Laurie L. Adams, PE, PTOE, PTP Named 2019 Engineer of the Year!

The Toledo Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) annually recognizes a local engineer for their commitment and achievements in the engineering profession and community…this year, TSPE has selected Laurie L. Adams, PE, PTOE, PTP as the 2019 Engineer of the Year!

Laurie joined DGL in 1986, was elected to principal in 1999 and was named the Managing Partner in 2017. Laurie is committed to her profession, the industry and the community. She consistently works toward improving standards of professional excellence and making a difference in the communities she serves.

Laurie earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of Toledo (UT) and is a Professional Engineer in Ohio and Michigan. She holds additional certification as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) and a Professional Transportation Planner (PTP). Earning her PTOE and PTP certifications not only proves her impressive range of education and experience in transportation operation and planning, but, demonstrates her commitment to the profession and industry. Laurie continues to seek prequalifications and certifications that align with her passion for traffic and safety.

Ms. Adams is currently the President of UT’s Engineering Alumni Affiliate and serves on the College of Engineering Development Committee, as well as the Civil Engineering Industrial Advisory Board. In 2015, Laurie was selected as UT’s Civil Engineering Outstanding Alumna. She also sits on numerous boards and committees, and is active in several professional organizations including the TMACOG Transportation Improvement Committee, TMACOG Autonomous Vehicle Steering Committee Chair and the Lucas County Access Management Appeals Board. She was the keynote speaker for the 2014 and the 2017 UT Engineering Honors Convocation. Laurie regularly presents on industry related topics and is an active participant and panelist on the UT and AAA ‘Technology Takes the Wheel’ bi-monthly seminars on autonomous vehicles. Laurie has a strong stance on transportation infrastructure, its importance on the economy and the safety of the traveling public.

Since accepting the Managing Partner role, Laurie has placed a significant emphasis on developing and communicating a strong plan for the firm. Leading the firm with a positive, productive approach has notably increased partnerships both internally, with her co-owners and the employees, as well as DGL’s external clients and teaming firms. She promotes practices that have improved organization operations, teaming relationships and delivery of services. Under Laurie’s leadership, DGL has embraced changes within the industry while continuing to value the legacy of which the firm was built upon.

In addition to leading the firm, Ms. Adams oversees DGL’s traffic/safety team. Laurie is a recognized leader in traffic and safety across the state and has unique skills in pedestrian movement analysis within busy urban corridors, as well as school walking and biking routes. She led DGL’s Safe Routes to School and Safety Studies ODOT programs along with the 2013, 2016 and 2018 Signal Timing contracts. She has worked with numerous communities to obtain grant funding for Safety, Safe Routes to School, Small City and Transportation Alternatives programs. Laurie has also been instrumental in working with municipalities to develop “Access Management Regulations”.

Her favorite projects include working with communities to improve safety for school children, improving the parking experience at the Toledo Zoo and innovative interchange designs like the Perrysburg Diverging Diamond Interchange. Being part of a local team to provide transportation solutions in our community are also favorites including the upcoming I-475 and Dorr Street Roundabout Interchange and improving the Downtown Toledo Transportation System.

Ms. Adams has an impressive strength with public outreach, involvement and relations due to her ability to connect with stakeholders in a compelling, credible manner. Her process of engagement with the public has significantly impacted successful outcomes of numerous projects. Laurie’s ability to facilitate community understanding of projects and gain public support within the communities is notable. This client and project related experience positioned her well for her duties as DGL’s Managing Partner. Among Laurie’s responsibilities is ensuring the firm’s public relations strategy is effective. She is involved with overseeing the framework on which DGL’s strategy is formed, which helps position the firm as an industry leader.

Laurie believes that engineers serve the community, not only professionally but personally. She provides leadership, a generous spirit and a demonstrated commitment to giving back. Laurie has supported several causes ranging from breaking the cycles of poverty and welfare to a wide variety of health-related research organizations that aim to cure life-threatening diseases such as cancer, as well as supporting efforts for those who have been affected by long term diseases. In addition, Laurie is extremely involved and supportive of STEM outreach and education. Her contributions include speaking at career days, student shadowing, Sylvania Southview Engineering TechPrep Advisory Board, along with Eweek’s Engineer for a Day and Introduce a Girl to Engineering initiatives.