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ASCE Younger Members Recognized during Engineer’s Week Across the State

ASCE Younger Members Recognized during Engineer’s Week Across the State

February 2022

2022 Engineer’s Week took place from Sunday, February 20 to Saturday, February 26. Engineer’s Week is dedicated to the promotion of the profession of engineering as a social and economic influence vital to the welfare of the community.

One of the objectives of Engineer’s Week is to recognize and honor engineering achievement. Many Texas ASCE branches participate by selecting young professionals to be recognized as the ASCE Young Engineers of the Year.  

Dallas Branch

Carlos Balderrama, PE

Carlos Balderrama, PE was recognized as the Young Engineer of the Year for the Dallas Branch.

Carlos Balderrama, PE is a professional engineer at Atkins North America and currently acts as the project manager for the Maintenance Management Consultant contract with NTTA. Carlos has worked on projects all over the state of Texas for both public and private entities.

Carlos has eight years of combined experience in roadway design, maintenance, and construction engineering inspection. He was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and got his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Texas A&M in 2014. Throughout his career, Carlos has been involved in multiple projects spanning almost all phases in a project lifecycle including feasibility studies, schematic development, PS&E, and construction engineering inspection. Carlos got two years of boots on the ground experience as a CE&I project engineer on the IH-35 & US 183 Interchange Project in Austin, Texas.

In his spare time, Carlos enjoys playing tennis, running, and going to Cancun. He enjoys playing with his rescued pup and tries to volunteer at the local pet shelter as often as he can.

Fort Worth Branch

Derek Baker, PE

Derek Baker, PE was recognized as the Young Engineer of the Year for the Fort Worth Branch.

Derek Baker, PE, is a Project Manager who currently works at Pacheco Koch, a Westwood Company. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in December 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Derek has been active in ASCE since he was a student; he was the President and Concrete Canoe Captain for the ASCE UTA student chapter. During his professional career, Derek continues to be involved in ASCE in the Fort Worth branch, where he currently serves as Treasurer. If he’s not at the office, you can find Derek competing with his girlfriend in board games and learning how to play musical instruments. He shares his apartment with his two lovable cats, Levi and Addy.

Houston Branch

Alexa Nichols, PE

Alexa Nichols, PE was recognized as the Young Engineer of the Year for the Houston Branch.

Alexa is currently employed by EHRA Engineering as a hydrology and hydraulics engineer. Her experience includes a variety of drainage analyses; channel and detention pond design; hydraulic impact studies; low impact development analysis and design; and various other drainage and wastewater projects. She is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University.  She has served as the Houston Branch VP Communications, VP Education, Secretary, Membership Chair, and Social Media Chair. She is currently serving as VP Administration. You can find her playing volleyball with friends, watching football and basketball whenever her favorite teams are playing, and travelling across the world. 

San Antonio Branch

Matt Robbins, PE

Matt Robbins, PE was recognized as the Young Engineer of the Year for the San Antonio Branch

Matt Robbins, PE is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in General Civil Engineering and a graduate of UTSA with a Master of Civil Engineering. He is the Branch Manager of the San Antonio office of ECS Southwest, LLP and Principals both geotechnical and construction materials testing projects. Matt has worked on several notable projects around San Antonio in his career and he is proud to serve his community through the engineering practice. He has been involved in various organizations and enjoys networking with other engineers, architects, developers, and contractors helping grow our beautiful city.