At the heart of our history is the visionary figure of our founder, Daniel Webster Mead, a pioneering hydrology engineer whose dedication to ethical practice left an indelible mark on both the engineering field and the generations of professionals who followed.
Mead was more than an exceptional engineer—he was a man with foresight, a thought leader in his field, and a passionate advocate for the ethical responsibilities inherent in the engineering profession.
A Visionary in Hydrology
Before hydrology became a specialized field of study, Mead was already charting new waters. He authored the first book ever written on hydrology, anchoring his status as an expert in water resources management. His expertise earned him national recognition, and in a testament to his authority on the subject, President Calvin Coolidge later appointed Mead to a distinguished committee to study one of the 20th century’s greatest engineering marvels: the Hoover Dam.
Mead’s areas of specialization led him to the role of chief engineer for numerous hydroelectric facilities in the 1890s and early 1900s. Such projects initiated Mead’s decades as a leader in hydrology engineering, an advocate of professional ethics, and a university professor whose knowledge influenced generations of engineers.
Engineering Ethics: A Lifelong Commitment
Beyond his far-reaching technical achievements, Mead was driven by a higher calling: to establish that engineering was not only about precision and innovation but also about ethics, fairness, and responsibility.
When he served as President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Mead took a bold stance. He saw that the ethical standards of the time leaned too heavily toward the interests of private engineers and business concerns, often neglecting the public service side of the profession and the personal integrity of engineers. This imbalance troubled him deeply.
Determined to create change, Mead championed the development of a new ethical framework. In 1941 his vision became a reality with the publication of his book Standards of Professional Relations and Conduct. These standards became the ethical guide for engineers nationwide between 1941 and 1961, establishing that integrity, fairness, and public welfare should remain at the forefront of engineering practice.
“While the law defines the privileges of the individual in the larger matters of life, it does not always assure equity and justice… To the honorable business or professional [person], the question of a legal right in regard to a course of conduct is of secondary importance to the ethical right, and he will not exercise legal rights which are not also morally sound.”
– Daniel Mead
These standards held that engineers have an ethical responsibility to develop projects that protect our communities while respecting the natural world.
A Legacy of Teaching and Mentorship
Mead’s commitment to ethics wasn’t confined to policy and publications—he lived it daily. Balancing his role as founder of our firm, he devoted decades to teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For Mead, nurturing the next generation of engineers was just as important as his professional work. In his classrooms, he not only taught the principles of engineering but also instilled the values of ethical responsibility and professional integrity.
Mead’s passion for promoting ethics resulted in ASCE’s Daniel W. Mead Prizes. This national award, initially endowed by Mead himself, continues to honor ASCE associate members and students who champion professional ethics. The prize is a testament to Mead’s belief that ethics should always be honored, studied, and upheld.
Carrying Forward 125 Years of Integrity and Innovation
As we celebrate our firm’s 125th year, we recognize that Mead’s dedication to ethics is more than a historical footnote or relegated to the pages of an old book—it is the foundation on which we continue to build. His belief that engineers must serve not just projects and clients but society as a whole inspires us today. His courage to challenge the status quo reminds us that integrity is not always the easy path, but it is always the right one.
Mead’s legacy lives on in every project we undertake, every solution we develop, and every relationship we foster. As we look to the future, we remain committed to the values he cherished: innovation, excellence, and above all, ethics.
