William Klingner, P.E., CFM, a project engineer at Klingner and Associates in Quincy, Illinois, has been named one of five Young Professionals of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the business voice of the nation's engineering and design industry.

ACEC's annual Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes the accomplishments of young professionals who have contributed to the engineering industry and have made an impact on society.

Klingner was recognized for his work managing the rebuilding of levees and flood protection infrastructure damaged by the 2019 Flood. During that flood, he continuously briefed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fabius River Drainage District, industry leaders, and local stakeholders about the river conditions, projected crests, weak points, and the allocation of flood-fighting supplies.

When erosion nearly destroyed 1,000 feet of the Fabius levee, Klingner implemented emergency procedures that saved the levee, as well as stretches of two highways and BNSF Railroad facilities.

To qualify for the award, nominees must have been 35 years of age or younger on Dec. 31, 2020 and be a Registered Professional Engineers. Nominations for the award are made through ACEC's 52 state and regional Member Organizations. Nominees are evaluated and the honorees selected by the Awards Subcommittee of ACEC's Committee of Fellows.

For more information about the Young Professional of Year awards program, contact Heather Talbert at htalbert@acec.org.