UTEP Alumna Named El Paso’s Young Engineer of the Year by Texas Society of Professional Engineers
UC Staff | February 27, 2020
Kimberly LaBree, a graduate of The University of Texas at El Paso, was named Young Engineer of the Year by the El Paso Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) on Feb. 21, 2020. LaBree, who earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2012, was recognized for her technical ability, professional achievements, and civic and humanitarian activities.
LaBree is a project engineer for Parkhill, Smith & Cooper Inc. (PSC) in El Paso and is licensed in Texas and New Mexico. In the water resources sector, she specializes in funding. She has planned, designed and modeled more than 77 miles of pipelines ranging from six-figure grants to large multi-million-dollar projects, including the design and management of the Village of Vinton Water and Wastewater Improvement Project. She assessed the state of water and wastewater service in El Paso County for the County-Wide Master Plan, with a focus on areas not served. A member of TSPE, she is the current President of the American Water Works Association Desert Mountain Chapter, recently featured in Texas H2O magazine.
“I am extremely honored to be receiving this award and being recognized for my work in the community by my colleagues,” LaBree said.” Being named TSPE Young Engineer of the Year has to be one of my proudest moments. And to make it even better, at the award presentation, UTEP President Dr. (Heather) Wilson was the keynote speaker.”
LaBree has made engineering career presentations to area public schools to promote science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) careers. She has also made technical presentations at state conferences such as Texas Water and the national American Society of Civil Engineers Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute Pipelines Conference.
In addition to being recognized as the Young Engineer of the Year locally, LaBree is eligible for the TSPE award at the state level.
LaBree says the most important thing she learned at UTEP was to be herself.
“If I could give students pursuing a degree in engineering some advice, I would say don’t be afraid to take opportunities and explore the different areas of civil engineering,” LaBree said. “Be involved in organizations, because not only are you building a bond with your fellow students, but with the professionals as well. Please get to know your fellow students; they will later be your colleagues and sometimes your clients. Enjoy college and have fun!”
