Acting Commissioner David Palumbo presents Belay Nerea with Reclamation's Engineer of the Year Award.
WASHINGTON - The Bureau of Reclamation is proud to recognize Belay Nerea for his outstanding contributions to engineering and research. As a Supervisory Civil Engineer at the Wyoming Area Office, Nerea has played a crucial role in modernizing water operations, enhancing infrastructure safety, and advancing innovative engineering solutions.
"Great leaders in engineering don’t just solve problems—they anticipate them, innovate beyond the present and inspire those around them to push boundaries,” said Reclamation’s Chief Engineer David Raff. “Belay exemplifies this leadership through his dedication to modernizing infrastructure, advancing research and mentoring future engineers."
Since joining Reclamation, Nerea has been instrumental in modernizing water operations and accounting systems for the Big Horn and North Platte basins, utilizing advanced software modeling. He also established a bridge inspection team that leverages digital technology to ensure compliance with National Highway Standards, streamlining processes and enhancing safety.
As the Chief Engineer for the Safety of Dams, Review of Operations & Maintenance, and Emergency Management programs, Nerea ensures the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure through rigorous inspections and reporting. His expertise was pivotal in the engineering review of the Fort Laramie Tunnel replacement project, where he collaborated with partners to refine structural designs.
In addition to his engineering work, Nerea has led cutting-edge research on sustainable infrastructure solutions, investigating the use of lightweight recycled rubber from tires as a cost-effective alternative in highway construction. His work, in partnership with the Technical Service Center and Missouri University of Science and Technology, highlights his commitment to sustainable engineering.
Nerea has a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering in progress at Missouri University of Science and Technology, along with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Nerea has consistently demonstrated a passion for both technical excellence and education. His expertise spans multiple engineering disciplines, including structural analysis, hydrology, and infrastructure safety.
Congratulations to the Bureau of Reclamation nominees:
Benjamin Taylor, Civil Engineer, Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region
Kevin O’Shea, Civil Engineer, Denver Office
Patrick Bald, Electrical Engineer, Glen Canyon Field Division, Upper Colorado Basin
