Salt River Project general manager and chief executive officer Mike Hummel is a devoted supporter of his alma mater, the University of Arizona. Despite a busy career and family life, Hummel watches nearly every football and basketball game, and made time to serve on both the UA Foundation's Board of Trustees and the UA Engineering Industry Partner Board.

In recognition of his contributions to the school and to the field of engineering, the UA named the die-hard Wildcat a University of Arizona College of Engineering Alumnus of the Year for 2022. Hummel accepted the honor at the university's 59th Annual Engineer's Breakfast, which took place during homecoming weekend.

Hummel, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1982, is a third generation Wildcat. After finishing his undergraduate in the Old Pueblo, Hummel moved to the Valley where he has spent more than 40 years with SRP. He launched his career as an electrical engineer in the construction department and in 2018 became general manager and CEO.

Today, the 62-year-old father of two and grandfather of two says that his time at UA was deeply valuable and the recent recognition is a source of pride.

"My education at University of Arizona is a primary contributor to where I am today and the opportunities I have had," he said. "I enjoy trying to pay that back."

Hummel also holds an M.B.A. from Arizona State University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Arizona and Nevada; he also successfully completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Nuclear Reactor Technology Program. Hummel is a director on the boards for Teach for America, Electric Power Research Institute, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Large Public Power Council, and the Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited.

SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving approximately 1.1 million customers. SRP provides water to about half of the Valley's residents, delivering more than 244 billion gallons of water (750,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, canals and irrigation laterals.