Professional Engineers Day
What Being a PE Means to Palmer’s Engineers
Every year on Professional Engineers Day, observed this year on August 5, 2026, we recognize the licensed Professional Engineers (PEs) whose expertise, integrity, and commitment help protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Established by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the day raises awareness about the vital role licensed engineers play in safeguarding the communities we serve while recognizing the professionals who uphold the highest standards of the engineering profession.
At Palmer, nearly 50 licensed Professional Engineers represent a wide range of disciplines, years of experience, and technical expertise. Some have held their licenses for more than 45 years, while others have earned them more recently. Together, they support nearly every service Palmer provides—from transportation and bridge projects to water and wastewater infrastructure, land surveying, geospatial services, and complex engineering solutions.
Becoming a licensed Professional Engineer is one of the profession's most significant achievements. For many engineers, earning a PE license represents far more than adding two letters after their name—it marks a lifelong commitment to technical excellence, ethical practice, and serving the public.
To recognize Professional Engineers Day, we asked several of Palmer's licensed Professional Engineers one simple question: What does being a licensed Professional Engineer mean to you?
A Commitment to Responsibility and Public Trust
More than any other theme, our engineers spoke about the responsibility that comes with earning a PE license. It is more than a credential—it is a promise to protect the public and uphold the highest ethical standards.
"To me, being a licensed Professional Engineer is about more than earning a credential; it's a commitment to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public. It represents integrity, accountability, and a promise to always do what's right, even when it's not the easiest path. It's an honor to be part of a profession that improves communities and leaves a lasting impact.
Stephanie Blain, PE (Licensed in 2012)
"It's a responsibility that I take seriously. The life, safety, and welfare of the public are paramount to what we do. The trust put in us should not be taken for granted."
Scott Wilson, PE (Licensed in 2001)
"I'm proud of having obtained my PE license, both as proof of competence and as a reminder that the work I do is important enough to require it. Knowing some portion of the public depends on me and the rest of the group at Palmer to do a great job makes me keep quality and safety top of mind and reminds me to take pride in our work.”
Lucas Beattie, PE (Licensed in 2018)
"It means you've proven yourself—through education, experience, competence, and ethical behavior—to be worthy of the trust of your clients and the general public."
Matthew Johnson, PE (Licensed in 2002)
"Becoming licensed is a primary milestone in an engineering career. By becoming licensed, you have demonstrated a level of competence to the profession and the public that your work as an engineer can be trusted to benefit public welfare and safety."
Gary W. Sharpe, PE (Licensed in 1980)
"Taking ultimate responsibility for a design that is first and foremost the safest for the public while making every effort to minimize impacts to property owners and the environment."
Jeff Cowan, PE (Licensed in 1990)
Engineering That Makes a Difference
While protecting the public is central to the profession, our engineers also reflected on the lasting impact their work has on the people and communities they serve. Much of what Professional Engineers do happens behind the scenes, but their work helps make everyday life safer, more connected, and more resilient.
"Being a Licensed Professional Engineer means that I have the ability to affect change in others' lives in a meaningful way."
Chris Francis, PE (Licensed in 2007)
“Being a Professional Engineer allows me to be in a position where I can provide a service that positively impacts the people in my local community and state. Many other professionals get the spotlight, but in the background, a Professional Engineer did the work to make sure a doctor has electricity to save a life in the operating room, a firefighter has water available to fight a house fire, or that there is a bridge providing access to a community that would be isolated otherwise.”
Logan Sallee, PE (Licensed in 2014)
“It's a responsibility that I take seriously. The life, safety, and welfare of the public are paramount to what we do. The trust put in us should not be taken for granted.”
Scott Wilson, PE (Licensed in 2001)
Leadership Through Expertise
Licensure reflects the experience, judgment, and accountability required to lead complex projects. More than a professional milestone, earning a PE license marks the beginning of an ongoing responsibility to lead with competence, integrity, and sound judgment.
"The authority to shape infrastructure decisions, the responsibility to protect the traveling public, and the credibility to lead complex engineering projects from concept through construction."
Stephen Sewell, PE (Licensed in 2004)
“Being a licensed Professional Engineer is a huge responsibility, protecting the public welfare with balancing the needs and desires of the project owner and users in a way that is both cost and resource effective and in which you can also make a profit.”
Randy Harper, PE (Licensed in 2002)
Advice for the Next Generation
Our engineers also offered practical advice for those pursuing licensure.
Don't give up. Even if you don't pass the exam the first time, keep going. — Chris Francis, PE
Always keep learning. Take licensure seriously and embrace the opportunity to help others. — Scott Wilson, PE
Think about the real-world impact. Remember that what you study will eventually be applied in the field, and don't be afraid to ask questions. — Lucas Beattie, PE
Gain field experience. Spend time in construction and learn from architects, contractors, project managers, and fellow engineers. — Randy Harper, PE
Build a strong technical foundation. Focus on technical competence early in your career. — Matthew Johnson, PE
Listen more than you talk. — Stephen Sewell, PE
Learn from your mentors. Licensure is earned through hard work and study, so soak up as much knowledge as you can from those around you. — Gary W. Sharpe, PE
More Than Two Letters
Being a Professional Engineer is about much more than earning the letters "PE." At Palmer, we're proud of all of our licensed Professional Engineers whose expertise shapes infrastructure, strengthens communities, and improves the quality of life for the people we serve.
As Matthew Johnson, PE reflected:
“Achieving the title 'PE' marks your admission into an esteemed group of professionals whose careers are defined by a commitment to earning the trust of our clients and protecting the interests of the public."
This Professional Engineers Day, we celebrate that commitment and thank all of Palmer's licensed Professional Engineers for the meaningful work they do every day.
Some responses have been edited for length and clarity.
What Does It Take to Earn the PE Designation?
Although requirements vary by state, the path to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer typically includes:
Earning an engineering degree from an accredited program
Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Gaining at least four years of qualifying engineering experience, often under the supervision of a licensed PE
Passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
Meeting the requirements of a state engineering licensure board
The process takes years of education, experience, preparation, and dedication—one reason the PE designation carries such significant professional responsibility and public trust.
To learn more about the path to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer, visit the National Society of Professional Engineers’ guide to PE licensure.