National Wind Assessments Employee Receives Prestigious North Dakota 2008 Young Engineer of the Year Award

Grand Forks, North Dakota – National Wind Assessments is pleased to announce that its own Debbie Jacklitch-Kuiken, a Project Manager and Wind Analyst, has been named the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers’ (NDSPE) 2008 Young Engineer of the Year. The annual award honors one distinguished North Dakota engineer under the age of thirty-five (35) who demonstrates excellent leadership potential. This year, the NDSPE presented the award to Jacklitch-Kuiken at its 68th Annual Conference in Bismarck on April 16th, 2009. Jacklitch-Kuiken received the award in recognition of her outstanding engineering achievements and contributions to the profession as a dually qualified meteorologist and mechanical engineer employed in one of the nation’s fastest growing fields. Jacklitch-Kuiken is a native of Baxter, Minnesota, and a member of NDSPE’s Grand Forks chapter.

“Debbie is not only an exceptional engineer in the emerging field of wind energy systems, but also an advocate for the engineering profession,” says Virginia Regorrah, President of NDSPE – Grand Forks Chapter. “As a spokesperson, mentor and role model, Debbie’s contributions to this profession are immeasurable. She is an inspiration to young people looking for a fulfilling career advancing clean, renewable energy.”

Jacklitch-Kuiken has conducted resource assessments and helped design the layout for over 10,000 megawatts (MW) of wind energy systems throughout her career. She is currently in the process of the assessment and design of wind farms totaling over 4,000 MW throughout the US.

“We are very fortunate and proud to have Debbie on our team,” says Kevin Romuld, President of National Wind Assessments. “Debbie is a very well-rounded and accomplished engineer and we continue to be impressed by her commitment to excellence. She is a pioneer in the design of wind energy systems. Debbie is also one of only a handful of individuals in the U.S. that possesses the expertise to both teach and provide technical support for WindPro, the world’s foremost wind modeling software.”

The NDSPE selected Jacklitch-Kuiken for this award from a group of qualified young engineers nominated by three of the society’s four chapters located in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot and Grand Forks. Each chapter considered numerous candidates for their nomination. All of the applicants were evaluated by the NDSPE’s board according to the same criteria: leadership potential; evidence of high character; performance; and commitment to public service as demonstrated by participation in humanitarian and civic activities.

Jacklitch-Kuiken is now being considered for the National Young Engineer of the Year Award. The award will be presented on July 17th, 2009 at the National Society of Professional Engineers’ annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri.


About The North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers:
The North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers, NDSPE (http://www.ndspe.org) is a state society of the National Society of Professional Engineers, NSPE (http://www.nspe.org). NSPE is the primary advocate for the professional engineering profession and represents engineers from all disciplines. NDSPE promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering, encourages professional licensure of all engineers, and actively lobbies for legislation that enhances the status of engineers, and the image and professionalism of engineering.

About National Wind Assessments:
National Wind, LLC, acquired National Wind Assessments, formerly Romuld Wind Consulting, in 2007. Kevin Romuld, President of National Wind Assessments, and founder of Romuld Wind Consulting, supervises this division. Their expert consultants provide comprehensive wind assessments. They provide meteorological tower sales, meteorological tower installation, wind data acquisition, site analysis and modeling, wind farm design and layout, projected energy production and turbine recommendations. Their wind consulting team has worked on over 100 wind projects, primarily in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Colorado, Iowa and Ohio. Please visit http://www.nationalwindassessments.com for more information.