Wightman Wins Surveying Honorable Conceptor Award for Elkhart Project

Wightman was recently recognized with a Surveying Honorable Conceptor Award at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/Michigan) 2025 Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards Gala, held on March 8 at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Portage, Michigan.

The full-service consulting firm received the award for its Elkhart Hydroelectric Dam Flowage Lands Mapping project for American Electric Power (AEP). This award highlights Wightman’s excellence in surveying and its commitment to delivering innovative and high-quality solutions for clients.

Wightman was hired by AEP to perform 13 miles of mapping and flowage rights review along the St. Joseph River, from Elkhart to Bristol, Indiana. Flowage rights were acquired over a century before and had witnessed considerable development and numerous encroachments into the flowage lands. With the original 12-page paper maps in hand – which included a vertical datum that predated 1912 – its survey team went to work. In 8 weeks, despite challenging winter weather and the early arrival of a blanket of snow which impeded drone operations, Wightman delivered a comprehensive digital mapping plan and 46-page paper map that AEP can rely on to identify the encroachments into its flowage lands.

“We are incredibly proud to receive the ACEC/Michigan Honorable Conceptor Award for the Elkhart Lands Mapping project. This recognition reflects the dedication and innovation our team brings to every project. We’re especially grateful to our client, AEP, for trusting us to support such a critical initiative. Our partnership with AEP continues to inspire us to deliver high-quality solutions that make a real impact,” stated Lee Petcu, Wightman’s Energy Sector Leader.

Each year, the ACEC/Michigan Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards recognize outstanding projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, and value. Winning an Honorable Conceptor Award places Wightman among Michigan's top engineering and surveying firms and underscores the firm’s dedication to supporting critical infrastructure and environmental stewardship.

“Congratulations to all the firms that shared their projects this year. The infrastructure improvements engineered by ACEC member firms significantly improve the daily lives of Michigan residents and visitors,” said Ronald Brenke, PE, Executive Director of ACEC/Michigan. “So many innovative projects have been completed this past year.”

To learn more about the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan and its annual awards, visit https://www.acecmi.org/.