Elected Region 7 Director

Portrait of Erin M. Steever

Vision statement

We’re in an important transition right now—ASCE regional boundaries have been realigned with student chapter boundaries. Our mission for this change is to provide more consistent presence with the student chapters. With strong leadership and direction, we will more easily facilitate lasting relationships and connections to not only assist our student members in their development within the profession, but to also aid student transition to associate memberships.

Challenges were introduced over the past two years relating to COVID-19 restrictions limiting in-person connections. Many relationships and connections the professional society had with the student chapters before the pandemic have since been weakened. Attention to envision rebuilding of these ties, and actionable motivation to make it happen is more important than ever.

Adding to this challenge is the expected hefty workload the industry is moving into with the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Infrastructure is our lifeblood, and these acts will demand our professional time and attention.

I’m excited and ready to take on these challenges as Region 7 (R7) Director of ASCE!

The growth and expectations I’ve challenged myself with in ASCE have led me to the place I am today. My mentors have placed trust in me, their intentional guidance is something I’ve recognized as instrumental to my growth and successes, and a worthy experience to pass on to current and future Governors.

My vision for the next three years as R7 Director is first and foremost to continue to model engaging behaviors with the student chapters, and local Sections and Branches. Our quarterly newsletter is a wonderful way to promote the successes we’re seeing at the local levels and serves as a best practice and inspiration to our members, no matter their level of service. My vision over the next three years is to improve the regularity and visibility of our newsletter along with promoting more of what we’re doing throughout the region.

Second, to re-engage R7 Governor involvement in Leader Training Committee (LTC) programing and at local events. Playing into our strengths and pushing ourselves to be more is one definition of leadership, and by acknowledging these along with setting clear expectations, we can accomplish so much more. LTC recognizes areas of improvement, calls upon our leadership to train our future leaders, and provides priceless idea transfer, opportunities for debate, and networking opportunities both in-person and virtually. R7 Governors have a shared history of not taking advantage of these services. My vision is to designate 1-2 Governors, at a minimum, to engage in each of LTC’s scheduled events. Additionally, our R7 visit matrix was developed to ensure Governors engage with all our local groups, with the intention of the Director and the Governor-At-Large to fill in gaps where necessary. Physically bringing this matrix into monthly Board of Governor (BOG) conference calls to ensure we are meeting our goals is another vision I hold.

Third, and in my opinion, the most challenging vision of all, is to increase our level of engagement with the student chapters when our careers will also have an unprecedented demand on our time and mental capacity. My vision to be more involved in Student Chapter Symposiums is by strengthening our ties with local younger members, and local leadership to support the Region’s efforts. The boundary change facilitates a consistent need. Through strengthening these relationships, we can provide direct guidance and insight, as well as opportunities for leadership development and relationship building throughout the region.

I look forward to serving ASCE as the next R7 Director.

Biographical statement

Education

  • Master of Science, Environmental Engineering, South Dakota State University, 2005
  • Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, South Dakota State University, 2001

Certification and licenses

  • Certified Professional Engineer South Dakota
  • Wetland Delineator South Dakota

Work experience

  • Bartlett & West, Inc., Engineering Specialist, 2020-present
  • Banner Associates, Inc., Project Manager, 2009-2020
  • Source to Stream, Editor, 2007-present
  • HDR, Inc., Project Engineer, 2003-2009
  • Banner Associates, Inc., Intern, 2000-2002
  • Northern Great Plains Research Center, South Dakota State University, Student Operator, 1999-2003
  • Blue Earth Co. Highway Department, Mankato, MN, Survey Crew/Inspector, 1999

ASCE involvement

Society-level

  • Region 7 Governor, 2016-present
    • Vice Chair, 2017-2020
    • Secretary, 2018-2019
  • Multi-Regional Leadership Conference, 2016-present
  • President and Governors Forum, 2016

Local-level

  • Region 7
    • Champion, Younger Member Advisory Group, 2021-present
  • Lead, Mid-America Student Symposium, 2021-present
    • Chair, Awards Committee, 2019
    • Champion, Region 7 Infographic, 2018-2019
    • Attendee, Region 7 Assembly, 2016-present; Delegate, 2015-2016
    • Member, Audit Committee, 2016-present
    • Chair, Grants Committee, 2016-2019; Member, 2020-present
    • Webmaster, 2016-2017
  • South Dakota Section
    • Past President, 2014-2015
    • President, 2013-2014
    • Vice President, 2012-2013
    • President-elect, 2011-2012
    • Membership Chair, 2016-2018
    • Student Transition Champion, 2017-present
    • South Dakota Eastern Branch Government Relations Fly-In, 2017-2018
  • South Dakota State University Student Chapter
    • Community Service Officer, 2000-2001
    • Concrete Canoe Team, 1998-2001
    • Concrete Canoe Team Fundraising Chair, 1999-2001
    • Steel Bridge Team, 1999-2001

Other volunteer activities

  • South Dakota State University CEE Mentor, 2021-present
  • Roosevelt High School Band Roadie, 2021-present
  • Membership and Registration Workgroup, Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club, 2021
  • Necessities for Neighbors, 2020
  • Sunday School Teacher, Virtual Teacher, 2019-2020
  • Board Member, Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club, 2018-2020
  • Sunday School Teacher, Science Rotation, 2016-2018
  • Downtown Area Task Force, City of Sioux Falls, 2015
  • Scouts BSA, 2014-present
  • Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club, 2014-present
  • Events Coordinator: STEM Girls, South Dakota Engineering Society, 2013-2017
  • Ground Works, 2012-2014
  • Urban Agriculture Task Force, City of Sioux Falls, 2012
  • Feeding South Dakota – Backpacks Program, 2011-2015
  • Surface Water Treatment Workshop Planning Committee, 2013-present
  • Events Coordinator: E-Week, South Dakota Engineering Society, 2012-present
  • First Tech Challenge Professional Liaison, South Dakota Engineering Society, 2012-2016
  • Technical and Education Council, SDAWWA, 2011-present
  • Vacation Bible School Teacher, 2011-2018
  • Sunday School Teacher, Shepard, 2011-2016
  • Events Coordinator: Awards Banquet, South Dakota Engineering Society, 2010-2014
  • Mathcounts, South Dakota Engineering Society, 2010-2013
  • Ready, Set, Go! South Dakota State University, 2009-2015
  • Source to Stream, Proof Editor, 2004-2007
  • SDAWWA Young Professional, 2003-2014

Awards

  • George Warren Fuller Award, SDAWWA, 2020
  • Young Professionals Excellence Award, SDAWWA, 2013
  • Leadership Sioux Falls, 2013
  • South Dakota Section Outstanding Young Civil Engineer, SDASCE, 2012