Michael Wielputz, a materials regional technical specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, was named the 2025 USACE Materials Engineer of the Year in recognition of his exceptional contributions to engineering excellence and the Corps' national and global projects.
The annual USACE Engineering and Construction Community of Practice (CoP) awards honor individuals and teams who demonstrate excellence in leadership, professional development, and community support throughout the fields of Engineering and Construction.
Wielputz was selected for the award due to his outstanding contributions to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation of the 2021 Champlain Towers collapse. He led the development and execution of a rigorous testing program for more than 500 concrete cores, ensuring strict chain of custody and data integrity. Wielputz’s leadership and commitment to high-quality standards were instrumental in providing NIST with reliable materials data, earning recognition from both investigators and headquarters personnel.
“Mike is a highly respected and invaluable member of the USACE materials community, consistently demonstrating exceptional expertise,” said Leland Schuman, chief of the Soils Section, Geotechnical and Hazardous, Toxic, Radioactive Waste Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. “His expertise in soils, rock, and concrete testing is a cornerstone of the District Geotech and HTRW Branch’s success. His involvement in the Corps’ highest-profile projects has not only delivered critical technical solutions but has also established the District as a trusted and sought-after partner for the nation’s most challenging infrastructure needs.”
Wielputz is a 1989 graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He has more than 39 years of experience with USACE and manages the Savannah District Materials Testing Regional Technical Center of Expertise in Marietta, Georgia. He also serves as a regional technical specialist and global subject matter expert for materials engineering within USACE.
“I could not achieve such an award without the people that I worked with over the last 39 years,” said Wielputz. “I have grown from the knowledge and efforts of many different people in my career. I have many coworkers and supervisors who have assisted me in my success.”