Highpoints

August 2026 | Volume 42, Number 8

In this issue:

• AAEES Patrons
• From Our Executive Director
• AAEES Recognized in the Congressional Record
• Join the Conversation
• AAEES Engineering Committee at ABET Summer Meeting
• Presenting the 2026 AAEES Kappe Lecturer, Dr. Joel Ducoste
• LAST Call! Nominate Outstanding Leaders for AAEES Individual Awards - Deadline August 31
• Have You Renewed Your Board Certification?
• Advance Your Career and Expertise with AAEES Microcredentials
• AAEES Job Board Postings
• Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation
• Monthly Features

AAEES Patrons

Patrons of the Academy are organizations that are distinguished by providing financial support to the Academy's programs in addition to their engagement in specialty certification of their Engineers and Scientists. They are dedicated to a collaborative effort with the Academy in pursuit of Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science. For more information, go to https://www.aaees.org/patronsprogram.

From Our Executive Director

I am pleased to be joining AAEES as its new Executive Director. I have spent much of my career working with engineers, scientists, professional societies, businesses, and public agencies, and I am looking forward to bringing that experience to the Academy.

Over the coming months, I will be working closely with our Board, committees, staff, members, and partner organizations to advance the AAEES Strategic Plan, strengthen our certification programs, expand professional development opportunities, and find new ways for environmental engineers and scientists to connect and collaborate.

One of the things that attracted me to AAEES is the breadth of expertise represented within the Academy. Environmental challenges are becoming more complex, and the need for engineers and scientists to work together has never been greater. I look forward to getting to know more of our members and hearing your ideas about how AAEES can continue to grow and provide value to the profession.

Chris Stone, PE, F.NSPE, F.ASCE, LEED AP
Executive Director

 AAEES Recognized in the Congressional Record

On August 27, US Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz recognized the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) in the Congressional Record for the Academy’s leadership in advancing environmental engineering and science across the country.

The recognition highlights not only AAEES as an organization, but also the vital contributions of the environmental engineers and scientists we serve. Their work protects drinking water, improves air quality, advances sustainable infrastructure, restores contaminated land and water, strengthens community resilience, and develops solutions to emerging environmental challenges.

The statement also recognized AAEES’s longstanding commitment to technical excellence, ethics, innovation, public service, and continual improvement in environmental engineering and science education and practice.

Special thanks to AAEES President Jeff Greenfield, PhD, PE, BC.WRE, BCEE, BCES, ENV SP, for spearheading this effort and helping bring greater recognition to the important work of our profession.

Read the single-page excerpt from the official Congressional Record.

Access the full text online: Volume 172, Issue 136, August 27, 2026 (Page E809).

Join the Conversation

AAEES wants to hear from you. When you see one of our posts on LinkedIn or other social media, take a moment to comment, share your perspective, or pass it along to a colleague. Your participation helps us expand the conversation about environmental engineering and science and introduces more people to the work of the Academy.

We would especially like to hear from students and young professionals. Tell us what you are working on, what environmental issues interest you, or what you are learning in the classroom or in the field. Post about your experience, tag AAEES, and let us help share your story with the broader environmental engineering and science community.

Join us on the official AAEES LinkedIn page!

AAEES Education Committee at ABET Summer Meeting

Several members of the Education Committee represented the Academy at the ABET Summer Meeting in Baltimore in July.

Shown in the picture (l-r) are Prahlad Murthy, Laura Lackey, Berrin Tansel, Chuck Haas, Kelly Rusch, Mark Goltz, David Chin, Mark Houck, Jeff Greenfield, and Jianpeng (Jim) Zhou. Also attending was M. Karim. Tansel and Karim represented the Academy on the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission, Murthy and Greenfield represented the Academy on the Applied and Natural Sciences Accreditation Commission, and Lackey, Goltz, Haas, Rusch, Houck, Zhou, and Chin represented the Academy on the Engineering Accreditation Commission.

Presenting the 2026 AAEES Kappe Lecturer, Dr. Joel Ducoste

Dr. Ducoste, Distinguished University Professor and Associate Dean at North Carolina State University, is an internationally recognized environmental engineering expert specializing in water and wastewater treatment, sustainability, renewable energy, and pathogen control.

The 2026 Kappe Lecture Series gives students the opportunity to learn from Dr. Ducoste through engaging lectures and informal discussions focused on environmental engineering, career insights, and real-world challenges.

Available Fall 2026 and Spring 2027
Reservation Deadline: December 1, 2026
Hosting fee: $1,250

Schools can choose from two presentations, including “A LagEulerian Journey Through Time and Space” and “Hunting the FOG Whales.”

Learn more and reserve your campus:
www.aaees.org/kappelecturer

LAST CALL! Nominate Outstanding Leaders for AAEES Individual Awards

The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) invites nominations for its prestigious Individual Awards recognizing excellence in environmental engineering, environmental science, public health, and environmental protection. Awards honor outstanding professionals in academia, research, and practice who demonstrate technical achievement, leadership, integrity, and service to the profession and community.

Categories include the Edward J. Cleary Award, Gordon Maskew Fair Award, Stanley E. Kappe Award, Ralph and Joe Bales Graber Science Award, Honorary Member, International Honorary Member, and the 40 Under 40 Recognition Program.

Detailed criteria and access to nomination forms are available here:
View AAEES Awards Criteria and Nomination Forms 

Have You Renewed Your Board Certification?

It is not too late to maintain your professional standing. To streamline the process, you may remit payment for your specialty certification renewal without the need to log in to your account.

To complete your renewal, please follow these steps:

1. Locate your renewal notification email.
2. Select the link labeled "Click here to view this invoice" to be directed to your personalized payment portal.
3. Click the "Pay Invoice" button located at the bottom of the document.
4. Enter your payment details to finalize the transaction.

Once submitted, please email Susannah at SWalz at AAEES dot org to confirm your membership is updated.

Advance Your Career and Expertise with AAEES Microcredentials

In a world driven by innovation, professionals need more than experience; they need proof of expertise. The AAEES Microcredentials offer targeted, flexible learning opportunities designed to elevate your skills and showcase your mastery in high-demand areas like Artificial Intelligence and PFAS.

Click here for details

AAEES Job Board Postings

Environmental Science Officer
U.S. Army - Dearborn, MI

Senior Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 4)(In Training)
WA State Department of Ecology - Union Gap, WA

Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation

The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation's primary purpose is to recognize and promote excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science. As a result, the public will become more aware of the important role Environmental Engineers and Scientists play in managing global, national and regional environmental challenges. To accomplish its goals, the Foundation dedicates its resources to education, research and awards focused on outstanding Environmental Engineering and Science achievement.

The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As such, all contributions donated through this site are eligible to receive a tax-deduction. The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation supports several educational, awards, and outreach programs and supports a variety of activities and initiatives of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Descriptions of the various funds and their charitable objectives can be found at https://www.eesfoundation.org/donate/.

Monthly Features

Have you added your Board Certification credentials to your LinkedIn name?

Show off your accomplishments to your LinkedIn network…it takes under a minute to add your credentials.

See directions in the image below:

Need PDHs?

You now have the opportunity to earn PDHs from recorded webinars! If you miss an AAEES webinar, you can watch it at your convenience and then take a quiz to earn PDHs.

1. Go to our webinar library and watch a webinar of your choice.
2. Once you have watched it, go to the coordinating quiz link to purchase and complete a brief quiz.
3. Once you pass the quiz, we will send you your PDH certificate.

It's that simple!

Go to our webinar library to browse our recorded webinars: https://www.aaees.org/aaeeswebinarslibrary.

Interactive Who's Who

The Academy's website has an improved and expanded feature for members: the Interactive Who's Who. Look for the link just below the welcome message after you log in. With this tool you can search for members by name, specialization, organization, and location.

You can use this feature to find Board-Certified individuals within a specialty for possible engagement on projects. You can find out who else in your organization is a member and see their biographical information. You can get contact information for colleagues in the Academy. Universities can find local Board-Certified members to engage them with their program as mentors or external advisory board members. The feature is intuitive to use by selecting one or more text fields to search for. Once you find a member you can then click on them for more detailed profile including contact information. And, if you search for yourself, you will be able to edit your profile including adding a headshot photo for your colleagues to know you by. Enjoy this new feature that will help our members connect with each other.

Update Your Profile

Change of address, email or any information? You will need to login to your profile in our organization. 

If you are having trouble accessing your account, email Yolanda at YMoulden at aaees.org for assistance.

Not Getting Email Announcements from AAEES

Please be sure to whitelist or add [email protected] to your contact list to ensure you receive important updates and announcements to your inbox.

It's Simple - Refer a Colleague to Apply for Board Certification

• Click here for the simple one-page referral form for Board Certification OR
• Click here for the simple one-page referral form for Board Certification through Eminence

Student Lounge

We always love to hear what our student members have been up to! Send us your recent articles, news, studies, project photos, etc. We would be happy to share with the rest of the environmental engineering and science community via social media. Send an email to Marisa Waterman at MWaterman at aaees.org.

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