ACEC-SC honors Dr. Jeff Mulliken, PE, as 2024 Engineer of the Year
July 5, 2024
The American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina (ACEC-SC) announced Dr. Jeff Mulliken, PE, as the 2024 Engineer of the Year at the South Carolina Engineering Conference and Trade Show held June 6-8 in Greenville.
Mulliken, a partner at Carolina Transportation Engineers and Associates (CarolinaTEA), began his illustrious career at the Savannah River Site before moving back to Columbia to join The LPA Group (now Michael Baker). He quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Senior Engineer and SC Operation Manager. He later opened Kimley Horn’s Columbia office, served as the Senior Engineer at STV, and held the position of Senior Project Manager and Transportation Practice Lead at HOLT.
In addition to his professional achievements, Mulliken has a profound passion for teaching and sharing his knowledge. He has authored numerous articles on engineering and frequently speaks at industry events. His dedication to leadership is evident through his involvement with the ACEC-SC Future Leaders program, which he has led for the past 10 years. Mulliken has also served as the Transportation Committee Chair twice, with one term concurrent with the first six months of his presidency.
During his tenure as the 2022-2023 ACEC-SC president, Mulliken led significant initiatives, including overhauling the organization’s bylaws, creating the Emerging Leaders Board and establishing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He also guided the creation of the ACEC-SC Infrastructure Works Institute. He was recently sworn in as the ACEC-SC Affiliate National Director and continues to serve on the ACEC Transportation Steering Committee at the national level.
Mulliken’s contributions to the field of engineering extend beyond ACEC-SC. He is a former member of the SC Board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors and an active member of the American Society of Highway Engineers and the South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers, where he is involved with the Piedmont Chapter. As a long-time member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), he has not only attended but also spoken at numerous meetings. This year, he received ASCE’s highest honor, the 2023 LeTellier Cup for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to the Profession of Civil Engineering.
A South Carolina native, he earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina. His academic journey also included serving as an instructor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at USC, where he taught courses ranging from the 200 to 700 level.
“Jeff’s remarkable career and unwavering dedication to the engineering profession make him a deserving recipient of this award. He is a true advocate for the engineering profession, a dedicated leader, and a mentor to many,” said Adam Jones, executive director of ACEC-SC. “We are proud to honor him as the 2024 Engineer of the Year.”
ACEC-SC’s mission is to advocate, advance and protect the business interests of engineering firms and standards of the engineering profession in South Carolina. For more information, visit acecsc.org.
