Bill Bayles (M.E., ’77) was named one of the top 10 Federal Engineers of the Year by the National Society of Professional Engineers. He received the award during a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The Federal Engineer of the Year Award program recognizes outstanding engineers employed in the federal government.

Bayles became eligible for the national competition after being named the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Military Engineer of the Year for 2003.

A colonel in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bayles was recognized for work he did in the Rock Island District of the Corps Mississippi Valley Division. The most significant project was a $30 million renovation of a navigation lock north of Clinton, Iowa, an important link in the Midwest’s transportation infrastructure. The lock itself was more than 60 years old.

During the winter closure period of just over 70 days, Bayles led the upgrade of miter gates on the lock, the replacement of 1930-era electrical controls and the refacing of the lock walls. The job was completed in time for the navigation season, on budget and with no lost time accidents.