ASCE Richmond Branch Newsletter
Volume 10 Issue 5
May 2018
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, May 17:  Bridging Engineering and Technology Lunch Presentation
Monday, May 21: Annual Golf Tournament
Thursday, June 21:  Richmond Flying Squirrels Outing!
President's Message
Dear ASCE Richmond Branch members,
It is already May and summer is upon us.  I wish all of you a pleasant summer and hope you will enjoy it with your family and friends.  We really appreciate your support and your participation within our Branch activities.  We encourage your feedback as well as any new ideas aimed at increasing our membership involvements.  
Our next lunch meeting is scheduled on Thursday May 17th at the Westwood Club.  Lunch is served at 11:45 am and presentation starts at 12:00 noon.  Our guest speakers for this month are Gary S. Johnson, P.E. and Matt McCracken, CSM, CSPO of Timmons Group of Richmond. Gary and Matt will be talking about how technology is changing the landscape of engineering and transportation design and its effect in improving communication, increasing transparency, driving efficiency, promoting safety, allowing for easy access to information, and encouraging innovation and creativity.  Our last presentation by Denise Nelson, P.E. about EnvisionĀ® Rating System for Sustainable Infrastructure Upgrades to v3 captured the attention of our members and the meeting was extended after the presentation allowing Denise to entertain some of your questions. Past presentations are available to download at our web site  http://ascerichmond.org/events/.
The ASCE Week will be held in Las Vegas on September 23-28, 2018.  Registration are now open and you can enjoy an early bird registration with discount till August 31st. View the program at https://www.asceweek.org/program. You will earn up to 44 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and learn from the experts and network with colleagues.  Our appreciation meeting for the ASCE Richmond Younger Members took place on April 26th and we had great participations from our members.  Thanks are due to   Carolyn Desrochers Perry and Brian Ditzler.
Please mark your calendar for the next upcoming events. The first is our Richmond Branch's 16th Annual ASCE Golf Tournament to be held at the Jack Nicklaus designed Magnolia Green Golf Club in Mosley, Virginia held on May 21st, 2018.  We are excited about this event as it proven to be such a great vehicle for networking and supporting our outreach programs and annual scholarship fund.  For more details please contact Matt Amonette at MAmonette@ecslimited.com.   The second is the Richmond Flying Squirrels Outing on Thursday, June 21st at The Diamond.  It is free for ASCE Members and 1 Guest.
Our ASCE Board meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month.  If you like to meet with our board members or to present your suggestions please feel free to contact me at lelgazairly@wrallp.com for information about the time and location.  
I hope you all will enjoy this summer in Richmond.
Sincerely,
Loai F. El-Gazairly, Ph.D., P.E.
President - ASCE Richmond
Exciting Upcoming Events!
Bridging Engineering and Technology

Presenters: Gary S. Johnson, P.E. and Matt McCracken, CSM, CSPO
When: May 17th, 2018.  Lunch will be served at 11:45 and the presentation will begin at 12:00.
Where: The Westwood Club, 6200 West Club Lane, Richmond, VA 23226
Cost: $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Note the price will increase to $30 for both members and non-members Friday, April 20th.
PDH: 1 Credit
Overview: 
VDOT Commissioner Steven Brich launched his vision for VDOT on April 11th, 2018. Under his tenure he desires new ways to Speed Delivery, keep a sustainable pipeline of projects, maintain assets, operate systems more efficiently, be innovative, maintain a highly trained workforce, partner with private sector, streamline processes, be fair and reasonable in project delivery, and ensure transparency. It is our belief that technology can be the method of this change.
This presentation will explore how technology is changing the landscape of engineering and transportation design. Technology change can improve communication, increase transparency, drive efficiency, promote safety, allow for easy access to information, and encourages innovation and creativity.
The Transportation Engineering Industry is under constant pressure for faster, better, lower cost solutions, technology must be part of the future. We cannot continue to invent new methods or reduce the people or expertise required for engineering. Specific projects will be highlighted to show how GIS, Drones, and Mobile technology is allowing us to make better data driven decisions.  
The audience will gain an understanding of the tools available to the industry and how they align with the VDOT's vision for improving safety and efficiency throughout the Commonwealth.
Presenters:
Gary S. Johnson, P.E.
Gary is the Director of Structures & Bridges as well as the Director of Transportation Design Build at Timmons Group.  Focusing his career on bridges, he has designed complex structures in multiple states and has experience with nearly every aspect of bridge analysis, inspection, and design.  His extensive experience with design-build projects gives him a deep understanding of construction practices.  In addition, he has a passion for building teams to pursue, position, and deliver projects.
Gary is a Professional Engineer in numerous states as well as a Certified Bridge Inspection Team Leader and a DBIA Professional.  His Master's in Business Administration rounds out his abilities as an efficient Project Manager, Design Manager, and mentor to staff.
Matt McCracken, CSM, CSPO
Matt leads Timmons Group's Geospatial Transportation Team.  He works on all types of technology projects from strategic planning efforts, to data collection and conversion projects, to application development and system integration projects.  His experience across the country with multiple department of transportation clients gives him a deep understanding of transportation organizations and how GIS, LRS, Location can transform their business.  
Matt is a Certified Scrum Master and Scrum Product owner.  He has embraced the agile methodology with his projects to speed delivery and fully engage his clients.  He specializes in implementing solutions to help organizations solve business problems, create value, and improve business performance

 
This month's technical lunch is sponsored by Oldcastle Precast!  For more information on how your company could sponsor future ASCE Richmond events please contact nsauer@conteche s.com.

 
From cutting edge stormwater management systems to rapid bridge replacement, you can count on Oldcastle Precast to design, manu-facture, and install quality solutions that last a lifetime. It is not just about building precast products, it is about providing cost-effective and comprehensive solutions that work. Engineers, project owners, and contractors are more than just our customers; they are our partners who share the same desire to build as we do.
At Oldcastle Precast, our commitment extends far beyond the job site. We take our role as leaders in the industry and our communities very seriously. You can see this in our exceptional safety record as well as our dedication to being stewards of the environment. Oldcastle Precast places sustainability at the heart of its strategy and business model and is committed to sustainably, responsibly, and ethically managing all aspects of our operations.    
16th Annual ASCE Golf Tournament
       
It's that time of year again!  With Spring fast approaching, we are excited to announce the details of the Richmond Branch's 16th Annual ASCE Golf Tournament.  In 2016 we set out to revamp our Golf Tournament.  Our goal was to transform this event beyond just a fundraiser, but a chance for members of the civil engineering community of the greater Richmond area to spend a day together building and strengthening relationships with each other.   In 2016 we more than doubled our participation from the previous year, and continued this growth into an even stronger turn out in 2017.  In 2018 we have our sights set even higher, and we need your participation to make it happen! 
We are excited to announce the tournament will be returning to the Jack Nicklaus designed Magnolia Green Golf Club in Mosley, Virginia on May 21th.  Come out at 12:00 PM and enjoy lunch before the shotgun start at 1:00PM.  There will also be a dinner and awards ceremony immediately after the round in the newly opened clubhouse.  All proceeds from the event fund our outreach programs and annual scholarship fund.
Please start assembling your team for this year's tournament!  To sign up as an individual, team, or sponsor, register at http://ascerichmond.org/asce-annual-golf-tournament/. For more information, contact Matt Amonette at mamonette@ecslimited.com.
  
Annual Flying Squirrels Outing!
       
What:  Richmond Flying Squirrels Outing
Date:  Thursday, June 21st
Time:  6:35PM; Gates open at 5:30PM
Where:  The Diamond - 3001 North Boulevard, Richmond VA 23230
Price:  FREE for ASCE Members and 1 Guest

Event Details:
Richmond ASCE Squirrels Game Outing will be held Thursday, June 21 at 6:35PM.  We have a Party Deck (with a capacity of 24 people) reserved for the game, where peanuts and popcorn will be provided.  The event will be FREE for members and 1 guest; however, since  there are only 24 tickets available , tickets will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.  Tickets will be available at the group ticket pick-up at the game for registered attendees.  We look forward to seeing everyone at the game, go nuts!
Recent Events
April's Technical Meeting:
The EnvisionĀ® Rating System for Sustainable Infrastructure Upgrades To v3
Last month Denise Nelson came in to talk to the ASCE Richmond Branch about the Envision Rating System which helps to develop sustainable infrastructure upgrades. Envision is intended to be seamlessly integrated into current practices to minimize any impacts to schedule and budget.  The benefits of using Envision include applying best practices, recognizing triple bottom line impacts, transparency, accountability, and, ultimately, demonstrating good governance. A pdf of her presentation can be found on the ASCE website. Thank you for presenting Denise!
 
ASCE YM FREE Happy Hour at Stone Brewing
The Younger Member Group hosted a free beer tasting Happy Hour at Stone Brewing on Thursday April 26, 2018 from 5PM - 7PM.  It was a beautiful day and members were able to network with their peers in a casual environment.  Each attendee was given 3 tickets valid for any 5oz pour and many enjoyed tasting the variety of beers on tap.  Members also appreciated snacking on delicious local Bottoms Up pizza.  A survey was conducted at the event to assess interest and ideas for future events.  We hope to take the information gathered and continue to grow the younger member group within the ASCE Richmond Branch.
 
Job Postings
      Interested in posting a job listing in this newsletter to reach the local engineering community? There's also the option to purchase a package deal and have your job posting listed in our newsletter as well as on our website, which is where all of our members register for Richmond ASCE events.
  
Email Catherine at  catherine.hyland@kimley-horn.com for more information!
  
Thanks to our Sponsor of the Month!

 

If you have any comments regarding this newsletter, please don't hesitate to contact me at catherine.hyland@kimley-horn.com.

Thanks! 
Catherine Hyland
ASCE Richmond Branch Communications Chair
In This Issue
Important Upcoming Dates
President's Message
Technical Lunch Meeting
Annual Golf Tournament
Recent Events
Younger Member Happy Hour
Job Postings
Sponsor of the Month
Click here to meet your 2017-2018 ASCE Richmond Officers:
 
President - Loai El-Gazairly, Ph.D., P.E.
 
President Elect - Nancy Lehr, P.E., A.P.M.P.
 
Vice President - Jeff La Hood, E.I.T.
 
Communications Chair - Catherine Hyland, E.I.T.
 
Education Outreach Chairs -  Matt Amonette, E.I.T. & Hillary Siegall, E.I.T.
 
Young Member Chair - Carolyn Desrochers Perry, P.E. and Brian Ditzler
 
Treasurer - Jeremy Kraft, P.E.
 
Secretary - Ian Hogan E.I.
 
Webmaster - Sam Castonguay, E.I.T.

Membership Chairs-
Anna M. Kotas, P.E. 
Nathan Sauer, P.E.
 
Government Relations Chair - Chandler Hawn
  
Past President - Jonathan Oliver, P.E.

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