John DeBell, P.E.
President of Burgess & Niple Inc.
NSPE Member Since: 1961

When did you know that you wanted to be an engineer? During high school, I worked several summers on construction and got an interest in seeing things built. My last summer, I worked on a survey crew for a civil engineering firm. Being good in math and science and liking my work experience influenced me towards an engineering career
 
What is your favorite book? I don't know if I have one favorite book. I like American history and tend to read many books about it. Several recently read include David McCullough's 1776 and John Adams, Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamiliton, and Gordon Wood's The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Being the fourth great-grandson of Declaration of Independence signer Richard Henry Lee, I've read a lot about the Lees of Virginia.
 
When did you get your PE license? 1975.
 
What is your proudest engineering accomplishment? Starting my own consulting firm at the age of 28 with my partner Paul Bengtson, P.E., watching it grow and prosper, and managing all the ups and downs of the business.

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Sidney O. Dewberry, P.E.
Cofounder and Chairman of the Board of Dewberry
NSPE Member Since: 1962

When did you know that you wanted to be an engineer? At about age 14, when I was influenced by an older brother who was studying electrical engineering through the International Correspondence School. 

What is your favorite book? The Fountainhead  by Ayn Rand. 

When did you get your PE license? In 1956, when I attained my EIT and PE within one month of each other. 

What is your proudest engineering accomplishment? Probably the literally hundreds of projects I designed in and around northern Virginia. The converting of a raw piece of land into housing or something for commercial, industrial, entertainment, recreational, or whatever use was and is a very rare experience. Utilities, roadways, and/or supply sources could often be a real challenge, not to mention the political opposition that often had to be overcome. 

Who was your biggest professional role model? Mark Greenhorne of Greenehorne & O'Mara was my early mentor and teacher, and a wonderful role model. 

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