Electrical Engineer Ed Studniski, PE, was honored with the Tom Roche Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota on Thursday evening. This honor is well-earned and just in time, as Ed has settled on a July 3 retirement date. Ed’s effect on the industry, on Ayres, and on the people around him can’t be denied.

Studniski has shown his commitment to his profession in his 29 years of involvement in ACEC MN. On the national level of ACEC, Studniski served as a trustee and chair of the ACEC Retirement Trust, which administers a retirement plan for member firms with a fiduciary oversight to keep fees low, select investment options, and provide education to participants. Studniski also regularly attended the annual ACEC national convention, often bringing along others in the firm to pass along his commitment to professional involvement.

The industry – and Ayres – are better off because of Studniski’s principled contributions to the engineering and business fields. He is all about integrity, and so is his design work. Studniski has broken through many barriers during his career by embracing new technology and pushing for ever higher energy efficiency. He’s always sought to elevate standards, which delivered better value to clients.

Studniski worked his way up to the position of president of Gausman & Moore, a position he held from 2020 to 2021. He also was a partner with G&M. His efforts to pass the torch to a new generation – as G&M became the MEP Division of Ayres following a 2021 merger – laid the groundwork for the future. Studniski was among the key players in maintaining longtime relationships with critical clients such as Target. He has served for many years in the Roseville Rotary Club.

Dan Fox, PE, CEM, LEED AP BD+C, director of MEP services in St. Paul, a position Studniski held until last year, credits Ed’s selfless servant leadership style for making him so good at strategically putting people in positions and situations where they can succeed. Part of that ability is being a good and humble listener who knows how to ask good questions, Fox points out. Studniski is the type of person who returns from a business trip not only with knowledge from the meetings he participated in, but also fascinating tales about the people he sat next to on the flight home.

“Ed, congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Fox. “This honor is well deserved. Your hard work and dedication have paved the way for the future, and I am excited to find out where that leads us. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”