3 CEE Alumni Honored by Georgia Tech College of Engineering

Wednesday, 10 May 2023

The College of Engineering celebrated 28 of its most esteemed alumni at the 2023 Alumni Awards Induction Ceremony on April 29, including three civil engineering graduates.

Each year, the College’s eight schools nominate graduates in three categories:

  • The Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni includes rising stars who have distinguished themselves in the early stages of their careers.
  • Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni recognizes people who are still active in their careers and have already made significant contributions to the profession, field, Institute, or society at large.
  • The Engineering Hall of Fame celebrates alumni for their lifelong achievements.

Read on for more about this year’s honorees:

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General Phillip Breedlove being inducted into the CoE Hall of Fame

Left to right: College of Engineering Dean Raheem Beyah, Gen. Philip Breedlove, CE 77, and Alumni Awards Ceremony Co-host Sandy Magnus

Gen. Philip Breedlove, CE 77 – College of Engineering Hall of Fame

Retired, United States Air Force
Distinguished Professor of the Practice, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs

Gen. Breedlove retired from the U.S. Air Force as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) and commander of U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

Prior to assuming his position as SACEUR, Breedlove served as the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe; commander of U.S. Air Forces in Africa; commander of Air Component Command, Ramstein; and director of the Joint Air Power Competence Centre in Kalkar, Germany. He was responsible for Air Forces activities in an area of operations covering more than 19 million square miles.

In his role as vice chief of the U.S. Air Force in 2011 and 2012, he presided over the Air Staff and served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Requirements Oversight Council and Deputy Advisory Working Group. He also assisted the chief of staff with organizing, training, and equipping 680,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. His career also included a role as senior military assistant to the secretary of the Air Force.

Breedlove is a command pilot with 3,500 flying hours, primarily in the F-16, and has flown combat missions in Operation Joint Forge/Joint Guardian. In his career, he completed 11 overseas tours, including two remote tours.

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James Hamilton accepting an award at the CoE alumni awards

Left to right: College of Engineering Dean Raheem Beyah, James Hamilton, CE 77, and Alumni Awards Ceremony Co-host Sandy Magnus

James R. Hamilton, CE 77 – The Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni

Senior Vice President, Kimley-Horn

Jim Hamilton has provided professional civil engineering services for more than four decades for clients in public and private development projects throughout the U.S.,

Including 30 years as founder, president, and CEO of Southern Civil Engineers in Alpharetta. His firm joined Kimley-Horn in 2013, helping to expand their Southeast footprint. His projects include the award-winning 504-acre Brasstown Valley Resort; the redevelopment of Colony Square in Midtown Atlanta; the nationally acclaimed Avalon mixed-use development in Alpharetta; AutoZone’s World Headquarters; and 30 school campuses and mixed-use projects throughout the Southeast. The Georgia Engineering Alliance (GEA) named him Engineer of the Year in 2006 and 2012.

At Georgia Tech, Hamilton was the civil engineer for the Sustainable Education Building and the Transit Hub. He also contributed to the redevelopment of the Mason Building. He has served as chairman of The American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia, chair of The Georgia Engineering Alliance (GEA), and is an emeritus member of the CEE External Advisory Board.

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Jacob Tzegagbe accepting an award at the CoE alumni awards

Left to right: College of Engineering Dean Raheem Beyah, Jacob Tzegaegbe, CE 11, MS CE 13, and Alumni Awards Ceremony Co-host Sandy Magnus

Jacob Tzegaegbe, CE 11 MS CE 13 – The Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni

Head of Strategy, Snap One

After graduating from Georgia Tech, Jacob Tzegaegbe was awarded a Marshall Scholarship and completed two additional master’s degrees from University College London in Urban Economic Development and Mega Infrastructure Planning, Appraisal, and Delivery. His career has taken him across industries and sectors: He has spent time as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, senior transportation policy advisor to the mayor of Atlanta, and director of expansion for Via, a late-stage transit tech startup.

As head of strategy at Snap One, Tzegaegbe brings smart technology solutions to homes and businesses globally. Outside of work, He serves on several boards, including MARTA, Georgia Tech Facilities Inc., and Propel ATL.

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