As executive director of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Tom Smith leads a staff of over 200 and an active volunteer workforce of over 10,000, facilitating ASCE's tradition of providing high-quality products and services to more than 150,000 members in 177 countries, in all civil engineering disciplines and at all points of their career paths.
Before joining ASCE, Smith practiced law in Northern Virginia with a focus on commercial, construction, and land use litigation in federal and state courts, and land use applications for commercial, industrial, and residential development.
Outside of ASCE, Smith serves as (i) board trustee and treasurer of the United Engineering Foundation, (ii) board trustee and Lands Committee chair of the National Park Trust, (iii) member of the Department of Commerce Industry Trade Advisory Committee for services industries, (iv) vice chair of the National Institute of Building Sciences Consultative Council, and (v) member of the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals. He participates in many other nonprofit organizations, including the American Society of Association Executives, Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, and Order of the Engineer. He is also a member of the National Academy of Construction and the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society.
Smith has published articles on engineering ethics and legal issues and is a frequent speaker on association and civil engineering subjects. In addition to bachelor’s and master's degrees in civil engineering, Smith is admitted to the bar in Virginia and the District of Columbia and is certified as an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) and a Certified Association Executive (CAE). He is an ASCE Fellow and past recipient of the ASCE William H. Wisely American Civil Engineer Award, as well as the University of Virginia Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award.