Every ASCE Board of Direction meeting is full of impactful discussions and decisions. But the quarterly gathering, March 16-17, at ASCE HQ in Reston, Virginia, might have been even more momentous than most.
The board voted to approve the hiring of Peter J. O’Neil, FASAE, CAE, as the organization’s new chief executive officer, effective March 30.
“As ASCE embarks on transformational new strategic initiatives, Peter embodies the kind of member-driven, collaborative, and future-focused leadership necessary to successfully guide us into our next era,” said ASCE President Marsha D. Anderson Bomar, Ph.D., H.ITE, AICP, ENV SP, NAE, F.ASCE. “ASCE has stood at the forefront of educational and technical leadership in the civil engineering community since its founding in 1852, and we are looking forward to expanding our impact with Peter as our chief executive.”
O’Neil previously served as chief executive or executive advisor to professional membership organizations, including ASIS International, the association for global security professionals; AIHA, the association for scientists and professionals committed to preserving and ensuring occupational and environmental health and safety; the American Academy of Anesthesiology Assistants; and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
(Learn more about O’Neil in his recent discussion on the ASCE Plot Points podcast.)
Seeking more input
The board reviewed, on second reading, a constitutional amendment to reframe the board of direction but elected not to advance the measure to the upcoming 2026 ASCE Election ballot, instead, allowing more time for broader member input and to develop more details related to the potential creation of a geographic board of governors.
“There have been a lot of candid and productive conversations with volunteer leaders throughout the year,” Anderson Bomar said.
“The board felt more time was needed to fully integrate that feedback.”
The Task Committee on Governance Reframing began work in January of 2025 to develop recommendations for modifying ASCE’s governance process. Based on extensive member outreach, the task committee crafted a proposal to transform the ASCE Board of Direction into a 12-member board and establish a Geographic Board of Governors, similar in structure and function to the existing Technical Region Board of Governors.
“This work has been evolving as we've gone along, and it's all about the member input that the task committee received,” Anderson Bomar said. “Based on the listening sessions and member input that we’ve received, as a board, I think we recognize the need for more interaction with the members to ensure that we chart the proper course forward to maximize member value.”
Big 2027 ahead
ASCE continues to ramp up plans for what will be a huge 2027 for the Society. ASCE2027: The Infrastructure and Engineering Experience is set for March 1-5 in Philadelphia, bringing together infrastructure professionals from each of ASCE’s specialty areas and across sectors. Next year also marks the Society’s 175th anniversary.
The board received updates on both ASCE2027 and the anniversary celebration plans, including a planned grassroots initiative to illuminate iconic infrastructure in communities around the world in “ASCE blue” on Nov. 5, 2027. (Members can learn more about donating to the ASCE Foundation’s “Celebrating 175 years of ASCE” fund.)
As the ASCE2027 program continues to develop, the call for content closed last month, bringing in nearly 2,300 session submissions.
“I’m impressed. When we were looking at the numbers of how many submittals from each technical area and under each theme, it was very balanced.” Anderson Bomar. “There are a lot of great cross-cutting session ideas as well. We’re seeing a number of positive indicators.”
Supporting students
The board voted to approve recommendations from the 2025 Student Support Summit, aimed at activating greater student engagement and retention.
The summit participants identified two priority areas: sustained engagement across transitions from student to young professional, and better use of the current ASCE student symposia as strategic levers for deeper student engagement.
“The outcomes developed by the Summit participants completely aligned with the other strategic initiatives of the board, especially workforce and education,” Anderson Bomar said. “It was great to see a group separate from the board arrive at ideas that align so well. Now it’s time to act on it.”
The specific recommendations greenlit by the board include student outreach grants, support for student participation in ASCE2027, and videography at the student symposia to better capture and communicate the events’ excitement.
AI in publishing
The board received an update from the ASCE Publications team on its AI strategy.
ASCE launched a series of AI tools last year to help improve work efficiency and give members easier access to Society resources. For example, Eaves – named after the first woman member of ASCE, Elsie Eaves – provides a chat-style search function on ASCE AMPLIFY.
“Our early applications of AI are providing a better member experience,” Anderson Bomar said.
The bulk of the conversation with the board, though, centered on intellectual property – protecting ASCE’s trove of technical content from bad actors, while also exploring possible ways to monetize it.
ASCE’s current plan could be called a “walled garden” approach, maintaining control over content but offering access on a tiered subscription basis.
“We’re talking about 175 years of intellectual property,” Anderson Bomar said. “It was a good, robust discussion, and there’s still more work to be done.
“There’s a lot to consider. I’m glad our publications team is out ahead of this. It’s coming at us fast. We have to get educated and do this right.”
