When long-time engineer Andrew Herrmann speaks to the public about the critical state of the nation’s critical infrastructure, his passion is evident.

"As a parent, if my children came home with Ds on their report cards, I’d be very upset," he said when he was interviewed on the History Channel’s 2009 documentary, "The Crumbling of America," which cites the American Society of Civil Engineer’s infrastructure "report card" grade. Herrmann, who has held numerous positions at ASCE including past president, goes on to say that the entire nation needs to be upset with such grades and, "we have to go talk to the principal; we have to start doing things that will improve those grades."

To Herrmann, bringing such issues to the general public's attention in layman’s terms is like going to the principal.

For 40 years, the partner-in-charge at Hardesty & Hanover hasn’t stopped talking to the public about infrastructure issues. He has been cited in major newspapers, quoted in several books and even testified before Congress about the urgency of the nation’s infrastructure problem. Along the way he has picked up several honors including the ASCE 2009 President’s Medal that recognizes accomplishments and contributions of eminent engineers to the profession, to ASCE or the public.

"Andy has a gift for clearly explaining infrastructure issues to both technical audiences and laypeople, a fact that is demonstrated by the sheer number of times he has given speeches, presented papers or had his remarks cited in newspapers across the country," says Paul M. Skelton, a Hardesty & Hanover principal.

In naming Herrmann the winner of ENR New York’s inaugural Legacy Award, the voting ENR editors felt the same way. More about this award winner will be detailed in an ENR New York article next year, and he will be honored at this region’s Best Project’s awards breakfast on Nov. 12.

Until then, join us in congratulating this industry veteran for his legacy of service.