Lewes, DE — George, Miles & Buhr, LLC (GMB) is proud to announce that Benjamin K. Hearn, P.E., Vice President and Senior Project Manager, has been named the 2026 National Society of Professional Engineers–Delaware (NSPE-DE) Young Engineer of the Year.
The Young Engineer of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding professional engineer under the age of 35 who has demonstrated exceptional technical competence, leadership, and commitment to the engineering profession and public service. Ben was selected for his significant contributions to municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, his leadership in complex public works projects, and his dedication to serving communities across Delaware.
Since joining GMB in 2016 as a Graduate Engineer, Ben has advanced steadily through increasing levels of responsibility and is now a trusted engineering advisor to public agencies throughout Sussex County, including the City of Seaford and the City of Lewes Board of Public Works. His work focuses on helping municipalities operate and plan water and wastewater systems that are reliable, resilient, and positioned to meet long-term community needs.
Career highlights include the Lewes Water Main Canal Replacement project, a critical improvement that increased redundancy and capacity for the Lewes BPW’s beachside water system while requiring careful coordination under challenging site, schedule, and regulatory constraints. He also played a key role overseeing construction phase services for the Western Sussex County Sewer Regionalization project, a major multi-contract effort conveying wastewater from the Town of Bridgeville to the City of Seaford’s treatment facility.
In addition to his technical achievements, Ben is deeply committed to public service. He currently serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Lewes Fire Department and has dedicated more than a decade to fire service in Delaware. A native of Seaford, Ben began his public service career in 2011 with the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department, where he later served as Vice President from 2017 to 2020.
Ben earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware in 2016 and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Delaware and Maryland. He is an active member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and he is certified as a Qualified MS4 Stormwater Permit Compliance Professional.
“From the moment Ben joined GMB as an intern, it was evident that he possessed a rare combination of technical skill, curiosity, and natural leadership,” said Charles M. O’Donnell III, P.E., President of GMB. “He continues to exceed expectations and establish himself as one of the most forward‑thinking young engineers in our profession.”
Ben lives in Lewes with his wife, Hannah and their dog, Louie.
George, Miles & Buhr, LLC (GMB) is a client-focused firm providing comprehensive engineering, architectural, planning, and coastal resiliency services across the Mid-Atlantic region. Founded in 1960, GMB creates quality designs to enhance our communities and safeguard the environment. GMB is headquartered in Salisbury, Maryland with additional offices in Seaford, Ocean View, & Lewes, Delaware, and Sparks, Maryland. For more information, visit GMB’s website at www.gmbnet.com.
