George Murgel, PE, PhD
Over 40 Years of Engineering Experience
George is one of our most experienced engineers. After an extensive and accomplished career, he wished to return the the world of consulting and HECO was delighted when he joined our team in 2016. His work is manifested in the many projects he has managed, most notably work in water and wastewater projects for the National Parks Service.
OUT OF THE OFFICE
Woodworking, good science fiction literature, attempting to keep tabs on his three furry cats, and spending time with family.
WORK HISTORY & EXPERTISE
George began his engineering career in 1978 after completing his master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He spent the next eight years working for various consulting firms in St. Louis; Portland, Maine; and Kalispell, Montana. He returned to academic life to complete requirements for a doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering leading to a nearly 25-year stint as an Assistant and later Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, and then again more recently, Boise State University where I taught courses in environmental engineering and process chemistry, water and wastewater treatment system design, hydraulics, hydrology, and introductory surveying along with other service courses like statics and strength of materials. He joined Holladay Engineering which is now HECO Engineers in 2016. George has since provided project management and design services on a variety of projects for the U.S. National Park Service including site assessment of water and wastewater facilities, design development services, and project management at a variety of national parks and monuments throughout the Western United States.
He has been involved with the National Council for Examination of Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES) for nearly 15 years as a design development engineer for the environmental engineering Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, chair and lead of same module, selected and served as vice-chair, and then chair of the entire FE exam development committee. He is also the current chair of the Examination of Professional Engineers (EPE) Committee. Appointed to the Idaho Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors in 2012, he was served as board chair in 2016 and 2017, as he was at no surprise reappointed to a second five-year term in 2017. He recently received the Distinguished Examination Service Award at the 98th Annual NCEES meeting in August of 2019.
“I am thankful for being hired at HECO where my academic degrees and experience was considered by many others to make me overqualified when seeking to return to consulting.”
Education & Training
- Ph.D., Civil & Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 2016
- MSCE, Civil Engineering, Montana State University, 1978
- BSCE, Civil Engineering, Montana State University, 1976
Registration
Registered Professional Engineer:
- Idaho
- Oregon
- Arizona
- Montana
- Nevada
- Washington
I appreciate that George is always willing to lend his teaching skills and share his knowledge to all team members. He doesn’t talk down to others and isn’t condescending. He does a great job of modeling HECO’s Golden Rule traits and he always does this with a smile and a laugh. We are fortunate that the “Dr. Is In” with HECO! I do wonder if he has a Tardis hidden somewhere…
More EXPERTS
Great teamwork can make things go from subpar to spectacular. Each member of the HECO team is talented, experienced, and dedicated to the providing the highest quality of work.
Our PROJECTS
From small jobs to complex and challenging ones, we approach every project with a commitment to excellence.
