The narrative below can be described as a non-technical biography, more than a strict curriculum vitae, which hopefully is more informative and provides the information. A technical document is also available for those so interested. A bridge structure is an important asset for today’s society, and I think the below can provide decision makers concerning the selection of a bridge engineer.

J M Hillman was born in 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama, the first son of Marion G. and Howard C. Hillman. Howard Hillman was an underground coal miner for more than 45 years, as was his father before him. He significantly affected his son’s life and adamantly insisted he have an opportunity to begin a life above ground. His religious and personal moral beliefs were very high and those same attributes were instilled in his son’s and daughter. Mrs Hillman resides today in her home in Blount County near the community of Remlap after 25 years of civil service as secretary and bailiff to a prominent circuit judge.

J M Hillman was graduated from Hueytown High School In June of 1961 with an advanced academic degree.

Mr. Hillman attended the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama In Birmingham and received an undergraduate degree in 1967. Ten years later, after study under Joe Appleton, the Dean of Engineering in Birmingham, Mr. Hillman received his Master of Science in Engineering. Here, under the tutelage of Dr. Appleton, the importance of computers in civil engineering was prominent, software development learned, advanced and strongly encouraged.

After the first dual day tests in Alabama, Mr. Hillman received his Professional Engineer’s Licence in 1972 and his Land Surveying Licence in 1975.

JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION

On November 23, 1963, a tragic day in our lives, John Kennedy was assassinated and Mike Hillman was performing the duties of Transitman (and attending the University of Alabama at night) for the Public Works Department of Jefferson County where he was to remain for 14 years. His undergraduate training was instrumental facet in his career growth. At Jefferson County, advancement required competitive examinations promulgated by the Civil Service Board; consequently, his educational background compensated for years of service and by 1972, Mike Hillman was Chief Design Engineer supervising a staff of 15 draftsmen and two engineers.

The County Commissioner was Eddie Gilmore and Mr. Hillman’s direct superior was Colonel Hueitt Artman Snow, a highly intelligent engineer, eccentric and WW II hero of the Southern Pacific. Col. Snow directed Seabee’s construction of airports for our advancing forces. Further, he served in Korea. He demanded respect, and supervised Mike during his first bridge designs. Col Snow’s own designs, notably continuous span, variable depth plate girder of more than 150 feet was used as Standard Drawing by the State of Alabama for many years and are in service today. Col Snow died in Italy in the mid 90's.

Jefferson County developed an aggressive bridge and road construction in the 70s and Mike and his staff designed many state funded and locally funded structures. Many were precast, others were bridge culverts and bridge widenings and many steel spans. The state funded projects were all reviewed and approved by the State Bridge Bureau where Benny Higgins, Charlie Cook and Fred Conway, served as State Bridge Engineers over three decades.

DOUGLAS ENGINEERING COMPANY 1979 - 1992

Mr. Hillman entered private practice in 1979 on a full time basis as part owner and continued his interest in bridge design. Mr. Hillman and Mr. Douglas purchased one of the first Intergraph sytems from the Huntsville based company and became one of the first privately owned Intergraph users. The company was known for innovative approaches to civil engineering projects. The State of Alabama was one of the clients utilizing Mr. Hillman’s services, as Chief Engineer for DEC. Fifteen bridges were design along the I-565 corridor in Huntsville and another seventeen in Birmingham along I-65, the first of the I-65 improvements. The engineer of record for these structures was J M Hillman. The company specialized in civil projects, sanitary sewers, roadways and mapping.

PRE, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama.

1992 saw the beginning of PRE, Inc. As co-owner, Mr Hillman helped develop a company to specialize in the needs of environmental concerns. Mr. Hillman sold his interest in PRE to his partner in 1996 and 1997. PRE continues to provide environmental services to public and private sectors throughout Alabama.

J M HILLMAN, PE & LS

Mr. Hillman now practices engineering in Cullman, Alabama utilizing computers and continues a policy of professionalism toward his clientele.