Niblett recognized as a Journal Record Achievers Under 40 honoree

Oklahoma Water Team Leader Cole Niblett, PE, has been named a Journal Record Achievers Under 40 honoree — an award recognizing Oklahoma’s most accomplished young professionals who are shaping the future of business, technology, and community leadership across the state.

From advancing critical water infrastructure projects to mentoring the next generation of engineers, Niblett’s career reflects a deep commitment to Oklahoma. 

“I’m incredibly honored to be named a Journal Record Achievers Under 40 honoree,” Niblett said. “Everything I do is grounded in a desire to serve Oklahoma, whether that’s helping communities build resilient water infrastructure or encouraging students to pursue careers in engineering. I’m grateful for the mentors, teammates, and partners at Garver who have trusted me with meaningful work and supported me every step of the way.”

Though still early in his career, he has already made a significant impact on communities throughout the state. Since Niblett joined Garver as a summer intern, he has steadily risen through the firm — first as a project engineer, then a project manager, and now as Oklahoma Water Team Leader, where he leads a team of 11 engineering professionals delivering essential water and wastewater infrastructure.

Niblett’s leadership has supported numerous high-profile and technically complex projects across the state, including the Lake Thunderbird Potable Water Reuse Pilot Study, the Norman Water Reclamation Facility Expansion and Improvements, and significant upgrades to the Lawton Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. His work has also extended to projects with the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, helping safeguard water resources across urban and rural communities alike.

What sets Niblett apart is not only the scope of his project experience, but the way he approaches engineering. Niblett brings a sharp focus to prioritizing operator feedback and their firsthand insight to every project. Niblett is well known for collaborating closely with utility operators, listening to their concerns, and designing systems that are not only effective but safe, efficient, and practical to operate.

This operator-focused mindset has helped communities embrace innovative technologies while maintaining reliability, an increasingly critical balance as Oklahoma faces growing challenges related to water supply and water quality.

Niblett’s dedication to his profession extends beyond the workplace. While working full time at Garver, he completed his master’s degree in environmental engineering, further strengthening his technical expertise and leadership capabilities.