Helvick named to Oklahoma NextGen Under 30 list

Project Manager Thomas Helvick, PE, is invested in the next generation of engineers, in his community, and in delivering ethical infrastructure solutions in his home state of Oklahoma. That ongoing investment and dedication is why Helvick has been named a 2025 NextGen Under 30 award winner.

Growing up, Helvick had an early love of math and science. As he continued his education and began thinking about his future, he knew he wanted to pursue engineering, like his dad, and that he wanted to serve others. Math, science, and service have all come together in Helvick’s career as a water and wastewater engineering professional on Garver’s Oklahoma Water Team.

He has already contributed to a number of community sustaining water and wastewater projects throughout the state. For example, Helvick served as the project engineer for Creek County Rural Water District’s waterline and elevated storage tower project, which consisted of designing seven miles of water line, a booster pump station, and an elevated storage tower, and was essential to the utility’s expansion efforts, allowing them to continue to reliably serve their customers safe and consistent water.

Helvick also led the design and construction of a new mechanical wastewater treatment plant for the City of Glenpool, making sure that design was completed within a 10-month design window in order to meet funding deadlines and that the City’s specific treatment requirements were met so that they could safely treat their wastewater and help preserve Oklahoma waterways. And he worked closely with the City of Claremore to evaluate their wastewater collection systems and infrastructure, determining projected gaps and developing a roadmap for wastewater projects over the next two decades.  

In addition to his work for cities and utilities in Oklahoma, Helvick mentors new engineers, knowing that they will be delivering vital infrastructure for Oklahomans in the decades to come. He is an active member of professional organizations as well, including the American Public Works Association and its young professionals group, and the Oklahoma Water Environment Association. In his free time, he serves as a youth small group leader for Harbor Church.

Helvick has no plans to slow down in the coming years: “I believe a successful community takes all of us, and I pride myself on intentional service through both my professional and personal commitments,” he said. “It’s an honor to be recognized for this work by NextGen Under 30.”