Background on James C. Howland

Mr. Howland served as chief executive officer for CH2M HILL from 1947-1974. During this time, he was responsible for the firm's overall management, organization and direction. In this period, CH2M HILL developed into a major multidisciplinary organization of more than 1,000 employees with a national and international reputation. He was Chairman of the Board and Director of Operations from 1974 to 1978.

Jim is often credited with providing the heart and soul of CH2M HILL, and when the opportunity arose to create a legacy award, he decided to create something that recognized cities that take care of their people. He came up with the idea after completing a community beautification program in his hometown of Corvallis, Oregon.

He remembers, "After the original partners retired, the next management group decided to sponsor some sort of a national competition in the name of each original partner. When my turn came, I had two thoughts. First, that it would be good to do something that connected the firm to clients and potential clients. Second, my wife, Meisy, and I had been working on a project to make a Corvallis street more of an attractive people place, and we felt something rewarding improvements such as this would be good."

Jim still works in the Corvallis, Oregon, office when he is not guest lecturing at offices across the country. His "Little Yellow Book" is a homespun distillation of honest corporate philosophy and human kindness for employees and clients alike. He is also active in community improvement projects and with the CH2M HILL Alumni Center, which the firm designed and built on the campus of Oregon State University (formerly Oregon State College).