Engineer of Year nominees 2004: these leaders bring honor and skill to their career fields.

National Engineers Week was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. It is always celebrated at the time of George Washington's birthday. Our nation's first president was a military engineer and land surveyor.

In Anchorage, the first Engineers Week was celebrated in the late 1950s. It has grown to involve hundreds of engineers in a variety of community activities, presentations of student scholarships, and recognition of individual engineers for their accomplishments. Nominees must be Alaska residents, practicing a noteworthy career in an engineering capacity, in a recognized field of engineering within the state.

With more than 130 years of combined engineering experience, this year's nominees for Engineer of the Year have demonstrated significant engineering contributions in their respective engineering fields as well as active participation in community service activities. The 2004 Engineer of the Year will be announced Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Engineer's Week Annual Banquet. For their dedication to engineering as well as to the community, the engineering community in Alaska is proud to recognize the following individuals.

ENGINEERS WEEK[R] FEBRUARY 20-26, 2005

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

Tom Brooks, P.E.

Tom Brooks came to Alaska in 1975, beginning his Alaska career as a structural engineer on the trans-Alaska oil pipeline project. His education includes Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in civil engineering from Colorado State University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington. Today, Brooks is the chief of engineering services for the Alaska Railroad in Anchorage. For almost 30 years, his engineering career has included planning, design and construction administration of oilfield and public transportation-related projects supporting the growth and development of rural and urban Alaska.

Brooks leads planning and design teams on a wide variety of rail-related projects. Achievements for 2004 include the substantial completion of the six-year, $50 million military base track-realignment project. Other significant 2004 projects include preliminary design and engineering of the rail realignment around the community of Nenana and conceptual alignment and cost estimates for an 80-mile rail line extension to Fort Greely. Brooks also leads efforts to improve safety at highway/railroad crossings, working closely with state and local officials, and the public. His work is improving the safety, reliability and economy of Alaska's passenger and freight rail system.

Brooks is a member of ITE and the American Society of Civil Engineers, and is also a member of the American Railroad and Maintenance of Way Association, where he is active on its committee on commuter and intercity rail systems. He also serves his community in many ways, including guest lectures to University of Alaska Anchorage's...