Nearly 100 members and guests attended the 2026 SEAMASS Annual Dinner Meeting & Presentation on May 19 at the UMass Club in Boston. Outgoing president Han Xu, PE recapped a successful year, presented SEAMASS scholarships to two engineering students, commended outgoing Board members for their service, and thanked SEAMASS sponsors for their support. 

Han was presented with a plaque in recognition of his service by incoming SEAMASS president Graham Carr, PE. Graham shared his goals and vision for the coming year; welcomed four new SEAMASS Directors including Alex Bonnar, PE; Eric Braun, PE; Nikki Byl, PE, and Pengcheng (Alex) Zhou, PE; and announced the 2026-27 Board of Directors.

Featured presenter J. Arthur Liu of Studio Gang spoke about the firm's use of mass timber across its impressive project portfolio - not only as a structural and environmental strategy, but also as a catalyst for expanding the possibilities of architecture. Attendees earned 1.0 PDH credit. VIEW ALL EVENT PHOTOS

SEAMASS gratefully recognizes these outgoing Board members for their service: 
David Ferdman, PE; Eric Johnson, PE; Justin Kordas, PE; and David Schnerch, Ph.D, PE.

Special thanks to Event Sponsors: CAST CONNEX represented by Jacinda Collins, PE; Peikko, represented by Mark Johanson; and Sterling Structural, represented by Marc Rivard, SE, PE.

OFFICERS: Graham Carr, PE (President); Kyle Karschner, PE, SE (Vice President); Ellen Swanson, PE (Secretary); Eric Braun, PE (Treasurer); Han Xu, PE (Past President). DIRECTORS: Alex Bonnar, PE; Nikki Byl, PE; Dana Flood, PE; Robert Kane, PE; Brian Twomey, PE; Pengcheng (Alex) Zhou, PE; YMG LIAISON: Annabelle Mathers

The mission statement of SEAMASS includes a goal to promote communication and recognition among structural engineers. When I attend SEAMASS events like the Annual Meeting last month, I see a group of professionals that embody that purpose. 

A strength of SEAMASS is the reliable, consistent communication and participation of our members. My time as a SEAMASS member and on the board of directors has been one of continuity. For every question I have had, a SEAMASS member was there to answer or guide me in the right direction.

Congratulations to the SEAMASS 2026 Engineering Student Scholarship winners!

Two scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded to Camille Bacon, a graduate student Northeastern University, and Christina Ilie, a rising junior from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Pictured from left: SEAMASS 2025-26 President Han Xu, PE, Scholarship Winners Christina Ilie and Camille Bacon, and Scholarship Committee Chair Graham Carr, PE.

The opportunity was open to all undergraduate and graduate students in ABET-accredited Civil or Architectural Engineering programs, either studying at a MA University or an MA resident. The SEAMASS Scholarship Committee received a wide variety of applicants, and was inspired by each applicants’ talent and experiences.

Alex is an Associate Principal at McNamara Salvia, where he has spent his entire professional career since completing his M.S. in Structural Engineering at Northeastern University in 2004. He focuses on projects that require complex and challenging analysis and design across all market sectors.  

In addition to structural design work, he develops new analysis and design tools to enable McSal’s engineers to analyze, design, and optimize structures quickly and efficiently. He also serves a key role in the technical training of younger staff members. 

Alex is also serving on the SEAMASS Board from 2026-2029. His goals as a SEAMASS Director are to promote technical enrichment and collaboration across SEAMASS members and organizations. He 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 be involved with my local structural engineering community. At events I like to... READ MORE

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

SEAMASS September Social

Notch Brewery, Brighton MA - FREE with RSVP

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | Timing TBA
In-person Seminar at CityPoint, Waltham MA

Title: Proof of Concept: Mass Timber Performance and Testing

SEPT-OCT, 2026 | Noon - 1 p.m. Thursdays | Dates TBA

3-part Webinar Series 
General Theme: Design & Detailing - Various Materials

View or bookmark the SEAMASS CALENDAR for updated event details

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 2026 or early 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. 

John is a Structural Engineer at RDH Building Science in Boston, and serves as Vice President of the SEAMASS Young Members Group for 2026-27. At RDH, he works closely with the facade structural and passive house groups with a primary focus on enclosures. 

The majority of his work focuses on new construction multifamily and mass timber projects, although he does not shy away from an existing building renovation when the opportunity presents itself.

A 2023 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, John earned integrated Bachelor and Master of Architectural Engineering degrees in the Structural discipline alongside a Minor in Residential Construction.

He has answered the questions below, so we may get to know him better. Thank you, John, for your contributions to SEAMASS and the Structural Engineering profession!

Why did you join SEAMASS? 

I joined SEAMASS to meet other young engineers in the region and expand upon my network. Being from Pennsylvania, moving out to Massachusetts was a big step and... READ MORE

In the first half of 2025, the SEAMASS Young Members Group conducted a survey of structural engineers.

The goal was to learn about who structural engineers are as a group and to help members achieve their professional and financial goals. Information is crucial for employees and employers to make decisions and the intent of this survey was to serve as a metric for the profession.

Of the 82 respondents that completed the survey, 65 (79%) were white, 64 (78%) were men, and 61 (74%) worked in Massachusetts. The Median work experience was 6.75 years.

VIEW SURVEY RESULTS or click on the graphic to access a PDF file with summary data regarding Compensation, Gender Gap, and Satisfaction. 

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AI in AEC: A Panel Featuring the Perspectives and Insights of 5 Industry Experts was a successful in-person event co-produced by SEAMASS and the Boston Society of Architects (BSA), hosted at the BSA Space in Boston on April 16. 

Paul Kassabian, PE of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) moderated a robust discussion among panelists including Nirva Fereshetian of CBT Architects, Murat Melek, Ph.D, SE of Suffolk Construction, Robert Otani, PE of Thornton Tomasetti and Zach Kron of Autodesk. Attendees earned 2 PDH credits and enjoyed the opportunity to be part of the important conversation regarding AI across the AEC industry.

REMINDER: Renew Your SEAMASS Membership Now

The SEAMASS Fiscal year began on June 1. If you haven't yet renewed your membership, please visit the Join page of seamass.org to access links for:


CURRENT Members and Sponsors to renew their membership

NEW Members or Sponsors to join SEAMASS

Call for Volunteers to Serve on SEAMASS Committees

All members are welcome and encouraged to volunteer on any of these committees:


Membership Committee

Professional Development Committee

Publications Committee

Codes Committee

Scholarship Committee

SEER Committee

SE3 Committee

Young Members Group

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.

The NCSEA 2026 Structural Engineering Summit will take place from Oct 27-30 in San Francisco.  Connect with the profession’s leaders, innovators, and rising talent, and deepen your expertise with the education shaping the future of structural engineering.