How big a deal is the American Council of Engineering Companies 50th annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition?

For starters, it’s known as the “Academy Awards of the engineering industry.” And the upcoming gala in Washington, D.C., is a lot like the Oscars, a black-tie affair for a roomful of amazing talent, hosted this year by Kevin Nealon, Saturday Night Live alum and comedic movie actor.

Maybe more importantly, the competition puts a spotlight on the best and most innovative engineering projects from the U.S. and throughout the world, ranking 162 projects entered in the 2017 EEA competition.

And more importantly still — for Kane County residents, at least — is that this year’s elite panel of judges included one of our very own.

Kane County Engineer and Kane County Division of Transportation Director Carl Schoedel was one of about 30 judges in 2017 who have selected 36 top award winners — 20 Honor Awards and 16 Grand Awards — for engineering achievement.

“It’s truly a benefit to Kane County to have a county engineer whose abilities and stature are recognized nationwide,” Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen said. “We have a first-class transportation system in Kane County, and it all starts with exceptional staff.”

Schoedel said the experience was nothing short of mind-blowing.

“Serving as a judge for the ACEC EEA has been one of the most rewarding undertakings of my entire professional career,” Schoedel said. “Having now seen the process works from both perspectives — first as an award recipient and later as a judge — has made the experience so much deeper and richer for me.”

Schoedel and KDOT hauled in the Grand Award hardware in 2012 for their work on the Stearns Road Corridor.

Will Carl Schoedel sport a tuxedo at the 50th Anniversary Engineering Excellence Awards?

From the 16 Grand Awards, judges also choose one “Grand Conceptor Award” winner — the Big Kahuna of the engineering industry that recognizes the year’s most outstanding engineering feat.

Judging for the top awards actually took place in February, Schoedel said. The winners will be announced sometime in March, except for the “Grand Conceptor Award,” which will be revealed only on the night of the gala.

Awards criteria included uniqueness and originality, technical innovation, social and economic value, complexity and success in enhancing the practice of engineering.

All EEA award winners will be honored as pre-eminent 2017 engineering triumphs at the upcoming black-tie 50th Anniversary Engineering Excellence Awards Gala Celebration — aka the “Academy Awards of the engineering industry” — to be held Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The American Council of Engineering Companies is the business association of America’s engineering industry, representing more than 5,000 independent engineering firms and more than 500,000 professional throughout the U.S. engaged in the development of America’s transportation, water and energy infrastructure, along with environmental, industrial and other public and private facilities.

Founded in 1909, ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations.

SNL-Alum & Comedy Star Kevin Nealon to Host EEA’s 50th Anniversary Gala

Kevin Nealon, the renowned comedic television and movie actor, will host this year’s Engineering Excellence Awards Gala to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ACEC’s signature awards program.

Nealon was a long-time Saturday Night Live cast member (1986-1995), known for many hilarious characters including “The Subliminal Man,” and “Hans and Franz,” and for anchoring SNL’s Weekend Update. He made his film debut in the romantic comedy, “Roxanne,” with Steve Martin, and has starred in more than two dozen movies including “Happy Gilmore” and “The Wedding Singer,” both with Adam Sandler; “Anger Management” with Jack Nicholson; “Daddy Day Care” with Eddie Murphy; and most recently, “Blended,” with Drew Barrymore.