Volkert is honored to share that three of our projects received national recognition at the 2026 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards. Members of our team attended the awards Gala on May 5, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C.
The Engineering Excellence Awards are among the most respected honors in the engineering profession, recognizing projects that demonstrate innovation, technical excellence, and lasting value to the communities they serve. To compete at the national level, projects must first earn recognition through one of ACEC’s 51 state and regional member organizations. This year, all three Volkert projects achieved that distinction, earning wins through ACEC Texas, ACEC Virginia, and ACEC’s Metropolitan Washington chapter before advancing to the national Gala, which brought together engineering firms and industry leaders from across the country.
Trevor Reed, PE, of Volkert, accepts the National Recognition Award for the City of Early Town Center Lake and Trails, joined by Early City Administrator Tony Aaron and Assistant City Administrator Larry McConn.
The three Volkert projects recognized at this year’s awards span Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In Early, Texas, the City of Early Town Center Lake and Trails gave a growing community its first true gathering place, transforming an underutilized site into a 10-acre lake and one mile of multi-use trails that now serve as the heart of the City’s new Town Center. The project first earned a Gold Medal from ACEC Texas before advancing to the national competition.
In Washington, D.C., the Florida Avenue NE and New York Avenue NE Intersection Improvements transformed one of the city’s most heavily traveled and historically challenging intersections. The project restored safe, efficient movement for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Beyond the roadway, the work gave the surrounding community a place to gather, creating Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Plaza, three new public spaces that honor a beloved community figure and connect the surrounding neighborhoods. The project was first recognized with an Honor Award from ACEC’s Metropolitan Washington chapter.
In Manassas, Virginia, the Grant Avenue Corridor Improvements applied Road Diet and Complete Streets principles to convert a four-lane arterial into a safer, more welcoming gateway to downtown for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. The project earned an Honor Award from ACEC Virginia on its path to national recognition.
Attending the Gala was a meaningful moment for the teams behind these projects. It was an opportunity to stand alongside clients, partners, and colleagues and reflect on what it takes to deliver work that earns recognition at the national level.
We are grateful to our clients and the communities who trusted us with these projects, and proud of the Volkert team members whose dedication made them possible.
Explore the Featured Projects:
• City of Early Town Center Lake and Trails
• Florida Avenue NE & New York Avenue NE Intersection Improvements and Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Plaza
• Grant Avenue Corridor Improvements
Watch the ACEC Award Interviews:
• City of Early Town Center Lake and Trails
• Florida Avenue NE & New York Avenue NE Intersection Improvements and Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Plaza
• Grant Avenue Corridor Improvements
Photos courtesy of ACEC | Photography by Cameron Whitman Photography and Kevin Parisi