We are please to announce that Scott Yaeger, PE has been named the 2023 County Engineer of the Year, Rural Category.
Since 1967, we have presented the award annually to recognize outstanding performance in engineering expertise, leadership, community engagement and industry involvement.
“Scott is known for leading in a way that improves the system, not simply maintains the system. He looks for new and innovative engineering solutions to accomplish projects, deftly navigates multiple funding sources, and consistently delivers projects on time and within budget and compliance parameters.”
- Jane Wall, Executive Director
Mr. Yaeger has been an active leader in Adams County and the engineering field, having served for multiple years as the Washington State Association of County Engineers (WSACE) Eastern District Representative and was formally elected President of the organization that same evening.
Adams County is currently the lead agency in procuring funding for the replacement of six bridges as a part of the Columbia Basin Irrigation and Odessa Groundwater Replacement Projects.
“I, personally, have leaned on Mr. Yaeger’s ability to assemble and submit the reams of data necessary for the grant applications the county has put forward for design and construction funding for these bridges. His ability to communicate and work with many different staff members in multiple Congressional offices has been instrumental in Adams County achieving remarkable successes in securing grant dollars.”
- Commissioner Dan Blankenship, Adams County
In addition to his responsibilities for Adams County, Mr. Yaeger is also serving as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Ritzville, WA and is active in infrastructure planning for the city.
Outside of work, Mr. Yaeger is a key member of the Ritzville Rodeo Association that has kept the community event alive and recently secured a capital grant from the state to improve the rodeo grounds. He is also an active member of the local gun club, which has promoted the Ritzville Triathlon, a unique local combined event of trap shooting, golf and cornhole.
The award was presented during the Engineers Awards Banquet at the 2023 WSACE Annual Conference in Tacoma, WA. Nominations for the award were accepted across the state from county commissioners, councilmembers and the WSACE board of directors and, at the discretion of the review committee each year, may be divided into Rural and Urban categories.
Jacque Netzer
Communications Director