Underground Construction - April 2019 - 14

The 2019 Most Valuable Professional winner
Lynn Osborn (center) accepts his award
from co-sponsors Robert Carpenter (left), of
Underground Construction and Tim Peterie
(right), UCTA.

Jeff Awalt | Executive Editor

2019 MVP Osborn
Helped Usher
Modern Era of Rehab
When Lynn Osborn got involved in pipeline
rehabilitation, the options were few and far
between.
"Sliplining, grouting or dig it up and replace
it. That was just about it in 1984 as far as
pipeline rehabilitation was concerned," Osborn
said. "I don't think the term 'trenchless technology' had even been coined at the time."
Thirty-five years later, Osborn is renowned in
the trenchless rehabilitation industry as one of
the pioneers of cured-in-place design. His significant professional achievements and dedication
to educational and organizational growth in the
market were all key to his selection as 2019's
Most Valuable Professional by Underground
Construction magazine and the Underground
Construction Technology Association (UCTA).
His award was presented at the annual
Underground Construction Technology (UCT)
International Conference & Exhibition, in
Fort Worth, Texas.
"We are extremely proud to honor such
an outstanding recipient," said Underground
Construction Editor-in-Chief Robert Carpenter,
adding: "Lynn Osborn truly personifies everything the MVP is all about."

Midwest roots
A native of rural Kansas who worked through
college cutting wheat during the summers
from Oklahoma to Canada, Osborn was
graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University,
served a tour of Army duty in Vietnam, and

APRIL 2019 | UConOnline.com

resumed his studies at the University of
Kansas after discharge in 1972. He earned a
bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a
master's degree in civil and environmental
engineering before joining the Kansas-based
Wilson & Company in 1975.
During his nine years at the engineering
and architecture firm, Osborn was involved in
planning, design and construction of sewers,
water lines, wastewater treatment plants and
water treatment plants, advancing to project
manager for environmental engineering. It was
during his latter days at Wilson when Osborn
first observed a CIPP project conducted by
Insituform Mid-America. Excited by the technology and its potential, he joined Insituform
in 1984 and launched an exceptional career of
accomplishments and industry contributions.
"I was very fortunate to be involved during
those formative years, to have the opportunity
to help educate the industry, get other factions
involved and spread the word," Osborn told
a near-record crowd at the MVP award luncheon, while joking that his work on the front
lines of CIPP wasn't always fun or easy.
"I wanted more hands-on experience. I
wanted to get my hands dirty, to be in the field
more," he said of his attraction to the new job
at Insituform. "A few months later I found myself standing on a large diameter CIPP jobsite
in Maine, in January. And it was 3 o'clock in
the morning-because it's always 3 o'clock in
the morning on large CIPP job sites-and I was

freezing to death. And I thought, maybe I didn't
want to get this involved in the field work.
"But it worked out. When I look back on
how lucky I was to be able to do the office
work and also get that field experience, I think
that's critical to this business that we're in
today," he said.
He began his work at Insituform as associate technical director and eventually became
director of engineering for the international
construction company. Osborn's last position
with the company was senior applications
manager, and he led the engineering efforts for
Insituform globally, plus research and development activities for the CIPP product line.
After retiring from Insituform, Osborn
formed LEO Consulting, an engineering
consulting firm specializing in the trenchless
rehabilitation of pipelines. He also became the
technical director for the National Association
of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO).

Mentor
Tim Peterie, business development manager at
Insituform Technologies (Aegion) and a longtime associate, spoke of Osborn's consistent
good humor during their years together, but
also noted his competitive spirit. Peterie was
a former University of Tennessee-Knoxville
cross-country standout, and Osborn had
spotted him as a ringer.
"I had just started with Insituform in late
1999, and Lynn Osborn got ahold of me by
early 2000 to ask if I would come to St. Louis
and run in a marathon relay with him," said
Peterie, recalling they won their age group.
"Lynn invited me over to his house. He and
(his wife) Ivy fed me, entertained me-made
me feel at home. I think that points to the
kind of person Lynn is."
That first impression proved itself over
the past 20 years, said Peterie, who thanked
Osborn for both his professional contributions
and exemplary demeanor.
"Lynn impacted me not only with the help
he's given me on projects and all the questions
he's answered, but also with the patient way
he's always handled himself," Peterie said. "I
don't think I've ever seen Lynn raise his voice.
He always keeps his composure and is willing
to help anyone who needs it."
Osborn has been a diligent participant in
the many industry organizations that have

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Underground Construction - April 2019

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