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Jordan Basham always envisioned a future in engineering. Growing up, he enjoyed tinkering alongside his father, a mechanical engineer. Basham, now Louisville Water’s Director of Infrastructure Planning & Records, entered the water sector during a college co-op, and his work in the field the past few years has earned him the prestigious New PE of the Year honor from the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-KY).
It’s Engineers Week (February 16-22), a time to recognize the work of engineers across the country. The New PE of the Year award puts a spotlight on engineers who have made significant contributions to the field and community early in their careers.
“Jordan is a goal-oriented engineer who sees the bigger picture,” said Louisville Water Chief Engineer Larry Bryant. “He is very deserving of this award and we’re proud to have him represent Louisville Water on the state and national level.”
Basham joined Louisville Water in 2019 after serving as an engineer at Louisville MSD, where he managed stormwater projects, addressed urban runoff challenges, and monitored stream health in Louisville.
In his initial position at Louisville Water, Basham gained valuable experience in technical design related to water distribution and transmission lines. He later transitioned to his first managerial position as Manager of Infrastructure Planning, playing a crucial role in expanding Louisville Water’s reach into Hardin County.
Basham spearheaded the planning, estimation, and hydraulic modeling for over $100 million in new water infrastructure, supporting major economic development projects along the I-65 corridor, including distillery expansions, BlueOval SK, and Nucor Steel.
“It was a good technical challenge,” he said. “But it also helped me learn a lot about the business side of what we do.”
Basham’s draw to the water sector was largely due to the scale at which it impacts everyone in the city.
“(Water) is woven into every part of the community,” Basham said. “I felt like it was the right way for me to take what I’m good at and what I care about and make a positive impact.”
What he hopes the public understands is that engineers working in any sector – water, transportation, wastewater, energy – care deeply about the services they provide.
“It isn’t just a job for us; it’s a commitment to maximizing the wellbeing of the communities we live and work in,” Basham said.
In addition to his role at Louisville Water, Basham volunteers with organizations such as WaterStep and MATHCOUNTS, serves as the president of NSPE-KY’s Louisville Chapter, and supports initiatives aimed at enhancing the tree canopy in Louisville. He is also a proud father of a four-year-old daughter, Harper.
You can learn more about Basham in the upcoming winter issue of the Kentucky ENGINEER next month. Visit www.kyengcenter.org for access to the digital edition.
