Vernon Hills, IL – The American Public Works Association (APWA) Chicago Metro Chapter has recognized Lucas Deferville, Assistant Director of Construction and Survey Services at Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. (GHA), with the prestigious Award of Merit. This honor acknowledges his dedication to infrastructure improvements, cost-effective project management, and community engagement across multiple municipalities.
Lucas has made a significant impact on public works, including his work with the Village of Buffalo Grove, where he helped shape the Infrastructure Modernization Program (IMP). By integrating long-term planning strategies, Lucas helped generate more than $8 million in project savings, allowing the program to expand and support additional improvements.
Kyle Johnson, P.E., Deputy Public Works Director/Village Engineer for Buffalo Grove, emphasized Lucas’ impact on the village’s infrastructure:
“The Village of Buffalo Grove and its residents find themselves incredibly lucky to have Lucas Deferville of GHA working in their town. His approach is unparalleled while his touch comes as a trusted neighbor. The community looks dramatically different than it did in 2018, and that is in large part thanks to Lucas.”
Lucas’ influence extends beyond Buffalo Grove. While working with the Village of Barrington, his knowledge of funding processes allowed for a strategic shift in grant allocations, minimizing local cost shares and maximizing available resources. Marie Hansen, P.E., CFM, Deputy Village Manager for Barrington, highlighted Lucas’ leadership:
“Lucas’ knowledge of the State agreement and funding process facilitated shifts of allocated grant funding from construction, which had excess funding available, to construction engineering to minimize the Village’s cost share for the project – a huge win for the Village.”
The Village of Deerfield saw firsthand the impact of Lucas’ leadership in capital improvement projects, where his expertise and attention to detail kept projects on track and minimized disruptions to the community. Having overseen multiple infrastructure improvements for the village, including resurfacing efforts and full subdivision replacements, Lucas has focused on maintaining high-quality construction while minimizing disruptions to the community. Tyler K. Dickinson, P.E., Assistant Director of Public Works & Engineering, noted:
“What truly separates Lucas from his peers is his ability to become a positive influence for the project and also a trusted extension of the Village. He consistently goes above and beyond for those involved in the project, regardless of whether it’s the municipality or just a passerby through the project. It’s not uncommon to find Lucas picking up garbage along the jobsite, helping residents with any concerns or cleaning off sidewalks/roadways.”
Lucas’ commitment to delivering high-quality, community-focused infrastructure solutions reflects the standards of the APWA Award of Merit. If your municipality is looking for a trusted partner in engineering and construction management, connect with GHA by visiting our website.
Media Contact:
Michael McFarlin
Marketing Manager
mmcfarlin@gha-engineers.com
847-478-9700
