OCTOBER 15 | 9:30 - 11:45 a.m.
In-person at CityPoint, Waltham | 2 PDHs

PRESENTATION 1:

Shake Table Testing of a FULL-SCALE 10-Story Mass Timber Building

Presenter: Steve Pryor, PE, SE

Advanced Research Manager | Simpson Strong-Tie

Come learn how the NEHRI TallWood project simulated a series of large seismic events and their effects on a full-scale, 10-story mass timber building - the tallest building ever tested on a shake table.

PRESENTATION 2:
Exploring Tall Wood: New Code Provisions for Tall Timber Structures

Presenter: Patrick Duffy, PE

New England Regional Manager | Woodworks

Following a brief discussion of history and motivators, this presentation will introduce the new tall wood code provisions and construction types, as well as the technical research and testing that supported their adoption.

VIEW FULL DETAILS and REGISTER

NOVEMBER 5, 12, 19, 2026
Thursdays | Noon - 1:00 p.m. ET | 3 PDHs

WEBINAR SERIES:

Structural Masonry: Raising the Bar
3 Weekly Topics & Presenters

VIEW FULL DETAILS and REGISTER

View ALL EVENTS: seamass.org/Calendar

The SEAMASS Code Committee invites all engineers to Harpoon Brewery at 306 Northern Avenue, Boston on Monday, November 9 at 5:30 p.m. for a kickoff meeting and a casual evening of code discussions. ALL engineers are welcome (members and non-members) to come enjoy a beverage and learn how your input can help influence the I-Codes!

About the SEAMASS Code Committee

The Code Committee organizes periodic meetings to discuss code confusion and the intent or proper interpretation of certain structural code provisions. The focus is on the IBC, IEBC and amendments to the MA State Building Code. These discussions could lead to code change proposals that would be submitted to the NCSEA Code Advisory Committee who would in turn review them for presentation at the ICC code hearings. Current committee members include: Alex Bonnar, PE; William Eldredge, PE; Michael Fillion, PE and Pengcheng Zhou, PE.

Pengcheng 'Alex' Zhou is an Associate in the Boston office of LeMessurier Consultants. He leads projects across a range of sectors including sports, healthcare, and laboratory buildings, as well as the retrofit of existing office structures for higher performance. With a background spanning structural engineering and computational design, Alex is particularly interested in connecting fundamental engineering principles with practical tools that support better decision-making and collaboration during early project phases.

Alex has been actively engaged in the structural engineering community through technical presentations, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. He is currently in his fifth year as a mentor with the ACE Mentor Program. He has also contributed to advancing vibration design approaches and engineering workflows through SEAMASS presentation.

He serves as a SEAMASS Director for 2026-29, and has answered the questions below, so we may get to know him better. Thank you Alex, for your contributions to SEAMASS and the Structural Engineering profession!

Why did you join SEAMASS?  I joined SEAMASS to stay connected with the local structural engineering community and to continue learning from engineers across different firms and career stages. I appreciate the opportunities SEAMASS creates for technical discussion, mentorship, and professional growth.... READ MORE

MEMBER PRESENTATIONS:

Michael Fillion, PE, President of Fillion Group, Inc. will participate in a panel discussion on Oct 29 at the NCSEA Summit titled, Codes in Action: What Changed, What’s Next, and Your Role in Shaping It. He will also co-present “Noteworthy Changes to the 2027 IEBC: The 5-Percent Gravity Load Increase Exception and Wood-Framed Roof” with Gwenyth Searer at the Summit on October 30. SEE ALSO: Summit News in this issue.

RECENT CAREER & ACADEMIC MILESTONES:

From Left: Hannah Kimball, PE; Bayley St. Jacques, PE; Jason Strauss, PE; and Katherine Kenney, MS

Hannah Kimball, Structural Engineer, Project Manager with Siegel Structural Engineers, passed the PE Exam. Bayley St. Jacques, Structural Engineer with Siegel Structural Engineers, passed the PE Exam. Jason Strauss, Consulting Engineer with Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger, earned his PE license. Katherine Kenney, Structural Designer with Siegel Structural Engineers, earned her Masters in Structural Engineering Degree. Congratulations to all!

NCSEA SUMMIT SCHOLARSHIPS:

Annabelle Mathers, Structural Designer with L.A. Fuess Partners and Chelsea Medina, Project Engineer with McNamara Salvia, received NCSEA Scholarships to attend the 2026 Structural Engineering Summit. Through its Foundation, NCSEA offers scholarships to young members to cover all educational sessions, exhibit hall access, welcome reception, the SEE Awards Celebration, and provides $1,000 toward travel fees.

SEAMASS members are invited to submit their career and academic milestones for publication in SEAMASS News. Please email programs@seamass.org

The ICC Code hearings for the 2027 I-Codes concluded this past spring in Hartford CT. The SEAMASS Code committee was able to work with the NCSEA Existing Building Committee to submit code change proposals for the 2027 IEBC. 
The code change proposals came through the work of the Structural Advisory Committee (SAC) to the Massachusetts State Building Code (MSBC). Some of our notable changes have been with seismic hazards for unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. When MA first adopted the 2009 IEBC, without amendments, we would have lost all of… READ MORE

Ivan Lin is a structural design engineer with H+O Structural Engineering, and serves as an event coordinator with the SEAMASS Young Members Group for 2026-27. At H+O Structural Engineering, Ivan has worked on a variety of mixed-use, multifamily, commercial, and renovation projects, gaining experience in the design of wood, steel, and concrete structures through various phases of design and construction. He is passionate about continuing to grow as a structural engineer while connecting with and contributing to the broader structural engineering community.

A 2025 graduate of Northeastern University, Ivan has earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structural Engineering and a minor in Architectural Design. He has answered the questions below, so we may get to know him better. Thank you, Ivan, for your contributions to SEAMASS and the Structural Engineering profession!

Why did you join SEAMASS? 

I joined SEAMASS to connect with other structural engineers, learn from their experiences, and gain a broader understanding of the profession beyond my day-to-day work. I was also excited to take advantage of ... READ MORE

You can help shape the future of structural engineering by joining the Structural Engineering Engagement and Equity (SE3) Committee. The SEAMASS SE3 Committee brings engineers of all backgrounds, career stages, and roles together to strengthen engagement and foster a more inclusive and equitable profession.

Through seminars, mentoring, and outreach we create opportunities to build professional skills and help structural engineers become successful leaders.
By getting involved, you can help identify opportunities for professional development, support policies that promote flexibility and work-life balance, and contribute to conversations around equity and retention in the profession.

If you are interested in sharing your perspective and joining in this effort, please reach out to SE3 Committee Chair, Tomlinn Cox.

At the SEAMASS 2026 September Social on September 17, members and guests gathered from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to socialize in the casual setting of Notch Brewery & Tap Room in Brighton. Participants took advantage of the unique opportunity to connect with fellow industry professionals over craft beers, with pizza provided by SEAMASS.

The SEAMASS Programs Committee seeks submissions or suggestions of projects and presenters for Project Spotlight presentations at an in-person SEAMASS professional development event in 2027.

SEAMASS member and non-member professionals are encouraged to submit projects with these general parameters:

• Projects located in Massachusetts 
• Projects located elsewhere if designed by local engineers or MA firms
• Projects of all sizes and materials
• Residential, Multi-family and Mixed-use Projects
• PROJECTS OF ALL TYPES – NOT LIMITED TO High-rises, New Construction, etc.
• Projects featuring unique engineering challenges / solutions

HOW TO SUBMIT / SUGGEST A PROJECT FOR CONSIDERATION

Use the provided form (click the button below) OR email programs@seamass.org with any details you can provide. Committee members will follow up with project contributors for further details and/or to coordinate presentations. 

2026 NCSEA Structural Engineering Summit

From October 27-30, practicing structural engineers from across the country will gather at the NCSEA 2026 Structural Engineering Summit in San Francisco to learn from the field’s best, tackle the toughest questions in practice, and connect with the people shaping what comes next. Learn more about how you can earn 13 PDHs, explore 90+ exhibitors, and choose from 40+ education sessions. LEARN MORE and REGISTER

The Blueprint: NCSEA's Plan for the Future

Built from a decade of listening, The Blueprint reflects what NCSEA has learned from the profession, what’s already been put into action, and where we’re headed next.

 

More than a strategic plan, The Blueprint is a roadmap designed to guide NCSEA’s priorities, programs, and investments over the next decade.

It outlines strategic issues facing NCSEA; our Strategic Response; NCSEA’s Vision and Mission Statements; the foundational value of State SEAs in collaboration with NCSEA; and the Strategic Pillars of People, Practice, and Outreach.  VIEW THE BLUEPRINT

STEM & Outreach Resources to Promote the Structural Profession

Several outreach resources and STEM activities are available to promote the structural engineering profession to students and educators, and to encourage the development of students interested in pursuing a career in a STEM-related field.

The Resource Page of seamass.org promotes several FREE resources from NCSEA’s STEM and Outreach Page, including:

• Activities to share with Pre-K through Middle School students
• Resources available for complimentary download
• Instructional and outreach materials for students (K thru High School)

Call for Volunteers to Serve on SEAMASS Committees

View all committee descriptions on the Committees Page of seamass.org, and contact programs@seamass.org with questions or to volunteer any support that you can contribute.

Langan provides integrated geotechnical, civil and environmental engineering services for building construction, infrastructure improvements, and energy projects. Our clients include developers, property owners, public agencies, corporations, institutions, and energy companies around the world. Langan is proud to support our structural engineering friends.

LEARN MORE: Langan.com

The Block Design Collective (BDC) delivers fast, reliable guidance to architects, engineers and contractors working with concrete masonry. From early exploration to complex project details, the BDC offers industry-funded support with code compliance, detailing, and constructability to help teams evaluate CMU for their project. 
LEARN MORE: BeautyOfBlock.com/Block-Design-Collective

John R. Allen III, President of Allen Business Advisors, explains why A/E firm owners should view retirement as a window rather than a fixed date, and why early preparation helps ensure continuing to work remains a choice.  

VIEW THE ARTICLE

ARUP seeks a Senior Structural Engineer for the firm's Boston Office. Click here for position details and to apply.

BALA seeks a Senior Structural Engineer for the firm's Boston office, and a Structural Project Engineer for the New York, NY or Boston MA office.

e2 engineers seeks a Senior Engineer II for the firm's Concord, MA office. Click here for position details

L.A. Fuess Partners seeks candidates for:
Licensed Structural Engineer
Structural Designer - EIT

BIM Project Manager

QAQC Sr. Project Manager

McNamara Salvia seeks candidates for Project Engineer and Project Manager positions in the firm's Boston office. Visit mcsal.com/careers for more information and to apply.

Tighe & Bond seeks a Senior Project Manager for any of the firm's locations. Click here for details.

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. seeks to connect with Experienced Structural Engineers in Boston and beyond. Click here to view and apply for opportunities.

This section is a benefit for SEAMASS Corporate and Professional Directory Sponsors. Email marketing@seamass.org with a brief description and PDF file or LINK to a position description for publishing consideration.

View the Corporate Directory, Professional Directory and Business Directory