HDR’s Gary Brunner Receives Highest Alumni Honor from Institute for Water Resources

Gary Brunner, P.E., D.WRE, a water resources technical advisor based in HDR’s Sacramento, California office, has been inducted to the Institute of Water Resources Class of 2023 Distinguished Gallery of Employees. The IWR is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Operating Activity, and this award is the organization’s highest honor that is bestowed to alumni or former employees.

According to the IWR, inductees for this year’s class were vetted by colleagues and peers based on their contributions to the organization. In addition, candidates must have developed and/or improved methods and procedures at USACE — all while performing their duties loyally and faithfully.

Brunner is recognized for his contributions to the Hydrologic Engineering Center from 1985-2021 as one of its first technical specialists. A forty-year veteran and national expert, his work on HEC-RAS and related modeling tools has helped transform the water resources industry and the study of river hydraulics.

At HDR, Brunner provides technical guidance and mentoring to staff in the development of complex hydrologic and hydraulic models. He also serves as a quality control reviewer and works with water resources leadership to provide in-house training and best practices to help usher the next generation of H&H engineers. Brunner is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Environmental and Water Resources Institute, as well as a Diplomate in Water Resources Engineering. 

“Gary’s contributions to our industry have impacted the lives of most Americans and others around the globe,” said Mark Forest, HDR floodplain management practice lead. “His actions have improved our ability to better define, manage and design for flood risk with more confidence at less cost, which has led to improved public safety. I join my colleagues in thanking and congratulating Gary on this outstanding accomplishment.”

Brunner, and fellow Class of 2023 inductee Lynn Martin, join 38 other IWR employees in the organization’s 53-year history to have received this distinguished honor.