Current Recipient

• Government Engineer of the Year Award 2025

  Tim Nordstrom, P.E., S.E.
  Tacoma Power

  Nominated by the Structural Engineers Association of Washington

  

  
  Tim Nordstrom, P.E., S.E., Tacoma Power, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Government Engineer-of-the-Year Award in recognition of his exceptional career as a civil and structural engineer and project engineer, his dedication and exemplary leadership in overseeing the design and construction of multiple structural systems, and his commitment to public welfare.

  
  As project manager for the Spillway Repair for the Cowlitz Barrier Dam, he was responsible for hiring a design team and a construction contractor as well as obtaining and complying with permits from numerous State and Federal agencies. He worked closely with the design team, the contractor, and the Tacoma Power staff to make the project a success. Together, they completed the spillway repair under budget and one year ahead of schedule during the COVID pandemic. The new spillway changes the river flow characteristics over the dam from a waterfall to an overflow increasing the life of the structure by several decades.

  
  He is currently working on improving existing structural systems including emergency transmission tower replacement due to storm damage, new designs and retrofit of hydraulic gates, and condition assessment and retrofitting of large hoist ways and lifting mechanisms. At Tacoma Power, he is a key member of the engineering team that is building 3D models of concrete arch dams and their supporting rock foundations. This effort aims to better understand the behavior and vulnerabilities of these critical structures.

  
  Tim has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington, Tacoma and is currently sponsoring a Senior Capstone Project. He is a long-time member of the Structural Engineers Association of Washington serving as State President, Southwest Chapter President, and Chair of the Legislative Committee.

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Award Criteria

• Has contributed significantly in the application of engineering principles in Local, State, or Federal  Government projects.
• Has led in improving the application of technology for public benefit.
• Has actively participated in improving the effectiveness of the engineering profession.

Past Recipients

• 2023 – Tony Allen, P.E., Washington State Department of Transportation
• 2022 – Susan Chang, Ph. D., P.E. – Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
• 2020 – Susan L. Everett, P.E., Washington State Department of Transportation
• 2019 – James P. Wilhoit, P. E., City of Renton
• 2018 – Jeffery A. Lundt, P.E., Wastewater Treatment Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
• 2017 – Alan Murray, P.E., Snohomish County
• 2016 – Richard Q. Gilmore, PE Silver Lake Water and Sewer District
• 2015 – Cindy Hirsch, PE – Federal Aviation Administration
• 2014 – Richard A. Sage, P.E., CCM, – Sound Transit
• 2013 – David L. Dye, P.E. – HNTB Corporation
• 2012 – James W. Miller, P.E. – City of Everett
• 2011 – Michael Mucha, P.E. – City of Olympia
• 2010 – Jerremy J. Barbera, P.E. – Port of Seattle
• 2009 – Ronald H. Borowski – City of Seattle
• 2008 – Linda E. De Bolt, P.E. – Seattle Public Utilities
• 2006 – Jonathan Siu, PE – City of Seattle
• 2005 – Randolph R. Sleight, P.E., P.L.S. – Snohomish County
• 2004 – John Hogan PE – City of Seattle
• 2003 – Lloyd Warren PE – City of Bellevue
• 2002 – Col. Ralph H. Graves Ph.D PE – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• 2001 – Cap A. Pearson PE – City of Tacoma
• 2000 – Thomas A. Kinsman PE – City of Seattle
• 1999 – Capt. David J. Visneski PE – U. S. Coast Guard
• 1996 – David A. Malsch PE – Washington State DOT
• 1995 – Simon Yang PE-Army Corps of Engineers
• 1994 – Louis J. Hoff PE-King County Roads & Engineers
• 1993 – Larry E. Shannon PE-Army Corps of Engineers
• 1992 – Stanley C. Stumbo PE-Washington State Ferries
• 1991 – Vladimir Khazak-Metro
• 1990 – Robert E. Bockstruck PE – Washington State DOT