By Larry Dysert and John Hollmann

Bruce Elliott, CCP FAACE, who passed away unexpectedly on April 2, 2025, was a figure of quiet yet extraordinary influence in the field of cost engineering. For over five decades, Bruce shaped not just projects, but the very profession itself. Working largely behind the scenes, never one to seek the spotlight, Bruce exemplified the ethos of a true servant-leader – dedicated, humble, and unwaveringly committed to excellence. Although you may not have known his name, if you have worked in cost engineering or utilized AACE’s technical guidance, you have almost certainly been influenced by his legacy.

Bruce began his professional journey in the 1970s as a piping engineer with Fluor Corporation, quickly transitioning into cost engineering roles where his talent and passion found full expression. Over his career, he served in estimating and project controls capacities for Fluor, Bechtel Power Corporation, Stearns-Roger Inc., and Battelle Memorial Institute. In the 1970s, during the era of pen and paper ledger sheets, 10-key calculators, and Chartpak tape, he contributed to some of the most complex and capital-intensive projects of the 20th century, including Sasol’s coal gasification facilities in South Africa and the Jubail Petrochemical Complex in Saudi Arabia.

But Bruce’s most remarkable contributions came not from the magnitude of the projects he supported, but from the enduring influence he had on the practice of cost engineering itself. His fingerprints are embedded in the technical foundations of our discipline, not through his own creation, but through the mentoring of others who built on the technical foundations he had laid and then inspired them to build upon. He took great pride and joy in seeing a mentee or associate write a paper or lead a project, elevating estimating and cost engineering to new levels.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, Bruce played a pivotal role in transforming Eastman Kodak’s capital projects function. Tasked with building Kodak’s first dedicated estimating and project controls department from the ground up, Bruce, then with Fluor, partnered with Joe Lukas of Kodak to establish an organization that soon became a benchmark of best practice. At the time, Kodak employed more AACE members than any other owner organization, punching well above its weight in capital spending. He recruited and mentored an estimating team that included several future technical luminaries and officers of AACE, including the authors of this testimonial (Technical Board and Board of Directors), Todd Pickett (Technical Board), and Doug Leo (a past President of AACE). Bruce (working with Joe Lukas) would wrangle for company budget, point the way, then clear obstacles with the winked directive of “make us look good”. Under Bruce’s guidance, Kodak went from being a fifth-quintile performer in capital cost effectiveness to achieving first-quintile results, an extraordinary organizational turnaround, grounded in solid cost engineering fundamentals and leveraging state-of-the-art applications. This included developing a suite of world-class estimating software, tools, and models, as well as a project historical database and risk quantification tools.

Bruce was a principal architect of that transformation, but true to his nature, he preferred to act as the guiding hand behind the curtain – hiring talent, encouraging innovation, and relentlessly advocating for professional development. He instilled in his teams a deep respect for structured methods, continuous learning, and, above all, for contributing to the profession as a whole. His support for AACE International was unwavering. He not only encouraged but also expected participation in AACE activities that resulted in an entire estimating department where every member held one or more AACE certifications. He also championed internal “lunch and learn” sessions and created a culture where, whether one came from the construction trades or from an engineering background, advancing one’s cost engineering skills, knowledge, and capabilities was expected.

Even after Kodak’s corporate fortunes waned and Bruce started consulting, his influence continued to spread. Many of the professionals he mentored went on to lead cost engineering efforts at other organizations, always carrying forward Bruce’s emphasis on rigor, clarity, and integrity. With his prodigious memory and abiding personal interest, those who left his immediate orbit could expect a “how are you?” or “good work” note or call at any time. As a consultant, Bruce remained an advocate for sound cost engineering practices, guiding numerous owner organizations to adopt AACE’s Recommended Practices, enhance capital efficiency, and develop internal capabilities.

Perhaps Bruce’s most profound legacy is in the technical foundation of AACE itself. Through his encouragement, support, and mentorship, Bruce catalyzed the contributions of dozens of AACE’s most prolific members, which culminated in numerous products.  If you have benefited from the Total Cost Management Framework , Recommended Practices such as estimate classification, basis of estimate, code of accounts, estimate validation, or database development, or AACE certifications including the CEP and DRMP, then to a significant degree you can thank Bruce Elliott. Bruce was recognized by AACE with both the Charles V. Keane Distinguished Service Award and the Award of Merit, prestigious honors by any measure. Yet, these accolades scarcely reflect the true magnitude of his contributions to the cost engineering profession.

Few in our field have done more to advance the profession while asking for so little in return. Bruce Elliott didn’t publish many papers. He didn’t invent new things. He didn’t serve in elected leadership roles. But his impact is indelible. He was a builder – of departments, of practices, of people, of cost engineering excellence. A mentor, a catalyst, a quiet giant. His legacy lives on in the standards we develop and advance, the professionals we train, and the projects we help frame and guide to successful outcomes.

Bruce Elliott, CCP FAACE, may have been the most influential cost engineer you never knew. However, those who knew him will never forget the standard he set or the countless ways he helped shape the profession we are proud to call our own.

View Bruce’s Obituary here