Pedro J. Cevallos-Candau

CEEAA Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019

For entrepreneurship in establishing, leading and growing a nationally recognized engineering firm; for outstanding leadership in the Latino community; and for dedication to the role of volunteer, supporter and advocate for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Biography

Dr. Pedro J. Cevallos-Candau is the Retired Founder of Primera Engineers, Ltd.  Prior to starting Primera Engineers, he served as a faculty member at the Illinois Institute of Technology. 

Cevallos-Candau received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and a M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  He is a Registered Engineer in many States across the USA. He was recognized by the University of Illinois Alumni Association with the 2015 Chicago Illini of the Year award, and in the Fall of 2015 was inducted as an Honorary Member of The Civil Engineering Honor Society, Chi Epsilon, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Cevallos-Candau is an active member of many engineering professional societies and has served in the Board of Directors of several of them, including serving as President of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois from 2010 to 2011. He is the 2018-2019 District Governor for Rotary International District 6450 and Past-President of the Rotary Club of Chicago. From 2013 to 2015 he served as Chairman of the Board of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He is active in many Civic Organizations including Gads Hill Center, Midwest Young Artists and the Metropolitan Planning Council.

Cevallos-Candau has been married to Pam Brockman for over 30 years.  They reside in Northbrook and have a son, Antonio.