By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
Michigan Gov. Rick Synder appointed Orion Township’s engineer James Stevens to the Michigan Board of Professional Engineers recently.
Stevens is the lead engineering adviser for Orion Township, Auburn Hills and Oak Park, and has earned awards from the Michigan chapters of the American Association of Public Works and the Concrete Paving Association.
‘I’m just excited at the opportunity to contribute to the profession, it’s the state board, it’s the licensing board, and so it’s to regulate the practice of professional engineering. I’m extremely excited to serve in that capacity for sure, it’s a great honor,? Stevens said.
He is one of the youngest partners at the Livonia-based OHM Advisers, a 200-person architecture, engineering and planning firm, and is hired contractually to perform township engineering projects.
‘A lot,? he said about how many projects he has done since he took the position in 1999. ‘I wouldn’t even begin to put a number to it.?
He has led projects for water system improvements, sanitary sewer system improvements, the tri-party projects, pathway projects and the planning reviews with private development in regards to engineering.
The nine-person Board of Professional Engineers was created to license and regulate requirements for the professional engineers in Michigan.
Stevens will fill the four-year vacancy created when Anthony Vizzini resigned from his position.
Both Stevens and his wife Julia grew up in Orion Township, where both sets of their parents currently reside.
The Orion Township Board recognized Stevens accomplishment at the last board meeting November 4.
‘It was such a nice thing that they did for me at the board meeting, and I certainly would like to thank the board for the opportunity to serve my own town, it’s a really cool thing,? Stevens said.