RESTON, Va. — The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) today appointed a search committee to lead the process of selecting the Society’s next executive director. The search process for a new executive director was addressed during a specially convened meeting of the ASCE Board of Direction following the recent retirement announcement from long-time Executive Director Tom Smith, who will step down on December 31, 2025.

“Selecting the right leader is critical to ASCE’s continued growth and impact,” said Norma Jean Mattei, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, Pres.17.ASCE, who will chair the search committee. “I’m honored to lead this important effort and work alongside a dedicated team to find the visionary who will guide ASCE into the future.”

Mattei, who served as ASCE president in 2017 and is currently Emeritus Professor at the University of New Orleans and a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, brings extensive leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge to the role.

The full search committee includes:

  • Norma Jean Mattei, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, Pres.17.ASCE – Chair
  • Rossana Genise D'Antonio, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE
  • Raymond Daddazio, P.E., F.EMI, M.ASCE
  • Isamar Escobar, P.E., M.ASCE
  • Ana C Tijerina Esquino, P.E., M.ASCE
  • Bradley Alan Kubiak, P.E., M.ASCE
  • Eva Lerner-Lam, NAE, Dist.M.ASCE
  • Melantha Diodonna Norton, P.E., ENV SP, M.ASCE
  • Mario Ricozzi, P.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE
  • Jennifer Sloan Ziegler, Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP, BC.WRE, M.ASCE
  • Edward Wilson Stafford, P.E., PTOE, F.ASCE – Staff Contact

Ex-officio Members

  • Marsha D. Anderson Bomar, Ph.D., AICP, ENV SP, H.ITE, NAE, F.ASCE – President
  • Carol Ellinger Haddock, MPA, P.E., F.ASCE – President Elect
  • Feniosky A. Pena-Mora, Sc.D, P.E., NAS, CCM, F.CIOB, NAC, Dist.M.ASCE – Past President
  • Marsia A. Geldert-Murphey, P.E., F.ASCE, Pres.24.ASCE

The search committee’s appointment marks the beginning of a comprehensive national search process. Details on position requirements and the selection process will be posted at asce.org and applications will be accepted between October 15 and November 15, 2025.

“ASCE has been fortunate to have had exemplary leaders at the helm throughout our nearly 175-year history,” said ASCE President Feniosky Peña-Mora, Sc.D., P.E., Dist.M.ASCE. “This is an important step toward identifying the bold, forward-thinking leader who will build on our legacy and help shape the future of civil engineering.”

About the American Society of Civil Engineers

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 160,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE works to raise awareness of the need to maintain and modernize the nation's infrastructure using sustainable and resilient practices, advocates for increasing and optimizing investment in infrastructure, and improve engineering knowledge and competency. For more information, visit www.asce.org or www.infrastructurereportcard.org and follow us on Twitter, @ASCETweets and @ASCEGovRel.