YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Alicia Cristina Smiley, P.E.​
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2024 TSPE Travis Chapter Young Engineer of the Year
Alicia Smiley, P.E. is a lifelong Texan and a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering and Honors in the Liberal Arts. While a student, she fostered collaboration through involvement in Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honors Society, and Lyle Engineering Ambassadors. Outside the realm of engineering, she served as
Editor-in-Chief of the nationally awarded Rotunda yearbook, received an Engaged Learning undergraduate research fellowship, and volunteered through the SMU Service House, a residential community focused on volunteerism. This holistic experience shaped her professional aim: creating a seamless stream of communication between the engineer and public to bridge the gap in understanding the value of water.
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Today, Alicia is a project engineer at Black & Veatch, working within the Water Planning and Asset Management specialized solutions group. She is responsible for developing technical solutions, producing design submittals, and implementing QA/QC processes. At Black & Veatch, Alicia also takes part in several office and company-wide committees, including office employee experience initiatives and the company’s Engineering Management training program.
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In addition to her work, Alicia has been involved in the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association (TAWWA) Capital Area Chapter. She currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer and has previously served as programs chair, networking and membership chair, and communications chair. On the state level, Alicia participates in the Education Committee, having both presented in and moderated the Value of Water session at Texas Water, the flagship annual statewide water conference. Alicia’s previous state- and national-level presentations addressed breaking down and disseminating water industry topics from water management strategies and rate setting to branding strategies and combatting misinformation. She is a 2020 recipient of the Watermark Award for Communications Excellence for TAWWA and WEAT members who have produced top-quality communications.
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Outside work, Alicia actively contributes to her community through various organizations. She volunteers with the Junior League of Austin, currently assisting with Mobile Loaves & Fishes, a program serving Austin’s homeless people, and previously packing weekend food bags for children through the Food-In-Tummies initiative. She shares her knowledge as a Merit Badge Counselor with Scouts BSA and participates in cleanups at Bull Creek Metropolitan Park alongside her husband Joe through the Northwest Austin Civic Association.
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Alicia plans to continue to leverage her experience and skills to bolster Texas’ water infrastructure. Her passion for problem solving, people, and dedication to “doing it right the first time” have prepared her to thrive in her chosen career and positively enrich the lives of others. She is honored to accept the TSPE Travis Chapter Young Engineer of the Year Award and be among those who have shown early in their careers the dedication to and excellence in the engineering profession.
2024 YEOY Nominations
The TSPE Travis Chapter Young Engineer of the Year Award is the highest honor given to a Young TSPE member. Eligibility is restricted to engineers who are age 34 or under, graduate of an accredited engineering school, EIT or PE, and a member in good standing of TSPE and NSPE. TSPE seeks to acknowledge the recipient's technical ability, professional achievements, civic and humanitarian activities. ​Per tradition, the YEOY is selected by a committee consisting of five previous YEOY recipients, typically the most recent. Applications for 2024 YEOY are due January 5, 2024.