Melvin E. Orchard, PE

Mr. Melvin (Ernie) Orchard, a 1949 civil engineering graduate of Michigan Tech, is Retired President of Orchard, Hiltz, and McCliment, Inc., a Livonia, Michigan based consulting firm. Upon graduation, he began his engineering career with the Wayne County Health Department. Over the next few years, he broadened his experience working as Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Department of Redford Township and for a land developer in Washtenaw County.

In 1960 he formed his own consulting firm, Orchard Engineering, and in 1962 he joined two other engineers to form the present firm of Orchard, Hiltz, and McCliment, Inc. He was the President and CEO of the firm from 1972 until his retirement in 1993. Under his guidance, the original 20-person firm grew to 110 staff members including 40 civil engineers, 2 licensed land surveyors, and a number of computer specialists and engineering construction technicians.

Mr. Orchard is an active member of the Southern Michigan Water and Sewer Utilities Association, the Michigan Chapter of the American Public Works Association, the American Water Works Association, and the Engineering Society of Detroit. In 1991, he received the President's Award for his many years of service to the Consulting Engineers Council of Michigan, and he was also elected a Fellow of the American Consulting Engineers Council in recognition of his many contributions to the engineering profession. He is a registered professional engineer in Michigan and Florida and is a member of Michigan Tech's President's Club.

From 1994 Induction to the Civil and Environmental Engineering Academy