MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award
The MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award recognizes project managers and consultants for their commitment to excellence and promoting an enhanced business partnership based on the ideals set forth in the MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Agreement. These ideals include mutual trust, effective communication, continuous improvement, embracing innovation, and timely issues resolution. The award will be judged equally on five important principles:
- Providing Cost-Effective, High-Quality Services
- Partnering in Streamlining Business Practices
- Engaging in Effective Communication
- Commitment to Transparency & Accountability
- Promoting Innovation and Sustainability
Projects accomplished by team effort between MDOT project managers and ACEC consultants are eligible to receive this award.
Application information will be released each fall and award winners will be announced at the annual MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop.
Applications for the next annual award are not yet available.Â
2025 MDOT Partnership Charter Award Winner
At the 2026 MDOT-ACEC/Michigan Partnering Workshop, the Partnership Charter Award was presented to the MDOT Ancillary Structures Program, in partnership with HNTB.
Established in 2020, the Ancillary Structures Program was created to address a critical gap in asset management. While bridges and pavements were well documented, many other essential structures — including culverts, noise walls, retaining walls, lighting, and signal structures — were not managed within a single, consistent framework. These assets are often directly over or under traffic and play a vital role in roadway safety and operations.
Through a strong partnership between MDOT and HNTB, the program developed a comprehensive, statewide approach to managing these assets. Key accomplishments include the creation of standardized inspection practices, a centralized GIS-based inventory system, and risk-based prioritization tools that allow MDOT to move from reactive maintenance to proactive, data-driven decision-making.
The results have been significant. Hundreds of safety-related issues have been identified and addressed, long-term capital needs are now visible, and MDOT has greater confidence that limited resources are being directed where they can have the greatest impact for the traveling public.
Beyond the technical achievements, the program stands out for the way the partnership itself was structured. HNTB served not only as a consultant, but as a trusted advisor and extension of MDOT staff — helping modernize standards, streamline internal processes, and introduce innovative tools that strengthen infrastructure management statewide.
Today, the MDOT Ancillary Structures Program is recognized as a national model for asset management, demonstrating how strong collaboration between public agencies and consulting partners can deliver lasting value.
ACEC/Michigan congratulates the entire MDOT and HNTB team on this well-deserved recognition and thanks all who continue to advance the spirit of the Partnership Charter through their daily work.
2024 MDOT Partnership Charter Award Winner
​On Friday, February 7, the 12th annual MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award was presented to Michael Baker International (MBI) and the MDOT Metro Region for the partnering efforts on the Rouge River BIM Pilot Project. This was Michigan’s first project using digital delivery where no plans were used as the contractual documents and the lessons learned will be a blueprint for future projects.
The award was presented by MDOT's Chief Operations Officer, Gregg Brunner, PE, and ACEC/Michigan Executive Director, Ron Brenke, PE.
L to R in Photo: Ron Brenke (ACEC), Yash Dedhia (MBI), Mitchel Cook (MBI), Alex Svilar (MBI), Brian Travis (MDOT), Bryan Daavatilla (Great Lakes Engineering), Brad Wagner (MDOT), Cathy Cassar (MBI) and Gregg Brunner (MDOT)
2023 MDOT Partnership Charter Award Winners
​The 11th annual MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award was presented on Friday, February 16, 2024, for the partnering efforts on the Modernize I-75 from M-102 to South of M-59 project to WSP and the MDOT Metro Region Oakland TSC.
The award was presented by MDOT's Chief Operations Officer, Gregg Brunner, PE, and ACEC/Michigan Executive Director, Ron Brenke, PE. Colin Forbes and Mark Dubay (MDOT), and Matt Oumedian, Jerry Luttman, Jeff Chenault, Tim Day, and Ed Tatem (WSP) and Barb Arens (Cincar Consulting Group) accepted the award during the MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop.
2022 MDOT Partnership Charter Award Winners
​On February 2, 2023, the 10th Annual MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Award was presented for the partnering efforts between Bergmann and MDOT University Region on the I-69 / I-475 Interchange Reconstruction Project.
The award was presented by MDOT's Acting Chief Operations Officer Gregg Brunner, PE, to ACEC member firm Bergmann and to the MDOT University Region. Richard Chelotti and Jeremy Hedden (Bergmann), Mike Royalty (ROWE PSC), and Trevor Block, Talia Belill and Keith Brown (MDOT) accepted the award during the MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop.
2021 MDOT Partnership Charter Award Winners
On February 3, 2022, the 9th Annual MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Award was presented for the partnering efforts on the Michigan Mobility 2045 State Long-Range Transportation Plan. The award was presented by MDOT's Chief Operations Officer Tony Kratofil, PE, to ACEC member firm WSP and to the MDOT Bureau of Transportation Planning. Todd Davis (WSP) and Brad Sharlow (MDOT Bureau of Transportation Planning) accepted the award during the MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop.
L to R: Ron Brenke, PE, Todd Davis, PE, Brad Sharlow, PE and Tony Kratofil, PE
2020 MDOT Partnership Charter Award Winners
On February 3, 2021, the 8th Annual MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Award was presented for the partnering efforts on the I-196 and I-96 interchange project. The award was presented by MDOT's Chief Operations Officer Tony Kratofil, PE, to ACEC member firm AECOM and to the MDOT Grand Region. Sean Kelsch (AECOM) and David Kent (MDOT Grand Region) accepted the award during the MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop.
The 2021 award was presented virtually so no photos are available.
2019 MDOT Partnership Charter Award Winners​
On February 6, 2020, the 7th Annual MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Award was presented for the partnering efforts on the M-60 Reconstruction Project in Spring Arbor. The award was presented by MDOT's Chief Operations Officer Tony Kratofil, PE, to ACEC member firm Tetra Tech (Jayson Nault) and to the MDOT University Region (Jason Pittman, Jackson TSC).
L to R: Tony Kratofil, PE, Ken Mazurek, PE, Ana Bickley, PE, Justin Voss PE, Jason Pittman, PE, Jayson Nault, PE, Ronald Brenke, PE
2018 MDOT Partnership Charter Award Winners
​On January 31, 2019, the 6th Annual MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Award was presented for the partnering efforts on the I-94 Modernization Project. The award was presented by MDOT's Chief Operations Officer Tony Kratofil to ACEC member firm HNTB and MDOT team members.
L to R: Tony Kratofil, PE, Terry Stepanski, PE, Eric Polvi, PE, Matt Simon, PE, Carrie Warren, PE, Dr. Audrey Andrews, Ronald Brenke, PE