CBBEL President Receives National Engineering Award

The American Institute of Hydrology has named Christopher B. Burke, PhD, PE, D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE, NAC and President of CBBEL, the recipient of the 2019 Ray K. Linsley Award for surface water hydrology. Surface water hydrology includes the study of above-ground water, such as stormwater, flood waters, rivers and reservoirs and the impact that these waters have on the environments around them.

The Linsley Award, named after noted surface water hydrologist and author Dr. Ray K. Linsley, is a national award established in 1986 to recognize those “who have made outstanding contributions in surface water hydrology.”

Dr. Burke was selected by the American Institute of Hydrology for his many outstanding contributions to the science and practice of surface water hydrology, his impact managing surface water issues for numerous communities and his efforts educating and outreaching to the next generation of engineers.

"We are proud to honor Dr. Burke for his long-standing commitment to the engineering profession, not only in serving the needs of clients, but by going into classrooms and out in the community to further the reach of the field," said John L. Nieber, P.H., P.E., PhD and President of the American Institute of Hydrology.

Dr. Burke is a distinguished expert in stormwater management and has unique experience in all aspects of water resources and civil engineering projects and design. As President of CBBEL, he has been recognized for many complex stormwater projects that earned the firm recognition as a leader in water resources engineering for municipalities and counties.

Dr. Burke has authored numerous publications in water resources, including the Stormwater Drainage Manual for the Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program, which has become the standard reference adopted for designs throughout the Midwest, several universities and is the focus of an annual Stormwater Drainage Conference at Purdue University.

"I truly believe it's important for those in the engineering profession to look beyond their desk and the task in front of them, to take a role in making the world a better place, to be a 'citizen engineer'," said Dr. Burke. "I'm humbled by this recognition and grateful to the CBBEL team, an outstanding group of professionals I am proud to work with."

Dr. Burke, who holds four degrees from Purdue University, founded Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. in 1986 and has grown the firm to more than 250 employees at eight locations throughout Illinois and Indiana. Over the course of its more than 30 years in business, CBBEL has worked with a host of public and private sector clients on high-profile projects from water resources and civil engineering to surveying and traffic engineering.

Committed to fostering and mentoring the next generation of engineers, Dr. Burke has taught engineering courses at Purdue University, the Illinois Institute of Technology and, most significantly, has served as Professor of Practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago since 2002.