Assistant Public Works Director Caroline Kone named Government Engineer of the Year
City of Hickory Assistant Public Works Director Caroline Kone has been named the 2026 Government Engineer of the Year by the Professional Engineers of North Carolina (PENC). Kone received the honor at the PENC Annual Conference in June and was formally recognized during the Hickory City Council meeting on July 21.
The PENC Government Engineer of the Year Award highlights outstanding leadership and service among public sector engineers throughout North Carolina. The award is presented annually to a PENC member employed by a municipal, state, or federal agency who exemplifies the dedication, integrity, and professionalism of a public servant engineer. Nominees must be registered Professional Engineers or Engineer Interns in good standing with PENC and demonstrate a well-rounded record of achievement in education, career accomplishments, professional involvement, and public service. Only one engineer statewide receives this distinguished honor each year.
"Receiving the Government Engineer of the Year Award is a profound honor that brings immense gratitude, especially looking back on more than two decades of service in this profession,” stated Kone. “This recognition reinforces my lifelong commitment to public safety and technical excellence. I promise to continuously uphold and demonstrate the strict ethical and professional standards I pledged to protect when I first took my oath as a Professional Engineer."
Kone began her career with the City of Hickory in October 2011 and has served the community in several key roles, including Traffic Engineer, Traffic Division Manager, Transportation Manager, Transportation & Engineering Manager, and City Engineer. She was promoted to Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer in March and now oversees all Public Works divisions, including Solid Waste, Parks & Public Properties, Fleet, Central Services, Traffic, Street, and Engineering.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Kone holds both a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (Transportation) and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering (Traffic Engineering). She is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina and an active member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), the Professional Engineers of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Chapter of the American Public Works Association (NC-APWA), where she serves on the executive board of directors. She is a graduate of the PENC Leadership Institute and has previously been recognized with the NC Section ITE New Member Award, the NC-APWA Streets Achievement Award, and as a Master Road Scholar by the North Carolina Local Technical Assistance Program (NC LTAP).
“Caroline’s commitment to excellence is evident in everything she does. Her expert knowledge, dedication to public service, and steady leadership make her an invaluable asset to our organization and the community we serve. This recognition is a true reflection of her hard work and professionalism. The award is very well deserved,” said Assistant City Manager Steve Miller.