OUTSTANDING ENGINEERING ALUMNI
David Sheridan, Principal in Aqua Cura, was educated in Civil and Environmental engineering, earning a B.S. at the University of Pittsburgh and an M.S. and Ph.D. at Penn State University. In 1978 he provided engineering analysis to the City of Baltimore in some of its early nutrient management strategy for the Chesapeake Bay. In 1992, he assumed management of Gannett Fleming’s environmental practice, a $25 million annual business unit, which he directed until 2002.
In 2002, Dr. Sheridan formed Aqua Cura to focus his efforts on the critical water issues facing U.S. society. He directs the Integrated Water Management services offered by the firm to assist public and private clients to derive the greatest benefit from waters of various qualities at land development sites. Dr. Sheridan is deeply involved in the green building movement, serving the U.S. Green Building Council as the chair of the Water Efficiency Technical Advisory Group. Dr. Sheridan believes that cooperation and collaboration of the many parties with interest in the health of our water environment are essential elements of success. He is an active member of three watershed associations in central Pennsylvania, and a member of the board of the Paxton Creek Watershed and Education Association.
Dr. Sheridan is a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers and has been a member of the Water Environment Federation since 1972. He served as the President of the Chesapeake Water Pollution Control Association and a board member for many other organizations. In October 2004, Dr. Sheridan was appointed the executive director of the Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania. He is a registered professional engineer in ten eastern states, as well as, the District of Columbia.
Dr. Sheridan has been in the department many times to conduct classes, including one on LEED. He has also conducted workshops at Penn State, such as one on Sustainable Water Planning at the Penn State Harrisburg campus. He is an adjunct member of the Penn State Harrisburg faculty.
Dr. Sheridan exemplifies many of the World Class Engineering attributes that we seek to instill in our students. He is an excellent role model for them. He has developed a successful business in an important area of Civil and Environmental Engineering, focused on sustainability. His leadership in the profession is clearly demonstrated through his appointments in professional societies and associations.
Outstanding Engineering Alumni, 2007
After graduating from Penn State with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1958, Mr. Isett held various positions as a chief structural/civil engineer, project manager, and field engineer. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Corps of Engineers, where his responsibilities included construction assignments with the Seabees and Facilities Management in the Public Works Division. In 1977, Mr. Isett opened the Barry Isett and Associates Consulting Engineers and Surveyors, offering engineering services in the areas of structural and civil engineering and surveying. Since that time, BIA has grown from a two-person civil and structural firm to include more than 90 staff in four offices across Pennsylvania and Maryland with services that include grant writing landscape design, environmental engineering and sciences, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)development, as well as structural and civil engineering, land planning and subdivision, stormwater management, sewer and water system design, highway engineering, and land surveying. Mr. Isett is a past President of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers and Former State Chairman of Professional Engineers in Private Practice.
Mr. Isett has hired many Penn State Civil Engineers at his company. He attends the CEE Career Fair held each year in the spring and fall to recruit additional Penn State students. He expressed a strong interest in engaging with the department in several ways by serving on our Industrial and Professional Advisory Committee (IPAC) and by helping to market Penn State CEE students in other parts of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Isett has developed a successful business in a wide range of Civil and Environmental Engineering applications, providing strong leadership as CEO and Chairman of the Board. His eminence and leadership in the Civil Engineering profession has been recognized numerous times through awards and appointments. The appointment as President of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers and Chairman of the Professional Engineers in Private Practice speak to his standing in the civil engineering community.
Mr. Isett provides a strong role model for our civil engineering students and will take a role in building the reputation of Penn State Civil Engineers. He has also expressed a strong interest in interacting with the department through participation on IPAC. We very much look forward to his contributions in this capacity in the coming years. It is a pleasure to nominate Mr. Isett for the Outstanding Engineering Alumni in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Outstanding Engineering Alumni, 2006
After
graduating from Penn State with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1979,
Mr. Alger went to work for The Lane Construction Corporation as a Project
Engineer/Job Engineer on a variety of civil engineering projects. Over
the past 26 years he has progressed through positions of increasing
responsibility culminating in his appointment as President and CEO of
the company in 2001. Mr. Alger's engineering experience has focused
on construction of airports, highways, locks and dams and he has had
direct responsibility for a number of multi-million dollar projects
in PA and other parts of the country. Lane did $915 million in 2005
and is working in 15 states currently. The company is ranked among the
top 100 contractors in the nation and consistently ranks among the top
10 in transportation projects.
Mr. Alger is a member of the Construction Industry
Round Table (CIRT) Board of Directors. He is a registered Professional
Engineer in PA and is known for his community service work. He is Chairman
of the Awards Committee for the Moles and on the Board of Directors
for The Beavers.
He provides a strong role model for our civil engineering students,
particularly those who wish to enter the construction industry. Starting
as an entry level engineer after graduation, he has held a variety of
engineering and management positions in the company leading to his present
position. He is also Chairman of the Board of Lane Industries.