Three CEE alumni were among nine engineers selected to receive the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers’ annual Engineer of the Year Awards.
The awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of Georgia’s engineering professionals and companies that have demonstrated exceptional skill, innovation, and dedication.
Congratulations to the following CEE alumni on this achievement:
Christopher Brazell, CE 01, MS CE 04
Engineer of the Year in Private Practice
Brazell began his career at EMC Engineering Services, Inc., a full-service civil engineering and surveying consulting firm, in 2002. He is currently the firm’s chief operating officer and leads more than 100 employees across ten offices. He is also a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. Brazell is a licensed Professional Engineer in 33 states and a Professional Land Surveyor in Georgia. He was named the Georgia Engineering Alliance’s Young Engineer of the Year in 2010 and in 2022 and he received the Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni award from the Georgia Tech College of Engineering. Brazell is a past member of Georgia Tech’s Young Alumni Council and past president of the Columbus, Ga., Georgia Tech Alumni Network. He currently is a member of the CEE External Advisory Board.
Suzanne Cooler, CE 96
Engineer of the Year in Government
Suzanne Cooler is a distinguished public sector engineer and dedicated community leader, currently serving as County Engineer for Chatham County — a historic appointment that makes her the first woman to hold the role. Since stepping into the position in 2021, Cooler has overseen a wide-ranging portfolio that includes county construction projects, environmental regulation, SPLOST initiatives, and critical infrastructure planning. Cooler’s career with Chatham County began in 2000, and over more than two decades of service, she has held several key roles, including Interim County Engineer and Assistant County Engineer. Highlights of her tenure include the successful delivery of major projects such as road widening and transportation enhancements, new public safety and operations facilities, and the development of a new courthouse.
Suleman Rana, CE 19, MS CE 21
Engineer of the Year in Industry
Rana is the managing director of transportation for Douglas County. He has worked with the Douglas County transportation department since 2022, previously serving as its deputy director. Rana was named a Top Young Professional in the Texas and Southeast region by Engineering News-Record in 2025, an honor that highlights emerging leaders making significant contributions to the engineering and construction industry. In 2024, Rana was one of 57 local leaders selected to take part in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leaders Institute (RLI), a highly competitive and prestigious program designed to cultivate collaborative, cross-sector leadership across metro Atlanta. The 2024 RLI program focused on housing affordability, transit and transportation planning, public health, natural resources, and investments in the region’s future.
