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August 2026 President's Message

August is often viewed as a month of transition. Students return to school, families settle back into routines, and communities prepare for the busy months ahead. For civil engineers, this season serves as a reminder of our responsibility to build not only the infrastructure that supports daily life but also the future leaders who will carry our profession forward. As members of ASCE Dallas, we have a unique opportunity to invest in both our communities and the next generation of engineers who will shape them.

August is also National Wellness Month, an opportunity to focus on work-life balance, mental health, and safety within the engineering profession. I will spare you the third month in a row of me going into the importance of staying safe in the Texas Heat. But…… stay safe in the Texas Heat, please!

As per tradition, July was a departure from our regularly scheduled programming, and on July 10, 2026, over 350 professionals from around the Metroplex came together for a full day of AM Session Tracks mirroring the Technical Institutes of ASCE, leading into a fantastic keynote lunch, then an Ethics Session…….. then a great Happy Hour to start the weekend together. Thanks to all who joined this year’s Zurn-Sponsored Joint Meeting hosted by the Dallas Branch, and be sure to note that next year will be hosted by the Fort Worth Branch. A special thanks to Amanda Koif, PE, Vice President, for the great organizing and execution of the event, along with numerous volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors.

Whether you follow ASCE Dallas sometimes or regularly, you certainly note the great Officers, Committee Chairs, and Technical Institute Leaders who make everything we do possible year in and year out. Well….. we welcome you to consider joining our group of volunteer do-gooders. For more information on Officers/Chair positions available, contact Past President Fadi Faraj, PE, [email protected].

Join the ASCE Dallas Younger Members as we volunteer our time at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. On the morning of Saturday, August 22nd, we will be meeting at 9:30 am to get the day started. We may be helping in the Children's Museum, the Challenge Lab, the Bio Lab, or wherever we can lend a hand that day! Please note that we must have our final headcount sent over to the Perot by August 12th. We are registered as a group, so please email Amoni Madison, our YM Chair, at [email protected] if you plan to join us!

RSVP now for a special Younger Members Bridge Program Event "Growth Through the Years" on Thursday, August 13th, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM with Jacobs Dallas professionals Douglas Smith, Deborah Neubert, Manuel Calderon, Nisha Sthapit, Myles Savage, P.E. as they discuss their career journeys and provide advice for emerging leaders. The Bridge Program is an award-winning initiative the branch started to help young engineers transition from graduation to the professional world. The program aims to “bridge the gap” between entry-level engineers and seasoned professionals by covering topics that equip young engineers for success. There will be networking, food, and Q&A: Click Here to Register: Bridge Program @ JACOBS

We all hope the summer does not fly by too fast, but it does not hurt to have consistent reminders about the great event September 16-18, 2026 in Corpus Christi – the annual ASCE CECON put on by the Texas Section. Please see below and hope to see you there: Click Here to Register: Home - CECON 2026

Our next meeting on Monday, August 10th, sponsored by Reed Engineering Group, will feature a Technical Session hosted by the ASCE Transportation & Development Institute (T&DI) Dallas Branch. An outstanding panel of experts from HDR - Macey Taylor, PE; Bradley Weckerlin; David Baker, PE; and Gary A. Norton, P.E. will present on "Data Centers 101: Foundation of Digital Infrastructure", discussing the planning, design, and infrastructure considerations, and addressing common public perceptions with facts. The August Technical Session will be followed by a Keynote Presentation from Dr. Ghassan Khankarli, PhD, PE, PMP, CLTD, the Director of Transportation & Public Works (City of Dallas). Please do not wait to register and join us: Click Here to Register: ASCE Dallas Branch - Meeting/Event Information

We welcome you to learn more by keeping informed through our Newsletter, our Website, and, of course, our Social Media. Thank you!

Patrick Williams, P.E., LEED AP
ASCE Dallas Branch | President 2025-2026
[email protected]