Bob Stubbe, Public Works Director for the City of Omaha, has been awarded the 2024 Nebraska Engineering Pillar Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies Nebraska (ACEC NE) for his leadership and service to the profession.
“I was very surprised and emotionally moved when the announcement was made,” says Stubbe, who has served as Public Works Director since 2005. He previously served more than 29 years with the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) providing gas and water service to the Omaha metro area.
A native of South Dakota, he graduated from South Dakota State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, followed by a M.S. in Structural Engineering from the University of Nebraska. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Nebraska. Since 2008, Bob has served on the Papillion City Council. He also served on the Papillion Planning Commission for four years.
Matt Tondl, Senior Vice President for HDR in Omaha, has known and watched Stubbe serve as a pillar in the engineering community.
“At both MUD and the City of Omaha Bob approached all situations from both a “do the right thing” mindset, and a “do it cost effectively” manner. Bob knew that solutions had to be affordable, but his measure of affordability was in a life cycle manner. The cheapest, up-front solution is usually not the best long-term approach. Bob lived that and our community is better for it.”
Stubbe credits passing the professional engineer’s exam as the first highlight of his career.
“From a young age I’ve had an interest in construction and I believed engineering would provide me an opportunity to pursue that interest. The engineering curriculum and the engineering profession can provide numerous career opportunities and challenges. The math, science, and technical curriculum helps develop problem-solving skills, enhances decision making, and provides you a good framework for any career path you wish to pursue. There is a great deal of responsibility to holding a PE license which can have a major impact on your career path,” says Stubbe.
He adds, “What I love most about the field of engineering is taking a concept, designing, and managing the concept into a useable project that will have a lasting impact on your community.”
Several of Stubbe’s colleagues celebrate and acknowledge that his thoughtful, collaborative leadership has allowed the City of Omaha to grow.
Jim Theiler, Assistant Director, City of Omaha Public Works, has known Bob for 20 years. “Bob’s longevity and leadership at both the City of Omaha and MUD is unparalleled – no one before him has that knowledge and experience on their resume.”
Scott Keep, Senior VP of Operations at MUD, has been a colleague and friend of Stubbe since 1980. “Sound engineering leadership is critical to the success of any community and the city of Omaha has been very fortunate to have Bob leading its infrastructure system. The success and growth of Omaha and the surrounding communities is testament Bob’s capabilities and accomplishments.”
Douglas County Engineer Todd Pfitzer has worked with Stubbe for more than 15 years and believes Stubbe’s leadership has been one of his greatest contributions to the field of engineering. “Bob’s leadership and the ability to work toward a solution of extremely complex projects and issues are some of his greatest strengths. Bob cares about his people and supports them during challenging times. The decisions he makes always reflect what is best for the community and the taxpayers of Omaha.”
Omaha Mayor Stothert, who has known Stubbe since 2009 when she was elected to the Omaha City Council, credits his leadership to the success of some of Omaha’s highest priority projects. “Bob approaches everything with reason and logic. He is solution-driven. Bob manages the third largest city department with more than 600 employees, and most of the most customer-driven services the city is responsible for including residential trash and recycling collection, sewer maintenance, traffic engineering, snow removal, street construction, repair and maintenance,” says Mayor Stothert.
During his career, Stubbe has been involved in many projects including the implementation of the CSO program (Clean Solutions Omaha), completion of the Saddle Creek High Rate Treatment Facility, the Street Preservation Program, and the Omaha Streetcar Authority which will oversee the design, implementation and operation of the streetcar. Stubbe also designed and managed the first compressed natural gas fueling facility in Omaha, designed and managed the addition to a chemical building serving the Florence Water Treatment Plant.
Stubbe encourages young engineers to continue their practice. “Don’t become discouraged by the outcomes early in your studies that may make you question your decision to pursue an engineering degree. You will be challenged. However, there will be a time when you will be able to overcome those challenges.”
Bob and his wife, Sharon, currently live in Papillion but have resided in the Omaha metro area since 1976. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren.