Tom Roche Lifetime Achievement Award
The Tom Roche Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual for their long-term commitment to the consulting engineering profession and to the community. Tom Roche was instrumental in establishing ACEC/MN. Not only was he a primary force behind the formation of ACEC, he was also instrumental in establishing chapters in other states. His passion for engineering was unparalleled, and his passion for ACEC was a close second, which is why we continue to bestow this career achievement award in his name.
John Dillingham of Alliant Engineering, Inc. was honored with this year’s Tom Roche Lifetime Achievement Award (pictured left with 2018-19 President, Dan Larson of American Engineering Testing, Inc.). This award is presented to an individual who has contributed a great deal during their career to the engineering profession, ACEC/MN, and the greater community.
John has been giving back for the past 30 years, with the last 24 growing his own engineering firm. For nearly a decade, he helped lead the association on ACEC/MN’s board of directors, concluding with the roles of President and National Director. John has been a regular presenter for the Emerging Leader’s Training and is an attendee of numerous ACEC/MN events, including the Annual Meeting, Fall Welcome & Expo, sporting events, PAC fundraisers, and leadership meetings. John also strongly encourages his employees to participate in events and serve on committees.

John Dillingham (right) receiving the Tom Roche Cup from President, Dan Larson
Tom Roche Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
1975 Wally Bruch
1976 Doug Wolfangle
1977 Gordon Moore
1978 Jack Braun
1979 Bob Rosene
1980 Dave Conkey
1981 Bob Michaud
1982 Skip McCombs
1983 Max Oftedal
1984 Bill Schoell
1985 Jack Nagel
1986 Bob McFarlin
1987 Glenn Gausman
1988 Chuck Britzius
1989 Earl Oxley
1990 Leif Ericksen
1991 Jim Tillitt
1992 Chuck Barger
1993 Jim Orr
1994 Duane Prew
1995 Dag Knudsen
1996 Chuck Ballou
1997 Cam Kruse
1998 Bill Sayre
1999 Harvey Harvala
2000 Jim Keller
2001 Wally Ouse
2002 Ken Adolf
2003 Dwight Benoy
2004 Shirley Walker Stinson
2005 Lane Hersey
2006 Joe Hallberg
2007 Dick Sobiech
2008 Terry Swor
2009 Jeff Coleman
2010 Bill Bennett
2011 George Kluempke
2012 Randy Geerdes
2013 Douglas Cooley
2014 Robert Struve
2015 John Smith
2016 Glenn Schreiner
2017 Randy Morris
2018 Gene Sieve
2019 John Dillingham