Where would our world be without engineers? During Engineers Week (Eweek), which runs Feb. 22 to Feb. 28 in 2026 and was founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951, we take time to consider that question and celebrate the many contributions engineers – including our very own at Hanson – have made to society through their skills, hard work and ingenuity.
Highlighting Eweek in Texas
In Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Hanson team members are excited to join engineering professionals, students and community partners in celebrating the impact of engineering across Texas communities. The weeklong event, which includes six events at locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), is hosted by the South Texas Engineering Foundation. The Eweek schedule has featured a golf tournament and a 5K walk/run. Remaining activities include:
- Monday, Feb. 23: Eweek Proclamation Breakfast
- Wednesday, Feb. 25: RGV alumni tailgate and axe-throwing competition
- Thursday, Feb. 26: South Texas Engineering Foundation Eweek Unity Mixer
- Friday, Feb. 27: Gala and casino night
Engineers Week festivities included a golf tournament hosted by the South Texas Engineering Foundation in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.
‘Solutions that keep our world running smoothly’
Assistant Vice President and Senior Project Manager Paolina Vega, P.E., CFM, of Hanson’s Harlingen, Texas, office, plans to participate in this year’s Eweek RGV to connect with professionals shaping the future of engineering in the region and to inspire students to pursue careers in the field. Paolina, who serves as a board member for the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, which is hosting Eweek RGV, is especially looking forward to the gala and casino night on the last day of Eweek because the event will recognize projects and professionals making a significant impact across the Texas region.
“Engineers Week acknowledges the importance of engineers within our community,” Paolina said. “Engineers work behind the scenes to improve our infrastructure and provide solutions that keep our world functioning smoothly.”
Paolina’s strong interest in engineering stems from her love of problem solving. “The ability to take something complex, break it down and build a better outcome is what drew me into the engineering profession and continues to inspire me every day,” she said.
‘Visibility and purpose’
Civil Engineer Sarah DeBerry, P.E., also of the Harlingen office, is this year’s Eweek chair. She’s been involved in the event since it launched in 2023.
“From the very beginning, I believed in its purpose: to celebrate our profession while creating real opportunities for the next generation of engineers in our region,” she said. “Watching it grow each year has been incredibly rewarding, and the culmination of the scholarships awarded to students at the fall scholarship ceremony is amazing.”
Sarah added that Eweek is about “visibility and purpose. It’s an opportunity to shine a light on a profession that quietly shapes everyday life, often without recognition. Civil engineering, in my opinion, is inherently altruistic. At its core, it is about serving communities – designing safe roads, reliable infrastructure, clean water systems and resilient environments that improve quality of life across the street and around the world.”
Shining a spotlight on mentorship
Paolina’s most influential engineering mentor has been Hanson Vice President and Senior Project Manager Anna Aldridge, P.E. For almost 20 years, she’s had the privilege of working alongside Anna, who has consistently encouraged her professional growth by giving her opportunities that stretched her abilities and by trusting her with responsibilities that have helped build confidence.
“Anna’s guidance has shown me what it means to be both a strong engineer and an empathetic leader,” Paolina said.
Sarah credits her sister, Katrin, a geotechnical engineer at another firm, for encouraging her to major in civil engineering and for continuing to support her through Sarah’s professional journey. At Hanson, the late Marcos Ybarra made a lasting impact on Sarah’s career prior to his January 2026 passing in an automobile accident.
“He was my manager, mentor and friend,” Sarah said of Marcos. “He led with integrity, humor, patience and genuine care for his discipline team. He taught me the importance of quiet strength, compassion in leadership and technical expertise in design and construction. His passing was a profound loss, but I carry through his teachings in my day-to-day work.”
Join the Eweek celebration
Events like Eweek strengthen the Rio Grande Valley engineering community by bringing students, professionals, educators and industry leaders together to celebrate engineering. They help spark mentoring and collaboration, broaden awareness of regional projects and create support networks that encourage professional development and growth.
If you’re in the RGV area this week, we invite you to join us at one of the events and celebrate the value of engineering. Find more event details here.
