The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) nominates James Demby, P.E., as the 2026 NRCS Federal Engineer of the Year (FEYA) nominee. FEYA, established in 1979 by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), honors the innovative and dedicated work of licensed engineers employed by the federal government. James Demby, P.E., is celebrated for his exceptional career achievements by NRCS in his role as National Design Engineer and Dam Safety Coordinator for the agency.

At NRCS, Demby established the NRCS Dam Risk Management Task Force, which develops strategies and tools—including a prototype risk-based inspection eForm—to support risk-informed decision-making across 11,851 NRCS-assisted dams. He led the development of critical updates to dam safety policy and guidance, including the new Title 210 National Engineering Handbook, Part 628, Subpart F, which provides seismic evaluation standards for embankment dams. He also spearheaded the update to Title 210 NEM Part 520 Subpart C, introducing a five-level analytical approach for hazard potential classification, enhancing accuracy and confidence in dam assessments. His policy recommendations continue to significantly advance NRCS dam safety practices.

As a nationally recognized leader in dam safety and infrastructure resilience, Demby actively contributes to national resilience efforts through the Nationwide Regional Risk and Resilience Collaborative (NR3C) and the Watershed Regional Risk and Resilience Work Group. His expertise is instrumental in creating the Watershed Regional Risk and Resilience Playbook, a resource guiding stakeholder-led initiatives to assess risk and enhance watershed conservation. As a member of the Uncommon Dialogue Dam Safety Working Group, he collaborates with diverse stakeholders, including Tribes, agencies, and environmental organizations, to improve dam safety nationwide. His leadership helped shape the 2024 concept paper and the 2025 Dam Safety Action Plan, addressing key challenges in dam rehabilitation and removal. Additionally, he has driven the creation of federal guidelines, technical manuals, training, and analytical tools through strategic partnerships, strengthening the National Dam Safety Program and supporting dam owners and operators nationwide.

The FEYA Award celebrates outstanding technical expertise, visionary leadership, and meaningful humanitarian contributions. This year’s ceremony, held during National Engineers Week (February 22–28, 2026), offers a special opportunity to honor James Demby’s remarkable achievements and recognize all NRCS engineers who continue to work diligently, behind-the-scenes, to solve challenging conservation problems for the nation.

Thank you, James! To all our engineers, thank you for all that you do!!