Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. (DBF) was honored to help present the first DBF/ACE Gerald Friedel Legacy Scholarship to Talbot County high school senior Joshua Tindale. The scholarship, given in memory of DBF co-founder Jerry Friedel, was recently presented to Tindale during the ACE Mentor Program of Maryland’s Eastern Shore’s 13th annual awards ceremony; an event held to recognize outstanding members of the program.
“Add value to people’s lives, and they will remember it.” – Jerry Friedel, P.E.
These were not just words Friedel shared with individuals he mentored; it was the way he lived his life. The DBF/ACE Gerald Friedel Legacy Scholarship was established earlier this year to memorialize Friedel’s dedicated efforts with the ACE (Architecture, Construction and Engineering) Mentor Program here on the Eastern Shore. Serving as a volunteer, treasurer and board member, he was committed to sharing his engineering passion and knowledge with the future 
architects, engineers and construction professionals in our local schools. Friedel, who also provided his engineering expertise to many of the municipalities on the Eastern Shore for decades, passed away suddenly in 2016.
“Challenge yourself and others to undertake what you may think is a difficult task. Consider innovative and alternative solutions.” – Jerry Friedel, P.E.
Well-versed in the fine art of collaboration, Friedel devoted his personal time to participants of the ACE Mentor Program with more than just the technical aspects of engineering; he demonstrated the importance of teamwork. Friedel worked side-by-side with both students and industry professionals, serving as a role model as well as a mentor. His work with the ACE students inspired others in his DBF family to also volunteer their time for this worthwhile endeavor and, as a result, the firm was presented with this year’s ACE Community Award.
The DBF/ACE Gerald Friedel Legacy Scholarship is a joint effort by DBF and the ACE Mentor Program to ensure that Jerry’s legacy of supporting tomorrow’s industry professionals continues. The $2,000 award was presented to Tindale by Friedel’s widow, Susan Friedel, and Michael Wigley, DBF president. Additionally, Tindale was awarded the Easton Utilities Scholarship at the award ceremony.
Part of a larger national program established to engage and inspire students, the ACE Mentor Program of Maryland’s Eastern Shore works with students in the counties of Talbot and Wicomico. Program participants from both public and private schools are introduced to the various career opportunities which exist within the building industry. Special effort is made to reach out to minority and female students or anyone else who may be unaware of the diverse careers available in the engineering, architecture and construction industries.
Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc., is a full-service architectural, engineering, and surveying firm with offices in Salisbury and Easton, Maryland, and in Milford, Delaware. For additional information about DBF or the ACE Mentor Program, visit www.dbfinc.com.
