2021 Engineer of the Year
Tait Ketchum, S.E.
Dunn Associates, Inc.
Nominated by SEAU
Tait Ketcham has been a strong advocate for the structural engineering profession in Utah for over 25 years and has fostered improvements in design processes and given back to the practice throughout his career. He has served on the SEAU legislative committee, working closely with the Utah State Legislature to initiate the Structural Engineer’s Practice Act, setting policy, and raising the bar for the entire profession. Tait has served his professional society in progressively increasing positions of responsibility and authority, on its Board and as SEAU President. He has provided mentoring and outreach though The Civil Engineering Academy, elementary schools, and SEAU Young Member events, promoting STEM learning and inciting an interest in engineering and math though his passion for the profession. Being the ultimate “Team-First” guy, Tait attributes his consideration for this award as the result of the esteemed mentors and industry associates he has collaborated with throughout the years, and the loving support of his wife and family.
Tait’s many landmark projects include many award-winning structures that define the built landscape in Utah. He has been recognized for excellence in ENR Mountain States, Utah Construction and Design, and AIA Potomac Valley Excellence in Design. Notable achievements include:
- President of Dunn Associates, Inc.
- Professional structural engineer, Utah, and LEED Accredited Professional
- B.S. in Civil/Structural Engineering, University of Utah, with honors
- Eight publications and presentations, including journal publications in ENR, Construction and Design
He has received many notable awards:
- 2020 SEAU Engineer of the Year
- 2008 Utah Masonry Council, Excellence
- 111 S. Main
- 2018 American Institute of Steel Construction, Ideas2 Award for Steel Construction
- 2016 ACI Intermountain, Excellence in Concrete
- 2016 Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Project of the Year
- dōTERRA Corporate Headquarters:
- 2015 ENR Mountains States, Best Office/Retail/Mixed-Use Project
- 2014 Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Most Outstanding Commercial Office Project)
- Fairbourne Station: 2020 Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Most Outstanding Private Project Over $10 Million
- Hale Centre Theatre:
- 2019 NCSEA Excellence in Structural Engineering Award
- 2018 ENR Mountain States, Project of the Year
- 2017 Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Most Outstanding Entertainment Project
- Lehi Tech:
- 2019 ENR Mountain States Best Projects, Award of Merit for Office/Retail/Mixed-Use
- 2019 Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Most Outstanding Office Project Under $10 Million
- One Empire Pass: 2018 Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Most Outstanding Hospitality/Resort Project
- Unified State Laboratories:
- 2017 ENR Mountains States, Best Government/Public Building Project Award of Merit
- 2017 Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Most Outstanding Public Project Over $10 Million
- The University of Utah:
- 2017 ACI Intermountain, Excellence in Concrete Construction, University of Utah, Lassonde Studio
- 2016 Utah Construction & Design Magazine – Most Outstanding Public Project Over $10 Million, Lassonde Studio
- 2016 AIA Potomac Valley Excellence in Design Award, University of Utah, S.J. Quinney Law
- 2015 ENR Mountains States, Best Higher Education Project, University of Utah, S.J. Quinney Law
- 2015 Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Most Outstanding Green/Sustainable Project, University of Utah, S.J. Quinney Law
- 2013 Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Most Outstanding Large Higher Education Project, University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business
