Dr. Tom Iseley, professor of civil engineering and construction engineering technology and director of the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University, has been selected a 2016 UCTA MVP (Most Valuable Professional) by the Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) and Underground Construction magazine. Iseley received the prestigious honor for his contributions to the underground infrastructure industry during the UCTA’s MVP ceremony at the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference and Exhibition. The special luncheon was also held recently at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude that the Underground Construction Technology Association and Underground Construction magazine have shown in selecting me for UCTA’s Most Valuable Professional for my contributions to the underground infrastructure industry” Iseley said of the award. “It is such an honor to realize that my peers have recognized my contributions to have this level of significance. “My father and grandfather were water and sewer pipeline contractors, so it is even more meaningful to know that this recognition is for contributions made to the underground construction industry.” Dr. Hisham Hegab, dean of the College of Engineering and Science at Louisiana Tech, said that Iseley’s selection as MVP is indicative of the innovation and expertise that Iseley brings to the field of trenchless technology. “Dr. Iseley isn’t just an MVP for underground construction technology,” Hegab said. “He is an MVP for Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering and Science, and we are fortunate to have him on our team. With extensive experience in the industry, he has very quickly brought renewed interest and enthusiasm to our Trenchless Technology Center, and I am excited about many of the new initiatives he is developing.” Mr. Reginald Jeter, professional in residence for the construction engineering technology program at Louisiana Tech, and Louisiana Tech civil engineering and construction engineering technology students Justin Calhoun, Madison Fulford, Tyler Harrell, Zack Hernandez, Ryan Laborde, Moath Mohammed, Ethan Nugent, Samman Paudel, LaDarrius Thomas, Mallory Walters and Ian Wymore also participated in the conference as presentation assistants and were on hand to congratulate Iseley. During his nearly 40 year career in the planning, design and construction of underground infrastructure systems, Iseley has served on the faculty of several universities and is a founding director of the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT). Iseley also served for three years as the chairman of the National Utility Contractors Association’s (NUCA) Trenchless Technology Committee. At Louisiana Tech, Iseley helped establish the Trenchless Technology Center, an innovative and internationally renowned research center that is at the forefront of trenchless technology research, and the Buried Asset Management Institute-International, a non-profit, international corporation that evaluates and develops buried asset management protocols for underground water infrastructure. In April 2015, Iseley was selected as a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for his eminence in engineering, becoming just one of only 637 Distinguished Members ever selected by the ASCE. The ASCE represents more than 146,000 members of the civil engineering profession in 174 countries. Written by Brandy McKnight – mcknight@latech.edu