Photo By Luke Waack | Adam Tallman, Galveston District certified professional engineer, has been named the...... read more read more
Subscribe
Adam Tallman, a certified professional engineer, has been named the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Cost Engineer of the Year 2025 for Civil Works.
The Cost Engineer of the Year Civil Works Award recognizes one individual each year for their contributions to the cost engineering profession in the last three fiscal years preceding the award.
Cost engineers produce budget estimates and Independent Government Estimates (IGEs) for construction projects. Budget estimates support funding requests: IGEs support construction contract award, which includes contract modification. ‘Independent’ signifies freedom from influence. https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Cost-Engineering/
We sat down with Adam recently to get his take on winning the award and his secret to success:
How does it feel to win the USACE Cost Engineer of the Year award?
It is truly an honor to be recognized as the USACE Cost Engineer of the Year. Knowing these national-level recognitions are rare and the depth of talented individuals within this prestigious agency makes this award both surprising and fulfilling. To be selected from such a group is something I did not anticipate, and it speaks to the significance of the projects I have been fortunate to support. Ultimately, it reflects not only my own efforts but also the national significance of these projects to the overall USACE mission.
When did you start with USACE?
I began my career with USACE 13 years ago as a summer hire with the Fort Worth District, Fort Sam Houston Resident Office, and later joined Galveston District full time through the Department of the Army Recent Graduate Program (now known as the DA Fellow Program). That role introduced me directly to cost engineering, and since then I’ve devoted my career entirely to this field, reflecting my enthusiasm, interest, and long-term investment in the profession.
How does it feel to see your work reflected in project milestones?
There is a great sense of pride in seeing detailed planning and cost analysis translate into tangible progress. Cost engineering can often feel behind the scenes, but when milestones are achieved, whether it’s a successful contract award or a completed project, it reinforces and validates the importance of all the effort invested throughout.
What are the keys to your success?
Keys to my success have been a balance of technical discipline, mentorship, and persistent curiosity of the finer details. I have been fortunate to receive strong support and guidance at every stage of my career, which has been critical to my career development. This award is not mine alone, but a testament to the strength of my USACE colleagues, dedicated supervisors (past and present), and the Cost Community of Practice.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
The milestones we achieve as cost engineers may not always be visible, but I deeply value the responsibility we carry as stewards of public funds. I am grateful to serve within an organization whose mission is directly tied to strengthening communities, protecting critical resources, and supporting the nation’s infrastructure, and doing so as fiscally responsible as possible. To contribute to projects of such national consequence is both a privilege and a responsibility, and this award only reinforces my commitment to that mission and to the public.
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2025 11:07 |
| Story ID: | 547213 |
| Location: | GALVESTON, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Adam Tallman Wins 2025 USACE Cost Engineer of the Year For Civil Works, by Luke Waack, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
