Recognizing Acts of Excellence: Summer 2024 AOE Awardees

Andrea Schaub, Engineer-in-Training*
Airport Planning and Design

The Act: Andrea led construction efforts during a critical 60-hour weekend runway closure for a runway/taxiway intersection repair. After working 12-hour shifts through the week, she transitioned seamlessly into the weekend closure, maintaining an exceptional attitude and providing excellent project representation. She coordinated effectively with the contractor, client, and SEH team members. The closure was the critical component of a larger project that had a significant impact on airline operations, military aircraft, and other key tenants. Andrea also managed concrete paving and took quick action to address urgent mitigation needs when a sudden rainstorm threatened the timeline. Her strong communication skills were acknowledged by the executive director, who recognized her efforts in helping all stakeholders navigate this complex situation.

Tammy Bartz, Billing Supervisor
Finance and Accounting

The Act: Recently, Hurricane Beryl caused a power outage that lasted for several days, leaving many to cope with triple-digit heat while managing the stress of everyday life. During this challenging time, there were concerns about returning to work to tackle a backlog of emails, invoices, and project setups.

Throughout the situation, Tammy stayed in close contact, offering reassurance and emphasizing the importance of prioritizing family over work. Even with her kind support, there was still concern about the work that had accumulated. However, when returning to the office, it became clear that Tammy had already acted – she began invoicing, handled project setups, and assisted project managers as needed.

Her proactive approach and thoughtfulness during such a difficult time ensured that everything continued to run smoothly, allowing others to focus on getting their home life back in order. In the five months since joining SEH, Tammy’s leadership has been invaluable, creating an environment where employees feel genuinely valued and supported.

The Act: In May 2024, a project plant site detected ruptured effluent lines, resulting in large voids underneath the plant and in the courtyard. These voids were located underneath 30,000-gallon tanks, and the full extent of the risk was initially unclear, as effluent was draining freely into the soil beneath the facility. The plant’s reliability engineer sought immediate support, which included soils testing, regulatory coordination, and structural evaluation of the floor and tanks. Operations were temporarily halted pending a solution.

Jennifer and Aaron quickly developed a plan to evaluate soil contamination, and Aaron was on-site within two days to provide field support for excavation teams. Jennifer coordinated the response with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and provided ongoing consultation, building the plant through the remediation process. Justin supported the fieldwork as contractors exposed the voids in the plant floor while Ben developed a risk-based plan to stabilize the floor and recommended a solution for restoring stability after the new drains were installed. Additionally, Connor facilitated geotechnical support and coordinated with a contractor to conduct ground-penetrating radar scans, ensuring the safe and effective removal of the floor. Throughout this process, the new management team recognized the significant value of their timely intervention during this emergency.