Region 5 Governor Official Nominee

 

Vision statement

"The purpose of Region 5 is to Inspire and Engage our Members: Develop ever-increasing excellence in their own professional, technical, and interpersonal skills and abilities, Grow ASCE in size, influence, and its ability to positively change communities for everyone, and Promote Excellence in Civil Engineering."

As a Region 5 Governor, my goal will be to fulfil the above-mentioned purpose by providing resources and support to our Sections, Branches, Student Chapters, Younger Members, and Institute Chapters. I will foster student and younger member engagement and leadership development by making them aware of resources available to them as they transition from academic to real-world consulting environment. I will advocate lifelong professional development opportunities through ASCE luncheon, webinars, technical sessions, conferences, and continuing education through ASCE’s free PDH program. I will work with stakeholders to increase membership in Region 5 and represent our members to the Society in a positive manner. I will lead by example and will uphold and enhance the integrity and ethics of the Civil Engineering profession and be a role model for Civil Engineering students and younger members. Finally, I hope to work with the rest of the Region 5 Board ‘to Inspire Members, Create Excitement and Promote Excellence in Civil Engineering.’

Biographical statement

Education

  • Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, 2001

Certification and licenses

  • Professional Engineer, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota
  • Board Certified Geotechnical Engineer (BC.GE)

Work experience

  • Professional Engineer & Consultant 5/2025 - Present
  • Chief Engineer (Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – E.) 8/2023 – 5/2025
  • Assistant, Associate Professor and Dept. Chair, Civil & Env. Engg. University of New Orleans 8/2011 – 5/2023
  • Regional Engineer and Department Manager, PSI, Inc. 10/2003 – 12/2011

ASCE involvement

Society level

  • Active member since 1998
  • Chair, ASCE Committee on Student Members, 2016-2017

Local level

  • ASCE Louisiana Section President, 2017-2018
  • ASCE New Orleans Branch President, 2011-2012
  • ASCE Report Card for Louisiana’s Infrastructure Levees Committee, 2012

Other Volunteer Activities

  • Chair, Academic Committee, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, 2012-2015
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) - Program Evaluator (PEV), 2013 to present

Awards

  • ASCE Louisiana section Educator of the Year, 2019
  • Louisiana Engineering Society - Faculty Professionalism Award, 2018
  • ASCE ExCEED New Faculty Excellence in Teaching award, 2014
  • ASCE New Orleans branch Educator of the Year, 2014

Publications

  • Coco, J. and Ghose Hajra, M. (2025). “Digital Twins: The Next Frontier of Civil Engineering and Infrastructure,” Journal of ASCE – Louisiana section, May 2025