DBT40 Honoree: Kenneth James Taylor

Title: Associate Vice President, Government Market Sector Leader

Kenneth James Taylor | DBT PHOTO BY LUIGI CIUFFETELLI

Workplace: Verdantas

Age: 36

As a child, James Taylor longed to be an engineer because of the tangible impact engineers have on society. Today, he has achieved that dream through his work at Verdantas. In his role, he helps shape the market sector foals and provides technical design for development projects in state and local government, homes and commercial and industrial projects.

In his career so far, he has earned the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year award from the American Society of Civil Engineers of Delaware as well as the 2023 Delaware Association of Conservation Districts Governor’s Conservation Award for Urban Design. With many more other awards under his belt, Taylor has shown that he can navigate complex building designs, armed with his strong project management capabilities. 

Taylor also serves as the president of the Delaware Engineering Society and works to inspire and support future engineers through initiatives like the state MathCounts competition, which is designed to celebrate mathematics and foster problem-solving skills among middle school students. He hopes that he helps inspire others to go into the engineering field. Taylor also hosts the Civil Engineering Podcast, the first podcast dedicated solely to helping civil engineers create extraordinary careers and lives. In recognition of his many accomplishments, Taylor also earned the Gold Medal of Achievement in Royal Rangers and was a dedicated member of the University of Delaware Marching Band.

Taylor volunteers weekly at his local church, contributing to the worship team and online web stream. He also participates in Adopt-a-Highway programs and local food bank activities.