Bilbo earns AIC Klinger Award for education, research

Decades of excellence as an educator and researcher at Texas A&M earned David Bilbo, professor of [construction science] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/) , the prestigious W.A. Klinger Construction Education Award from the [American Institute of Constructors] (http://www.professionalconstructor.org/) .

The AIC, which promotes industry professionalism and ethics, has presented the annual award since 1976 to honor educators who distinguish themselves while advancing the construction profession, their school and the industry.

Bilbo, a member of the Texas A&M faculty since 1979, Bilbo prepares students for rewarding careers in construction management.

“The rigor of Bilbo’s classes and demanding syllabi elevates students’ performance and the collaboration required for group projects,” said James Hogan, director of construction services at the Houston office of [PBK] (http://www.pbk.com/) , an architecture, engineering and planning firm.

As a longtime consultant on building projects in the Byran/College Station area, Bilbo relates his industry experiences and knowledge to students, said Hogan.

“He also helps hundreds of young professionals become AIC Certified Professional Constructors by preparing them for the CPC exam,” he said. “He has also developed and maintained relationships between the department, the industry and former students.”

Bilbo’s resume at Texas A&M includes educational and administrative roles.

Promoted to associate professor in 1992 and full professor in 2000, Bilbo was the Clark Endowed Professor of Construction Science from 1998-2012.

He specializes in emergency preparation and response, construction project management and administration, and industrial/technical education.

Bilbo earned the department’s Educator of the Year honor for three consecutive years beginning in 2009, earned The Association of Former Students’ [Distinguished Achievement Award] (http://archcomm.arch.tamu.edu/archive/news/fall2009/stories/Bilbo_Hill_honor.html) in 2009 and was named The Association of Former Students’ Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2013.

His administrative service includes terms as the department’s internship coordinator from 2001-03 and assistant department head in 2003-04.

A productive researcher for many years, in 2014, Bilbo contributed to projects examining integrated project delivery, female project managers’ salaries, and legislation’s effects on the construction economy, with results published in peer-reviewed academic journals.

Bilbo earned a Ph.D. in Industrial Technology Education from Texas A&M in 1977, a Master of Science in Industrial Technology from East Texas State University in 1974, and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology and Business Administration at East Texas State University in 1973.

Bilbo’s AIC accolade marks the second consecutive year a Texas A&M construction science educator as earned the Klinger Award. George Eustace, lecturer and industry relations coordinator for the department, earned the honor in 2014.