MWH president honored for impressive career, professional contributions and commitment to community causes
Broomfield, Colo., June 05, 2015, - MWH Global, an engineering, consulting, and construction firm focused on water and natural resources, announced Joe Adams has been awarded the prestigious Robert H. Goddard Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Alumni Association. Adams, a 1975 graduate of WPI, was recognized for his career success and leadership at MWH Global and his commitment to the company’s purpose of Building a Better World.
The Goddard Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement recognizes distinguished WPI alumni for exceptional achievement in science, technology and business and a contributions to community. The award was named for Robert H. Goddard, the father of modern rocketry and a famous WPI alumnus. Adams accepted the award at WPI in Worcester, Mass., on May 30 during the university’s Alumni Weekend and his 40th class reunion celebration.
Adams joined MWH in 1985 and has served in various leadership roles, including his current position as president of the Energy & Industry operation. He oversees global strategy and day-to-day operations for MWH services to the oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, and hydroelectric sectors. Adams is known for his commitment to continual growth with a focus on business development and operational success, securing and guiding global mega-projects such as the $3 billion expansion of the Third Set of Locks at the Panama Canal.
Adams is also committed to global education and the power of the engineering profession. Last year, he and his wife made a donation to create a scholarship for the WPI Project Centers, a program that allows students to complete project management requirements off campus at one of WPI’s more than 40 global project centers. He serves on the board of directors for Engineers Without Borders. He’s also a founding member of the Colorado Women’s Foundation STEM education program – a program designed to support women in STEM-focused careers.
Adams earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from WPI and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Cornell University. He has also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He is based at the MWH Global headquarters in Broomfield, Colo.
About Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation’s first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. WPI’s talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university’s innovative Global Perspective Program. There are more than 40 WPI project centers in the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.
