2026 Young Professional of the Year Award

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Jeff Morrison, P.E., an associate project manager at Olsson, has been selected as one of two recipients of the 2026 Young Professional of the Year Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Nebraska (ACEC NE). The award recognizes exceptional engineers under age 35 who demonstrate outstanding technical ability, leadership and meaningful community impact across the state.

During his 10 years at Olsson, Morrison has advanced some of Nebraska’s most high‑impact civil and infrastructure projects. He served as lead civil engineer for Lincoln’s first hyperscale data center — a landmark regional project requiring precise coordination, innovative engineering and rigorous technical standards. His work also supported critical healthcare growth for local organizations including Madonna Rehabilitation Center and Tabitha.

“Jeff is a leader who brings both technical excellence and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities he serves,” said Brad Marshall, P.E., vice president and senior team leader at Olsson. “He fosters collaboration, mentors young professionals and consistently delivers work that positively impacts Nebraska. Jeff’s ability to align client objectives with broader community needs sets him apart as a leader who truly understands the value of engineering.”

Morrison’s commitment to service extends far beyond his engineering work. He coaches youth soccer with the YMCA and regularly mentors high school and college students exploring engineering careers. He also supports local families in need through community outreach initiatives and volunteers weekly through his church. Additionally, Morrison volunteers at the annual Cornhusker State Games, assisting with the pole vault event and the Morrison Family Relay — a tradition deeply connected to his family. Morrison returns every summer to present the Morrison Family Relay Award, dedicated to his father, who served as the track and field director for many years.

“Beyond his professional achievements, Jeff actively seeks opportunities to improve lives, not only through engineering solutions but also through his dedication to helping those in need,” Marshall said. “His influence reaches beyond technical work, making him one of the most respected engineers I have worked with throughout my career.”

A Nebraska native, Morrison resides in Lincoln with his family. He received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Nebraska, Iowa, Georgia and Oregon.

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Aaron Buettner

State Director

Aaron Buettner, PE, CVS leads Benesch’s Nebraska structural group, bringing more than 27 years of experience in structural engineering, project management and value engineering to every project he touches. His work spans highway, railroad and pedestrian bridges, and he has delivered public and private projects across the country involving a wide variety of materials and structure types.

Aaron’s technical depth covers the full project lifecycle, from structural design and in-service inspection to forensic evaluation and construction administration. He is proficient in multiple structural design and analysis software platforms and has a keen understanding of load paths and constructability. As a Certified Value Specialist (CVS), Aaron’s Value Engineering work has generated tens of millions of dollars in potential construction cost avoidance for clients ranging from state DOTs to transit agencies.

Notable projects include the Lincoln South Beltway, where his team designed 10 of 21 bridges on the freeway corridor; the N-12 Emergency Bridge Repairs in northeast Nebraska, where biddable plans for three flood-damaged structures were delivered in just three weeks; and the Penny Bridges Replacement in Lincoln, where value planning produced a context-sensitive solution that earned broad community support.

Aaron also serves as a Structures Specialist on Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1), which is one of 28 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) teams located throughout the United States. In this role, he supports the search and rescue mission by assessing damaged structures, recommending structural hazard mitigation within those structures, and monitoring the structure for condition changes during rescue and victim recovery operations. During his tenure with NE-TF1, he has deployed ​on numerous missions within the state of Nebraska and around the nation to assist communities that have been impacted by emergencies or disasters.

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