The Metropolitan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has recognized Dennis Kelleher, P.E. of H2M architects + engineers as the Long Island Branch’s 2014 Engineer of the Year.
Kelleher, President of H2M’s Water division, was presented the award at the Annual Awards and Installation Dinner on Thursday, May 1 at the Westbury Manor in Westbury, NY.
The award—the highest honor of the ASCE Long Island Branch—is presented annually to an engineer who has shown outstanding performance in the field of civil engineering, and has made contributions to enhance society and life on Long Island.
“It is a real honor to receive this award from my peers in the civil engineering profession,” Kelleher said. “It is also very rewarding to utilize my engineering expertise to solve some of the public water supply issues within our Long Island communities.”
Most recently, Kelleher was selected to represent the water supply industry as a member of the Long Island Commission of Aquifer Protection. LICAP, a joint initiative in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, will assess threats to the sole source aquifer that provides Long Island’s drinking water. As a member, Kelleher will oversee preparation of the first State of the Aquifer Report.
During the past year, Kelleher has worked as a Project Director for the Queens Groundwater Rehabilitation Project and was elected Treasurer of the New York State American Water Works Association. As part of his ongoing involvement with NYSAWWA, he is also a member of the Education and Program Committees.
Over his 35-year career, Kelleher has developed expertise in public water supplies, groundwater, water resource development, distribution systems, storage, and water treatment. Over the past 20 years, he has become an advocate for safe water supplies in the Long Island region.
“Dennis is not only one of the best engineers I’ve met in my life, but one of the best people as well,” H2M President and CEO Rich Humann said. “As one of my mentors for over 20 years, I’m proud that I’ve been exposed to the many attributes that have made him successful over his career—commitment, dedication, ethics, professionalism to name a few. I don’t know anyone more deserving of this honor.”
The Long Island Branch has selected 42 engineers since 1972 as their Engineer of the Year. Kelleher is the second H2M employee to receive the award. Robert G. Holzmacher was the other, given the award in 1980.
