Fourteen professionals with ties to Missouri University of Science and Technology were inducted into the Missouri S&T Academy of Civil Engineers during an induction ceremony held April 9 in Rolla.

The academy recognizes outstanding alumni for their professional achievement and success. It also provides support and experience to help the civil, architectural and environmental engineering department at Missouri S&T to reach its collective mission and values.

New members are:

Anika Careaga of Jefferson City, Missouri, owner of EnviroProof, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Missouri S&T in 1998 with an emphasis in environmental engineering. She has been a licensed professional engineer in Missouri since 2005. She began her career with MoDOT, where she evaluated erosion control products to create new specifications that are currently in use statewide.  She then joined Midwest Environmental Consultants in 2002 where she primarily worked in solid waste and stormwater design.

In April 2024, Careaga started her own company, named EnviroProof, LLC. It specializes in providing environmental compliance services for commercial real estate and vertically integrated developers in the Midwest. 

Anika and her husband, Jacob, also a 1998 S&T graduate, have a son who is enrolling at S&T to pursue a civil engineering degree. Jacob is the chief engineer for the Missouri Department of Conservation. Anika jokingly says she has OPD, or Obsessive Planning Disorder, a superpower that, used hand-in-hand with her love of spreadsheets, she tries to use for good rather than evil. 

Marie A. Collins of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, retired assistant director of engineering for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. Collins earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1979 and a master’s degree in civil engineering from S&T in 1989. She began her professional career with Booker Associates in 1980 before joining the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District in 1988 as a manager of plan review.

Collins continued to work for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, holding positions of increasing responsibilities. She became a program manager in 2001 and an assistant director of engineering in 2004, which is the position she held until her retirement in 2020.

As the assistant director of engineering, she was responsible for the Construction Management Division with a staff of over 50 engineering professionals, construction inspectors and support staff. The division was responsible for the construction inspections and management of the major storm and sanitary systems improvements funded by the district’s average annual $200 million Capital Improvement and Replacement Program. Collins has participated in various professional, charitable and civic organizations and taken on roles of responsibility.

Dan DeArmond of St. Louis, senior vice president of WSP, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from S&T in 1993. In his over 30-year career with WSP, he has held multiple positions, including vice president, area manager and senior project manager. He oversees seven Midwest offices with a staffing of more than 700 engineers, architects, planners and scientists. As the local business line leader, DeArmond is the St. Louis liaison between local clients and WSP’s international staff of 72,000 employees.

DeArmond has been awarded several honors, including the Honorable Ray LaHood Award from WTS St. Louis; and the Engineer of the Year in Private Practice from MSPE St. Louis.  Additionally, he has presented at many conferences, seminars and symposiums on project advancements and techniques.  He has participated in professional organizations such as Women’s Transportation Seminar, American Council of Engineering Companies and Missouri Society of Professional Engineers.

Away from his St. Louis office, Dan shares time with his wife and three boys, and enjoys time spent outside, especially at his family farm fishing, hiking, exploring, and relaxing.  He is heavily involved in Boy Scouts of America and his fraternity, Sigma Pi.

James Duehning of Lenexa, Kansas, is principal and managing director of program management for Burns & McDonnell. Duehning earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, both in civil engineering from S&T, in 2004 and 2013, respectively. He has been with Burns & McDonnell since 2008. He began his career with the company as a project engineer and today is managing director of program management within the transmission and distribution global practice. Burns & McDonnell also promoted him to principal in 2022.

Duehning’s service leadership is demonstrated through his participation in professional organizations, civic outreach and serving S&T’s civil, architectural and environmental engineering department. His S&T service includes outreach to students, staff and alumni, connecting them together to continue a foundational program for future engineering professionals. His service has been recognized by honors including the 2020 Young Alumni Award from S&T’s Academy of Civil Engineers, an ASCE Civil Engineer Award in 2009 and being named to the 2018 “40 under 40” by the Orlando Business Journal. He is a Kansas City United Way top donor from Burns & McDonnell, and a top 100 donor for the Kansas City MS 150 fundraiser.

James’ family includes his wife, Rylee Rose, and children Ben and Lauren. They enjoy outdoor activities, including hiking and biking.

Dr. Mohamed ElGawady of Rolla, Missouri, professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering and Alard and Sheri Kaplan Faculty Scholarat Missouri S&T, was inducted as an honorary member. ElGawady earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in structural engineering, both from Cairo University in 1997 and 2000, respectively. He earned a Ph.D. in structural engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne in 2004. He is a licensed professional engineer in Egypt. ElGawady has been a faculty member at S&T for 13 years.

ElGawady is an internationally recognized scholar, educator, and leader in civil and structural engineering. He has supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have earned awards and top honors.

Beyond research and teaching, ElGawady has provided extensive service to the civil engineering profession. Recognized as a top 2% scientist globally by Stanford University, he is also a recipient of the ASCE Innovation Award and the International Association of Advanced Materials Scientist Medal.

ElGawady is married and the father of three children, who are all on STEM paths. He enjoys playing and watching soccer and has a strong interest in economics and global finance.

Jay Hoskins of St. Louis is assistant director of engineering in planning for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from S&T in 1999 and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Clemson University in 2001. He began his career with stints at The Forrester Group and TRC Environmental Corp. before he joined the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District in 2007. Since then, he has progressed from a civil engineer to assistant director of engineering in planning.

Hoskins is a leading state, regional, and national expert helping to shape regulatory policies. He has been instrumental in the WEF’s EPA Region 7 annual meetings to address emerging water quality issues. The region includes Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska.

Hoskins has returned to S&T on several occasions to share his experiences and leadership with students.
Jay and his wife, Angela, have five children and live in Columbia, Illinois. Jay has been coaching his children in some capacity since they began playing sports. He loves to fly fish on the White River in Arkansas. At home, he enjoys watching the kids play while he is smoking ribs on the pool deck preparing for family dinner. 

Darrell Jacobs of Chesterfield, Missouri, president of The Engenuity, earned bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and architectural engineering from S&T in 2004. He joined G&W Engineering in 2012 and soon became the director of business development. He worked with the owners of the company to develop a five-year business plan. As the firm entered the third year of the plan, Jacobs and the owners formed En-Comm to provide energy, commissioning, and due diligence services to clients. En-Comm is now a subsidiary of G&W Engineering.   

In 2021, Jacobs left G&W to start The Engenuity. He grew the business from four employees to 23 colleagues as of 2025.

Darrell and his wife, Nicki, have three children: Delanie, Callie and Dalton. He coaches sports for all his children. He is a Guinness World Record Holder as a participant in the longest marathon baseball game in 2019.

Rodney Joel of Kansas City, Missouri, is director of the Central Region Airports Division of theFederal Aviation Administration. He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, both in civil engineering, from S&T in 1988 and 1990, respectively. His professional career has been focused on civil service in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airports Division. Joel is responsible for one of eight FAA regional offices of airports, in which his team administers hundreds of millions of dollars in grants for airport infrastructure improvements annually, ensures airport safety standards and provides guidance on airport design and master planning. The Airports Division is also responsible for implementing programs, including the runway safety program and airport certification services. 

Joel is an expert and thought leader in airfield pavement technology and has played an instrumental role in the design and development of airfield pavements across the country over the last 30 years. 

Joel is a photography and woodworking enthusiast. He and his wife have two adult daughters.

Eric Landwehr of Jefferson City, Missouri, director of Cole County Public Works, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from S&T in 1996. He is licensed as a professional engineer in Missouri and has served Cole County, Missouri, for over two decades. Prior to Cole County, he worked for MoDOT for nine years.

Landwehr has contributed significantly to public infrastructure systems through his work in addition to his involvement with the American Public Works Association (APWA), where he has held multiple leadership roles. He was named to APWA’s national 2025 Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year. He was previously awarded the Missouri Chapter Public Works Leader of the Year and the D2 Award, the highest honor awarded by the Missouri chapter. 

Eric is married to Stacy, and he is a father of three sons: Kyle, a fellow civil engineer; Nathanael, a U.S. Marine; and Zachary, a high school junior. Eric volunteers extensively with civic, technical and faith-based organizations. His hobbies, from restoring classic Mustangs to preserving his family farmhouse, reflect his appreciation for history and craftsmanship.

Andy Mueller of Springfield, Missouri, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1990 from Missouri S&T. He is a fixture in southwestern Missouri transportation engineering. In his time with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), and now with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT), he has led staff and project teams in delivering many high profile, critical infrastructure projects. He has also mentored and supported an entire generation of transportation engineers in southwest Missouri.

Following retirement after 28 years of service to MoDOT, Mueller currently serves as an associate and group manager for CMT in Springfield, Missouri. He oversees a staff of 33 engineers, surveyors, land acquisition specialists and rail specialists. Since joining CMT in 2020, Mueller’s group and role have grown significantly, a testament to his leadership and skill in delivering projects to clients, attracting talent and building good teams.

Brigadier General Robert J. Payne of Columbia, Missouri, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1997 from S&T as a distinguished military graduate, a master’s degree in environmental management from Webster University and a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College. He serves as the deputy adjutant general and director of joint staff for the Missouri National Guard in Columbia, leading a 12,000-member organization and overseeing strategic operations that support Missouri’s economy and national defense.

Payne’s career spans over two decades, including active duty assignments with U.S. Army Special Forces and leadership roles in emergency response, homeland security and military training. He has commanded multiple units and led statewide responses to COVID-19 and civil unrest.

He is a life member of several military associations and supports Missouri S&T through ROTC lectures and alumni engagement. His civic service includes founding Scout Troop 4475, coaching youth sports, and volunteering with Toys for Tots and bereavement programs.

Bob and his wife, Christi, have four daughters and are active in their church and community. He enjoys fitness, reading leadership literature, and supporting his daughters’ activities.

Eric Shumate of Riverside, Missouri, chief of the Engineering Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Kansas City District, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from S&T in 1996. He has been with the Army Corps of Engineers since 2004. His current position as deputy program manager for the Kansas City Corps of Engineers is the highest civilian role in a Corps of Engineers district. He oversees a division of approximately 250 staff comprising engineers of various disciplines, surveyors, scientists, technicians and administrative staff.

Shumate engages with S&T, including giving technical talks, attending campus activities, recruiting visits for career fairs and networking nights, and supporting student groups. He has held various civic roles, including alderman for the City of Kearney, planning and zoning commissioner, and serving on various church committees. He has received numerous awards, including the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal. 

Eric and his wife, Michelle, have two adult children: Anthony and Brooklyn. Eric enjoys hunting, raising horses, scuba diving, playing online video games, and being a fan of the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs.

Thomas J. Westerman of Jefferson City, Missouri, is a structural design engineer for Hg Consult. Since graduating from Missouri S&T in 1982, Westerman has established himself as a leading structural bridge engineer in the United States. He has participated in or led the design of many complex and moveable structures, including major river crossings over the Cuyahoga, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and the Englewood Flyover rail grade separation in Chicago. His work has been well recognized, both from the companies that he has worked for and from prominent technical organizations in engineering.

Westerman has been very involved in the technical organizations of his trade, including ASCE and AREMA, for over 40 years. His civic and charitable contributions include serving as grand knight in the Knights of Columbus and participating in Multiple Sclerosis Society MS150 fundraising rides. He has also made a huge personal commitment by donating over 300 units of blood, plasma and white blood cells.

Westerman is a member and a certified judge in the Kansas City Barbeque Society and he has judged over 20 events.

Wilson (Dave) Yates IV of St. Louis, Missouri operations lead for Brown and Caldwell, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from S&T in 1995. He has worked for Burns & McDonnell, CDM and CH2M Hill. His expertise is in water and wastewater systems.

Yates has held leadership roles and contributed to numerous professional engineering and technical organizations, as well as various community service groups. He has contributed to the Missouri Water Environment Association, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri and the Metro Water Infrastructure Partnership. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Heat-Up St. Louis and the Lifetime Honorary Member Award from the St. Louis Engineers’ Club.

Dave and his wife, Lisa, enjoy golfing, skiing, music and competing in bodybuilding competitions.

About Missouri S&T

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.