GW Engineering Hall of Fame: CEE Members

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is proud to introduce our alumni who are members of the GW Engineering Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame was established by the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) in 2006 to recognize and honor distinguished alumni, faculty, staff, and friends from across the school who have contributed to engineering, technology or management in a sustained and significant way during their careers. These men and women bring distinction to GW through their achievements and their contributions to their professions, the University, and society-at-large.

Meet the CEE Members of the Hall of Fame:

Mr. Richard N. Davis

Richard Davis was known for his energy, and he dedicated it fully to both his career and his passion for the outdoors. A decorated veteran of World War II, Mr. Davis returned to the U.S. following the war and attended GW on the GI Bill, earning a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering in 1950. In 1957, he joined Greenhorn, O'Mara, Dewberry & Nealon, the firm co-founded by fellow GW Engineering Hall of Fame inductee Sidney Dewberry. Beginning as chief engineer, Mr. Davis was elevated by 1968 from senior associate to full partner of Dewberry, Nealon & Davis. In 1975, the firm became Dewberry & Davis. Mr. Davis played a key role in several of the firm's major construction projects, including the original Dulles Toll Road and the Dulles Greenway, for which he was the chief engineer. He also supervised the $17 million redesign and rebuilding of Wolf Trap's Filene Center when it burned down in 1982. He continued to help build the company until his retirement in 1987, when he turned his attention to his passions for deep sea marlin fishing, trout fishing, hunting, wood working, and travel. He enjoyed all of these interests until his passing in 2008.

Mr. Sidney O. Dewberry

After serving in World War II, Sidney Dewberry attended GW on the GI Bill, and graduated in 1951 with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. Five years later, he and his business partner Jim Nealon co-founded the firm that ultimately grew into Dewberry LLC. Along the way, he was joined by GW Hall of Fame inductee Richard Davis, who became a full partner in the firm in 1975. As co-founder and chairman of Dewberry LLC, Mr. Dewberry takes great pride in working in a business whose labors make a very visible and tangible impact on the world. The firm has provided architectural and engineering services, planning, program management and surveying services, land planning, environmental compliance, and security and homeland defense services to government agencies and departments, universities, real estate developers, and other commercial and institutional groups. The company maintains 40 offices with approximately 2,000 employees throughout the United States. Major projects for which Sidney Dewberry has served as partner in charge include Pentagon City; Montgomery Village; Tysons II, Fair Oaks and Lake Forest Malls; and the Dulles Toll Road.

Mr. Allyn E. Kilsheimer

Allyn Kilsheimer's legendary work ethic goes back at least as far as college, when he worked in engineering firms to pay his way through school. He graduated in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, and by 1972 had founded his own engineering firm, KCE Structural Engineers, which he continues to lead today as its chief executive officer. Over the years, the firm has provided structural design consultation to government agencies, private sector owners, contractors, and major corporations in 21 states and numerous countries throughout the world. The project for which Mr. Kilsheimer's firm is most well known is the Phoenix Project, which rebuilt the Pentagon significantly under budget and ahead of schedule following the September 11th terrorist attack. Other high-profile projects include responses to the 1985 earthquake in Mexico City, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and the 1995 Oklahoma City federal building bombing

Mr. Nicholas G. Paleologos

Nicholas Paleologos began working at Miller & Long Construction Company while he was a civil engineering student at The George Washington University. He earned his bachelor's degree and worked his way up through the ranks of the company to partner and president in charge of operations. Mr. Paleologos has been a dedicated member of the SEAS National Advisory Council since the group was founded and has been a tireless advocate for the School. He is also a member of the Presidents Club for the University of Maryland. Mr. Paleologos received the Engineer Alumni Achievement Award from the Engineer Alumni Association in 1988.

Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki 

Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki is an internationally recognized business leader and naval architect in the maritime and offshore energy sectors. He currently serves as chairman and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), one of the largest and most respected international classification societies, and chairman of ABS Group, a global leader in risk consulting services. Combined, these organizations employ 5,500 professionals in 70 countries. Mr. Wiernicki has been a leading voice on a number of issues impacting the marine and offshore industry, including modernizing maritime safety through the use of risk-based methodologies. His approach to management is to use his understanding of engineering, technology, and business fundamentals to stimulate growth and increase stakeholder value. Other leadership positions he has held in ABS and ABS Group include president and COO of ABS, president and COO of ABS Group, and chief technology officer of ABS. Prior to joining ABS, he was president and CEO of Designers and Planners Inc., a leading U.S. naval architecture firm. Mr. Wiernicki received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1980, his master of science degree in structural engineering from GW in 1983, and his master of science degree in ocean engineering from MIT in 1985. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.