WASHINGTON, D.C. – Waggoner Engineering congratulates Eddie Belk, PE, Director of Strategic Water Initiatives, on his recent recognition by the Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) with the 2026 Waterways Counsel Award.
A rare distinction presented only five times in the organization’s 23-year history, this prestigious national award recognizes individuals whose leadership, innovation, and dedication have made a lasting impact on the nation’s waterways and the many organizations that steward them.
Waggoner welcomed Belk to the firm in 2025 after his retirement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he served for more than 20 years.
“WCI has been fortunate to work with Eddie Belk for decades in his various roles within the Corps and most recently as Director of Civil Works,” said Tracy Zea, WCI President and CEO. “His counsel, sage advice, and open-mindedness is something we—and the entire inland waterways industry—have appreciated. We were honored to recognize him with our Waterways Counsel Award this year and to show our thanks for his leadership and partnership.”
Belk is widely respected for his prioritization of relationships and solution-oriented approaches that can turn even the most unconventional ideas into workable, forward-moving outcomes. Known for his mindset of finding a path to “yes,” Belk consistently bridges technical expertise, regulatory understanding, and creative problem-solving to deliver results that benefit all stakeholders.
“Eddie brings a rare combination of creativity, credibility, and determination. He has an unmatched ability to turn challenges into practical, forward-thinking solutions that create real value for our clients and partners. No matter how complex an idea may seem, Eddie works tirelessly to turn it into a solution that benefits the Corps, the nation, and our clients,” said Scott Phillips, President and CEO of Waggoner Engineering.
“We are incredibly proud to have Eddie on our team and grateful for the impact he continues to make across the waterways community and within our water resource management practice,” continued Phillips. “Congratulations on this exceptional achievement.”
Waterways Council, Inc. Coverage: https://waterwayscouncil.org/file/715
About Waggoner
Founded in 1976, Waggoner Engineering is a civil engineering and professional consulting firm dedicated to helping communities reach their full potential. With multiple office locations across the Southeast United States, Waggoner is known for its innovative, multi-disciplinary services that extend beyond traditional engineering to deliver holistic, forward-looking solutions for clients.