ASCE Executive Director Thomas W. Smith, III, CAE, ENV SP, NAC, F.ASCE, has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31, after nearly 30 years of service to the organization, including the last 11 years in his current role.
In setting the timing of his departure with the ASCE Board of Direction, Smith said he felt the time was right to transition to new leadership as the organization embarks on a series of strategic initiatives.
“Personally, it’s been a dream job to lead an organization that has been a part of my life since my student days, and I’m proud of the things we’ve achieved through the close partnerships we’ve built between our staff and volunteer leaders,” Smith said.
“After almost three decades with ASCE, I’m eager to pursue some of my personal and professional passions in other ways and truly feel that the timing is right to pass the leadership mantle on to a new leader.”
Among the major initiatives in the early stages of development: ASCE2027: The Engineering and Infrastructure Experience, a massive, cross-disciplinary event for infrastructure professionals planned for March 2027, strengthening and expanding ASCE’s standards program, reframing the Society’s governance model, and potentially relocating ASCE headquarters, currently in Reston, Virginia.
“These are initiatives with long-term impact on ASCE’s future, as well as the future of the profession, and our next leader should be deeply involved in setting direction to keep us moving forward,” Smith said.
ASCE President Feniosky A. Peña-Mora, Ph.D., Sc.D., P.E., NAS, CCM, F.CIOB, NAC, Dist.M.ASCE, has worked closely with Smith for nearly a decade as a volunteer leader.
“We are immensely grateful for Tom’s service, for his steady leadership, and his extraordinary balance of wisdom, kindness, and vision, qualities through which he has led by example, built strong relationships, and left a lasting positive influence,” Peña-Mora said.
“Tom has set a high standard for ASCE, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
In representing ASCE at countless events and driving positive relationships across the industry, Smith has become a trusted voice for the profession and a passionate advocate for infrastructure. His leadership and guidance helped expand the influence of ASCE’s Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which was instrumental in helping secure passage of the most significant federal infrastructure bill in decades.
His numerous accomplishments over many years include skillfully navigating ASCE through the COVID pandemic, staunchly defending challenges to engineering licensure and protection of scientific intellectual property rights, expanding ASCE’s leadership in standards, resilience, and sustainability initiatives, and producing two highly successful giant screen films and educational projects.
In addition to his role as ASCE executive director, Smith actively contributes to his community and profession as a member of the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals and the boards of the United Engineering Foundation, Renewable Natural Resources Foundation, and the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives. He is also an ASCE Fellow, a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, the National Academy of Construction, and a past recipient of the ASCE William H. Wisely American Civil Engineer Award and the University of Virginia Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award.
The ASCE Board of Direction will be launching a comprehensive search process to identify Smith’s successor.
