Mr. McLaren has more than 45 years of design, engineering, and inspection experience for structural, bridge/highway/rail, site/civil, geotechnical, marine, and forensics projects nationwide. Mr. McLaren has worked on more than 20,000 projects, which include the design and construction of over 70 ferry terminals and landings, waterfront resilient structures, and innovative marine structures. Other specialties include waterborne transportation facility design, intermodal transportation planning, waterfront structure inspection and rehabilitation. He is currently a member of several professional societies, including ASCE and NSPE, is professionally licensed in over 40 states, and serves on the Civil Engineering Advisory Boards at both Cornell and Rutgers University. Locally, he founded and sponsors the annual Engineering Expo for the education of high school students.

Mr. McLaren’s extensive and diverse portfolio of project experience includes several notable projects such as the construction of over 70 ferry terminals and landings; development of the famous MECU Pier 6 Pavilion in Baltimore, engineering, and design of a pair of 100-foot-tall animatronic Cranes in Sentosa Bay, Singapore; and the feasibility, planning and design of an urban aerial ropeway gondola that seeks to revolutionize transit in Albany, NY.

Innovative Engineering Accolades Include but are not limited to:

• Pioneer in the creation of Professional Engineer / Diving Inspections – prior to the 1970s all inspection work was performed by contractors. Mr. McLaren’s innovation has evolved and set the current practice where all bridges, dams, and most waterfront facilities are inspected by Professional Engineer / Divers.
• Created and developed prototypical designs used throughout the New York Harbor for fast ferry terminals. The northeast United States possesses one of the most diverse aquatic environments in the world, which presents numerous and frequent design challenges. Many of these details and systems developed by Mr. McLaren have become industry standards.
• Resurrection of the New York City Waterfront. From developing public waterfront access parks to residential and mixed-use facilities, Mr. McLaren’s involvement has been paramount throughout this successful revitalization. His active collaboration with owners, developers, permitting agencies, and operators has developed iconic New York sites.
• Reconstruction and Resiliency Efforts after Superstorm Sandy. Mr. McLaren worked with 38 different agencies and owners to assess damage and get facilities back into working order in an efficient fashion. Furthermore, Mr. McLaren’s extensive resiliency efforts immediately after Superstorm Sandy set precedence relative to infrastructure design and maintenance when dealing with the increased frequency of severe weather events such as hurricanes and rapid sea level rise.

Awards    

• 2023 New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE) “Engineer of the Year,” June 2023.
• 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Society of Professional Engineers – NY (Rockland County Chapter), June 2022.
• 2020 Civil Engineering Entrepreneur of the Year Award, presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers, National Award, July 2020
• Best Practice Award presented by Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey. September 2018
• Induction into National Academy of Construction
• Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Hudson Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America. June 15, 2017
• Engineer in Education, presented by the Rockland County Chapter of the NYSSPE, June 8, 2017
• Hero of the Harbor, presented by the Waterfront Alliance, New York, NY, October 5, 2016
• Harbor Stewardship Award, presented by Billion Oyster Project, May 19, 2016
• Induction into the Moles 2015
• Outstanding Community Service Award, presented by The Salvation Army Greater New York Division, May 14, 2015
• Engineer of the Year – 2014, presented by American Society of Civil Engineers, Lower Hudson Valley, New York Branch
• Entrepreneur of the Year, presented by the Rockland Economic Development Corp, November 2012
• US Design Patent No. D 668, 309S; patent granted October 2, 2012.
• Contribution to Education Award, presented by the NYSSPE, June 2012.
• 2011 49^th Annual R&D 100 Award Winner; “All Thermoplastic Composite, I-Beam Design, High-Capacity Bridge System (Mechanical Systems);” Rutgers University, Dept of Materials Science and Engineering, Axion International, McLaren Engineering Group, Dept of Defense Corrosion Prevention and Control Program, Army Facilities Installation Technical Transition Group; Orlando, Florida, October 2011.
• Excellence in Structural Engineering Award for Special Structures, Sentosa Dancing Cranes, Nighttime Spectacular Singapore, presented by Structural Engineers Association, June 2011.
• Construction Person of the Year, presented by NYSSPE P.E.’s in Construction. June 2010.
• Outstanding Achievement for Design of the Tree of Prosperity at Wynn Casino in Macau, China, presented by TEA. March 2009.
• Outstanding Achievement for Design of Infrastructure and Stage Machinery for KÁ by Cirque du Soleil, presented by TEA. March 2008.
• Distinguished Citizen Award, presented by the Hudson Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America. November 2007
• Rockland County September 11^th Memorial at Haverstraw Bay, presented by Rockland County Office of the County Executive. May 2003.
• 21st Annual Art Commission Design Award 2002. Presented by Mayor Bloomberg, City of New York. July 2003.
• Rockland County Engineer of the Year 2002-2003, Rockland County Chapter – N.Y.S. Society of Professional Engineers. February 2003.
• Citation for Outstanding Citizen and Esteem for both the Community and State of New York. Presented by New York State Assemblyman Alexander J. Gromack. February 2003.
• Senate Certification of Recognition of 25 Years of Service Dedicated to the Engineering Community, presented by Senator Thomas P. Morahan. May 2002.