The award, traditionally reserved for high-profile public servants and industry leaders, was presented at the ARTBA Annual Convention in Kohler, Wisconsin. Patrick Norman of NCDOT, Rob Perry of SCDOT, and Leslie Clark of Carolinas AGC accepted the recognition on behalf of their respective agencies. The honor highlights the collaborative emergency work that remains ongoing as crews continue to restore critical transportation links across the region.

Leslie Clark emphasized that the resilience of the construction industry became the primary lifeline for devastated communities following the storm. This sentiment was echoed by ARTBA CEO Dave Bauer, who noted that the crisis underscored the necessity of rapid, coordinated infrastructure repair in sustaining American communities. Beyond the Carolinas, ARTBA extended similar honors to transportation departments and contractor associations in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. During the convention, John Anglin of the firm Branch participated in a roundtable discussion, providing a firsthand account of the logistical challenges and successes encountered during the recovery process.