Three civil and environmental engineering alumni were among the distinguished Georgia Tech engineers honored at the 2026 College of Engineering Alumni Awards Induction Ceremony.
The event, held March 21 in Atlanta, recognized 32 engineering alumni for their contributions to the engineering profession, career accomplishments, and the ways they’ve enhanced the lives of others both personally and professionally.
“Tonight, we celebrate the tenacity, creativity, and enduring impact of engineering, and the leadership and fearlessness of being a Georgia Tech engineer,” said Interim Dean Doug Williams. “We’re here to recognize alumni who embody the spirit of our College — who anticipate and engineer the future and don’t flinch at ‘impossible.’”
Gretchen Goldman received the Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni Award, which recognizes alumni who have had rapid advancement and early achievements within their profession, field, or organization.
Guiomar Obregón earned the Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, which recognizes highly placed executives who are actively involved in engineering, management, industry, academia, or government.
Christopher Pappas was honored with membership in the Engineering Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes successful alumni who have reached the highest levels of achievement in their professional endeavors and who are committed to maintaining the highest standards of their profession.
Read more about the honorees:
Gretchen Goldman, MS EnvE 08, PhD EnvE 11
Gretchen Goldman is the president and CEO of the Union of Concerned Scientists. As CEO, she leads the organization's science-based advocacy, working to create and implement innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future. Goldman previously served in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as the assistant director for environmental science, engineering, policy, and justice, and at the U.S. Department of Transportation as the climate change research and technology director. Goldman received the 2024 U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary’s Award from Secretary Pete Buttigieg for her work on decarbonization of the transportation sector. Goldman received the 2022 Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Young Alumni Achievement Award and was named to the 2022 Georgia Tech Alumni Association 40 Under 40 List. In addition to her Georgia Tech degrees, Gretchen holds a B.S. in atmospheric science from Cornell University.
Guiomar Obregón, MS CE 93, MBA 94
Guiomar Obregón is the CEO of Precision 2000. P2K is a general contractor specializing in aviation and transportation infrastructure across the Southeast. The firm was recently named one of the 20 Largest Women-Owned Firms by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Obregón is most proud of P2K’s role in elevating women and Hispanics in engineering and construction. The company supports emerging engineers through its Georgia Tech Fellowship and Scholarship Program, internships, and the Georgia Hispanic Construction Association, which Obregón co-founded in 2012. She was honored with Atlanta Magazine’s 2025 Women Making a Mark award. She currently serves on the external advisory boards for the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Building Construction. In addition to her Georgia Tech degrees, Obregón holds a master’s in finance from Georgia State University.
Christopher Pappas, CE 78
Christopher Pappas is the Principal of CDP Consulting LLC. Pappas started his 47-year career in chemicals and plastics in 1978 with Dow Chemical. After 22 years at Dow, he went to Nova Chemicals, where he became CEO in 2009. In 2010, he partnered with Bain Capital as the CEO on the carve-out of Styron from Dow Chemical into a free-standing company. For the last 22 years, Pappas has served on the public boards of several NYSE-listed companies, including MEOH, NCX, and AYE. He’s on the board of several private equity owned companies: ICP, IPS, Hexion, and KP. Pappas is currently an active consultant and board member to private equity in industrial, construction, and chemicals companies. Pappas and his wife Susan, CE 78, are active in various philanthropic activities through their family foundation, including at Georgia Tech. Their focus is on education, local community medical needs, health and wellness, and women and children in need.