2026 Georgia Engineering Awards
2026-03-06 18:00 - 22:00 UTC
Featuring the GSPE Engineer of the Year Awards
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026⏰ 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (ET)👔 Black-Tie Event
Experience an elegant evening of ingenuity and innovation at the 2026 Georgia Engineering Awards, where the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE) will proudly present the Engineer of the Year Awards—the Society’s highest honors recognizing exceptional professional engineers across Georgia.
This prestigious black-tie gala brings together Georgia’s most accomplished engineers, industry leaders, and distinguished guests to celebrate excellence, leadership, and the profound impact engineering has on the state’s growth and infrastructure.

Honoring Engineering Excellence
At the heart of the evening is the presentation of the GSPE Engineer of the Year Awards, which recognize outstanding engineers, projects, organizations, and students whose work exemplifies technical excellence, leadership, service, and innovation. These awards highlight the individuals and teams shaping Georgia’s engineering future and advancing the profession.
2026 GSPE Award Recipients
One of this year’s Engineer of the Year recipients will also be recognized as the 2026 GSPE Engineer of the Year – Overall, to be announced during the awards gala.
Lifetime Achievement Award
William Womack, P.E.
Engineer of the Year
Robert H. Barnes, P.E., P.G., M.ASCE
Christopher E. Brazell, P.E., PLS
Cameron Coates, PhD, P.E.
Suzanne V. Cooler, P.E., CFM, MPA, M.ASCE
Guoming Lin, PhD, P.E., F.ASCE
Suleman Rana, MS, P.E.
Student Award Winners
Abriana Nyante, S.M., A.S.C.E.
Anastasia Morris
Engineering Employer Award Winners
Chatham County, Department of Engineering
Coleman Company, Inc.
Kimley-Horn
Engineering Organization Volunteer of the Year
Lauren Kilgore

Why Attend the Georgia Engineering Awards?
Celebrate ExcellenceHonor Georgia’s top engineers and transformative projects that set new standards for the profession and contribute to the state’s continued success.
Unparalleled NetworkingConnect with industry leaders, elected officials, public-sector executives, and key decision-makers from across Georgia in a refined and celebratory setting.
A Black-Tie Gala ExperienceEnjoy an unforgettable evening featuring a formal dinner, live music, and a post-awards reception designed to celebrate achievements in style.
Inspiration at Every TurnBe inspired by award recipients whose dedication, innovation, and leadership demonstrate the powerful role engineers play in shaping communities and improving lives.

Event Schedule
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Reception & VIP ReceptionBegin the evening with cocktails and networking among Georgia’s engineering and civic leaders. VIP guests and top sponsors enjoy access to an exclusive private reception.
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Georgia Engineering Awards & DinnerThe centerpiece of the evening, featuring dinner service and the presentation of the GSPE Engineer of the Year Awards and other distinguished honors.
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. | Post-Event ReceptionCelebrate the night’s honorees with music, conversation, and a festive afterparty as we toast to the future of engineering in Georgia.

Georgia MATHCOUNTS Foundation State Competition – March 9
2026-03-09 08:00 - 15:00
The Georgia MATHCOUNTS Foundation will host its State Competition on March 9, bringing together middle school students from across Georgia to showcase their problem-solving skills, teamwork, and passion for mathematics.
The MATHCOUNTS State Competition represents the culmination of months of preparation by students and educators and serves as a key step in advancing math confidence and critical thinking among Georgia’s future engineers, scientists, and innovators. Top-performing teams and individuals will earn the opportunity to advance to the national level.
The Georgia MATHCOUNTS Foundation relies on the support of volunteers to ensure a successful and inspiring experience for students. Volunteers are needed to assist with roles such as scoring, monitoring rounds, and supporting event logistics.
Volunteer Call to ActionIf you are interested in volunteering, please contact:📧 bettyjean@georgiamathcounts.org
Your time and expertise help make this event possible and directly support math education and STEM career pathways across Georgia.

GSPE Bowling Night
2026-04-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Midtown Bowl, 1936 Piedmont Cir NE, Atlanta, GA, 30324, United States
GSPE Bowling Night
Join the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers for a relaxed evening of bowling, networking, and friendly competition at Midtown Bowl.
This casual social event is a great opportunity to connect with fellow engineers, meet new members of the GSPE community, and enjoy a fun night out.
Whether you’re an experienced bowler or haven’t bowled in years, all skill levels are welcome.
Thank you to our Sponsor: Terracon!

Mini Bowling Tournament
Feeling competitive? Form a team of three and bowl your best game during the evening. The team with the highest combined score will earn bragging rights and a small prize.
Participation is completely optional—come to compete or just bowl and socialize.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, April 8Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PMLocation: Midtown Bowl
Registration – Click Here
GSPE Members: $10Guests / Non-Members: $20
Your registration includes:

Bowling and lane access during the event
Entry into the optional mini bowling tournament
Light snacks
Networking with fellow engineers

Bowling shoes are required and may be rented at the venue for $6 if needed.

Atlanta Metro Chapter - The Fundamentals of Data Centers
2026-04-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Piccadilly Cafeteria, Tucker, 2000 Crescent Centre Blvd, Tucker, GA, 30084, United States
Monday, April 13, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Piccadilly Cafeteria, Tucker, GA
Data centers power nearly everything we do — but most people have no idea what happens inside one. This month, we’re pulling back the curtain.
Join the GSPE Atlanta Metro Chapter on Monday, April 13th for our free monthly meeting, featuring Farris Shaheen, PE, Director for Strategic Mission Critical, presenting on The Fundamentals of Data Centers.
Shaheen will walk through what data centers actually do, the equipment inside them, why they’re built where they are, and what it takes to keep them running. He’ll also share his perspective on why data centers are dominating the news right now — and what challenges lie ahead as AI-driven demand reshapes the industry.
From the server rooms of the 1990s to today’s AI-centric hyperscale facilities, data centers have become some of the most consequential infrastructure on the planet. They use power on par with large factories, require massive buildings and specialized systems, and employ surprisingly few people — yet they quietly underpin global banking, healthcare, communications, and more. This presentation is your chance to understand what’s really going on inside them.
Speaker: Farris Shaheen, PE brings 39 years of electrical engineering experience, with the past 15 focused exclusively on mission critical facility design and construction. He is a registered PE in Georgia and 29 additional states.
This presentation qualifies for 1 PDH.
📅 Monday, April 13, 2026 🕕 Networking at 6:00 PM | Presentation at 7:00 PM 📍 Piccadilly Cafeteria, 2000 Crescent Centre Blvd., Tucker, GA 30084 💲 Free (Dinner on your own) — open to engineers, students, and the public
Can’t make it in person? The presentation will be archived for free viewing at youtube.com/GSPEng.

Powering Georgia’s Future: Electric Load & Generation Growth
2026-04-14 17:30 - 19:30 | Bella Roma Grill, 770 Braves BLVD, NE, Rome, Georgia, 30161, United States
Join GSPE for an engaging presentation with Wilson Mallard, Director of Renewable Development at Georgia Power, as he explores the rapid growth in electric demand across Georgia. Driven by data centers, AI infrastructure, and population growth, the state is experiencing unprecedented pressure on its energy systems—and planning is evolving quickly to keep pace.
Mallard will provide insight into how Georgia Power is approaching generation expansion, including the role of renewable energy, grid reliability, and long-term resource planning. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of what’s driving demand, how energy portfolios are shifting, and what it means for engineers, businesses, and communities across the state.
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026Time: 5:30 PM – Meal Time & Social | 6:00 PM – ProgramLocation: Bella Roma Grill (New Venue)770 Braves Blvd NE, Rome, GA 30161
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from a leader shaping Georgia’s energy future.

Atlanta Metro: The Many Uses of AI in Engineering? May 11
2026-05-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Piccadilly Cafeteria, Tucker, 2000 Crescent Centre Blvd, Tucker, GA, 30084, United States
The Georgia Society of Professional Engineers Atlanta Metro Chapter will host its next monthly dinner meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, featuring a timely presentation on artificial intelligence and engineering ethics.
Dave Russell, PE, Principal of Global Environmental Operations, Inc., will present:
“The Many Uses of AI in Engineering?”
As AI rapidly becomes integrated into engineering workflows, the presentation will explore both the opportunities and risks associated with the technology. Topics will include AI-generated errors and “hallucinations,” responsible use of AI in engineering practice, evaluating AI-generated solutions, and how engineers can use AI tools while maintaining their duty to public welfare, health, and safety.
Attendees will also see examples of AI-generated solutions across multiple engineering disciplines and hear recommendations for questioning and validating AI output.
Event Details
Date: Monday, May 11, 2026Time: Networking begins at 6:00 PMLocation: Piccadilly Cafeteria2000 Crescent Centre Blvd.Tucker, GA 30084
The event is free to attend and qualifies for one Professional Development Hour (PDH).
The meeting is open to:

Licensed Professional Engineers
Engineers pursuing PE licensure
Engineering students
Technology professionals
Members of the public interested in engineering and AI

About the Speaker:
Dave Russell, PE, is Principal of Global Environmental Operations, Inc. and has more than three decades of experience in environmental engineering, hazardous waste management, and industrial process engineering. He is the author of several technical books and publications and has taught environmental engineering and presented internationally on environmental and engineering topics.
Learn more:

Georgia Society of Professional Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers

NWGA GSPE Meeting - Underground Natural Gas Fuel Lines - May 12
2026-05-12 17:30 - 20:00 | Sam’s Burger Deli, 3268 Martha Berry Highway, Rome, GA, 30165, United States
May Chapter Meeting
Underground Natural Gas Fuel Lines
Join us for our upcoming chapter meeting featuring a technical presentation by Glenn Welch, Esq., P.E., President and General Counsel of Welch Engineering LLC.
Event Details
📅 Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026🕠 Time:

5:30 PM – Meal & Networking
6:00 PM – Program Begins

📍 Location:Sam’s Burger Deli (returning to our original venue)3268 Martha Berry HighwayRome, GA 30161
Program Overview
Glenn Welch will present on Underground Natural Gas Fuel Lines, offering insights into engineering considerations, regulatory context, and real-world applications. This session is ideal for professionals interested in infrastructure, safety, and energy systems.
Additional Information

PDH credit will be awarded
Dinner and networking begin at 5:30 PM

We look forward to seeing you there for an engaging and informative evening.
Jeff Hampton, P.E.Harcrow Electric, LLCElectrical Contracting & Engineering

Metro Atlanta Chapter: Dangerous Criminal Engineering Fraud: Protecting the Public and the Profession
2026-06-08 18:00 - 20:00
The Georgia Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE) Atlanta Metro Chapter invites engineers, students, public officials, and interested community members to a timely and important discussion on engineering fraud and professional responsibility.
Monday, June 8, 2026
6:00 PM
Piccadilly Cafeteria
2000 Crescent Centre Blvd., Tucker, GA 30084
This free monthly dinner will feature a panel discussion on PE/PLS Stamp and Document Fraud, examining how fraudulent engineering documents are created, detected, prosecuted, and prevented. Attendees will earn one Professional Development Hour (PDH) while learning about an issue that directly impacts public safety and professional integrity.
Why This Matters
Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors are entrusted with protecting the public through responsible design and oversight of critical infrastructure. Unfortunately, fraudulent use of professional seals and engineering documents continues to occur. Documents may be altered after being sealed, submitted without an engineer’s knowledge, or falsely attributed to nonexistent professionals. Emerging technologies, including AI tools, have introduced new challenges in detecting and preventing these crimes.
The consequences can be severe. Fraudulent engineering documents can lead to structural failures, financial losses, legal disputes, and risks to public safety. Engineers whose credentials are misused may face costly legal battles to defend their reputations, while owners and communities bear the consequences of defective or unsafe work.
Featured Panel
The discussion will include perspectives from:

A member of the Georgia Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Board (PELS)
An Assistant Attorney General who advises the PELS Board
A Professional Land Surveyor whose work was altered before submission
A Vice President from a professional liability insurance brokerage firm

Panelists will explore common fraud schemes, enforcement challenges, legal implications, and practical steps professionals can take to safeguard their credentials and protect the public.
Open to the Public
GSPE Atlanta Metro Chapter meetings are open to licensed engineers, engineering students, aspiring PEs, and members of the public interested in technology, infrastructure, and public welfare. The evening begins with networking at 6:00 PM, followed by the opportunity to purchase dinner and the presentation at 7:00 PM. Attendance is free, and the session will also be recorded and made available on GSPE’s YouTube channel for later viewing.
For more information about upcoming programs and membership opportunities, visit GSPE.

GSPE Topgolf Social Event
2026-06-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Topgolf Alpharetta, 10900 Westside PKWY, Alpharetta, GA, 30009, United States
June 24 | 6:00 PM
Join the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers for a relaxed evening of golf, good food, and genuine connection with engineers and industry professionals from across the state.
At just $25 per person — covering reserved bay time and light appetizers — it’s an exceptional value and an easy way to invest in your professional community.
What’s included Reserved hitting bays for relaxed, no-pressure play · Light appetizers · Networking with GSPE members, guests, and local leaders · A chance to learn about GSPE membership, advocacy, and continuing education opportunities
Who should attend Licensed PEs · EITs and early-career engineers · Engineering students · Anyone interested in the future of engineering in Georgia
About GSPE GSPE advocates for Georgia’s engineers, offers continuing education opportunities, and builds community through local chapters and statewide programs. This event is a great way to experience that community firsthand.
Sponsored by
