Local Engineer Named New Face of Civil Engineering
CH2M Hill Project Construction Manager Receives Honor from National Civil Engineering Society
Reston, Va. — Theo Melo is a fast-learner, and is on the fast track to success in construction management. The 24-year-old project construction manager at CH2M Hill in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was recently named a New Face of Civil Engineering by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). An integral part of ASCE’s 2009 National Engineers’ Week (Feb. 15-21), the program promotes the achievements of young civil engineers by highlighting their contributions and impact on society.
In his current position, Melo is responsible for managing the firm’s Fort Lauderdale’s infrastructure projects, valued at $16.2 million, requiring coordination with multiple government agencies, utility companies and contractors. As the lead estimator, he develops cost estimates and quantity take-offs for multi-million dollar bid projects, establishing himself as a valuable member of his firm, actively sought after for his technical and analytical skills.
Fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish, Melo spends summers helping to build a chemotherapy hospital in Brazil. He also worked with the Environmental Protective Agency on Hurricane Katrina emergency response activities in New Orleans.
Melo earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Auburn University. He resides in Fort Lauderdale.
ASCE’s top five New Faces of Civil Engineering were also submitted to the national New Faces of Engineering program run by the Engineers Week Foundation. This program includes representatives from the civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial and manufacturing engineering professions. Selected New Faces profiles, including the top civil engineer chosen by the Engineers Week Foundation, will be featured in a USA Today ad during Engineers Week and will be profiled on the National Engineers Week Web site at www.eweek.org, as well as at www.discoverengineering.org.
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 146,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org.
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