Virtual design and construction leader wins alumni Distinguished Service Award

James Jacobi, chief information officer (CIO) for Houston-based Walter P Moore, one of the nation’s leading engineering consulting firms, has received Michigan Engineering’s 2018 Distinguished Service Award.

The award is one of the highest accolades given by the Michigan Engineering Alumni Board. It honors a graduate who has given generously of time and talent to further college projects and activities.

Jacobi also earned this year’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Merit Award.

“The College of Engineering’s recognition program honors those alumni who personify our tradition of excellence. Jim is the epitome of that personification and is most deserving of this honor,” said Vineet Kamat, professor of civil and environmental engineering who nominated Jacobi. “His engagement and service will continue to make the college a better place for its students, faculty and staff.”

Jacobi received a bachelor of science in civil and environmental engineering in 1975 and a master of science in 1976 from U-M. He is a registered professional engineer in five states in civil and software engineering. With over 35 years of experience in engineering design, project management and construction, and special expertise in application of information technology, Jacobi is a leader in his field.

At Walter P Moore, he played a key role in implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM), a novel approach to design, build and manage constructed facilities by using a digital representation of the building process to facilitate the exchange and utilization of information. Jacobi has led efforts to use the technology to collaborate with other members of the design, construction and owner teams. Over the last two years, he has worked closely with faculty at Michigan Engineering to design a syllabus for a BIM course at the college.

Jacobi also leads the technology consulting group at Walter P Moore. The group provides services in the areas of BIM project coordination, managed IT services and infrastructure consulting, software development and virtual reality services. He has also frequently spoken and published on these topics in the architecture engineering and construction industry.

Jacobi worked as the vice president & chief engineer at Brown & Root in 1993 before moving to a position as the vice president & chief information officer at Halliburton in 1996, where he worked until joining Walter P Moore in 2001.

He serves as president of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Friends Association (CEEFA) Board.

“Jim is perfect evidence that the passion of our alumni is the engine that propels Michigan Engineering forward. He embodies the values this award stands for,” said Jerome Lynch, the Donald Malloure Department Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Jim is perfect evidence that the passion of our alumni is the engine that propels Michigan Engineering forward. He embodies the values this award stands for.
Jerome Lynch, the Donald Malloure Department Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering

“He has generously given back so much to our program by serving as the president of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Friends Association Board. He has been a catalyst in inspiring other alumni to get involved—thereby expanding, diversifying and enriching our departmental community.”

The Michigan Engineering Alumni Board (MEAB) serves the college and its 80,000 alumni by offering knowledge, hands-on service, network connections, passion and resources in the pursuit of the College of Engineering’s vision and mission.