DRAGON

Randall Dragon
Southeast sustainability leader seeks innovative best practices
38, Sustainability Director
Jones Lang LaSalle, Atlanta

A 15-year veteran of the construction, real estate development and green building industries, Randall Dragon now serves as the Southeast sustainability director for Jones Lang LaSalle's project and development services group, where he leads the firm's LEED and sustainability business headquartered in Atlanta. In addition, he also has sales responsibilities for the firm's national sustainability team. In this role, Dragon strives for innovation by developing programs and best practices that streamline the LEED certification process. In 2012, Jones Lang LaSalle presented Dragon with its Green Award, given to the person who best promotes sustainability for the company's clients and the industry as a whole. He is also active in the REAP Atlanta program, which encourages minority professionals to consider careers in the corporate real estate industry.

DRAKE

Shannon Drake
Has led projects in North America, Latin America and Asia
36, Associate
Perkins Eastman Architects, Charlotte

Shannon Drake sees architecture as an opportunity for positive change. He has more than 16 years of experience domestically and abroad in the planning, design and development of projects in North America, Latin America and Asia. Having lived in Central America during his childhood, he became a passionate advocate for rebuilding and developing communities and the environment. In 2007, Shannon relocated to India to join a global workshare firm. His experience in design, BIM, construction technologies and project management enabled him to integrate and manage teams and projects of all scales in diverse locations. He brought that experience to Perkins Eastman, where his expertise in BIM enabled the firm to push the boundaries of its use to create an avenue for the exploration and development of ideas.

EDMONDS

Jacquelynn Edmonds
BIM advocate has earned recognition in cold-storage industry
34, Project Architect
Primus Design Services, Woodstock, Ga.

In the cold-storage industry, Jacquelynn Edmonds stands out with her architectural designs. Edmonds serves as a project architect with Primus Design Services, where she is responsible for overseeing the design development and production of construction documents for some of the firm's biggest projects. Since then, she has focused on becoming a 3D modeling expert, earning a master's degree in building construction and integrated facility management from Georgia Tech. At Primus, Edmonds leads the integration of BIM software into the firm's design process. She also volunteers at Hands On Atlanta, which provides tutors and mentors for children living in poverty.

HARRIS

John Harris
Construction exec works to boost industry's diversity
37, Vice President
Balfour Beatty Construction, Orlando

Since joining Balfour Beatty Construction as an intern in 1998, John Harris has earned four promotions and now serves as vice president and North Florida business unit leader from the contractor's offices in Orlando. Along the way, he's worked as a senior project engineer and operations director for the company's criminal justice market, a position he held beginning in 2002. Throughout his tenure with Balfour Beatty, Harris has championed the cause of industry diversity. Harris helps M/WBE businesses prepare for potential partnerships with Balfour Beatty and other commercial contractors on large-scale construction projects and assists them with their efforts to target future business opportunities.

Harris also serves on the boards of the Downtown Orlando Partnership and the Orange County Public Works Advisory Board, which provides public-works referrals and suggestions to county leaders.

HEBELER

Gregory Hebeler
Geotechnical expert has worked on projects across the globe
36, Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Golder Associates, Atlanta

With a doctorate degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech, Gregory Hebeler has served as geotechnical engineering lead on several major projects for Golder Associates. For example, he served as project engineer and manager of geotechnical services for a public-private partnership developing a proposed seven-mile bridge and roadway project—estimated at more than $500 milllion—that will link the Outer Banks to northeast North Carolina. The 36-year-old Atlanta native has worked on several other notable projects, including the cleanup related to the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston dam failure as well as several mining projects in Mongolia and Peru.

Additionally, he's currently serving as chair and treasurer for the Georgia Geo-Institute Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

HEGGEN

Chris Heggen
Engineer is an effective public communicator for firm, industry
37, Vice President
Kimley-Horn and Associates, West Palm Beach, Fla.

As a vice president for Kimley-Horn in West Palm Beach, Fla., Chris Heggen serves as a senior project manager on numerous transportation projects. At the end of many days, however, Heggen's focus shifts from engineering details to his role as an expert public representative of Kimley-Horn. He represents the firm at various public events to discuss particular projects and their impact on the community.

In the nomination form submitted to ENR Southeast, Chris Squires, a senior vice president with Kimley-Horn and Associates, said of Heggen: "Chris is calm, cool, factual and an ideal role model for engineers when he is presenting projects to the public and political bodies. He is a great representative in a wide range of situations, including those with skeptical and hostile audiences. He makes us look good as engineers!"

The Georgia Tech civil-engineering graduate puts his considerable communication skills to use in other ways, such as mentoring recent college graduates or other young coworkers at Kimley-Horn. Also, he serves on the board of directors of the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.