A lot of very distinguished people have won the Golden Eagle Award. What does this honor mean to you?
Well, it is an honor of course, but more than that it really feels like a mutual thank you for my years of service and contribution to the industry, military, and organization. It feels like recognition and appreciation for helping others for so many years. And as I understand it, I am the first former CEC Chief to be awarded the Golden Eagle, so that makes it all the more special to me.

Tell us about your involvement in the Society of Military Engineers. How do challenges for engineers in the federal arena differ from those of engineers in the private sector, or do they?
I think the biggest challenge for engineers in the federal sector, that is different than the private sector, is the bureaucracy of doing the work for the federal government. The definition of ethical behavior is much narrower and much more stringent as a federal employee. Knowing the rules of the game can be quite difficult, because the landscape is constantly changing and shifting based on politics, or mandates, or budget constraints. However, what isn’t different is quality. Quality is the ultimate measure of our work, regardless of the market in which we practice.

You have held many different leadership roles in engineering and business. What have been the keys to your effectiveness as a leader?
Well, I’ll start by telling you what leadership isn’t: it isn’t charisma, or looks, or oratory skill. It isn’t enthusiasm or looking the part. I think the first question to ask when regarding leadership is: “Are you a person that can be trusted?” To me, the essential qualities of a leader, and what I think have made me effective, are:

• Honesty — Always be honest, even if it is painful. Be upfront and clear about why you do what you do.
• Consistency — Much easier to be consistent if you are honest. If you aren’t honest, it’s hard to be consistent because you have to try to remember who you’ve told what. Be consistent in what you say and do.
• Loyalty — It is imperative that you stand by people, both in good times and through difficulties.

How have the qualities needed for effective leadership changed over the years? What advice would you give to leaders today? To the engineering profession as a whole?
No, the qualities haven’t changed. Honesty; Consistency; Loyalty—these are basic principles for life and are timeless. My advice is to apply these to all that you do.

You’ve also worked in the energy field — what’s your perspective about global energy challenges and how they will impact our industry?
Yes, energy is a hot topic. Like environmental protection, or conservation which were hot topics in decades past, the topic of energy and the challenges in managing it are going to remain important over the coming decades. As long as populations continue to grow, addressing energy challenges is going to be important. The thing that disappoints me about the business of energy is the dishonesty in the discussions, on a global scale.

It’s like a game of cat-and-mouse. “How much energy do we have?” “How much energy do we need?” There is a broad spectrum in the energy field—on the one extreme end you have the pure science of energy supply and on the other you have political agenda. Politicians the world over use the topic of energy as an excuse to drive political agendas and that bothers me. But there is an ongoing tension between the two, and in the middle between science and politics lays the opportunities to make money out of that tension.

As for the impact and opportunities for our industry, I think that now is a critical point of inflection in which way the energy field goes. We have to weigh the reality of finite natural resources (oil and gas) against the capability of new energy sources, such as wind power, to actually support robust economies.

What have been the most satisfying moments in your career?
Being CEO and Chairman of the Public Service Company of New Mexico was an extremely personally and professionally satisfying role. When I retired from the Navy as Chief of the Civil Engineer Corps, I thought I had reached the pinnacle of my career and didn’t really expect to have command of an organization again at that stage of my career. The opportunity to do so at the utility was highly rewarding. That role also opened other doors in my professional life, such as the chance to serve on a Board of Directors, as I do for Brown and Caldwell.

Your biography says you are retired, but you are very active professionally. What keeps you so engaged?
I enjoy people a lot … I enjoy business a lot … And I don’t mind traveling! I won’t ever “settle down” and fully retire, because I really love what I do.

The Naval Academy says you were an “ace chucker” for the baseball team. What’s your favorite baseball memory?
One of the highest moments of my life was the Army-Navy game in June 1958. Beating Army, at Annapolis, with my parents and future wife in the stands was really a special moment. I’ll never forget it!