James R. Nichols Community Service Award: Katie Helmberger

Congratulations to Katie Helmberger, an oil and gas engineer, for receiving our James R. Nichols Community Service Award for her exceptional dedication to public service.

Katie is an exemplary community leader who is a CASA volunteer advocate – a role requiring a 30-hour training session as well as swearing in by a judge. During her time serving as an advocate, she has worked on seven cases that allowed for 12 children to meet a final resolution. Throughout this process, a child can be in her care for a year or more. She also takes the time to aid the children however they need through a hard time of transition.

“Her work is contributing to our community in every way,” said Energy Group Manager Dan McKenzie, who nominated her for the award. Her kindness and dedication to these children gives them the care that they need to one day become the future of our communities. Her contribution to these children’s lives truly exemplifies our LEADS value of S for Serve Always.

The award is named after Jim Nichols, who was Freese and Nichols’ first president after incorporation, one of Texas’ most esteemed civil engineers and a dedicated servant to the Fort Worth community. Among other projects, he oversaw the design of Richland-Chambers Reservoir, the largest lake in the Tarrant Regional Water District system, and played key roles in the creation of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Read more about Jim.