Al Mathews Award for Dispute Board Excellence

Each year, the DRBF is proud to recognize a champion from our dispute resolution community with the Al Mathews Award for Dispute Board Excellence. The award is given to one or more recipients who have given exemplary service in advancing the use of Dispute Board concepts and the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation.

Who Was Al Mathews?

In 1972, the U.S. National Committee on Tunneling Technology sponsored a study of contracting practices through the world to develop recommendations for improved contracting methods in the United States. 

Al Mathews, a construction engineering consultant, was Chairman of the Standing Committee. The study results were published in the 1974 report Better Contracting for Underground Construction. The publication became a catalyst for change and many consulting engineers and project owners adopted its recommendations.

In 1975, Al Mathews served on the first Dispute Review Board for the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 in Colorado. Other successful DRBs followed, and soon new sectors of the construction industry began to recognize the unique features of DRBs for avoiding and resolving disputes, and the process expanded worldwide.

Congratulations to the 2024 award recipient!

Al Mathews Award Recipient
Ann Russo
2024

Past Award Winners

2024

Ann Russo

2023

Chris Miers

2022

Sarwono Hardjomuljadi
Thomas Peterson

2021

2020

Geoff Smith

Kurt Dettman