March 2026 Newsletter

A Message from the ASCE JAX Branch Board:

Greetings!



It's been a busy (and cold) couple of months here in Jacksonville and we are very much looking forward to the warmer weather and deadlines with more float! We hope you all were able to stay warm (and sane) during these past few months.

Last month, the ASCE Jacksonville Branch had the pleasure of hosting this year’s Northeast Florida Kickoff Scholarship Luncheon for Engineer's Week. We were thrilled to have over 20 students in attendance, all of whom received well-deserved scholarships. Congratulations to ASCE Scholarship winners Ian Garvey, Jake Sparks, and Mia Decker. A special thank you goes out to our guest speaker, Dylan Ford from Groundworks Jacksonville, for providing an insightful look into the Emerald Trail project around the city. Additionally, the University of North Florida College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction (CCEC) is engaged in exciting initiatives this year. Dr. Harris extends an invitation to everyone to all professionals to attend Innovation Day on Tuesday, April 21, where students will present their Senior Capstone projects in the University Center ballroom. The future is shining bright here in Northeast Florida. Cheers to all the engineers and volunteers who made this event possible!

In looking to the future, the ASCE Southeast Student Conference is taking place at Florida Atlantic University from March 12th to 14th. Our local Jacksonville university, the University of North Florida, is participating in this conference and we wish them much success in all of their competitions!

Finally, we very excited for the national recognition that the McCoy's Creek restoration project is garnering. On Thursday, March 26th at 11:00am, the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow (a joint project from ACEC, APWA, and ASCE) will be holding a press conference in Jacksonville. In support of this new project, we plan to participate in a McCoy's Creek cleanup sometime in April, so keep an eye on your email inbox for more information to come!

Best Regards,

ASCE Jacksonville Branch Board Members

Editorial and

Advertising Contact

secretary@jaxasce.com

ASCE JAX Branch Officers

PRESIDENT

Michael Nee, P.E.

VICE PRESIDENT

Ian O'Gorman

TREASURER

Courtlyn Hisey, P.E.

SECRETARY

Grant Curtiss, P.E.

PAST PRESIDENT

Sam Alix, E.I.

COMMITTEE CHAIR:

Stevens Charles, E.I.

Founded in 1951, the ASCE Jacksonville branch serves Civil engineers across 6 counties in Northeast Florida. Over the years members have contributed to the growth and resilience of the region through leadership in transportation, coastal, stormwater, and infrastructure improvements. ASCE Jax continues to grow by inspiring the next generation through mentorship, outreach, and hands on competitions.

ASCE Bridge FL Committee

Edgar Garcia, P.E., Grant Curtiss, P.E. (ASCE Bridge FL Committee)

An upcoming event is the 20th Annual ASCE Bridge Florida Competition. The Jacksonville branch provides middle and high school students from across northeast Florida with an opportunity to compete in a virtual competition where students can design and test virtual bridge. This competition allows students to apply engineering principles in a competitive and educational environment. If you know any students who are interested in engineering design or problem solving, it is encouraged to share this opportunity for them to participate.

For more information, visit https://jaxasce.com/volunteering/ascebridgeflorida/

We are also looking for three companies to provide a $500 sponsor for this event. Companies that sponsor the event will have their logo placed on a banner at the competition and special recognition will be made at the event and in this newsletter following the event. Please reach out to bridgefl.ascefl.jaxbranch@gmail.com for more information on how you can support the next generation of civil engineers.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

James Austin, P.E. (Events Chair)

Rex Robinson, P.E. (Technical Committee Chair)

Join fellow ASCE Jax Branch members for an evening of hockey with the Jacksonville Icemen!

Grab your ticket by March 20th to secure your seat at the game. Our Group will be located in Section 108 - Rows T & U.

Optional: Meet at That Bar at the Arena at 6:00 PM to socialize before the game.

Every game ticket purchased includes automatic entry into a raffle for two Igloo skate passes (6 available) or four Icemen tickets (applicable for future games).

ANNOUNCEMENT! The Jacksonville Branch is looking for a new location to host our technical presentations and luncheons. If you have a space at your company to host an event over the lunch hour, please reach out to secretary@ascejax.com. PDH/ CEU credits are typically provided at each technical presentation!

Join us at our next Technical Luncheon!

Join the ASCE Jacksonville Branch on Thursday, March 12th for our first Technical Seminar of the new year! Christian K. Wireko, Ph.D., P.E., with WSP, will present the extensive geotechnical investigation completed along the alignment of a new expressway in St. Johns and Clay Counties, Florida.

Please note that registration is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the presentation will begin sharply at 12:00 p.m.

This presentation has been approved for 1 PDH.

SAVE THE DATE! SPONSOR A TABLE!

Jacksonville Branch's 75th Anniversary Banquet

FRIDAY, JUNE 12th, 2026

APPLY/ NOMINATE FOR AN AWARD TODAY!

Applications due April 30^th



Engineer of the Year

For an engineer who has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and contributed to the industry.

Young Engineer of the Year

For an engineer under 35 who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and technical skill.

Government Engineer of the Year

For an engineer who has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and contributed to the public sector industry.

Lifetime Achievement Award

For an engineer who has demonstrated long-term dedication and impacted the profession and community.

Drafter of the Year

For a drafter who has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and supported engineers through drafting. 

Engineering Professional Volunteer of the Year

For an engineer who has demonstrated outstanding volunteering efforts and contributed to our community. 

Student of the Year

For a student within the Civil Engineering field of study who has excelled in the classroom and within the local organization.

Student Outstanding Service of the Year

For a student within the Civil Engineering field of study who has demonstrated outstanding volunteering efforts.

Grad Student of the Year

For a graduate student within the Civil Engineering field of study who has excelled in the classroom and within the local organization.

Project of the Year

Recognizes a significant civil engineering project completed in the ASCE Jacksonville Branch Area.

Sustainable Project of the Year

Recognizes a significant civil engineering project completed in the ASCE Jacksonville Branch Area focusing on the environment and sustainability.

On February 18th, our ASCE Younger Member Group (YMG) hosted a Bowling Social at Main Event for all to unwind and relieve stress by knocking out some pins!

If you are a younger ASCE member (35 years of age or younger) and want to grow your network of other like-minded civil engineers, this is the place for you!

Click here to join the YMG Email List to stay up to date with the latest events!

ASCE YMG

JAX Branch Officers

PRESIDENT

Madeline Batey, P.E.

VICE PRESIDENT

Tiffany Ritch, E.I.

TREASURER

Makaya Malila, E.I.

SECRETARY

Nathan Thoresen, E.I.

PAST PRESIDENT

Courtlyn Hisey, P.E.

Member Spotlight!

Want to get more involved? Chair a committee!

The following committee chairs are open to

ASCE Jacksonville Branch members:

Membership Chair

Government Relations Chair

Sustainability & Resiliency Chair

Awards & Scholarship Chair

K-12 Outreach Chair

Want to get more involved beyond our local branch?

Join one of the ASCE's Board and Society Standing Committees

Each year, thousands of civil engineering professionals participate in ASCE’s activities by volunteering their technical and professional expertise in support of the Society’s vision and mission to advance the practice of civil engineering. Opportunities exist in Society committees, technical committees, and in the Society's nine Institutes.

Learn more about Board and Society committee opportunities below. To apply to join a committee, complete the application found on each committee's page.

Applications will be accepted from January 15–March 15.

https://www.asce.org/communities/committees