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Every day, SEH employee-owners work together to deliver meaningful results for clients and the communities we serve. The Act of Excellence (AOE) recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in three categories – Accomplishment and Innovation, Character, and Teamwork. This year, we honor Andy Hegel, Jake Jorgenson, Derek Hetland, Simon McCormack, Matt Nguyen, and Thad Webb as our 2025 AOE winners..
An employee-led AOE Committee selected this year’s annual winners from the seasonal recipients based on their contributions and how they live SEH’s values.
This year’s honorees share what recognition means to them:
Accomplishment/Innovation: Helping SEH work smarter
Since joining SEH in 2020, Multimedia Designer Andy Hegel, has been a catalyst for change in how the company manages and accesses digital assets. Seeing an efficiency gap, he led the implementation of a Digital Asset Management (DAM) platform – guiding vendor selection, collaborating across teams, and tailoring the system to SEH’s unique needs.
“Within weeks of joining SEH, I noticed how much time our marketing team spent searching for files and tracking down the right versions,” Andy shared. “Having prior experience with DAM systems, I saw an opportunity to help transform how we organize and share assets across SEH.”
Thanks to Andy’s technical leadership and collaborative approach, SEH teams can now easily find and use high-quality assets, from project photos to marketing materials, boosting efficiency, consistency, and creativity.
“Receiving the award really means a lot to me,” he said. “SEH stands out for recognizing and supporting its people. As an introvert, the spotlight can be a bit intense, but I’m genuinely grateful and hope this recognition encourages others to keep bringing their strengths forward.”
Character: Investing time and care in future engineers
Airports Engineer Jake Jorgenson demonstrated exceptional leadership and mentorship by guiding a University of St. Thomas civil engineering capstone project. Over two semesters, he led students through the reconstruction design of the main runway at Mora Municipal Airport – blending real-world engineering with hands-on learning.
“The most rewarding part was watching the students really grow into the project,” Jake said. “Seeing them apply what they’ve learned, ask thoughtful questions, and gain confidence was incredibly fulfilling.”
Through patience, clear communication, and encouragement, Jake helped the students develop a sense of ownership over their work and take pride in their progress.
Jake’s mentorship left a lasting impression, demonstrating SEH values in action.
Teamwork: Responding together in a time of need
When a large-scale disruption left a community without water service for several days, SEH was asked to conduct a third-party assessment. Over the course of 60 days, the water, wastewater, and electrical engineering team – Derek Hetland, Simon McCormack, Matt Nguyen, and Thad Webb – collaborated to implement a solution. They delivered over 1,500 engineering hours, completing a root cause analysis and comprehensive needs assessment of the City of Richmond, Virginia’s, water treatment and distribution systems.
Each team member brought their own expertise to the project:
Derek brought electrical engineering expertise to the project. “I assessed the condition and lifespan of the electrical infrastructure throughout the City’s water facilities,” he shared. “Curiosity and conversations with City staff were key to understanding the electrical challenges at each site. I feel proud to have contributed to a project as impactful as this one.”
Simon developed the needs assessment for the City’s water distribution system, including pump stations and storage facilities.
“My 12 years of experience with design and rehabilitation of these systems, as well as conducting sanitary surveys, offered a unique lens,” Simon said. “Receiving the AOE Award means a great deal; it reflects not just achievement but also our shared dedication and collaboration. The project management team kept us organized and supported. Having strong team members, and understanding the importance of the work, helped us stay focused.”Matt emphasized the team’s collective effort. “I’m proud to be part of a much larger team than just the four of us. This project couldn’t have succeeded without the support of many more SEH colleagues, who were instrumental to its success. Constant communication and coordination were critical – you can never ask too many questions or take too many photos when assessing a facility.”
Thad brought process engineering expertise to the project.
“I think of myself as the ‘general practitioner’ of the drinking water field. That broad perspective helped me understand the incredibly diverse and detailed issues the City faced,” he shared. “This project was meaningful because we were able to serve the citizens of Richmond after a difficult period. I hope our work will equip the City and the Virginia Department of Health to be more proactive in the future.”Together, the team’s diverse expertise and commitment to collaboration ensured a successful outcome for the City of Richmond during a critical time.
Learn more about the project: Comprehensive Waterworks Evaluation and Cost Estimate Project
Join us in celebrating
These winners represent the best of SEH – professionals who lead with purpose, support their teams, and deliver for our clients. Join us in congratulating them and celebrating the values that make SEH a trusted partner.
To learn more about SEH’s culture and commitment to excellence, visit SEH Careers.