ST. LOUIS, Missouri The St. Louis Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE) names Mark Kollitz its 2016 Engineer of the Year. Kollitz, a Project Manager with Burns & McDonnell in Chesterfield, Missouri, has spent more than two decades improving infrastructure and community resources through his experience with water resources, program management and business development.

"Each year, MSPE's St. Louis Chapter selects just one engineer to receive the Chapter's highest honor," said Kathy French, P.E., MSPE St. Louis Chapter president. "The work Mark is doing for the St. Louis community - particularly with our water quality and wastewater infrastructure - is touching the lives of all of who call St. Louis home, and will continue to do so for generations to come."

Kollitz and his family made St. Louis home in 2000 after relocating from South Carolina. His career in the region has been dedicated to improving the infrastructure in the St. Louis community, as well as others across the country. Kollitz is a key leader on more than 75 projects for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District's multiyear Lemay Sanitary System Improvement Program. The program includes more than $1 billion in capital improvements to be constructed over 22 years and is intended to address water quality and alleviate many wastewater concerns in the St. Louis, Missouri, region.

"One of Mark's driving characteristics is his sense of entrepreneurialism," said Rebecca Losli, P.E., Regional Water Group Manager at Burns & McDonnell. "As a 100 percent employee-owned firm, we believe that forward-thinking approach can be a game changer for our clients. Mark is passionate about finding new solutions to challenges that benefit our clients and our community."

"I am extremely passionate about the work I do and feel fortunate to work on innovative projects that continue to provide us with those resources we depend on every day like quality water," Kollitz said. "I am grateful and humbled to receive such a special recognition from my peers in engineering."

He serves in a variety of leadership roles in St. Louis. He was President of the Missouri Chapter of the American Public Works Association and served two terms on the board of directors of the Engineers' Club of St. Louis. Kollitz, a Professional Engineer in Missouri and six other states, graduated from the University of South Carolina with Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in civil engineering.