Maryland Society of Professional Engineers Award Named for MDDF Colonel

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
26 May 2014

The Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MDSPE) recently established the David Thaler Leadership Award in honor of Col. (MDDF) David S. Thaler of the Maryland Defense Force. This prestigious award will be presented to professional engineers who exemplify the leadership and ideals of Col. (MDDF) Thaler. This new honor will be given “only in very special instances where an individual whose leadership within the engineering community has been transformational and who has mobilized and unified people, organizations, or causes that improve the engineering profession” according to a MDSPE statement.

Col. (MDDF) David S. Thaler previously served within the 121st Engineering Regiment and currently serves as executive advisor to Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the MDDF. A civil engineer by profession, Col. (MDDF) Thaler is the president and managing principal of D.S. Thaler & Associates, Inc. a Baltimore based civil and environmental engineering firm. He also serves as a lecturer on land use policy as a visiting scholar at the University of Baltimore School of Law. In addition, Col. (MDDF) Thaler serves as a fellow with the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm shared that “We are extremely proud of Col. (MDDF) Thaler and this special recognition he has received. He serves as a wonderful example of the depth and breadth of professional expertise that exists within the MDDF. Given the talent within our ranks, we remain positioned to fulfill our mission and support the State of Maryland when called.”

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.