Forty Under 40: Bill Burnett

While attending high school in Hatfield, Ark., Bill Burnett earned high marks in math and science, leading a guidance counselor to suggest a career in engineering.

Burnett initially thought he’d be interested in mechancial enginnering since he loved to “tinker with things.”

But when he got a letter from the civil enginnering department at the University of Arkansas, he decided to look into it.

“I saw what it was all about and I never looked back,” he said.

While still in college, Burnett interned with the Arkansas Highway Department. When he graduated in 1995, he immediatley went to work as a civil engineer for Crafton Tull Sparks in Rogers.

In 2003, he was promoted to vice president and head of the civil engineering department.

Burnett, 37, said he’s proud of the work he’s done with the firm and gains satisfaction from seeing a project go from dirt to a finished road.

“Seeing a road that basically started from nothing, and seeing the public be able to use that, is very satisfying to me,” he said.

In the next few years, Burnett said he hopes to expand his client base and grow into other areas of the region.

When he’s not working, Burnett still likes to tinker with things such as cars and motorcycles. He also coaches youth baseball and is involved in the First Baptist Church of Rogers.