northeast Regional Vice President. He was accorded Fellow NSPE (F.NSPE) recognition in 2005 in a program that honors those licensed members who have demonstrated exemplary service to the profession, the Society, and the community.
Personal recognition received by Mr. Isett includes the Pennsylvania State University College of Engineering “Outstanding Alumnus” award. Earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil engineering from Penn State in 1958, Mr. Isett was nominated by the head of the Civil Engineering Department in 2007 in recognition of his success as a leader in his field and for his impact on society and their profession.
In 2002, Lehigh Valley PSPE accorded Mr. Isett the Truman Yeager Award, the most prestigious recognition offered by the chapter in recognition of outstanding service and exceptional professional contributions to the which reflects credit to the Lehigh Valley Chapter.
Regionally, Mr. Isett was accorded “The Community Spirit” Award by the Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal presented to leaders for their outstanding contributions in improving the quality of community life.
Mr. Isett is a long-time member and current vice chair of the Lehigh Valley Committee of the Central Division of the Pennsylvania Economy League (PEL), a non-profit that works in partnership with government, business, civic groups and others to present non-partisan, fact-based insight on issues that can be developed into sound public policies.. He also serves on the board of the Boyertown United Way, is active in the Western Lehigh Lions Club, and has held a variety of leadership positions at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Obelisk, PA.
Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. is headquartered in Allentown, PA with additional Pennsylvania offices in Hazleton, Phoenixville, and the greater Wilkes-Barre metro area. It also has a branch in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.