Chip Woods, Lyon County engineer, received the Kansas County Association’s highest award this week —Engineer of the Year.
The award was given in Topeka on Tuesday. It came as a total surprise to Woods, he said. Woods’ family as well as some co-workers attended the presentation.
“They were good at keeping secrets,” Woods said, with a laugh.
Woods said some of the projects he’s managed contributed to him getting the award. Woods said there have been 65 steel bridge replacements since he took over the position in Lyon County in 1988. He said the amount of time it takes to start and stop a bridge replacement has improved. He also said that records have improved since he came on board.
Woods said he is humbled by receiving the award.
“It’s one thing to be recognized by family, but to be recognized by peers, it’s as good as it gets,” he said.