Drew Tiffany, PE, Project Manager of Land Development at BGE, Inc., shines as an inspiration for young engineers everywhere. Born in Venezuela but raised in Alief (Houston), Texas, his professional journey officially kicked off when he joined BGE as an intern in November 2011.
In 2021, Drew was one of the three recipients of BGE’s Dick Gay Core Values Award, which recognizes an employee for upholding the firm’s values of integrity, commitment, respect, and excellent reputation. He became a member of BGE’s Associate Program the same year. This week, Drew received external recognition as the 2023 Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Young Engineer of the Year (YEOY) Award.
For the YEOY Award, SAME selects an individual under 40 who has provided exemplary service to the chapter, maintains a respectable professional reputation, and displays honorable character.
Since its founding in 1920, SAME has been driven by an enduring purpose to bring together engineering professionals in civil and military life to become mutually acquainted, develop trust, and build relationships that, over time, will help strengthen national security and the technical capacity of the United States. The YEOY award recognizes individuals for outstanding leadership and accomplishments supporting the SAME mission.
Drew, who doesn’t have a military background, was introduced to SAME by one of BGE’s Directors of Land Development in 2015. He has been an active member ever since. For the past two years, he served as the chapter’s treasurer and the assistant treasurer for the two years prior. In addition to managing financial responsibilities, Drew has participated in SAME’s Leadership Development Program and helped organize the fall 5K fundraising event in 2020 and 2021, which raised close to $5,000 in scholarship funds and assisted the Summer Camp Committee with selecting camp attendees.
Drew’s father inspired him to enter the field of engineering. “My father is an engineer as well, and I have always been able to relate to his analytical and problem-solving mentality,” he says. “Today, I am committed to being a leader who leads by example and helps others grow. I plan to continue learning from the opportunities and experiences ahead to serve BGE as a project manager and team leader effectively.”
His words of encouragement for young engineers to make a difference are not mere words. They are about forging a path of discovery: “Identify the opportunities around you and take advantage of those that will help you grow. Sometimes, that will require you to step out of your comfort zone, but those are the best opportunities to learn what you are capable of.”
Drew holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston. He resides in Richmond, TX, in Fort Bend County. Throughout his journey, marked by both challenges and successes, his wife Gladis has been a constant source of support for Drew.