Six members selected to inaugural class
This year, the University of Georgia College of Engineering established the University of Georgia Academy of Engineering, inducting six inaugural members in April.
This academy honors the contributions of engineers who have demonstrated significant positive impact on the profession and society through their engineering work and their leadership on projects of profound importance. The aim of the academy is to promote the field of engineering through advocacy and personal, corporate, and foundation giving that support the current and next generation of engineering professionals.
The six members inducted in 2025 are:
- Michael A. Brown, Class of 1969
- Jimmy L. Hill, Class of 1971
- J. Barnie Beasley, Jr., Class of 1973
- Rebecca B. Tolbert, Class of 1981
- T. Brian Crow, Class of 1997
- J. Matthew Tanner, Class of 2000
“These individuals combine to have an extraordinary list of professional accomplishments,” said College of Engineering interim dean Stephan Durham. “We hope the academy – through honoring the legacy and many accomplishments of UGA Engineering alumni – will inspire current and future UGA Engineering students to continue the impact of the college in Georgia and around the world.”
A plaque including photographs of all members, individually identified, will be displayed in the University of Georgia Driftmier Engineering Center in Athens, Georgia.
As the land-grant university in Georgia and the birthplace of engineering education in the state, the University of Georgia plays a vital role in highlighting the importance of the engineering discipline to the economic health and well-being of the state. The 2025 founding of the academy comes over 150 years after the first engineering students graduated from the university.
About the members:
Michael A. Brown, Class of 1969
Mickey Brown, a retired executive vice president with Georgia Power Company, was responsible for the construction, design and maintenance of an electrical system serving millions of customers across the state. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from UGA 1969 and has been a long-time supporter of the university and its efforts to establish a comprehensive engineering college. The Georgia Power Mickey A. Brown Professorship supports vital instruction and research at the university and the Mickey and Carolyn F. Brown Georgia Commitment Scholarship provides needs-based support for engineering students.
Jimmy L. Hill, Class of 1971
Jimmy Hill worked for Georgia Power for 28 years, where he focused on promoting the energy efficiency of heat pump systems to Georgians. He also worked with Vidalia onion farmers to develop controlled-atmosphere storage systems and served as the first chairman of the Georgia Food Processing Advisory Council. Hill is known by his friends and colleagues as an innovative problem solver and a passionate advocate for Georgia agriculture and farmers. Hill has worked with UGA faculty on the AgrAbility program, which enables farmers with disabilities to continue to farm. He received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from UGA in 1971.
Barnie Beasley, Jr., Class of 1973
Barnie Beasley, PE, is a 1973 graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering. Beasley retired in 2008 as chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Southern Nuclear Operating Company. Barnie held key leadership positions during the construction, startup, and operation of Georgia’s Plant Vogtle Units 1 & 2 including the roles as Vogtle Vice President and General Manager. While in the positions of Chief Nuclear Officer and Chief Executive Officer at Southern Nuclear he also served in key leadership and advisory roles throughout the nuclear power industry. Upon retirement, Beasley has served as a member of corporate Boards of Directors at American Electric Power, KCI Technologies, Energy Solutions, and GSE Systems. As inaugural chairman and a long-time member of the UGA College of Engineering Advisory Board, he and his wife established the Barnie & Carla Beasley Endowed Scholarships for Engineering Excellence I and II, which have supported multiple students through graduation.
Rebecca B. Tolbert, Class of 1981
Becky Tolbert graduated with honors from the University of Georgia in 1981, making history as the third woman to graduate in engineering from UGA. Her impact and dedication to students and the university are seen through her investment in the Robert H. Brown Engineering Scholarship, Georgia Women Give, and the Magill Society. As a leader in her field, Becky excelled in her role as a Senior Sales Engineer at Westinghouse Electric Corporation, earning accolades such as Georgia Power Supplier Sales Representative of the Year. Passionate about community service, she has been actively involved in initiatives supporting childhood cancer research and various church and volunteer organizations.
Brian Crow, Class of 1997
Brian Crow is the Chief Product Officer at 120Water, where he leads cross-functional teams spanning software engineering, SaaS/cloud operations, data science, and product management. With a deep passion for the future of utility technology, Brian has built a career at the intersection of innovation and impact—guiding globally distributed teams to build, scale, and launch transformative products across both startup and enterprise environments. At 120Water, Brian and his team are reshaping the water industry by delivering modern software solutions that help communities eliminate lead from freshwater infrastructure—advancing public health and compliance through smarter technology. Previously, Brian served as Vice President of Engineering and Chief Software Officer at Xylem, a global water technology leader. He is also the former CEO and Co-Founder of Verdeeco, a pioneering smart grid analytics startup acquired by Sensus.
Matthew Tanner, Class of 2000
Matt Tanner is an Owner and Principal of Breedlove Land Planning, serving as the firm’s Vice President of Engineering. His engineering background has accommodated a focused interest in site drainage, water quality, and storm water detention design. Matt received the 2024 Engineer of the Year award in Construction from both the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers and the American Council for Engineering Companies. He has served as the President of the Northeast Georgia Branch as well as the Georgia Section of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Matt is a long-term supporter of the Civil Engineering program at the UGA College of Engineering.
