E-Week Banquet

The Nebraska State Capitol has embarked on an eight year renovation project, with a price tag of an estimated $106 million.   This is the largest update ever undertaken at the Capitol.  The presenters will touch on the history of the Capitol and how the  renovation will maintain integrity during construction, as well as explain how the new geothermal well will work to heat/cool  the structure.     

Robert (Bob) C. Ripley, FAIA, a graduate of the University of Nebraska‐Lincoln, College of Architecture.  He is a licensed architect in Nebraska and nationally.  He was in private practice until assuming his position at the Nebraska State Capitol in 1983.  During his tenure with the State, he has overseen the preservation, restoration, enhancement and promotion of the Nebraska Capitol  and its landscape. He served as president of the AIA‐Nebraska in 2012, and in 2015 was honored as a member of the College of  Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.  He serves as Secretary of the Nebraska Capitol Commission and has served as  state liaison to the joint city and state Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission since 1987. 

Clark deVries, PE has a Mechanical Engineering degree from South Dakota State University.  He has been a registered  professional Mechanical Engineer in Iowa & Nebraska for 30 years.  He retired from UNL Facilities as Director of Utilities after 23  years.  He is currently in the position of “Capitol Engineering Manager” with the Office of the Capitol Commission and Project  Manager of the State Capitol HVAC Replacement and Window Restoration Project.  He is a member of NSPE & ASHRAE.