Sarah Glenn received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (CE) from Virginia Tech in 1998. In 1998, Ms. Glenn went to work for Redwine-Riezian, a structural engineering firm with offices in Denver and Vail, Colorado. While with Redwine-Riezian, Ms. Glenn designed concrete, steel, masonry and heavy timber structures, honing her technical skills and developing a strong sense of leadership and responsibility. After three years, she returned home to Southwest Virginia to join AECOM Design, formerly Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, Inc. (HSMM) in Roanoke.
Soon after joining HSMM, Ms. Glenn obtained her Professional Engineer’s license and began leading the structural design of increasing complex projects. Through a succession of successful assignments, she developed a significant interest and expertise in fast-track, design-build project delivery as well as healthcare and hospital design. While at AECOM she has provided structural engineering services for the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, and Radford University among others.
After obtaining her structural engineer’s license in 2002, Ms. Glenn became one of the first professionals at HSMM to pursue accreditation by the U. S. Green Building Council as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). In 2003 she obtained her accreditation and began leading both the structural and the sustainable design aspects of many projects. Shortly after obtaining the accreditation, she was asked to assume a leadership role within HSMM, conducting workshops, speaking on the sustainable design outside the office, and helping to shape policy for incorporating sustainability into standard production. She also served as the LEED AP on HSMM’s first LEED Certified project, the Weapons Evaluation and Testing Facility for the Department of Energy in Amarillo, Texas. Ms. Glenn now serves on AECOM Design’s Technical Council, a group of engineers and architects responsible for establishing and maintaining technical standards for the global company.
HSMM leadership soon recognized Ms. Glenn’s strong contributions to the firm and made her a Registered Associate in 2005. She was offered participation in company ownership the following year. In 2007, she was promoted to the role of project manager, in charge of A/E project delivery. She is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, person to have been given that responsibility in the 60-year history of the firm. Ms. Glenn recently completed the challenging and complex Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute in Roanoke, Va. It is the first Public-Private Education and Infrastructure Act (PPEA) project ever undertaken by either Virginia Tech or Carilion Clinic. Ms. Glenn helped to develop the PPEA proposal and lead a multi-discipline team of architects and engineers in the development and design of the project which is situated on a brownfield site in Roanoke, Va.
While at Virginia Tech, Ms. Glenn was an officer in the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Civil Engineering Honor Fraternity, Chi Epsilon. During much of her time in Roanoke, Ms. Glenn has served the Roanoke Branch of the ASCE as an officer, culminating as branch president. In addition, she has embarked on an off-hours Masters of Business Administration program which she will complete in 2011.
As a Professional Engineer she has enjoyed mentoring interns from Virginia Tech and local area high schools as they explore careers in engineering. She has also volunteered with the Virginia Tech chapter of ASCE, serving as a judge of the Steel Bridge Competition hosted by Virginia Tech.
Outside the profession, Ms. Glenn’s community service includes serving as a tutor at the Roanoke City Rescue Mission and serving as a member of the board of directors for Rebuilding Together Roanoke, a local program dedicated to rehabilitating the homes of elderly and disadvantaged homeowners. In 2007 she also rallied her fellow employees to erect a bridge for Roanoke Greenways, an organization dedicated to building and maintaining local trails and greenways.
In addition to her professional activities, Ms. Glenn is an avid and accomplished athlete. As an undergraduate at Virginia Tech, she was a member of the varsity track and field team, the cycling team, and the rugby team. In 2008 she qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon, finishing among the top 100 women.
Ms. Glenn lives in Roanoke, Va., with her husband Jeff. Jeff also graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in CE in 1996 although the two did not meet until they were both living in Colorado in 1998. In late February of this year, they welcomed their first son, Sam.