SC Society of Professional Engineers Awarded its Engineer of the Year at the 2011 SC Engineering Conference
Awards Banquet

The 2011 SCSPE Engineer of the Year is Mr. Gene L. Dinkins, PE, PLS, of Columbia, SC.  Mr. Dinkins is president of Cox & Dinkins, Inc. where he responsible for all professional operations of the firm. He is licensed to practice engineering in three states.

Cox & Dinkins perform comprehensive site development engineering and land surveying services.  Typical projects include major military projects, apartment complexes, large-scale commercial developments, governmental and institutional projects.
 
Before becoming president of Cox & Dinkins, Dinkins attended Clemson University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1973.  Later he went to the University of South Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineer.  He continued at USC for his graduate work completing a Masters of Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Water Resources.

Mr. Dinkins knows first hand what it takes to maintain licensure in South Carolina as a registered engineer and surveyor; he has been on the SC Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors since 2004.  He served as the secretary of the registration board in 2006, then vice chairman from 2007 – 2008, and was the Chairman in 2009-2010. 

Mr. Dinkins is on the NCEES Board of Directors and serves as the organization’s treasurer. He is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers, the South Carolina Society of Professional Land Surveyors, American Congress of Surveying and Mapping, and the American Council of Civil Engineers.

He loves spending time with his family, going to the beach, and game hunting.  He is an active member at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where he currently serves on the Vestry.

When presenting the 2011 Engineer of the Year Award, Ms. Marguerite McClam, PE said “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this unique distinction; he is a true professional who advocates engineering, and giving back to the community.”