October 21, 2006
Leading Today's Profession; Building Tomorrow's Leaders
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Last year, our nation was stunned by events of enormous devastation. Faced with the shocking aftermath of disaster on the Gulf Coast, civil engineers were called on to lead the study of our ruptured coastlines. We found answers to questions about the causes of destruction, and we are defining new methods to build resilience against the next catastrophe.
Our profession is a powerhouse! ASCE's external review of the Gulf Coast crisis, requested by the US Army Corps of Engineers, demonstrated our many responsibilities -- to lead as engineers, as planners, as managers, as communicators and as innovators. Our review panel issued a 'call for action', outlining a set of essential recommendations for overcoming the deficiencies in the hurricane protection system and instituting real change in its governance, management and engineering. The lessons learned have significant implications for many communities.
Civil engineers alone possess the unique knowledge and specialized technical skills to scrutinize disasters of such enormity, and apply new information. From the lessons of this tragedy of historic proportion, we are leading the nation to act. ASCE distinguished itself in the public eye throughout the year. Our panel released findings through media briefings and press conferences leading up to the final report release.
Our profession is embracing the future by seeking to define ways to build a more sustainable, stable and secure world. President Dennis Martenson led our vision to include sustainability in all civil engineering endeavors. By working in partnership with others, through our "Practice, Education and Research for Sustainable Infrastructure" (PERSI) initiative, we have taken on the challenge of finding ways to meet human needs while protecting environmental quality.
ASCE is proactive in pushing for public policy to better our quality of life. During the year, we met with legislators and regulators to support measures to establish an infrastructure commission, strengthen the nation's levees and restore our failing dam system, which threatens human lives.
This country faces an increasingly serious infrastructure crisis. ASCE continues to build public awareness through our award-winning Report Card campaign. ASCE sections produced their own report cards during the year. We applaud Pennsylvania, North Carolina, San Francisco, Sacramento, Hampton Roads, California and others ... and we look forward to more report cards. The message is spreading to an ever-expanding audience. ASCE established the Civil Engineering Forum for Innovation this year to promote innovation to make infrastructure improvement a national priority.
Seeking expertise, and the best information available, the state of Virginia asked ASCE to review and analyze a proposed tunnel option for the next extension of Washington DC's METRO Rail. We completed the study after assessing the geology, tunnel alignment and physical limitations of the plan, and announced our findings to the public.
Dennis Martenson showed us that our Society's continued success relies on strategic planning -- an ongoing interactive process -- and Dennis has kept this task consistently before us as we shape our road ahead. Our future also depends on a sound financial picture and future-oriented programs of high member value.
Looking far forward, we held a successful Summit on the Future of Civil Engineering. The summit report will address the challenges to be faced in the year 2025, and how civil engineers must prepare to meet those challenges in areas of technology, leadership and globalization.
As the recognized leaders in advancing technology into the future, our seven specialty institutes and technical activities continue to offer an expanding variety of specialty conferences. During the year, they drew 500-1,000 attendees at each, on topics from soils to structures. An upcoming Water Resources conference in New Delhi will welcome presenters from 26 countries.
Since 9/11, ASCE has continued to work to protect critical infrastructure. The Society maintains a proactive leadership role in homeland security and multi-hazard protection. Various ASCE workshops, including sessions at this conference here in Chicago, provide overviews of federal disaster response programs and information on how to be involved locally in disaster management and assessment. We also present seminars in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on New Best Practices to Mitigate Progressive Collapse.
To prepare for the global economy of the future, we continue to expand and build partnerships with organizations around the world. We actively participated in planning the convention of the Pan American Union of Engineers (UPADI), and Dennis Martenson and former president Bill Henry addressed the convention on two key ASCE priorities: sustainability and anti-corruption actions. ASCE designated Incan sites in Peru as International Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks, broadening the reach of Society relationships beyond our borders.
It is remarkable how hard so many members and staff are working on the complex task of preparing the profession for the future. ASCE has long advocated "raising the bar" to elevate standards for a career in civil engineering. We are pleased that recently the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, at their meeting in Anchorage, took positive action --- and voted to modify the 'Model Law' requirement for licensure. The change will encourage all states, by the year 2015, to require additional credits of upper-level undergraduate or graduate work prior to licensure examination. ASCE's close involvement every step of the way was critical to this success.
Engineers are ethically bound to protect the public, so ASCE believes civil engineers must have skills essential to this vast responsibility. In addition to our technical competencies, we must be highly skilled in leadership and management. ASCE offers programs such as "LEAD" to help our members develop these skills. Continuing education participation leapt forward this year, producing a surplus in excess of $1 million and enrolling more than 42,000.
ASCE has a history of seeing value in introducing young people to engineering at an early age. We assisted in raising funds and developing the dynamic new reality TV show, "Design Squad," now gearing up to launch during Engineers' Week. ASCE also partnered with Design Squad producer WGBH on earlier programs for the young, including "Building Big" and "ZOOM into Engineering."
ASCE had another excellent financial year, with results higher than last year, investment earnings positive, and expenses lowered. We upgraded our accounting system this year, and are investing in our own association 'infrastructure' through implementation of a new association management system.
Our membership keeps growing! ...and now totals more than 140,000. This year we focused on making sure our members are aware of all we offer, and are served at the highest levels.
The next generation of civil engineers will be engaged in increasingly complex work, requiring broader and deeper knowledge, and new ways of approaching engineering solutions. Our profession leads the way in protecting public safety and health. We embrace this role as we strive to ensure the vitality of civil engineering and define ways to protect and improve the countless aspects of modern life and tomorrow's world that rely on the quality work of civil engineers. I am proud to have represented ASCE as your executive director for the past four years. It has been an honor to work with Dennis Martenson, and I look forward to a challenging and successful year ahead working with President Bill Marcuson.
