RALEIGH, N.C. – Congratulations to DRMP Structures Engineer Brayden Bost on receiving second place in the 2026 Next Generation Award competition from the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina (ACEC/NC).
This recognition honors Bost’s exceptional potential, emerging leadership, and commitment to the future of the engineering profession. Bost was formally recognized and presented with the award at the ACEC/NC Junior Board’s annual Partners Gala on June 4 in Raleigh.
“Receiving this recognition is such an honor and motivator to keep working hard,” Bost said. “It is a reminder that people are always noticing and watching, so you should always give 100 percent of your effort. I just want to thank DRMP for nominating me for this award and to everyone else who has helped or supported me in achieving this honor.”
As part of the application process, candidates were required to submit an essay or create a poster or video demonstrating the engineering industry’s impact, along with evidence of involvement in volunteer, club, and project work. In his essay submission, Bost reflected on his work with DRMP’s structural team in Charlotte supporting the redesign of rural bridges in Western North Carolina damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene in late 2024. He described how the loss of small but critical timber bridges disrupted access to essential services for local communities and how ongoing reconstruction efforts are restoring connectivity and stability.
“This experience has reshaped my perspective on engineering as a whole,” Bost said in his essay. “It has made me realize that the work I do each day is not just routine or theoretical, but it has a direct and lasting impact on people.”
Through his role contributing to structural modeling, calculations, and application of North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) standards, particularly in timber bridge design, Bost highlighted how even routine engineering tasks contribute to rebuilding critical infrastructure and restoring access for impacted communities.
“What may seem like small tasks in the office contribute to rebuilding critical infrastructure that communities depend on,” he said.
DRMP initially hired Bost as a traffic intern in November 2024 before he transitioned to a structures intern in August 2025. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) in May of this year with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, he became a full-time structures engineer at the firm.
“The most rewarding part of my internship experience at DRMP is definitely having the peace of mind that I found a great group of like-minded people who actually make coming to work enjoyable every day,” he said. “I could not be more excited for the future ahead.”
DRMP Structures Chief Engineer Scott Benson, PE, said Bost’s recognition is well deserved and reflects the impact he has already made at the firm.
“We are very proud of Brayden,” Benson said. “He consistently demonstrates initiative, technical curiosity, and a willingness to take on new challenges, including his transition from our traffic team into structural engineering and his contributions to bridge design work supporting Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. This recognition reflects his ambition, hard work, and impactful contributions to the firm.”
About DRMP
Since 1977, DRMP has earned a reputation as a trusted multidisciplinary engineering firm that approaches challenges differently. What began as a small Florida-based firm has grown into a Southeastern powerhouse with over 700 employees across 23 offices. We partner with clients to deliver smart, sustainable infrastructure that helps communities thrive.
Ranked among Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms in the United States, DRMP is known for solving complex challenges through technical expertise, innovative thinking, and collaboration.
We value connection, creativity, and a welcoming, engaging culture that empowers employees to grow their careers.
