George L. Sills ('75) of Vicksburg has been named one of the federal government's top 10 engineers for 1998.

Sills, a geotechnical specialist for the Engineering Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Vicksburg, competed for the Federal Engineer of the Year award.

Sills is credited with developing stabilization solutions for Natchez Bluff, combining mechanically stabilized walls and soil-nailed walls. His work on that one project is expected to reduce project costs by approximately $9 million.

His numerous professional awards include the Commander's Award for Civilian Service and the Commander's Award for Community Service, and he has received the Mississippi State University Alumni Association's National Distinguished Service Award.

Sills is active in ASCE/SAME, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, local athletic organizations, and college/high school education committees.

He is a doctoral candidate at Louisiana State University, where he has published papers on innovative soil stabilization techniques.