Cheers to 2025: Palmer’s Year in Review
At Palmer Engineering, we believe progress is built one project, one partnership, and one community at a time. As we close out 2025, we’re taking a moment to look back on a year filled with growth, innovation, and meaningful impact across the communities we’re proud to serve.
While we can’t capture every moment, here are some of the highlights that made this year one to celebrate.
(Photo: Members of the Palmer team at the ribbon cutting for the US 460 Project in Pike County, KY.)
Leadership & Growth
We kicked off 2025 by welcoming new leadership into key roles.
Stephen Sewell stepped into the role of Palmer Engineering’s fourth president, with Will Conkin and Stephanie Blain joining the leadership team as Vice Presidents. Their combined experience and vision have energized our commitment to serving clients with excellence.
February also brought a major milestone — the opening of our Columbus, Ohio office, marking Palmer’s 11th location across five states (Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, and West Virginia). Expanding into Central Ohio strengthens our regional partnerships and positions us to deliver impactful infrastructure solutions where they’re needed most.
Project Milestones Across Kentucky
Our team marked several exciting ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking ceremonies across Kentucky, including:
The Jackson Street Project in Winchester
The US 460 Project in Pike County
Continued expansion of the Mountain Parkway
We also saw exciting pedestrian-focused improvements take shape in Mt. Sterling, KY, where the next phase of the downtown streetscape project is underway — Palmer’s third Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) project for the community.
In Winchester, the Main Street High Side Project reached completion, improving accessibility, safety, and the overall downtown experience.
(Photo: US 460 in Pike County, KY)
Recognition for Transformative Work
One of the biggest highlights of the year came out of Ashland, Kentucky. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s “Rightsizing, Roundabouts, and Revitalization: Winchester Avenue Streetscape Improvements” project — a transformative effort to improve safety, mobility, and downtown vibrancy — earned multiple top honors in 2025, including:
SASHTO (Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials): Quality of Life/Community Development Small Project Award
American Council of Engineering Companies of Kentucky: 2025 Engineering Excellence Grand Conceptor Award
ASHE (American Society of Highway Engineers) Bluegrass: 2025 Transportation Improvement Award ($10 Million and Under)
It was also selected as one of twelve finalists in the country for the 2025 America’s Transportation Awards.
We are proud to be the sole designer and primary visionary behind this transformative project.
Supporting the Communities We Serve
In 2025, our team eagerly stepped up to support the communities we call home. We volunteered at the UK Summer Engineering Exploration Kamp (SEEK), hosted a company-wide blood drive, and raised funds for Honor Flight Kentucky through our annual Trick-or-Treat Auction.
We also took part in several charitable events — including the NSPE-KY Engineer’s Golf Classic, Kentucky Employees Charitable Campaign scrambles, and the Winchester–Clark County Chamber Golf Scramble — while contributing to the Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals Scholarship Fund. Additional efforts such as donating to local food pantries and nursing homes helped support neighbors in need.
Together, these moments reflect who we are at our core — a team committed to helping our communities thrive.
(Photo: Volunteering at the Summer Engineering Exploration Kamp at the University of Kentucky)
Investing in Future Engineers
The future of engineering is bright — and we’re proud to play a role in developing the next generation of talent. This year, we awarded scholarships to Rance Paxton and Ezra Brooks, and welcomed a standout group of interns who infused our teams with fresh ideas, creativity, and enthusiasm.
Providing hands-on mentorship and real project experience remains one of our top priorities as we support emerging engineers in shaping what comes next for our industry.
Palmer in the Press
As we continue reflecting on 2025, we’re proud to highlight a few moments when Palmer Engineering made headlines for innovation and community impact. This year, our team and projects were featured in these publications — celebrating the work we love to do:
Designing for Good to Save Lives in Louisville
Arc News (page 22) — April 11
Focus: Palmer Engineering
Aspire Magazine (page 14) — April 24
Above and Beyond
Modern Steel Construction — October 2
We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our work with a wider audience — and to shine a light on the people and projects that define who we are.
Where the Future of Engineering Begins
This fall, our team hit the road for career fairs across the region — visiting the JB Speed School of Engineering (UofL), UK’s Pigman College of Engineering, Tennessee Tech University, and the UT Tickle College of Engineering.
We always enjoy spending time on college campuses, meeting the next generation of engineers, and seeing their excitement for what’s ahead. Their passion and curiosity remind us why we do what we do — and we’re committed to helping that enthusiasm grow in the world of civil engineering.
(Photo: Logan Colbert, PE, and Nicolo Franceschetti, PE, from our Nashville office at the University of Tennessee Tickle College of Engineering STEM Expo.)
Conferences & Connections
Throughout 2025, our team stayed active across the region, participating in nearly a dozen conferences centered on transportation, engineering, and innovation. These events provided valuable opportunities to share our expertise, learn from industry leaders, and engage in meaningful conversations about the infrastructure needs of our communities.
Whether reconnecting with long-time partners or meeting neew colleagues, we appreciated every chance to exchange ideas and strengthen relationships that help move our industry - and the places we serve - forward.
(Photo: Palmer team at the Kentuckians for Better Transportation Conference in Louisville, KY in January 2025)
Good Times, Great Team
Looking back on 2025, we’re reminded that great work is fueled by great people — and plenty of shared moments along the way. This year, our team enjoyed everything from a Cincinnati Reds game and a day at King’s Island to trivia nights, pickleball matches, Halloween costumes, retirement celebrations, College Colors Day, and a memorable outing to Keeneland. There was never a dull moment, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
We closed out the year with our traditional holiday breakfasts and annual party — a perfect way to celebrate accomplishments, enjoy good conversation, and head into the new year with full hearts (and full plates).
As we turn the page, we’re grateful for the experiences that brought us closer together — and excited for everything 2026 has in store.
(Photo: Our Northern Kentucky Office sporting their college attire for College Colors Day)
For more 2025 highlights, be sure to follow us on our social media pages via the links below.