Barry K. Thacker, PE
First ASFE Founders'
Award Recipient
| On April 6, 2002, ASFE announced the first recipient of the ASFE Founders' Award. Barry K. Thacker, PE was honored for his community service efforts in the Coal Creek Watershed of Anderson County, Tennessee which snowballed into the formation of the non-profit Coal Creek Watershed Foundation, Inc. Thacker made a presentation on the benefits of using engineering skills to provide community service at the ASFE Fall 2001 meeting in Boston. |
Barry K. Thacker, PE |
Thacker said:
"I started working in Coal Creek for purely selfish reasons. I wanted to catch wild trout near my home as a way to reduce stress. I figured that water quality improvements made by reclaiming abandoned mine land could turn Coal Creek into an ideal trout spawning habitat. I naively thought that all stakeholders in the watershed would support such an effort, but I was in for a rude awakening.
When the plan was presented at a public event, some residents posted protest signs. Others wanted to know what I was going to do about flooding, public education, drinking water supply, new jobs, sewage, inadequate dental/healthcare, and trash dumps in the watershed. Most government agencies endorsed the idea, but said they were broke and could offer little help.
What began as a weekend community service project evolved into a business opportunity complete with media exposure and new clients. I also learned some valuable lessons as follows:
 | When an engineer is paid to do a job, it’s front-page news only if it fails. When an engineer volunteers on a community service project, it’s front-page news when it works. |
| The thrill of winning that next "big job" diminishes with time. The thrill of getting a note from a 3rd grader that says, "thank you for bringing the dentists and news people to my school because I got to show my clean teeth on TV" does not. |
| Getting an honor student enrolled in college is a major accomplishment when that student comes from an area where only 0.5% of adults have graduated from college. |
| An engineer can stumble upon the amazing history of a watershed that affected the industry in which he does business. |
The time and energy I have devoted to this effort have paid off handsomely for the people of Coal Creek. Although I have put into the effort at least 100 times the energy I originally anticipated, I must say, given what I have received in return, I will continue to do so for purely selfish reasons.
This effort coincided with the time when engineering technical societies were pushing their leaders to get involved with community service, celebrate themselves as heroes in society, and embrace elected officials—all for the publicity. I remembered a better plan, used by Ronald Reagan. When President Reagan wanted to publicize the achievements of America, he showed the student, the elderly citizen, or the single working mother who benefited. Reagan thus got my attention and earned my respect. I want to help earn the respect of the public for the engineering profession. The average citizen needs to know that engineers are the designers and builders of the quality of life. Tired of hearing talk about how engineers needed to do something about regaining public respect, I decided to act."
Thacker was nominated by his staff at Geo/Environmental Associates, Inc.
[ASFE Home Page] [ASFE
Founders' Award Info]
[Barry K. Thacker, PE, First Founders' Award Recipient]
[Barry K. Thacker Nomination Package]
[Thacker's Presentation to ASFE at Fall 2001 Meeting]]