Celebrating industry giants and distinguished alumni

Four outstanding alumni and two industry leaders will be honored at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment’s Hall of Fame and Academy of Distinguished Alumni event, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4.

More than 150 industry leaders, faculty and alumni are expected to gather to honor these exemplars of leadership and professional service.

“These individuals make our programs and their communities better,” says Matthew Eicher, assistant director for student success and industry outreach for the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, or SSEBE.

“Induction into the Hall of Fame and the Academy of Distinguished Alumni is an honor reserved for those who have reached the pinnacle of their career and have made a difference in the lives of many through their work,” added Ram Pendyala, the school’s director. “As we honor our Hall of Fame and distinguished alumni, we celebrate their remarkable legacy of leadership and innovation that has shaped the future of our built environment.”

This year, the event also celebrates the 15-year anniversary of the founding of SSEBE, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University.

In addition, the event marks the 10th anniversary of the building in which SSEBE is housed, celebrating its place as a living laboratory and learning environment, community hub for students and meeting space for industry partners, says Pendyala.

Samuel F. Kitchell and Mary Jo and Paul C. Helmick are this year’s Hall of Fame inductees. They join 14 industry leaders recognized with this honor since its inception in 1990 for contributions to the advancement of the school, including its educational and research mission, and preparation of the industry’s workforce.

Samuel F. Kitchell

Kitchell, who passed away in 2006, was a key industry partner in the creation of the construction program at ASU in 1957. He introduced advanced project control systems and championed the construction management concept at Kitchell Corporation, which he founded and led as president from 1950 to 1979. Kitchell also served as president of the Arizona chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America and was inducted into the Arizona Business Hall of Fame in 1992.

“My philosophy of life is to enjoy it,” Kitchell was known to say, and his community service and philanthropy reflected his values. He served as Heard Museum president, founded the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona and played a significant role in supporting The Phoenix Symphony. Kitchell also contributed to the Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Thunderbirds and multiple local hospitals. The Kitchell employee foundation continues to support various causes today.

Mary Jo and Paul C. Helmick

Paul C. Helmick, who passed away in 2015, was a leader in the mining and equipment industry and owner of the Paul C. Helmick Corporation. Mary Jo Helmick was a graduate of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. The Helmicks thought it was important to give back to their community, and decided to focus their legacy on education. The Helmick’s transformational gift will support student success and leadership, industry engagement and integration, faculty excellence and research, and state-of-the-art learning environments in SSEBE, Pendyala says.

“I am thrilled to share the great news that the College Avenue Commons building has been renamed the Paul C. Helmick Center, and the building’s signature atrium will be known as the Mary Jo and Paul C. Helmick Atrium, thanks to the generous gift that will have a transformational impact on our school,” Pendyala says.

Tim W. Anderson, Mike Godbehere, Kelvin C.P. Wang and Guy F. Wollam are this year’s inductees to the Academy of Distinguished Alumni. They join a distinguished group of 40 ASU graduates honored since the award’s inception in 1995, exemplifying the spirit of the New American University through their professional excellence and unwavering support and compassion for their communities.

Tim W. Anderson

Anderson earned his Bachelor of Science in engineering in 1987 and his Master of Science in engineering from ASU in 1992. A professional engineer, he is executive vice president and Western operating group manager at Terracon Consultants Inc., where he oversees the safety, development, growth, client experience and financial performance of more than 1,200 employee-owners in 12 states. He has 35 years of experience in executing complex infrastructure projects and has played key roles in executing several landmarks, including State Farm Stadium, the master-planned community of Verrado, Chandler Fashion Center, Tempe Center for the Arts and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick spring training facility.

Mike Godbehere

Godbehere, the chief operating officer and cofounder of GCON Inc., earned his Bachelor of Science in construction management from ASU in 1994. Under his leadership, GCON has consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing companies in Arizona. Godbehere also serves on the board of directors for Leadership West and the Arizona Charter Academy, is chair of Del E. Webb School of Construction’s executive council and is a member of the Arizona Finance Authority. Godbehere provides free training opportunities to nonprofits and community organizations. He has been honored as Executive of the Year by the Construction Financial Management Association, a Sun Devil 100 and Titan 100 honoree.

Kelvin C.P. Wang

Wang earned a doctoral degree in civil engineering from ASU in 1992. His work bridges the gap between academic research and industry application, and for more than 30 years, the professional engineer has led efforts to automate the surveying of pavement distresses. Wang’s technologies and artificial intelligence-based solutions are used in several countries and have influenced methodologies worldwide. He received the Francis C. Turner Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers, was elected a Distinguished Member of the ASCE Class of 2021 and served as president of the ASCE Transportation & Development Institute. He has also been chief technology officer for WayLink Systems Corporation since its inception in 1998.

Guy F. Wollam

After graduating from ASU’s construction engineering program in 1970, Wollam served in the U.S. Army Reserves and worked for M.M. Sundt Construction. Later, he and his wife Lana started Wollam Construction, a heavy industrial civil construction company. Today, their family-owned business employs 200 and is led by their son, Matt Wollam, also a Del E. Webb School of Construction graduate. The Wollams also support the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Tee it Up Foundation for Cancer, National Disability Center, Utah Tennis Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah.