Washington County Engineer earns national recognition

WASHINGTON — The National Association of County Engineers (NACE) has named Washington County Engineer Jacob Thorius as the 2022 rural engineer of the year. The nonprofit organization includes over 3,000 county road improvement officials from across the country.

A news release from the group said Thorius had overseen improvements on over 175 miles of gravel roads, 54 miles of paved roads, and $2.7 million in state safety grant funding since entering his role in 2012.

“I think Jacob is extremely deserving of this award, he’s always trying to learn at the meetings,” said Todd Kinney said at a Washington County meeting on Tuesday. Kinney is a former president of NACE and winner of the same award, currently serving as Clinton County Engineer. “His voice is always listened to in the group, not just from Iowa, but from all over … it goes to show a lot when your peers recognize you as being a top performer.”

Thorius said he was thankful to his family and other county personnel for their support.

“It’s an award to me, but really back to the county, my staff, because this isn’t just a single person doing the job, this is everybody doing their job.”

In the same news release announcing the award, NACE named Thorius its new secretary-treasurer, for a term lasting until April of 2024.

The Washington County Engineer said that title was an honor as well. Thorius is already a member of the Iowa County Engineers Association Executive Board, the Iowa Highway Research Board, the University of Iowa Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Advisory Board, and vice president of NACE’s South-Central Region.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues across the country as we engage Congress and the administration to ensure county transportation infrastructure continues to be addressed within federal policy,” he said. “Our national economy depends on a sound and safe infrastructure network, with counties owning and operating more of those miles than any other government entity.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com