Award recognizes young professional’s drive in making impact on her company, overall energy sector
Becca Schmidt, who directs engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) proposals in the renewable energy business of Black & Veatch, has been named an emerging leader by RMEL, an energy trade association that provides education and networking services to the electric utility industry.
The award, which recognizes new energy sector talent within RMEL-affiliated companies, honors members with five to 10 years of electric industry experience and who are making impactful, significant contributions to their company and the energy sector.
“From before I pursued an engineering degree through my time with Black & Veatch, I’ve always viewed an engineering career as one of promise where I can make a difference, and being named an emerging leader by RMEL affirms that I’ve made the right choice,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt joined Black & Veatch in 2016 after graduating from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and demonstrated a commitment to becoming a leader inside and beyond the company. Schmidt’s impressive combination of intellect, work ethic and enthusiasm for her work enabled her to quickly progress through the company’s engineering departments, along the way holding the position of a combined cycle startup coordinator typically filled by a much more senior professional.
In order to be eligible for the RMEL emerging leader award, Schmidt required a nomination and endorsement from two senior leaders within the industry. Her sustained level of excellence earned Schmidt the award nomination from Associate Vice President Curt Brown, and Executive Vice President Jim Doull was quick to add his endorsement.
“Becca represents the best of the best in our company and industry,” Doull said. “Our mission, ‘Building a World of Difference’ is meant to inspire and guide our actions, and that’s what we look for when recognizing and rewarding our employees. We’re grateful RMEL afforded us the opportunity to recognize Becca in this way, and even more excited about what she’ll accomplish next.”
At the outset of her career, Schmidt organized and led a group of 20 young professionals who regularly met to discuss their professional lives. She has since co-created and moderated more than 70 episodes of the company’s “Close of Business” podcast – now called “Generation Stem” and available on iTunes and any podcast platform – that explores topics of interest to young professionals.
Schmidt even moderated Black & Veatch’s officers retreat in 2019 “because she is seen as a current and future senior leader in our company,” Brown and Doull wrote.
Schmidt received the award this week during RMEL’s spring management, engineering and operations conference in Austin, Texas.
Editor’s Notes:
- For more about Becca Schmidt, see her LinkedIn page here.
- For a high-resolution image of Schmidt, click here.
About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2021 exceeded US$3.3 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.
About RMEL
Once known as the Rocky Mountain Electric League and founded in 1903, RMEL is a not-for-profit energy trade association that has served the electric utility industry with various education and networking services since 1903. Dedicated to fostering a thriving community of electric energy professionals, RMEL’s 300 corporate members share ideas, techniques and programs to better serve the industry and its customers. For more information about RMEL, click here.
Media Contact Information:
JIM SUHR | +1 913-458-6995 P | +1 314-422-6927 M | SuhrJ@BV.com
24-HOUR MEDIA HOTLINE | +1 855-999-5991
