SEAOC Talk August 2023

President's Message

Krista Looza, SE

2022-2023 SEAOC President

As many of you are already aware, the 2023 SEAOC Convention has been cancelled due to the tragic fires that occurred in Maui, Hawaii recently. The losses that the community of Lahaina and the surrounding areas have sustained are significant in loss of life, loss of property and loss of history. Disasters like this remind us of the many hazards our buildings and communities face that often occur without warning and to a level we could not have designed for. It also reminds us that preparedness for emergency response is as important if not more important than a well-designed structure. In recent communication to the convention attendees, SEAOC shared a couple of links to groups that will put donations to good use helping the Maui community. They are provided again below for those that feel compelled to support the relief efforts there.

SEAOC has been in communication with SEAOH to express our support and condolences. They are reeling from the impact but have expressed appreciation for our support and for putting their communities needs first.

Although incomparable to Maui's losses, the cancellation of our convention is unfortunate. as it is typically our opportunity to come together as a community, celebrate achievements, learn, grow friendships and have some fun. The SEAOC Board and Staff are hard at work looking for ways to offer similar experiences in the near future. Keep an eye out for communication in the coming weeks as we pivot our 2023 plans and look forward to the 2024 Convention in Portland.

I would like to take a moment to share some information on the plans for the convention and recognize those who put in significant time and effort to planning the 2023 convention. If you have ever served on a convention committee, you can appreciate the extensive hours, personal and professional time, that are invested in making the event purposeful and memorable.

Convention Committee Chair: Kendall Johnson

Kendall herded cats, worked with SEAOC and hotel staff to manage contracts and more for the last three years! Alban Gjongecaj provided Kendall excellent support and advice as Past Chair.

Sessions: John Weninger and Gillian Montgomery

56+ sessions were scheduled to be presented by esteemed speakers on technical, professional development and business topics.

App Development: Matt Melcher

We had an excellent website and app through Pheedloop and improved badge/check-in processes ready to launch!

Sports & Companions Events: Kale Stiverson, Matt Quan, Samantha Faddis

Golf at the Royal Ka’anapali, snorkeling in crystal blue waters and more were planned.

President’s Cup: Leticia Valenzuela

Central probably would have won but all would have had fun including SEAOH and SESOC teams!

Exhibitors: Renee Strand, Jason Takacs, Don Wilden

49 Exhibitors were planning to come share about their services and add to the fun.

Sponsorships: Darron Huntingdale and Bob Glasgow

Sponsorships were sold out!! Thank you sponsors for your support!

Welcome bags and swag: Laura Rice

We have 500 bags of awesome, tropical themed swag…we’ll find a way to use them.

Registration: Kendall Johnson and Laura Rice

We were going to a Luau and a CSI party as well as numerous receptions, special lunches and mentor roundtables. We had plans to celebrate our Excellence in Engineering Awards winners and Fellows in style!

Amy Kirson joined the SEAOC Staff this year and her efforts are dedicated to SEAOC Conventions. She, Adriana Pannick, and Don Schinske kept us moving forward on planning, finances and contracts every step of the way.

A separate committee was planning and organizing the Pathways Program which includes significant program at and coordination with the convention. New plans for this year’s Pathways Cohort are in the works at the leadership of Ken O’Dell and Natalie Tse, Pathways Committee Chairs.

Thank you also is in order for Doug Mayer, Joyce Fuss, Ali Sumer, and Ryan Kersting for their contributions to the committee as well.

And of course, we missed the opportunity to connect with the many sponsors and exhibitors who had committed in force this year. SEAOC appreciates them all, and will continue to need their support year upon year.

Over 350 registered attendees, over 100 exhibitor attendees and 60 companions were planning to enjoy the festivities in Hawaii. We are overwhelmed by the desire to attend the SEAOC Convention and hope to see you all in Portland next year!

Please consider supporting local Maui relief efforts:

Maui Strong

World Central Kitchen

SEAOC offers financial assistance to members

who take part in NCEES SE Exam Workshops

NCEES, the organization that writes and administers the engineering and surveying exams, is seeking structural engineers to participate in the standard setting workshops (workshops to help set the passing scores or “cut-scores”) for the breadth (multiple choice) portion of the new CBT structural exam that will be offered beginning next year. The standard setting meetings will be held the week of September 18, 2023, at the NCEES Headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina.

Two days of meetings are planned for the “vertical” portion of the exam, and two days are planned for the “lateral” portion of the exam. Participants can choose to attend only two days, or all four days. NCEES covers airfare, hotel accommodations, transportation, and meals while in Greenville, and provides a stipend to cover incidental travel expenses. The stipend ranges between about $390 for a two-day meeting to about $470 for a four-day meeting.

Because of the additional travel time required for West Coast engineers, SEAOC is offering an additional $500 for SEAOC members from California who participate in the standard setting workshops. NCEES is required by policy to have representation based on number of years of engineering experience, areas of practice around the country, gender, and ethnicity, among other demographic characteristics. Final selection of who will participate in the standard setting workshops is at the sole discretion of NCEES based on their needs and the submitted applications.

Any SEAOC member who would like more information about this opportunity or who would like to participate, please contact Carl Josephson, SE, SEAOC Licensing Committee Chair, at cjosephson@jwa-se.com.