IHS Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction Recognizes Engineers of the Year

Providing safe and reliable water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure remains essential to the Indian Health Service mission to raise the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction (DSFC), part of the Office of Environmental Health and Engineering, leads this work through planning, engineering design services, and funding for the construction of vital sanitation systems serving tribal homes and communities. The program also provides tribes with technical assistance to support the long-term operation and maintenance of their systems.

This month, DSFC proudly recognizes six employees for exceptional service to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. These individuals were selected for their outstanding contributions to advancing public health, strengthening essential infrastructure, and exemplifying the highest standards of the IHS engineering workforce. Their efforts directly support tribal communities by improving environmental conditions, addressing critical sanitation needs, and helping ensure the sustainability of essential services that protect public health. Please join us in congratulating our colleagues for their outstanding achievements.

Cmdr. Juliane Junes-Harvey, P.E. – Leadership Engineer of the Year

Cmdr. Juliane Junes-Harvey is celebrated for her extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to tribal communities across the Phoenix Area and the nation. Serving as acting district engineer and area NEPA coordinator, she guided environmental reviews for more than 260 projects, helping to unlock over $100 million in construction funding, the largest investment in Phoenix Area history.

Her oversight of 25 major projects valued at $83 million helped advance safe, reliable sanitation facilities for 46 tribes across six states. She also shared her expertise nationwide by training engineers and mentoring junior staff, ensuring strong environmental stewardship and consistent program success. Cmdr. Junes-Harvey is a shining example of IHS excellence, combining technical mastery, thoughtful leadership, and steadfast dedication to community service.

Lt. Cmdr. Ross Hanson, P.E. – Senior Engineer of the Year

Lt. Cmdr. Ross Hanson is honored for his exceptional skill, initiative, and leadership across the Great Plains Area. While managing 13 active projects totaling more than $16 million, he stepped forward to serve as Sanitation Deficiency System (SDS) coordinator, strengthening data accuracy, funding prioritization, and program integrity.

Seeing an opportunity to support incoming staff, he created the Great Plains Area SDS Project Preparation Guide, a practical tool that immediately elevated the quality and consistency of SDS documentation for new engineers. His continued initiative, developing design and bid documents for multiple reservation projects, demonstrates his deep commitment to the mission of IHS. Lt. Cmdr. Hanson's contributions have truly elevated engineering and helped deliver essential sanitation infrastructure to tribal communities.

Lt. Cmdr. Sophia Lopez, P.E. – Junior Engineer of the Year

Lt. Cmdr. Sophia Lopez is recognized for outstanding engineering expertise and inspiring early-career leadership. She leads 16 active projects valued at $18.5 million, including four major completions that improved sanitation facilities for nearly 1,000 homes across eight tribal communities.

Beyond her project work, Lt. Cmdr. Lopez provides vital drafting and design support across districts and serves as a trusted mentor to JRCOSTEPs and junior engineers. Her collaborative spirit, strong communication skills, and dedication to tribal partners embody the very best of IHS engineering. Lt. Cmdr. Lopez is a rising leader whose impact is already felt throughout the DSFC Program.

Philip Patton – GIS Leader of the Year

Philip Patton is celebrated for his innovation and leadership in advancing geospatial tools that strengthen DSFC planning nationwide. He integrated 18,000 linear feet of water and sewer infrastructure into the IHS DSFC Enterprise Portal, greatly improving long-term system planning for the Taos Pueblo Tribe in New Mexico.

His cutting-edge use of LiDAR and elevation modeling on the $11.6 million McCarty’s Water Main Rehabilitation Project prevented a two-week delay and saved thousands of dollars, demonstrating the power of modern GIS in supporting efficient, data-driven projects delivery. A committed national contributor, Patton tests new tools, develops training materials, and champions emerging technologies such as drone-based LiDAR. His vision and creativity continue to move the DSFC Program forward.

Kary Gregoire, P.L.S. – Engineering Technician of the Year

Kary Gregoire is recognized for his exceptional service as a registered land surveyor supporting eight tribes and more than 9,000 homes across the Sioux City District. His expert surveying, easement support, and field guidance enabled approximately $124 million in sanitation infrastructure projects through accurate surveying, easement support, and field consultation this past year.

A gifted educator, he teaches the Environmental Health Support Center's "Surveying 101: Construction Surveying" course and maintains the Great Plains Area survey equipment fleet, ensuring teams across the area are prepared and equipped for success. Gregoire's professionalism, precision, and dedication make him an indispensable part of DSFC’s mission to deliver safe sanitation facilities to tribal communities.

Clorissa Willie – Administrative Assistant of the Year

Clorissa Willie is honored for her extraordinary administrative leadership and transformative impact on DSFC financial operations. Responsible for financial actions across 257 projects and $275 million in funding, she ensures every dollar is tracked with accuracy, accountability, and care.

Her innovative tools, including a new Excel commitment register and a Teams-based exhibits tracker, streamlined outdated processes and dramatically improved timeliness and data reliability. Her efforts helped the Phoenix Area achieve a record-setting $20 million in construction disbursements, accelerating essential projects for tribal partners. Willie’s creativity, professionalism, and dedication exemplify the spirit of service that defines the SFC Program.