EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Todd Shoemaker, PE
Making a Positive Impact
When it was time for Todd to choose a profession, he picked engineering because he wanted to make a tangible impact while continuously being challenged.
“I wanted a career where I could work with teams to apply engineering to real-world problems and develop solutions that have a clear positive impact on communities and the environment,” he explains. “I like to work on complex systems that really matter—especially as water challenges become more critical.”
Todd joined AE2S last year with 25 years of experience, primarily with watershed organizations throughout the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota. His expertise includes watershed and stormwater management, green infrastructure design, hydrologic/hydraulic and water quality computer modeling, ravine and stream bank stabilization, floodplain management and regulation, dam assessments, and wetland restoration and permitting.
Growing up playing in the artesian well and creek on his grandpa’s farm in rural Wisconsin had a foundational effect on Todd Shoemaker’s career. “I believe this unique micro-ecosystem set the stage for a lifelong connection to water resources,” says the AE2S Senior Project Manager.
Focused on Relationships
His relationship-focused approach is a great fit with the culture of AE2S. “I appreciate the opportunity to build long-term relationships with clients, where you’re not just completing a single task but becoming a trusted resource over time. I am grateful for so many professional relationships that have developed into friendships,” says Todd with a smile. “AE2S emphasizes developing long-term partnerships, innovative thinking, and really understanding client needs beyond just delivering a design. We truly strive to be a trusted partner who’s invested in helping them make good long-term decisions, not just solving the immediate problem.”
One of the projects that gets him excited is working with a large team and multiple agencies to transform a community using water resources. “In this urban environment, water resources have largely been forgotten and disconnected from the public. Restoring these resources and providing tangible connection points for the community is both the challenge and the reward because the outcome will directly improve the community,” he says.
Staying Engaged Outside the Office
Participation in water industry organizations is a big part of Todd’s career. He serves on the Minnesota Water Resources Conference Planning Committee. He is also a member of the Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers and Iowa Floodplain and Stormwater Management Association.
Outside of work, Todd stays busy coaching his sons in baseball and basketball, volunteering at church, and completing “minor” home improvements. He and his wife, Darci, enjoy traveling with their sons, Ryan and Alex. Their recent family trips have focused on visiting national parks, including Great Smoky Mountains, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Zion Parks. The family also went inside one of the most famous pieces of American water resources infrastructure – the Hoover Dam. Further proof that when you have a career you love, you are drawn to it even when you’re not in the office.
