PENC Member Spotlight

Thomas A. Bach, PE

Utility Systems Engineer, Water & Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County


When PENC's state president Pam Townsend charged Tom Bach with increasing PENC's involvement in high school outreach, she knew he would go above and beyond the call of duty. But he has truly outdone himself! As the Chair of the Community Outreach Committee, Tom has greatly expanded PENC's involvement in a high school engineering outreach program called JETS. His efforts have been so widely recognized that he has been appointed to the national Board of JETS! PENC's leadership salutes Tom's commitment and leadership. The organization is beyond lucky to have such a remarkable member!


Why did you become an engineer?   I chose to become an engineer in my Junior Year of high school because I absolutely loved all my math and science courses, and wanted to design and build things that could be used by the public in the future.  Growing up near the “Windy City” of Chicago, IL helped me narrow down what engineering discipline I would eventually enroll in at the University of Tennessee/Knoxville (Civil Engineering); I was fascinated by the tall skyscrapers that were located in the downtown area (John Hancock Center, Sears Tower, Standard Oil Building) and watching all those planes coming into O’Hare Airport.  I also talked with a Professional Engineer around this same time that informed me why he stayed in the engineering curriculum during his college years; that was to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, which is what we follow as engineers each and every day.     

What is your proudest engineering accomplishment?  Besides passing the PE exam, I think my proudest engineering accomplishment had to be designing and providing construction administration for a small wastewater treatment plant at West Lincoln High School. I truly had to learn new technology from scratch as it related to the design and implementation of both drip irrigation systems and sand filter structures. Even though I had left the private consulting firm where I completed this design, I contacted the client representative about two years after the wastewater treatment plant was completed to see how well it was working; he told me it exceeded expectations and that made me feel even better.
  

What is the most pressing problem engineers of the future face? In these tough economic times we are presently going through, I think engineers will have to become more creative and open thinkers since we are definitely entering into a more “greener” and “sustainable” world.  It will be vital for engineers to continue communicating and working with each other (even ones in competition with one another) in order to find ways to design/build/incorporate “smarter” and more “economical” systems that will meet future needs of the public throughout the entire world.  With this being said, engineers that become more actively involved with professional societies like NSPE/PENC in the future will help lessen this pressing problem because of what these type of societies stand for; professionalism, ethics, accountability, and networking.  We must work together as true public servants during these tough economic times and continue to encourage young people to enter the most interesting and dynamic field we call engineering.                  


What is the best thing about being a PENC member? Besides being held accountable as a professional engineer though NCBELS and PENC, I think the best thing about being a PENC member is the networking opportunities with engineers and other professionals in each chapter and statewide.  I say this because my involvement with PENC over the past 10 years has given me the opportunity to make new contacts in the engineering profession, which has opened the door to developing relationships with many different people.  Lately, this development of relationships has helped me match individuals who have been recently laid off during this economic downturn with both public and private sector contacts looking to hire people.  PENC has truly been an active participant and support to both members and non-members when it comes to helping these individuals during difficult times.           


What are your interests outside of engineering? Since I am a 1983 graduate of the University of Tennessee, of course I am an avid fan of college football and the many rivalries my Tennessee Volunteers face during the year.  I have played softball for the past 30 years, and just turning 50 this year will be a true test of my abilities (i.e. playing with and against a lot of college baseball players, even one currently with my favorite team the Chicago Cubs).  I also love the cardio workout with step aerobics and “zumba” classes.  My other interests are working in the yard, traveling, reading, writing, attending sporting events, and collecting things (i.e. Monopoly Games, Matchbox/Hot Wheels Cars, coins).