Every year, Prairie Business Magazine recognizes an incredible group of 40 young professionals who are leaders in their organizations, all of whom are under 40 years old.

More than 140 nominations were received for this honor. Take a look at the quality of the up-and-coming leaders of the Dakotas and western Minnesota.

EAPC is proud to honor Structural Department Manager and Partner, Sam Wilke.

Sam is responsible for leading numerous structural engineering projects. He has been directly involved with providing stability to the firm’s structural engineering team which experienced over 200 percent growth in personnel in 2019. As one of EAPC’s newest Partners, Sam has demonstrated continuous professional growth and leadership abilities.

To date, Sam has worked on hundreds of structural engineering projects and successfully designed and managed the structural engineering on projects in excess of $100 million dollars.

Sam is a respected member of the engineering industry in North Dakota and beyond. In fact, he helped write the North Dakota portion of the FE exam for the ND State Board of Registration for PELS. In addition, two of Sam’s projects have received major awards in the State: (1) the Red River High School Performance Hall Addition in Grand Forks, ND received the Gold Star Award in 2013 from the North Dakota Ready Mix and Concrete Products Association. Sam was the lead designer and structural engineer of record on the project; (2) Sam also developed the conceptual layout and was lead structural designer for the Grand Forks Public Work Addition project in Grand Forks which received the 2012 Project of the Year award from the ND Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

In 2015, Sam was one of five individuals recognized as a Rising Star in Structural Engineering and by Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine.

Sam is an active member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers (NDSPE). In 2014 he received the NDSPE Young Engineer of the Year award at the Chapter and State levels. He has been the NDSPE Chapter 3 Treasurer, served on the Engineers Week Committee, volunteered in his free time grading tests during the regional MathCounts competitions, and continues to support numerous additional sponsorships and community involvement. Sam has also volunteered his time judging the NDSPE Chapter 4/Fargo-Moorhead Engineers Club’s Toothpick Bridge competition and participating on the scholarship committee.

Sam also goes the extra mile to share his passion for engineering by volunteering. While living in Bismarck, ND, Sam donated his time to Gateway to Science which is dedicated to fostering an interest in science by providing several programs for children of all ages. Over the years Sam has led several LEGO activities and judged Widget Competitions through Gateway to Science. He has also presented on Architecture and Engineering to 4th graders involved in the Bismarck Public School District’s Camp Ed program.

Sam has been actively involved in a non-professional setting by providing positive influence with youth through volunteering as a head coach for baseball, football, and basketball.

Sam has completed multiple guest lectures, helped develop Capstone projects, and remains involved with the Civil Engineering department at NDSU.

In addition, Sam has had membership in the American Institute of Steel Construction, American Society of Civil Engineering, American Concrete Institute, FM Engineers, American Wood Council, Minnesota Structural Engineers Association, and Structural Engineering Institute.

Sam, thank you for the stability you provide to the structural engineering team, the continuous professional growth and leadership abilities you demonstrate, and the positive influence you bring to the community.