Annual Recognition
Each year, ACEC Indiana recognizes the leaders of the engineering community by presenting an Annual Recognition Awards program. ACEC Indiana accepts one submission per firm for each award. The awards presented at this event can include the following:
Annual Recognition Award Nominations
Join us as we acknowledge the incredible contributions of our engineers and leaders! Submit a nomination to honor the remarkable achievements of our engineering community by May 5, 2027. Awards are presented at the Annual Recognition Awards program on June 10, 2027.
Nominations will open in Spring 2027.
Consulting Engineer of the Year
The Consulting Engineer of the Year Award honors an ACEC Indiana member who has made a significant, lasting impact on the profession. This year, we proudly recognize Dave Henkel, PE for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the industry.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dave has led some of Indiana’s most complex transportation projects—fundamentally improving public safety and driving statewide economic growth. As a leader at Lochmueller Group, he directs a cross-functional team of 90+ professionals delivering $18 million in annual revenue. Known equally as a masterful engineer and a trusted mentor, Dave has been a pillar of ACEC Indiana through board service, committee efforts, and infrastructure advocacy on Capitol Hill.
Young Engineer of the Year
The Young Engineer of the Year Award was established to acknowledge an engaged ACEC Indiana member aged 35 or younger for their outstanding talents, skills, and abilities as the next generation of engineering leaders. This year, the award was presented to Vladimir Abou Sejaan, PE, MBA.
Since joining Terracon in 2020, Vladimir has rapidly progressed into his role as Transportation Team Leader and Department Manager at the Indianapolis office—a direct reflection of his technical expertise and strong leadership capabilities. A licensed PE in four states, he has successfully managed over $9.5 million in contracts and leads Terracon’s national Pavement Practice Resource Group.
Within the industry and community, Vladimir is deeply committed to supporting the next generation of civil engineers through mentorship and professional development. He is a past participant in the ACEC Indiana Engineering Leadership Program, a newly appointed member of the Indiana Transportation Team Greenfield District Steering Committee, and serves as Vice President of the ASCE Metro Indy Branch Young Member Group. Beyond his professional achievements, Vladimir exemplifies servant leadership as a founding executive member of the nonprofit religious organization, Our Lady of Cana.
Virgil "Gus" Grissom Award
Named after the legendary Indiana astronaut, this award recognizes an individual outside of our membership who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and support for Indiana’s engineering community—helping move the engineering profession forward into new frontiers. The 2026 award was presented to Senator Kyle Walker.
With a professional background in engineering consulting and public works, Senator Walker brings vital industry insight to the Statehouse. Throughout his tenure, he has been a bipartisan champion for infrastructure funding, public safety, and economic growth. His key impacts include securing funding for the Fishers Internet of Things lab and driving strategic investments that allow engineering innovation to thrive in Indiana.