Thacker, who specializes in geotechnical and environmental engineering, especially for the mining and utility industries, was cited particularly for his work in the Appalachian area of the Coal Creek Watershed in Anderson County, Tennessee. There, he established the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation, Inc. (CCWF) whose outreach has had a profound impact on the physical, economic, and social well-being of that community.

Together, Thacker and the Foundation have designed and implemented a variety of remedial measures to reduce the impact of what had been the perennial flooding of Coal Creek that displaced families and threatened homes. During the downpours experienced in 2002, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported in a front page article that Coal Creek did not flood despite suffering a once-in-a-century rain storm. The article reported that, previously, such rains would have caused widespread damage in the watershed. No flooding has occurred since.

Economically, the Foundation has created tourist attractions highlighting coal-mining history throughout the area, including the recognition of the Coal Creek War sites and the Fraterville and Cross Mountain mine disaster sites where more than 300 men and boys perished.  The Foundation has had three sites in the area placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Further, Thacker has placed emphasis on health and education. He enhanced healthcare by assisting with reestablishing the Coal Creek free health clinic, which Dr. Tom Kim of Knoxville operates as a volunteer one half-day a week. He also created the Coal Creek Scholars Program through which 21 students are now enrolled in college, or have graduated. He urges all Scholar recipients to return to Coal Creek to mentor youngsters, and most do. Thacker often recounts a comment by a former sheriff that before Thacker started this program, Coal Creek students were far more likely to wind up in prison than in college.

Upon being notified of the award, Mr. Thacker stated, “The credit here belongs to the volunteers and residents—especially the youth--who have discovered a newfound pride in their community, and who are willing to work for that community’s return to prominence in Appalachia.”

Thacker and his wife Mary reside in Knoxville.  They have three grown children and one granddaughter.  For more information about Thacker’s work, visit www.coalcreekaml.com.

Thacker will accept the award at ASCE’s Annual Meeting on October 29, 2009 in Kansas City, MO.

CONTACT:  

Carol Moore
865-584-0344
clmoore@geoe.com