ASCE Houston Newsletter- September 2026

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Welcome to the ASCE Houston Branch Newsletter of upcoming events, articles, jobs and more from our membership.  

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President's Message

President’s Message – September 2026

Dear ASCE Houston Branch Members,

It is hard to believe that September is already here and that my term as ASCE Houston Branch President is coming to a close. Looking back on the past year, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside such dedicated volunteers and engaged members who continue to make our Branch one of the strongest in the nation.

A highlight of August was our Annual Joint Meeting with the Houston Contractors Association, where we were honored to host Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham as our keynote speaker. Commissioner Buckingham delivered an engaging presentation on the challenges associated with administering HUD-funded infrastructure and disaster recovery projects. She highlighted both the significant progress that has been made through resilience-focused investments and the continued need for critical infrastructure improvements across coastal Texas. Her message underscored the importance of advancing these projects with urgency to better prepare our communities for future storms and flood risks.

Anna Chamberlain (ASCE Houston President), Dr. Dawn Buckingham (TxGLO Commissioner), Brian Manning (Past-President for both ASCE and HCA), Casey Christman (HCA Executive Director)

What resonated with me most, however, was hearing about Commissioner Buckingham's personal journey. Trained as an ophthalmologist and surgeon, she spoke about how her desire to help people ultimately led her into public service. She shared the perspective that, as a physician, she could help one patient at a time, but through public office she has the opportunity to positively impact entire communities. It was an inspiring reminder that there are many ways to serve others and that a simple commitment to helping people can lead to opportunities to make a much broader impact.

Anna Chamberlain (ASCE Houston President), Dr. Dawn Buckingham (TxGLO Commissioner), Jon Harper (HCA President)

We are also looking forward to our September Branch Meeting, which will feature a fireside chat with Houston METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. As transportation and mobility continue to shape the future of our region, this promises to be an insightful discussion for our members and guests.

The meeting will conclude with our annual Volunteer Appreciation and Incoming Officer Installation Ceremony. This is one of the most important events of the year as we recognize the dedicated volunteers whose efforts make ASCE Houston one of the largest and most active branches in the country. If you have volunteered with the Branch this year, I encourage you to join us so we can properly recognize and celebrate your contributions.

Serving as President of the ASCE Houston Branch has been both a pleasure and an honor. I am deeply grateful for the support of our Board, committee leaders, volunteers, sponsors, and members throughout this past year. I have no doubt that the future of our Branch is bright, and I look forward to passing the baton to Aaron Orozco as he leads ASCE Houston into another successful year.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve. I look forward to seeing many of you at our September meeting.

Sincerely,

Anna Chamberlain, PE, CFM, ENV SP

President

[email protected]

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Calendar of Events

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Articles

ASCE September Houston Branch In-person Meeting

📅 Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 The Ballroom at Tanglewood
5430 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77056

Online registration closes at 12pm the day before the event. Walk-ins may register onsite on the day of the event. 

AGENDA

• 5:00 PM - Technical Session
• 6:00 PM - Dinner / Keynote Address

NOTES:

1. Dinner will be a chicken dish. If you would like a vegetarian or gluten-free option, please indicate this in the registration comments. We cannot guarantee that these options will be available for walk-ins.

2. VIRTUAL MEETING REGISTRATION: A link will be sent to you the day before the event, with a reminder one hour prior to the start time.

August Technical Session Recap

ASCE Houston hosted a technical session focused on explosion-related disaster response and structural behavior. Through real-world scenarios, Dr. Michel Soto Chalhoub, P.E., S.E., discussed the types of damage caused by explosions, their dynamic effects on structures, and how those effects compare with earthquake loading. The presentation also highlighted how different structural materials respond under these extreme loading conditions. We thank Dr. Chalhoub for sharing his expertise and our attendees for joining us for this engaging and informative session.

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Member Spotlight

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Treasurer's Report

September 2026 Treasurer's Report

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