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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

Hello ASCE Houston Members!

Everything has started up again for the ASCE Houston organization and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Your President-Elect (Johnny Kim), Branch Director (Alberto Dorantes), and I were privileged to represent the ASCE Houston Branch at the Multi-Region Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. We were able to share our experiences with and gain knowledge from other ASCE leaders on legal issues, ASCE resources, best practices, communications, and leadership lessons.

At the end of January, the Student Chapter Co-Chairs, Practitioner Advisors, and our VP Education put on a successful Career Prep Event last week that included resume reviews, interview tips, and a panel discussion with a Q&A for the students. I would like to congratulate the College Education team on a great and well-attended event!

The entire Engineering community is gearing up for Engineers Week and there are lots of exciting events going on: the Run of Pi, Young Engineer of the Year Casino Night, the Student Scholarship Luncheon, and last but not least, The Engineer of the Year Gala honoring Melvin Spinks (an ASCE member)! I’d be remiss if I didn’t congratulate our Young Engineer of the Year for the Houston Branch. We had some great candidates this year, but Johnny Kim won out. Congratulations to both of these outstanding Engineers!

While I am on a congratulatory roll, I would like to congratulate our Branch and all of its volunteers over the past year, especially the current Past President, Uttam Karmaker, on receiving the 2023 Outstanding Section and Branch Commendation Certificate. Great job everyone! I would also like to say a special thanks to the VP Communications (Connor McBride) and Website Chair (Dadi Hamel) from last year for winning the 2023 Outstanding Section and Branch Website Award for Large Branches. I know there was and still is a lot of work that goes into the website that no one sees.

As always, please let me know if and how you feel the Houston Branch could serve you better.

Thanks,

Alexa Nichols, P.E., CFM, ENV SP

President

[email protected]

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Calendar of Events

ASCE FEBRUARY TECHNICAL SESSION - GEOTECHNICAL SERIES 3 OF 5

 

February 07, 2024

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Zoom

Geotechnical Considerations for Design and Construction of Water and Wastewater Facilities

Register Now View Details

 

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MEMORIAL PARK MASTER PLAN

 

February 22, 2024

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Halff Asociates
14800 Saint Marys Lane, Ste 160
Houston, TX 77079

Memorial Park Conservancy: Memorial Park Master Plan

Register Now View Details

 

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EWRI VOLUNTEER EVENT WITH HOUSTON PARKS BOARD

 

February 24, 2024

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

White Oak Bayou @ 11th
2025 West 11th Street
Houston, TX 77008
https://houstonparksboard.volunteerhub.com/vv2/event/f5e9767d-218c-4bac-b2d9-e60bfe87fbae

Register Now View Details

 

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Articles

February 2024 Branch Meeting: Panel Discussion

February Branch Meeting Agenda:

• 11:00 AM - Social Hour
• 11:45 AM - Lunch / Panel Discussion

Panelist:

Matt Hanks, JD, PE - Brazoria County Engineer

Matt Hanks is the County Engineer for Brazoria County.  He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and has been a Professional Engineer in the State of Texas since 2003.  Matt’s career has provided him experience in both the private and public sector.  He rejoined the County in his current role in November 2013 but originally worked as the Assistant County Engineer from 2004 to 2007.  He furthered his education with a law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2009 and passed the bar that same year.  As the County Engineer, Matt is the Department Head for the Engineering Department which manages capital projects; reviews subdivisions and developments; issues permits; is the road administrator for the County; issues addresses; and manages the County’s work for BCTRA.  He currently resides in the City of Pearland with his wife Dena and his son Walker.

Stacy Slawinski, PE - Fort Bend County Engineer

Nearly 30 years of experience in managing infrastructure projects in the Houston area

Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University

Committee Member for H-GAC Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

Subcommittee Member H-GAC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Past President for Texas Association of County Engineers & Road Administrators (TACERA)

J. Ross McCall, PE - Waller County Engineer

J. Ross McCall, a native of Port Arthur, Texas, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.  Following graduation, Ross worked briefly in the private sector as a land development engineer before taking a position with the Montgomery County Engineer’s Office.  McCall has served as County Engineer for Washington County and Assistant Area Engineer for TxDOT’s Brenham Area Office.  Ross is a licensed professional engineer with a combined 20 years of experience with local and State governments.

In 2011, McCall earned his MBA at Sam Houston State University and began serving on the board of directors for the Special Life Network, a non-profit organization serving individuals with disabilities.  He is an active member at Redeemer Church in Brenham and supports various ministries.  Ross resides in Brenham with his wife, Windy, and two sons.  Ross currently serves as the County Engineer for Waller County and looks forward to building relationships with the development community to support responsible economic growth.

February 2024 Younger Members Report

YM Happy Hour with ASHE on Thursday February 22 at 6 pm at Holler Brewing Company

YM Technical Seminar – PE Luncheon: New PE Exam Format and Exam Strategies. Tuesday February 27 at 11:30 am at Terracon’s office

2024 YEOY Announcement

2023 Outstanding Section and Branch Award

February 2024 Membership Report

Currently, adjusted assignments to the Houston Branch include 3,461 members. 99.0% of those members have paid their Society dues for 2024, and 71% of all renewals elected to pay their Texas Section Dues. Thank you for your ASCE participation and keep up the good work!

Who do I contact with Membership questions?

Houston Branch Membership Co-Chair:  Abigail Borders

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 281-703-1475

Houston Branch Membership Co-Chair:  Ashlyn Ortiz

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 713-337-7461

National Membership Contact - [email protected] or call 800-548-2723

Membership Information - http://www.asce.org/membership/

Online Application - https://join.asce.org/default.aspx

Renew Your Membership - http://www.asce.org/renewal

February 2024 Member Spotlight

February 2024 Get to Know Your Board Member

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