CCEE welcomes 2026 Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni inductees

April 17, 2026

Author: Anna Keplinger

The Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering (CCEE) is proud to honor eight accomplished alumni in recognition of their careers and contributions to the fields of civil, construction or environmental engineering. Our 2026 alumni awards feature five new Hall of Fame inductees, and three new Distinguished Alumni – business leaders, meaningful mentors and community builders that all started as young Cyclone Engineering students. Full bios about each recipient, and the nomination form to submit 2027 recipients can be found on the CCEE alumni awards page.

Hillary Isebrands – Distinguished Alumni

Hillary Isebrands has spent nearly three decades improving roadway safety through research, leadership and national policy implementation. After earning her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1997, she entered the industry as a roadway designer and project manager. After several years in practice as a consultant, she returned to Iowa State to continue her education, completing her master’s degree in 2004. She conducted transportation research at Intrans/CTRE and co-taught graduate transportation courses, completing her Ph.D. in 2011 and joining the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

At FHWA, Isebrands has led national safety initiatives as part of the Safety Design & Operations Team, supporting local and state agencies in developing data‑driven roadway safety plans. Her work has directly influenced safety programs in more than 10 states and supported statewide roundabout implementation in California, Ohio and Texas. She also founded the Local Road Safety Plans DIY website, empowering communities to build customized safety strategies.

Isebrands oversees the National Center for Excellence for Rural Road Safety, advancing the Safe System Approach in rural areas and strengthening collaboration among engineers and first responders. A prolific contributor, she has authored numerous peer‑reviewed publications and remains deeply connected to Iowa State through mentoring and guest lecturing.

Stephen Jackson – Hall of Fame

Stephen “Steve” Jackson’s construction career began at age 13, working summers for his father’s company in Nevada, Iowa. After earning his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering in 1975, he joined Cedar Valley Corporation, rising through the ranks to become president and CEO in 1990.

Under Jackson’s leadership, the company expanded its workforce and regional presence, completing major highway and interstate projects across the Midwest and earning more than 90 state and national quality awards in the past 12 years. Cedar Valley has placed over 32 million square yards of concrete paving during its 55‑year history.

Jackson served as president of the Iowa Concrete Paving Association, the Associated General Contractors of Iowa and the American Concrete Pavement Association, and received numerous honors, including ACPA’s highest recognition in 2022. A dedicated mentor, he served on Iowa State’s Construction Engineering Industry Advisory Council for 24 years.

W.A. Jennings – Hall of Fame

William Allen “W.A.” Jennings was an innovator whose vision reshaped concrete formwork worldwide. After earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1939, Jennings gained broad technical experience that led him to found Economy Forms Company, now EFCO Corp., during the Great Depression, working from his Des Moines basement and garage.

Driven by a focus on lowering in‑place concrete costs, Jennings developed efficient, system‑based formwork solutions that challenged industry norms. He personally earned 11 patents, five of which remain in use, and sparked a multigenerational commitment to research and development at EFCO.

A defining moment came in the 1960s, when EFCO supplied custom formwork for more than 1,200 Minuteman missile silos, leading to the development of the PLATE GIRDER® system. Under Jennings’ leadership, the company grew into a global organization operating in 14 countries. He was inducted into the Iowa Inventors Hall of Fame in 1985 for his lasting contributions.

James Russell – Hall of Fame

James “Jim” Russell founded Russell Construction Co. Inc. upon completing his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering 1983, launching the company at age 22 with $10,000, a handful of business cards and a rented shop in Bettendorf, Iowa. Within a year, he landed the firm’s first project and hired two employees. By the end of the decade, the company employed more than 20 people and exceeded $5.9 million in annual sales.

Over the next four decades, Russell built a national construction firm known for strong project delivery, people development and an uncompromising commitment to safety. Today, Russell Construction operates from five offices, employs 350 people and has delivered more than $7 billion in projects across 34 states, surpassing 1.6 million work hours without a lost‑time incident.

Russell’s leadership has earned numerous honors, including the Build Iowa Award and induction into the Quad Cities Business Hall of Fame. Through the RussellGives initiative, he has also helped channel more than $2.3 million to community organizations, reinforcing a culture of service and accountability.

Michael Manatt – Hall of Fame

Michael “Mike” Manatt built a career that combined engineering expertise, construction leadership and innovative thinking. After earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1975, he returned to help expand Manatt’s Inc., the family construction business founded in 1947. By 1980, he had secured the company’s first interstate paving project, laying the foundation for growth into one of the Midwest’s largest PCC paving contractors.

Manatt played a central role in developing the groundbreaking “Paradigm” concrete crusher, a mobile system that transformed pavement recycling by separating rebar and producing reusable subgrade material on site. The innovation earned national recognition, including a NOVA Award.

A respected industry leader, Manatt served as president of the Iowa Concrete Paving Association and the Associated General Contractors of Iowa and was inducted into the AGC Hall of Fame. He was equally committed to his hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, where a community center now bears his name in recognition of his leadership.

Dean McCormick – Distinguished Alumni

Dean McCormick shaped Iowa State University’s built environment for more than two decades, leading major capital projects that transformed the campus. After earning his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering in 1981 and gaining national experience in Houston, McCormick returned to Iowa State in 1994 to join Facilities Planning and Management.

Over 23 years, he directed or supported landmark projects including the Engineering Teaching and Research Complex, Gerdin Business Building, Jack Trice Stadium South End Zone Expansion and the College of Veterinary Medicine expansion. He also helped develop Iowa State’s intern program for capital projects, mentoring future construction professionals.

McCormick held national leadership roles with the Construction Owners Association of America, including president, and played a key role in advancing alternative project delivery methods in Iowa. After leaving Iowa State in 2017, he continued shaping major projects in Ames with Story Construction. He retired in 2024, leaving a legacy of collaboration, integrity and campus impact.

Robert Owen – Hall of Fame

Robert “Bob” Owen has spent more than 50 years helping build Owen Industries Inc. into a major force in the steel industry. After earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1966, Owen served in the U.S. Navy in Japan before joining the family business, originally purchased by his grandfather in 1937.

Working alongside his father and brother, Owen helped expand the company through acquisitions, steel service centers and specialized fabrication capabilities. A pivotal milestone came in 1984 with the acquisition of Lincoln Steel Company, which broadened the firm’s reach into bridge fabrication and unified operations under the Owen Industries name.

Today, the company employs more than 400 people and serves major clients including John Deere and Union Pacific Railroad. A registered professional engineer, Owen has been deeply involved in national industry organizations and received AISC’s Robert P. Stupp Award for Leadership Excellence. He continues to support Iowa State University while serving on the company’s board.

Steven Saye – Distinguished Alumni

Steven “Steve” Saye built a nationally recognized career in geotechnical engineering grounded in research, innovation and mentorship. After earning bachelor’s in civil engineering and master’s degree in geotechnical engineering, he spent decades applying advanced geotechnical principles to major infrastructure projects across the United States.

Saye became a leader in cone penetration testing, deep foundation design and soft‑ground engineering, publishing 20 technical papers and advancing design methodologies used throughout the industry. His work supported projects totaling billions of dollars, including the $1.3 billion reconstruction of Interstate 15 in Salt Lake City, recognized by ASCE as an Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement.

Equally impactful was his commitment to professional development. Saye mentored young engineers, recruited Cyclone graduates and helped shape technical education through long‑standing involvement with ASCE, the Transportation Research Board and the Geo‑Omaha conference, which he helped found. His career reflects a lasting dedication to advancing geotechnical practice and knowledge sharing.