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President's Message - November 2017

Dear Dallas Branch Membership:

Wow!  It finally happened.   Frank Pugsley’s superlative term as President is over and I am just starting to appreciate that high bar set by Frank and my fellow 2016-2017 board members and committee champions.    With the Thanksgiving Holiday just around the corner, I want to start with how thankful I feel for the wonderful active leadership our Branch enjoys.     Every one of our volunteer leaders have set goals for the coming year, already moving forward to achieve them!    Twenty five officers and committee champions were present at our kickoff meeting on October 19 with great ideas and energetic discussions at Vouv Event center (our new tech session and luncheon venue starting in January). 

Civil Engineering is a noble profession. Since my affiliation with the Branch began in the mid-1980s I’ve witnessed a leadership tradition of constant improvement and expansion, supporting increasingly robust efforts and service for the greater good of our society and profession.  We always put an improved version of our organization out there year after year, as a noble organization befitting the profession we represent.   I challenged the 2017-2018 board to strive to be better than our prior leadership selves.   Just looking at the start we’ve had, I have no doubt they’re up for the challenge!   I feel proud and privileged to count myself amongst this fine leadership team.     

We only have two more luncheon meetings to go at the Crowne Plaza.  On November 13 Mr. Duane Milligan, TxDOT Dallas District Director of Construction, will speak to the successes and lessons learned of the Horseshoe Project.  Our Technical Director, Gary Dreighton, serving in his second year in this role, will organize his typical fine technical programs in the morning and afternoon and is already hard at work with our institute champions to put together outstanding programs for you next year.   On December 11 Mr. Ricardo Galceran of the City of Dallas will speak to us about the outcome and impact of the November local Bond election.   We’ll also have our usual Christmas dessert social after December’s luncheon, with no technical sessions.   Our January luncheon meeting, technical sessions, and future meetings will be held at Vouv Event Center 4445 Sigma Road, Dallas (just 5 minute drive from the Crowne Plaza location, more announcements, driving, and parking instructions coming soon). 

In closing, I’m looking forward to serving all of you in the coming year.  Please do not hesitate to let me know what I may do for you to improve your Dallas Branch membership experience. 

Yours in service to ASCE,

Mark Boyd, PE
President
ASCE Dallas Branch, 2017-2018