Webb Institute is proud to announce that Sarah Wickenheiser ’08, recent recipient of the 2017 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year Award, was selected by the DC Council for Engineering and Architecture Societies (DCCEAS) as their Young Engineer of the Year for 2017! Wickenheiser graduated in 2008 from Webb Institute with a B.S. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and is currently pursuing her Masters in Engineering Management from Johns Hopkins University.
Sarah Wickenheiser is a civilian engineer at the United States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, MD. as a project manager, she oversees preliminary and detail design engineering efforts during major maintenance availabilities for a variety of ships, like the 140′ ocean-going icebreaking tug, 225′ ocean-going buoy tender, 270′ medium endurance cutter, and the WWII-era riveted sailing training ship Eagle. Prior to transitioning to more of a management role, she supported work at the USCG Yard by writing design study reports, completing shipboard investigations, designing structure, tracking weight changes, writing work instructions. Of particular note, Wickenheiser was the nexus of Eagle shell repair execution, developing the plan for removal of wasted hull plate and installation of new plate partially secured by rivets. The NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson also benefited from Wickenheiser’s technical expertise when she completed a structural analysis of the classification society-approved design which did not in fact meet requirements. These calculations prevented catastrophic structural failure, saving NOAA over $1 million. She is currently the project manager for a study to determine the end of service life for the US Army Corps of Engineers hopper dredge Essayons.
Prior to her career with the USCG, she was a naval architect for BMT Designers & Planners where she worked on a variety of commercial and military designs. She is a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers, Flagship Section. Wickenheiser is also a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers where she has recently completed a term as the Chair of the Chesapeake Section. Wickenheiser is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Maryland.
Wickenheiser resides in Bowie, MD, with her husband, Vincent, and son, Peter.
The awards banquet will be held at the Westin Arlington Gateway on Saturday, February 24th.
Source: DC Council for Engineering and Architecture Societies (DCCEAS)