Tate Selected to Northwest Arkansas Business Journal's Forty Under 40 List

During his 13-plus years at Garver, Water Project Manager and Process Engineer Rusty Tate, PE, has made a positive impact in Northwest Arkansas both inside and outside the office. In acknowledgment, the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal has named him to their Forty Under 40 list for 2023.

As a member of the publication’s 27th class, Tate joins an esteemed group of young professionals from across a range of fields who are being honored for excellence in both their personal and professional lives.

“I’m honored to be recognized as part of this year's Forty Under 40 class,” said Tate. “It’s a direct result of being able to work for a company that has allowed me to live out my passion and surrounded me with the most talented men and women in the business.”

As Garver’s Fayetteville Water Design Center Process Group Leader, Tate has worked with clients both in Northwest Arkansas and across the country to design and implement the water and wastewater infrastructure needed to keep communities functioning and healthy. In the last five years alone, he has been trusted to lead over $400 million in projects across Garver’s 17-state footprint.

Most notably, these projects have included the Lake Thunderbird Pilot program, a project that evolved from a water reuse study to piloting multiple innovative technologies to augment Norman, Oklahoma’s water supply, and a design project for the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant. He is leading the $75 million project, which focuses on doubling the capacity of the existing facility, which requires navigating some of the strictest discharge regulations within the state of Arkansas.

“Because of his dedication to his profession and to serving others, Rusty has earned respect across the industry and within his community,” said Garver’s Fayetteville Water Design Centers Director John Cutright. “His expertise is widely renowned, as is his generosity of spirit.”

Because Tate recognizes that sound water and wastewater infrastructure is the first step to a thriving Northwest Arkansas, he has committed to investing in the next generation of engineers. A member of the Arkansas Academy of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, he regularly speaks with local biological engineering students about pursuing a career in water engineering. He also serves as a regular presenter at major state and regional industry conferences, such as the Arkansas AWW-WEA Annual Conference and Texas Water.

Tate’s commitment extends outside of the office. During a recent mission trip to Haiti, he spent time making water filters for locals to use in cleaning their nearby water sources. He’s also partnered with a fellow engineer to complete a preliminary design for a water and wastewater treatment system in Nepal.  

Recognizing the importance of giving back locally as well, Tate serves his home community of Fayetteville as a committee leader for GarverGives and has spearheaded employees’ participation in the Miracle League of Northwest Arkansas, an organization that gives children with disabilities an opportunity to participate in sports.

Tate is a dedicated engineer and community member, and Northwest Arkansas is all the better thanks to his continued service.

To learn more about what Garver’s Water Team can do for you, visit our Water services page.