Jason Dixon Photography ASCE members chose Carol Haddock, MPA, P.E., F.ASCE, as the Society’s 2026 president-elect in this year’s election.
Haddock, a Texas native, water resources engineer, and Christmas enthusiast (it’s her birthday) recently told Civil Engineering Source what everyone wants to know, answering hard-hitting questions about her favorite sports team, vacation preferences, most-used word, and more.
Civil Engineering Source: Of what are you most proud in your career?
Carol Haddock: I’m most proud when I have a part in the success of those around me. Life – and civil engineering – is a team sport. When you can coach, encourage, and empower someone to grow and succeed, that is truly the pinnacle of any leader’s journey.
Source: What was your first car?
Haddock: A bright orange 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle. I still have it, though it’s not currently on the road.
Source: Favorite book?
Haddock: Any good action-adventure book – Patterson, Koontz, Evanovich, or Clancy.
Source: Are you a cat person or a dog person?
Haddock: Both! I love animals – even scaly ones.
Source: Favorite food?
Haddock: I truly love experiencing good food where it’s from, experiencing the culture of how that food brings people together with people to which it means something.
Source: Favorite sports team?
Haddock: The Houston Astros (it’s OK to hate me).
Source: What was your hometown like?
Haddock: I grew up in rural South Texas. Everyone knew everyone. Lots of hard-working people, great teachers in the school system, a “solve your problem with what you have or who you can call to help” mentality.
Source: Do you play any musical instruments?
Haddock: I played French horn all through high school and college (a proud member of the Rice University MOB).
Source: What initially sparked your interest in civil engineering?
Haddock: I’ve been drawn to rivers and water since I was a kid. I was the kid playing in the river by moving rocks to make rapids or going to aquifer camp or making dirt cities to deliver raisins to the people with my little Tonka truck.
Source: At the end of a long work day, how do you relax?
Haddock: After a short recharge (yes, I’m an introvert), we like to enjoy a leisurely dinner and chill with the cats.
Source: What was the last movie you watched?
Haddock: Wicked: For Good.
Source: What is your favorite civil engineering landmark?
Haddock: Because of proximity and the fact that I have a great, great aunt involved it its commissioning, the San Jacinto Monument.
Source: Go-to pizza topping?
Haddock: Anything with roasted garlic!
Source: What’s the word you use the most?
Haddock: Probably “interesting.” Then again, maybe it’s “probably.”
Source: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Haddock: When I was a kid, I always answered that question with, “I’m going to college.” My parents planted that seed very young. It was much later that I was able to translate that into being an engineer.
Source: Ideal vacation spot?
Haddock: On the edge of the water with access to a boat – preferably somewhere with cooler weather.
Source: If you could only keep one streaming service subscription, what would it be?
Haddock: Probably Hulu.
Source: What’s your favorite time of day?
Haddock: That one’s easy – I’m a night owl. I love that time late in the evening as the day is winding down. It’s a great time to reflect and think about what’s coming up.
Source: One thing ASCE members would be surprised to learn about you?
Haddock: I learned to ice skate in Houston as an adult and then learned to play ice hockey. I was never very good, but I sure had fun and made some great friends.
Source: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Haddock: Snorkel/SCUBA the Great Barrier Reef.
Source: Favorite song?
Haddock: Recall I played French Horn – my favorite song of all time is "Jupiter" from Holst’s The Planets. However, I’m a big fan of almost any kind of music. The type just depends on my mood at the time.
Source: When you spend time with family, what do you all like doing?
Haddock: My family enjoys cooking and holidays together.
Source: What is the most challenging project you have ever worked on?
Haddock: Early in my career, I was the program manager for Project Brays, a multi-million-dollar federal project to reduce the risk of flooding along Brays Bayou in Houston. This project required me to purchase land from people who didn’t want to sell and coordinate dozens of engineering consultants for design, contractors for channel, detention, and bridge construction, paperwork for federal reimbursement, audits, and most importantly, community engagement. I really had to learn how to convey complex project details in a way that the public could understand and appreciate. During my years on this project, I had some of the most technical and leadership growth that allowed me to go on to other career adventures.
Source: If they made a movie about your life, what actress would play you?
Haddock: Probably Reese Witherspon or Drew Barrymore.
Source: What is the quality you admire most in someone?
Haddock: Authenticity – being comfortable in their own skin, even when they are learning, growing, and striving to improve.
Source: What is your favorite season?
Haddock: Christmas – it’s my birthday! Yeah, I know, you were asking for spring, summer, etc.
Source: What is your favorite color and why?
Haddock: My favorite color has always been blue, the blue of the sky and water. I find blue calming.
Source: Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?
Haddock: I’m totally an introvert. No, that doesn’t mean I’m not social; I just don’t get my energy from interacting with other people. I have to plan for down time to recharge.
Source: Favorite TV series?
Haddock: I grew up in a TV family that watched a lot of television series. One of my favorites has always been M*A*S*H. Even today, I’ll enjoy watching an episode here or there.
I also grew up in the Friends and Seinfeld era. I’ve more than once caught myself with a quick reference or quote from one of these shows.
Source: If you weren’t a civil engineer, what do you think you would be?
Haddock: Probably a wildlife biologist. I’ll always jump in on an animal rescue.
Source: What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Haddock: Give yourself some grace. You don’t need to stress so much about being perfect.
Source: What’s your favorite hobby and how did you get into it?
Haddock: I’ve got two that I enjoy: sewing and genealogy. I’ve done counted cross-stitch most of my life.
Counted cross-stitch is really similar to math and engineering. Sewing in general is engineering. How do these pieces fit together to become clothing. And you get to use power tools – the sewing machine!
I’m also the family genealogist. I was handed that love from my dad’s mom. It’s certainly a lot easier today with most things being scanned and available online.
Source: If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you want it to be?
Haddock: TexMex.
Source: What would you like your legacy to be?
Haddock: That I helped create opportunities for people. That I listened to them and understood what their dreams and goals were to help them achieve them.
Source: What are you looking forward to most as president?
Haddock: Getting to meet as many members as possible and see all the amazing things they are doing around the globe.
Source: What is the most significant civil engineering project of all-time?
Haddock: I’m going with Machu Pichu. To think about the engineering that went into creating that water system without the tools (both physical and technological) amazes me. And it is definitely a trip on my bucket list!
Source: What is your favorite podcast?
Haddock: I enjoy podcasts with real stories.
Source: Who is your favorite fictional engineer (TV, movie, book)?
Haddock: MacGyver – he could solve any problem with chewing gum and duct tape.
Source: Mountains or beaches?
Haddock: Usually mountains, but I’m not at all sad on a nice beach.
Source: Favorite music genre?
Haddock: My husband will say Christmas music. Did I mention I was born on Christmas?
Honestly, it totally depends on my mood. I like classical or jazz when I need to concentrate, and I like a quick beat for walking. I like folk or blues for relaxing in the evening, and I really like acoustic versions of songs.
Source: What technology that didn’t exist when you started your career has impacted your job the most?
Haddock: Oh my goodness, social media. That may sound weird because it’s not totally a technology, but the non-stop connectedness has really impacted how we solve problems. Engineers must be connected to the communities that we are serving, and most of these communities use social media for regular communication. Yes, it’s a double-edged sword, but I like to think of how we embrace potential problems to make them opportunities.
If I have to pick a technology – cell phones. Yes, I’m old enough that cell phones were not common and were certainly not everyday tools. The ability to be connected or find information in a millisecond has really changed how we do work.
Source: It's Saturday night; where can we find you?
Haddock: A nice dinner with some close friends – either at our or someone’s home.
