Calling All Engineers to get involved in Chicagoland Engineers Week. This year’s observance may be one of the most influential gatherings in history. Members of more than 30 engineering societies will gather in the Chicago area to honor the profession and network with other professionals and civic leaders. At the same time, they will be introduced to a new generation to the field of engineering. 2009 Award recipient Clyde N. Baker, Jr., P.E., S.E.Senior Principal Engineer has more than 50 years of engineering experience with the design, analysis and construction of deep foundations for high-rise structures. Mr. Baker has earned an international reputation in the design and construction of deep foundations. He has been a leader in using in-situ testing techniques correlated with past building performance to develop more efficient foundation designs. He has served as the geotechnical engineer or consultant on seven of the sixteen tallest buildings in the world.He is responsible for technical consultation and overview on major engineering projects, maintaining technical standards, and development of staff engineering expertise, as well as client and project promotional activities. Following is a sampling of major project involvement: Mr. Baker and his team have provided peer review foundation consulting services for a 90-story tower in Kaohsuing, Taiwan and two 88-story towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, both with large area multi-level basements below the water table. Also provided peer review for a 101-story Financial Center in Taipei, Taiwan, the current third tallest building in the world. Mr. Baker served as one of two geotechnical peer review consultants on the current tallest building in the world, Burj Dubai. In addition, developing and providing oversight for a successful limestone cavity filling and slump zone grouting program below the world’s deepest building foundations for the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the former tallest buildings in the world. Performed geotechnical engineering for seven of the 16 tallest buildings in the world, and a major portion of the high-rise buildings built in downtown Chicago, Illinois over the past fifty years including nine with deep basements and slurry walls.

Vision of Chicagoland Engineers Week:

• Stimulate junior and senior high school students to consider careers in engineering, especially through hands-on school projects
• Highlight the contributions of engineers to the well-being of society, especially in Chicagoland.

Engineers work behind the scenes to help improve the quality of life in our communities. Their work isn't always visible, but we count on them for a number of different services. The water we drink is purified by engineering processes. The structure of our houses, the utilities and lighting were enhanced by engineering. Anything our earth's residents use and exist with relies on engineering to make it happen.

Realizing Our Vision

Last year hundreds of middle to high school aged students participated in a variety of mathematic and science programs and competitions. Forty-five of the top achievers get to attend the Chicagoland Engineering Awards Benefit where they will get the opportunity to rub elbows with esteemed engineers such as Michael Brick, as well and receive awards and the accolades of hundreds of teachers, parents and other students at the gathering.

Many who participate in an Engineers Week program will go on to a career in engineering. And those who don't will have caught a glimpse of the important work engineers do and the career heights they can achieve.

Click here for the Chicagoland Engineering Awards Benefit registration form.