News & Events

Project Managers Joe Popielarczyk and Dan Roop have been chosen by ENR New England as 2022 Top Young Professionals. ENR annually recognizes professionals under 40 years old from each region around the nation. These individuals represent the industry’s top rising leaders by giving back to their industry and communities.

Joe Popielarczyk is a leader in Tighe & Bond’s water and wastewater business line. His management of projects has positively impacted numerous communities in Western Massachusetts, including water system improvements along College Highway for the Town of Southwick; the re-design of a chemical feed system in the City of Northampton; and the refurbishment of three major wastewater pumping stations, seven flood pumping stations, and the removal of a significant amount of inflow and infiltration in West Springfield’s sanitary sewer collection system.

Popielarczyk is heavily involved in industry associations such as the Western Massachusetts Water Works Association where he serves as the Educational Chairman. He coordinates presentations and training for members to advance their knowledge and credentials. In addition, he is a member of the New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) Program Committee selecting presentations for conferences that focus on educational topics about the water industry.

Popielarczyk serves as the Chair of the Westfield Water Commission in the City of Westfield, MA hearing resident concerns and approving water department projects and abatements in the best interest of the public. He also regularly participates as a judge at science fairs for local high schools. Popielarczyk enjoys seeing the inventive ideas come to life and the interaction with the students gives him a chance to answer their questions about engineering and where they see their future STEM careers taking them.

As an environmental engineer, Dan Roop specializes in coastal resiliency for water and wastewater infrastructure. In addition to designing pump stations and treatment facilities, his work as a project manager allows him to use his passion for asset management to help small communities manage their utilities. Roop has found success in helping communities win grant funds in order to adapt to climate hazards and develop asset management plans. During the past two years, he has helped over 15 communities successfully navigate the MassDEP & Clean Water Trust Asset Management Plan (AMP) grant process, resulting in over $2M in project costs to help communities prioritize risk-based capital improvements.

Wanting to make a difference in his industry, Roop is the Chair of the New England Water Environment Association’s (NEWEA) Asset Management Committee and is a member of NEWWA. He has served on the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Standards Committee on Biosolids and co-authored the article “Bacterial and Viral Indicators of Fecal Contamination in Drinking Water” for the organization’s journal.

Outside of the industry, Roop is part of Team Tighe & Bond, participating in seven PanMass Challenges, a two-day 192-mile bicycle ride in Massachusetts. He personally raised over $40,000 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the team has raised over $350,000 towards cancer research and treatment over the past 10 years. He recently completed his second Boston Marathon to support a Boston-based anti-bullying program.

Both Popielarczyk and Roop hope their work in STEM and community service inspire their young daughters and show them that one person can make a tremendous positive impact on society. ENR New England will feature Popeilarczyk and Roop along with other winners in their March 2022 print edition.