VHB celebrated big at the Professional Engineers of North Carolina (PENC) Summer Conference, earning two awards that highlight both individual excellence and organizational impact.
Eric Berger, PE, was named the Young Engineer of the Year, recognizing his outstanding technical contributions, leadership, and commitment to advancing the engineering profession. Eric is a Water Resources Engineer in Raleigh and has emerged as a rising leader in PENC and at VHB. He serves in multiple PENC roles, including Vice Chair of the Young Member Group and Leadership Institute, while contributing to the Triangle Chapter Board and being named President-Elect for 2026–2027. At VHB, Eric’s influence is equally significant. Within the Water Resources practice, he leads technical initiatives, contributes to knowledge-sharing efforts, and has strengthened internal quality processes, reinforcing our commitment to excellence. Eric was also named a Rising Professional of the Year for VHB’s Piedmont-Atlantic region. His work exemplifies the dedication that defines the next generation of industry leaders.
In addition to Eric’s achievement, VHB was recognized as an Outstanding Employer, reflecting our strong engineering culture, focus on employee growth, and continued commitment to the public good. These values are evident in our staff involvement with PENC, with VHB team members serving in leadership roles on the Board of Governors, the Triangle Chapter, and the Educational Foundation, serving on state and chapter committees, and promoting membership among our North Carolina teams. VHB’s Charlie Townsend has also been pivotal in our involvement. Charlie has held multiple PENC leadership roles and was selected for the 2025 Engineer of the Year. His dedication to the organization has expanded VHB’s involvement and ongoing commitment to PENC.
“We’re proud to be an active PENC member and view membership as a platform for service, leadership, and collaboration across the profession,” said Jenny Fleming, Raleigh Managing Director, “These awards show that we are dedicated to professional excellence, employee development, and to the communities we serve.”
Together, these achievements highlight VHB’s dedication to empowering our people to make a meaningful impact and leadership within the industry.
Interested in joining our North Carolina team? Discover career opportunities.
