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American Society of Civil Engineers - Texas Section

Texas Section Leadership

Home > About Us > Texas Section Leadership

Meet Our Leadership Team

Without the efforts of our hardworking volunteers, our programs and events wouldn't happen. Meet the incredible members who work behind the scenes to ensure Texas civil engineers are leaders in their communities:
  • Patrick M. Beecher PE
    Patrick M. Beecher PE
    President
    Phone: (713) 939-6438
  • Travis N. Attanasio PE
    Travis N. Attanasio PE
    President Elect
    Phone: (817) 842-2094
  • Sean P. Merrell PE
    Sean P. Merrell PE
    Past President
    Phone: (972) 464-4834
  • Clay A. Forister PE
    Clay A. Forister PE
    VP Educational
    Phone: (903) 595-4421
  • Heather Guillen PE, ENV SP
    Heather Guillen PE, ENV SP
    VP Educational Elect
    Phone: (713) 394-5635
  • Patricia Frayre PE
    Patricia Frayre PE
    VP Professional
    Phone: (713) 320-2163
  • Augustine Verrengia III PE
    Augustine Verrengia III PE
    VP Professional Elect
    Phone: (512) 669-5560
  • Ron Reichert
    Ron Reichert
    VP Technical
    Phone: (832) 205-9068
  • Mark K. Boyd PhD, PE, D.WRE
    Mark K. Boyd PhD, PE, D.WRE
    VP Technical Elect
  • Christopher J. Nance PE, ENV SP
    Christopher J. Nance PE, ENV SP
    Treasurer
    Phone: (915) 533-6811
  • Yan G. Linwood PE
    Yan G. Linwood PE
    Senior Director at Large
    Phone: (281) 552-2732
  • Jenni Peters, CAE
    Jenni Peters, CAE
    Executive Director (Ex Officio)
    Phone: 512-910-2272
  • Mike Sosa
    Mike Sosa
    Secretary (Ex Officio)
    Phone: (512) 910-2702

*the Board of Direction includes all Executive Committee Members and the following individuals:

 

Assistant Treasurer

  • Glenn A. Goldstein PE, PMP
    Glenn A. Goldstein PE, PMP
    Assistant Treasurer
    Phone: (512) 279-5437

Directors at Large

  • Michael Schneider PE
    Michael Schneider PE
    Second Year Director at Large
    Phone: (347) 385-8690
  • Yan G. Linwood PE
    Yan G. Linwood PE
    Senior Director at Large
    Phone: (281) 552-2732
  • Michael P. Gurka PE
    Michael P. Gurka PE
    First Year Director at Large
    Phone: (713) 777-5337
  • Marita Moya PE
    Marita Moya PE
    First Year Director at Large
    Phone: (512) 777-4596

Section Directors

  • Kat Lauer EIT
    Kat Lauer EIT
    Austin Branch Section Director
    Phone: (512) 298-3284
  • Robert Lys Jr. PE
    Robert Lys Jr. PE
    Brazos Branch Section Director
    Phone: (281) 931-9832
  • Travis S. Barnett PE
    Travis S. Barnett PE
    Caprock Branch Section Director
    Phone: (806) 416-7122
  • Trey D. Simpson EIT
    Trey D. Simpson EIT
    Central Texas Branch Section Director
    Phone: (254) 899-0899
  • Joe W. Alvarez
    Joe W. Alvarez
    Corpus Christi Branch Section Director
    Phone: (361) 661-7069
  • Surya N. Bhandari EIT
    Surya N. Bhandari EIT
    Dallas Branch Section Director
    Phone: (469) 801-8553
  • Sergio R. Mendez Jr. PE
    Sergio R. Mendez Jr. PE
    El Paso Branch Section Director
    Phone: (915) 313-3680
  • Kameron A. Boggan PE
    Kameron A. Boggan PE
    Fort Worth Branch Section Director
    Phone: (817) 334-4483
  • Rodolfo O. Mireles EIT
    Rodolfo O. Mireles EIT
    High Plains Branch Section Director
    Phone: (806) 374-2756
  • Luis A. Gonzalez PE
    Luis A. Gonzalez PE
    Houston Branch Section Director
    Phone: (713) 968-9378
  • David D. Stanley PE
    David D. Stanley PE
    Northeast Texas Branch Section Director
    Phone: (903) 553-0500
  • Humberto Lopez PE
    Humberto Lopez PE
    Rio Grande Valley Branch Section Director
    Phone: (956) 800-2112
  • Amy Stone PE
    Amy Stone PE
    San Antonio Branch Section Director
    Phone: (830) 837-0242
  • Liv M. Haselbach PhD, PE
    Liv M. Haselbach PhD, PE
    Southeast Texas Branch Section Director
    Phone: (409) 880-7740
  • OPEN
    OPEN
    West Texas Branch Section Director
  • Geoffrey D. Roberts Jr.
    Geoffrey D. Roberts Jr.
    Beyond Storms Infrastructure Network Resilience Chair
  • Craig B. Thompson PE
    Craig B. Thompson PE
    Branch/Section Relations Committee Chair & Nominating Committee Chair
    Phone: (361) 814-9900
  • Christopher J. Nance PE, ENV SP
    Christopher J. Nance PE, ENV SP
    Budget & Finance Committee Chair
    Phone: (915) 533-6811
  • John N. Mudd PE
    John N. Mudd PE
    CECON Planning Committee Co-Chair
    Phone: (832) 975-1560
  • Andrew J. Domke PE
    Andrew J. Domke PE
    CECON Planning Committee Co-Chair
    Phone: (214) 683-5931
  • Kate S. Osborn PE
    Kate S. Osborn PE
    Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair
    Phone: (409) 892-4011
  • Dora E. Marin-Robles PE
    Dora E. Marin-Robles PE
    Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair
    Phone: (956) 219-7425
  • Yan G. Linwood PE
    Yan G. Linwood PE
    Editorial Committee Co-Chair
    Phone: (281) 552-2732
  • Kenneth M. Struzyk PE
    Kenneth M. Struzyk PE
    Evaluation & Repair of Residential Foundations Committee Chair
    Phone: (210) 930-5355
  • Chad M. Ballard PE
    Chad M. Ballard PE
    Honors Committee Chair & Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee Co-Chair
    Phone: (972) 996-5719
  • Andres A. Salazar PhD, PE
    Andres A. Salazar PhD, PE
    Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee Co-Chair
    Phone: (832) 341-1188
  • Phillip G. King PE, D.GE
    Phillip G. King PE, D.GE
    Foundation Investigation & Design Committee Chair
    Phone: (806) 470-0638
  • Austin Messerli PE
    Austin Messerli PE
    Government Affairs Committee Co-Chair
  • Michael Bloom PE
    Michael Bloom PE
    Government Affairs Committee Co-Chair
    Phone: (281) 921-8784
  • Melinda Luna PE, CFM
    Melinda Luna PE, CFM
    History & Heritage Committee Chair
  • Patrick J. Williams PE
    Patrick J. Williams PE
    Membership Committee Chair
    Phone: (214) 499-9271
  • Patrick M. Beecher PE
    Patrick M. Beecher PE
    Office and Personnel Committee Chair
    Phone: (713) 939-6438
  • Art M. Clendenin PE
    Art M. Clendenin PE
    Past Presidents Council Committee Chair
    Phone: (903) 746-2351
  • Jessica Hilscher PE
    Jessica Hilscher PE
    Student Competitions Coordinator
  • Robert F. Pierry PE
    Robert F. Pierry PE
    Residential Foundations Oversight Committee Chair
  • Joe W. Alvarez
    Joe W. Alvarez
    Younger Members Committee Chair
    Phone: (361) 661-7069
  • Kacey C. Paul PE
    Kacey C. Paul PE
    Strategic Planning Committee Chair
    Phone: (830) 798-6265
  • Eva Schexnider EIT
    Eva Schexnider EIT
    Student Activities Committee Chair
    Phone: (281) 777-1517
  • Michael Schneider PE
    Michael Schneider PE
    Editorial Committee Co-Chair & Tellers Committee Chair
    Phone: (347) 385-8690
  • Griselda Gonzales PE, LEED AP, ENV SP
    Griselda Gonzales PE, LEED AP, ENV SP
    Texas Infrastructure Report Card Committee Chair
    Phone: (210) 838-1659
  • OPEN
    OPEN
    STEM Committee Chair
  • OPEN
    OPEN
    Construction Institute Chapter Chair
  • Russell Erskine
    Russell Erskine
    Environmental & Water Resources Institute Chapter Co-Chair
  • Curtis B. Beitel PE, CFM, ENV SP
    Curtis B. Beitel PE, CFM, ENV SP
    Environmental & Water Resources Institute Chapter Co-Chair
  • Fadi N. Faraj PE
    Fadi N. Faraj PE
    Geo-Technical Institute Chapter Chair
    Phone: (214) 678-0227
  • Marcelo F. DaSilva PhD, PE
    Marcelo F. DaSilva PhD, PE
    Structural Engineering Institute Chapter Chair
    Phone: (512) 975-7863
  • Surya Bhandari EIT
    Surya Bhandari EIT
    Transportation & Development Institute Chapter Chair
    Phone: (469) 801-8553
  • Chris Ernst PE
    Chris Ernst PE
    Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute Chapter Chair
  • OPEN
    OPEN
    Forensics Group Institute Chapter Chair
ASCE Texas Section supports and encourages the equitable opportunity for participation of all people within the civil engineering profession without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, or physical challenges.
Patrick M. Beecher PE
President

Patrick Beecher PE is a Senior Principal with Terracon Consultants, Inc. He serves as the Geotechnical Department Manager for Terracon’s Houston office. Patrick is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas with over 19 years of experience providing geotechnical engineering consulting for a variety of projects in Texas.

Patrick received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1997 and 1999, respectively. He is married and has two girls.  He has been a member of ASCE since 1994 and currently serves as a Section Director for the Houston Branch.  He is actively involved in Kinsmen Lutheran Church, Heatherwood swim team, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Lutherhill Ministries.

Travis N. Attanasio PE
President Elect
Sean P. Merrell PE
Past President

Sean P. Merrell P.E., PTOE has served ASCE on many levels over the past 21 years.  As a student at Texas A&M University, he served as the Student Chapter President. He has impacted the Houston and Dallas Branches as an officer and committee chair continuously for 17 years.  He served as the Dallas Branch President and chaired the Texas Section Centennial Committee in 2013. He has served on numerous committees and as an officer for ASCE Texas Section and has served as a Region 6 Governor. On the societal level, Sean served on the Membership Committee and as a corresponding member for the Leadership Training Committee for many years.

Sean has been recognized as the Young Engineer of the Year by the Houston Branch, the Engineer of the Year by the Dallas Branch, and was a Edmund Friedman Young Engineer in 2008. Sean has given back to his community while serving as a mentor to high school students at the Civil Engineering Club, a steel bridge and concrete canoe judge at regional and national competitions, and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Mathcounts, Canstruction and Future Cities.  In his community, Sean is serving on the City of Frisco Parks & Recreation Board and the Collin County Planning Board.

Sean has served as a Traffic Engineer at BGE, Inc. for 14 years leading the traffic group for three North Texas offices.  Sean been married to his wife Elizabeth for 25 years and they have two children, Sasha & Declan.

Clay A. Forister PE
VP Educational

Clay Forister PE, CFM is the Assistant County Engineer for Brazoria County, Texas.  His duties include oversight of development review, permitting, and addressing; project management; and coordination with Road & Bridge activities and he is the project manager for both the $101M Brazoria County Expressway and the $142M Brazoria County Courthouse Expansion.  Clay has been extensively involved in several non-profit and professional organizations, including serving in numerous leadership positions.  He is a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1999 and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the Texas Army National Guard.  Clay enjoys hunting and fishing and serves as a city council member in Needville, Texas, where he lives with his wife Hillarie and daughters Corrinne and Helen.

Heather Guillen PE, ENV SP
VP Educational Elect

Heather Guillen P.E., ENV SP, LEED AP BD+C is a Principal in the civil engineering services group at Walter P. Moore & Associates, Inc. in Houston, TX. She has over 20 years of experience in civil engineering and project management. She has worked on a variety of infrastructure projects, including planning and design for educational, institutional, healthcare, commercial, and park projects. Ms. Guillen is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas.

Ms. Guillen has been an active member of ASCE for over nine years and currently serves as the Student Activities Committee Chair for the Texas Section. She has previously served as the Houston Branch VP Administration, Treasurer and Secretary. She also served as Communications Director for the Texas Civil Engineering Conference CECON.

Ms. Guillen has also been active in community organizations. Heather is alumni of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Professional Engineer Leadership Institute (PELI) Class 6 and Leadership Houston Class XXXIII. Heather currently serves a board member for the City of Sugar Land Parks, Art, Recreation, Culture, and Streetscapes Board (PARCS). She is also involved with the University of Houston as a member of the advisory board for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Ms. Guillen is a graduate of the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. She received the 2016 Rising Stars Award from Civil + Structural Engineer and was selected into ENR Texas & Louisiana 2016 class of Top 20 Under 40. Ms. Guillen and her husband Wesley have been married for over 16 years and have three sons, Jordan, Jonah and Jalen. They reside in Sugar Land, Texas.

Patricia Frayre PE
VP Professional
Augustine Verrengia III PE
VP Professional Elect

Augustine Verrengia PE has over 10 years of experience in civil engineering design, project management and construction administration duties gained through assignments in mixed-use, residential, municipal and commercial projects. Highlights of his professional career include being featured in Civil Engineering magazine for his work on memorializing the Space Shuttle Independence & Boeing 747 at Space Center Houston, working on Park West (the largest P3 Student Housing project ever built in the US), and a variety of other monumental assignments including the Holocaust Museum in Houston. Throughout his career Augustine has been involved in ASCE beginning at University of Texas – San Antonio where he served as Vice President of his student chapter. After graduation he served on the Education Committee for the ASCE Houston Branch. Augustine became involved at the ASCE Texas Section level through the Government Affairs Committee and has been directly involved in committee assignments such as assisting in the preparation of the Texas Infrastructure Report Card and planning the Texas Legislative Drive-in. Most recently, he worked with the ASCE Austin branch and created the branch-level Government Affairs Committee.

Ron Reichert
VP Technical
Mark K. Boyd PhD, PE, D.WRE
VP Technical Elect

While working as Principal Engineer of LCA Environmental, Inc since 1998, it has been Mark’s pleasure to serve ASCE in many formal and informal leadership roles supporting worthy branch and section missions, including the Section’s Centennial Celebration and the past four eventful years on the Dallas Branch Board of Direction.  Curiously, Mark started life a very long way from my ASCE friends and colleagues in Texas.  Born in Lahore, Pakistan, he is always so close but never right at the end of the line at ASCE leadership training distance competitions!

Mark lives in Richardson with his family.  He gets through every day with the loving support and unending patience of his sweet wife of 34 years, Monica Fatima.  He gets life inspiration and takes great pride in his daughter Natalie Nassim (newly graduated with an MBA from UNT) and son Stephen Hickel (Eagle Scout, SMU Economist, and Finance Officer extraordinaire!).

Christopher J. Nance PE, ENV SP
Treasurer

Christopher J. Nance, P.E., M.ASCE, ENV SP is an Associate and Project Engineer for Parkhill, Smith & Cooper’s Water Resources Sector. Since joining PSC in 2004, he has focused on hydraulic analysis, master planning, and wastewater treatment for small communities. He has developed expertise in GIS, asset management, CIP development, and water distribution and wastewater modeling. Chris is a licensed professional engineer in Texas and New Mexico and is an Envision Sustainable Professional.

Chris is a Past President of the ASCE El Paso Branch and has served on its board since 2011. He was recognized by the branch and named Young Civil Engineer of the Year in 2013. During 2019’s E-Week, Chris was recognized by ASCE as an outstanding volunteer for Region 6.

In 2018, Chris was selected for and completed the El Paso Chamber’s Leadership El Paso program. Chris also participated in PSC’s Leadership Academy in 2014, facilitated by the CrossGroup, which has served as a template for NSPE-TX’s Leadership Institute. An El Paso native, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated in 2003.

Yan G. Linwood PE
Senior Director at Large

Yan Linwood PE is a licensed structural engineer in Texas and Florida who holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from the Purdue University at West Lafayette, Indiana. Yan Linwood has approximately 10 years of experience in the Bridge Engineering field. Most of his experience revolves around design, project management and construction engineering services for highway bridges Design-Build projects in the USA. Throughout his career, Yan had served both Private and Public sector projects. Yan worked as one of the segment-leads for the Texas High Speed Rail project as well as several state Department of Transportation including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. Yan had also worked on some complex bridge designs in Canada, USA and India, including the Ganga River Bridge that spans approximately 2 miles between Sultanganj and Aguwani Ghat in Bihar, India.

Throughout his undergraduate years in college and his professional career, Yan has been a long-time member of ASCE. Yan has served ASCE in various committee and board positions at both the Branch and Section level. He was part of the ASCE executive board as Outreach Coordinator when he just started his career in Indianapolis. Next, he moved to Tampa Bay and he participated as the Vice President of the ASCE Florida West Coast Branch YMG for the year 2017-2018. Due to a local Texas project, Yan moved to Houston in 2018 and he was immediately involved as the Younger Member Technical Activities Chair for the ASCE Houston Branch and he is now also serving in the Editorial Committee as a First Year Director at Large for the ASCE Texas Section. Yan Linwood has insatiable hunger for network building, leadership opportunity as well as serving other Civil Engineering professionals. When he can take a break from work, Yan enjoys spending time at his garage working on carpentry projects or hanging out with his wife and his 2 dogs doing outdoor activities including biking, hiking, and traveling.

Jenni Peters, CAE
Executive Director (Ex Officio)

Jenni Peters is the Executive Director of ASCE Texas Section. In this full-time role, she is devoted to the advancement of the civil engineering profession, the leadership of the Section, and passionate about growing the engagement and membership of the Section’s 15 Branches. She regularly works with the Section’s leaders on the Board of Direction and Executive Committee to implement the strategic plan and ensure the Section continues to be one of the most active sections within ASCE.

Jenni’s responsibilities include:

More About Jenni

Before joining the ASCE Texas Section team, Jenni has worked with associations for more than 6 years, and before that in the for-profit world, more than 15 years focused on marketing, sponsorship, and event promotion in mostly the telecommunications industry, also dabbling in personalized license plates (MyPlates.com). Fulfilling a goal set in college to return to the community service sector, her career led her back to her alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, where she began her work with non-profits/associations, coordinating membership for an international higher education trade association. It was with his amazing, passionate staff team that she decided to take the leap into making association management her new career path, which lead to a move to managing marketing, membership, and communications for a statewide pharmacy society.

“In getting to know the ASCE Texas Section members and our colleagues within the civil engineering industry, I continue to be inspired and humbled to be a part in helping them build a better quality life for our communities,” said Jenni. “I am honored to lead the Section as we further engage and grow our amazing membership community.”

Jenni graduated with a BS in Sociology and Communications from UT Austin and has earned her CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation. She also “earned her ears” completing two semesters in the Disney College Program, as well as earning Disney Institute’s Approach to Leadership Excellence Certificate and completing their Leadership Essentials: Collaboration course.

She is a native Texan, growing up in the Houston area as an Astros and Oilers fan (you cannot beat a baby blue oil rig). As a Texas Ex Life Member, she will forever bleed orange. Jenni is also a life member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed community service organization. Jenni, her husband Jonny, and their daughter June (the JPs as they call themselves) are avid Disney fans and try to vacation at either Land or World at least once a year.

“I am always open to receiving feedback and encourage all members to reach out with suggestions and hurdles you are currently facing in your professional activities that the Section may be able to offer assistance.” – Jenni

Mike Sosa
Secretary (Ex Officio)

Mike’s responsibilities include:

More about Mike

Mike Sosa joined ASCE Texas Section as the Data Coordinator in June of 2017. He is very detail-oriented and has experience working with member-driven associations. He enjoys interacting with members of the Section and helping them benefit from the Section’s resources.

Prior to joining ASCE Texas Section, he spent time working as an executive assistant for companies located in Columbus, OH and San Diego, CA. He is a 2010 graduate of the College of Business at Ohio University with a B.S. in Sport Administration. Before that, he was raised in sunny San Diego and spent the vast majority of his free time on a baseball field or at the beach.

Shortly before joining the team at the Section Office, Mike relocated to Austin from Columbus, OH with his girlfriend, Keah, and their adorable Pitbull/Lab puppy, Nollie. Since moving to Austin, they have expanded the family by adopting a two-year old Australian Cattle Dog named Ziggy.

Outside of work he enjoys finding new places around town to try unique craft beer, catching a baseball or football game on the weekend, exploring local parks and trails with his dogs, and playing slow-pitch softball or a round of golf on a nice Sunday afternoon.

Mike is also an avid fan of the San Diego Padres, San Diego Chargers (he knows they moved, but he refuses to acknowledge the change), New York Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team.

Glenn A. Goldstein PE, PMP
Assistant Treasurer

Glenn Goldstein PE, PMP began his ASCE journey as an undergraduate on the student steel bridge team and competed at the regional level for two years. He joined the Austin Branch in 2002 and was active with local leadership for ten years. During his tenure, Glenn chaired several committees and was a branch board member for seven years, including roles as Younger Member Director, Treasurer and President.

Glenn is a structural engineer and project manager within RS&H’s procurement engineering practice in Austin. He serves as an owner’s representative in the development of planned public-private partnership agreements including innovative delivery methods such as concession and design-build. He facilitates transportation risk workshops across Texas and manages a subconsultant contract for a local government’s General Engineering Consultant (GEC) program.

Glenn received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Glenn and his wife, Beth, have two children and he enjoys playing water polo and being a foster for displaced labrador retrievers. Glenn is a native Floridian but has called Texas home for over 20 years.

Michael Schneider PE
Second Year Director at Large

Michael Schneider PE, a Beaumont Texas resident, has spent the last seven years working on many port and industrial projects on the Texas Gulf Coast.  Working in the petrochemical and shipping industry in the Golden Triangle area afforded him the ability to be very active in the engineering community, including being a board member of both his Texas Society of Professional Engineers and American Society of Civil Engineers chapters.

He received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Manhattan College, and had the opportunity to work as both a design and field engineer on many high-profile projects in the New York City area such as the World Trade Center Recovery and Rebuilding; the Barclay Center in Brooklyn; 432 Park Avenue; and several other bridges, high rise buildings, and stadiums.

After moving to Texas, Michael received the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Sabine Chapter Young Engineer of the Year, as well as the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce 40 Professionals Under 40 recognitions.  He currently holds the position of Regional Manager of Texas and Louisiana at Collins Engineers, Inc.

When not working, Michael enjoys expanding his knowledge and skills in his many hobbies including fishing, horseback riding, and SCUBA diving.

Yan G. Linwood PE
Senior Director at Large

Yan Linwood PE is a licensed structural engineer in Texas and Florida who holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from the Purdue University at West Lafayette, Indiana. Yan Linwood has approximately 10 years of experience in the Bridge Engineering field. Most of his experience revolves around design, project management and construction engineering services for highway bridges Design-Build projects in the USA. Throughout his career, Yan had served both Private and Public sector projects. Yan worked as one of the segment-leads for the Texas High Speed Rail project as well as several state Department of Transportation including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. Yan had also worked on some complex bridge designs in Canada, USA and India, including the Ganga River Bridge that spans approximately 2 miles between Sultanganj and Aguwani Ghat in Bihar, India.

Throughout his undergraduate years in college and his professional career, Yan has been a long-time member of ASCE. Yan has served ASCE in various committee and board positions at both the Branch and Section level. He was part of the ASCE executive board as Outreach Coordinator when he just started his career in Indianapolis. Next, he moved to Tampa Bay and he participated as the Vice President of the ASCE Florida West Coast Branch YMG for the year 2017-2018. Due to a local Texas project, Yan moved to Houston in 2018 and he was immediately involved as the Younger Member Technical Activities Chair for the ASCE Houston Branch and he is now also serving in the Editorial Committee as a First Year Director at Large for the ASCE Texas Section. Yan Linwood has insatiable hunger for network building, leadership opportunity as well as serving other Civil Engineering professionals. When he can take a break from work, Yan enjoys spending time at his garage working on carpentry projects or hanging out with his wife and his 2 dogs doing outdoor activities including biking, hiking, and traveling.

Michael P. Gurka PE
First Year Director at Large

Michael Gurka is a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Texas and resides in the Greater Houston Area. He holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Graduating Class of 2010. He has been a member of ASCE since his undergraduate studies at UTSA and is active with the ASCE Houston Branch. Michael served as the Younger Member – Sandcastle Chair (ASCE Houston Branch) for several years and was a committee chair on the Houston Branch and Texas Section Infrastructure Report Cards.

Professionally, Michael has ten (10) years of experience in Water and Wastewater Industry while providing design and construction oversight on $80+ Million Dollars of public infrastructure projects while at Jones|Carter. Michael serves as a Manager of the Permitting Division, responsible for stormwater, municipal, and industrial wastewater permits. His secondary role as Senior Project Manager in the Water Practice is focused on large diameter water and wastewater projects. He also serves as District Engineer for two Municipal Utility District’s in the Houston Area providing on call civil engineering services and support. His experience as a project manager and lead designer includes the following project types: surface water canal systems, distribution and large diameter transmission waterlines, wastewater transmission and collection lines, lift stations, reclaimed water systems, water and wastewater utility relocation and rehabilitations, water distribution system modeling and analysis, asset management and capital improvement planning.  Michael specializes in water and wastewater utility rehabilitation projects. He has designed and overseen construction valued at $10M on 25 miles of underground water and wastewater utility rehabilitation projects over the past few years.

Personally, Michael is married to his wife Kristina and they have 2 children. They recently welcomed a baby girl into this world in October 2021. Michael enjoys spending time with his family and enjoying the great outdoors.

Marita Moya PE
First Year Director at Large

Marita Moya serves as a water resources engineer at Halff Associates in Austin, Texas. After completing her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering at Texas Tech University, she moved back to Austin to join the Halff team in early 2017.

For the past four years, Marita has been engaged in a broad range of water resources projects. She has performed watershed-wide risk evaluation studies, analyzed local drainage needs, designed drainage infrastructure, and assessed and designed flood mitigation projects in Central Texas. Marita values working as a civil engineer to serve surrounding communities and to help community leaders be prepared for intense rainfall events. She sees the importance in determining and communicating flood risk and exploring mitigation solutions to protect lives and property.

Marita has served on the ASCE Austin Younger Member Forum (YMF) the last four years fulfilling a variety of roles. ASCE has given Marita the opportunity to grow professionally and to engage with people who are similarly passionate about making an impact in the communities we serve.

When she is not engineering, Marita is passionate about volunteering in her community and is active in the youth group at her church. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and going for a run.

 

Robert Lys Jr. PE
Brazos Branch Section Director
Surya N. Bhandari EIT
Dallas Branch Section Director
Sergio R. Mendez Jr. PE
El Paso Branch Section Director
Rodolfo O. Mireles EIT
High Plains Branch Section Director
Luis A. Gonzalez PE
Houston Branch Section Director
David D. Stanley PE
Northeast Texas Branch Section Director

David Stanley, PE has been an active member of ASCE since 2013. He currently serves as the Northeast Texas Branch Section Director and Practitioner Advisor for LeTourneau University. David has previously served under all Officer positions at the NET Branch. His degrees include a BS in civil engineering from LeTourneau University and a BA in political science from the University of Texas at Austin.

David is an Associate and East Texas Group Leader for CP&Y, Inc. and has over eight years of experience in civil engineering design and construction oversight for multiple facility types including water distribution systems, water and wastewater treatment plants, spillways and dams, and well sites. His experience includes new construction, rehabilitation and improvements, inspections, hydraulic analyses, and environmental permitting for municipalities and utility districts, as well as industrial clients and private developers.

David and his wife, Sarah, live in Kilgore, Texas where they are both active members of their community serving on various non-profit and municipal boards

Humberto Lopez PE
Rio Grande Valley Branch Section Director
Amy Stone PE
San Antonio Branch Section Director

Amy Stone is a licensed Professional Engineer registered in the state of Texas with more than 20 years of experience as a structural engineer. She specializes in providing multi-faceted design and assessment services to clients. Ms. Stone is an active member and officer of American Society of Civil Engineers, San Antonio Branch.

I have been a member of ASCE for approximately 15 years and an active member of the San Antonio Branch for almost 10.  It has been my pleasure to serve in disparate roles from Newsletter Editor to Past President.  As Section Direction, I will endeavor to connect our Branch with other Branches and with our Section.

Ms. Stone’s experience spans all phases of projects from recognizing and assessing need, to design, to construction phase, to close out. She has provided proposals, reports, recommendations, and estimates as work products during these phases. Her primary responsibilities at M&S are to communicate with clients and oversee projects while confirming client standards are met and their expectations exceeded.

Liv M. Haselbach PhD, PE
Southeast Texas Branch Section Director

Dr. Liv Haselbach is a professor and chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lamar University in Texas. She authored the McGraw-Hill book, The Engineering Guide to LEED- New Construction, Sustainable Construction for Engineers, served as an Associate Director of the USDOT University Transportation Center for Environmentally Sustainable Transportation in Cold Climates (CESTiCC) and was the 2015 Fulbright/Alcoa Distinguished Chair in the Environmental Sciences and Engineering in Brazil. She previously was an associate/full professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Washington State University, an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, and a lecturer at Yale University.

She has authored numerous papers on sustainability related to site issues, concrete carbon sequestration, metal mitigation technologies, life cycle assessment and low impact development. Her degrees include a BS with Distinction in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell, an MS in Chemical Engineering from UC Berkeley, and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Liv is a licensed professional engineer and a LEED AP (BD+C). Prior to her academic career she founded an engineering consulting company in the New York – Connecticut area, which specialized in permitting and site development for major US companies.

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West Texas Branch Section Director
Geoffrey D. Roberts Jr.
Beyond Storms Infrastructure Network Resilience Chair

Geoffrey D Roberts, Jr. has 38 years of global experience in the energy, water and wastewater field. His career includes technical and commercial experience with NextEra (formerly FPL), Shell Oil, Enron Corp. and Entergy, including international leadership assignments developing and operating energy infrastructure and building and managing energy origination and trading businesses in North America, Europe, South America and Asia. During the past 16 years, Geoff has served as a Board member for 8 different private equity sponsored portfolio companies, including 7 as Chairman of the Board, in the energy, infrastructure and environmental space. These companies included Innovyze, Synagro Technologies, Contanda Terminals, Midland Cogeneration Ventures, Entegra Power and Primus Green Energy. Geoff has served as president of RRRR Investments LLC, an private investment entity focused on energy, water and the related infrastructure space since 1999. This company is currently commercializing a wastewater technology company based in the UK and developing an off-premise sign company in the southeastern United States.

Geoff has a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami in 1982, an MBA from Florida Atlantic University in 1986 and is licensed by TCEQ as a Class A wastewater treatment operator. He is currently completing an executive certificate in Strategy and Innovation from MIT Sloan.

Geoff has been a long-time member of ASCE, but only recently became active in the Texas branch, serving as a sub-committee co-chair of the energy sector for the Infrastructure Report Card. He is currently ASCE Texas Committee Chair for the Beyond Storms task committee focusing on winter storm Uri. Prior to becoming active as a volunteer with ASCE, Geoff was an active volunteer coaching youth sports and serving on the Board of Theatre Under The Stars. Geoff recently became a founding member of the Zero Pollution Network (ZPN), based in the UK.

Geoff has been married to his wife Barbara for 35 years. They have two daughters, Elizabeth and Abigail, both of whom are Texas A&M graduates. In his spare time Geoff is a magician member of the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood, California and is a student at the Moy Tung Ving Tsun Kung Fu Academy in Houston.

Craig B. Thompson PE
Branch/Section Relations Committee Chair & Nominating Committee Chair

Craig Thompson has been a part of Hanson Professional Services, Inc. in Corpus Christi since 1999.  His professional experience is in general civil engineering and includes projects for both private and public clients in water, wastewater, stormwater and roadway improvements.

Craig has been active in ASCE since he was the Newsletter Editor for the Corpus Christi Branch in 1999.  In the following years he progressed through the Branch and Section leadership positions to be President of the Texas Section from 2017-2018.

Along with being involved with several other non-profit and philanthropic organizations, he serves on the City of Corpus Christi Landmark Commission (2004 – Present).

Craig holds a bachelor’s degree of science in civil engineering from the Texas A&M University. He has been married to his wife Kathryn since 2003 and they have 2 boys – Jack and Evan.

Christopher J. Nance PE, ENV SP
Budget & Finance Committee Chair

Christopher J. Nance, P.E., M.ASCE, ENV SP is an Associate and Project Engineer for Parkhill, Smith & Cooper’s Water Resources Sector. Since joining PSC in 2004, he has focused on hydraulic analysis, master planning, and wastewater treatment for small communities. He has developed expertise in GIS, asset management, CIP development, and water distribution and wastewater modeling. Chris is a licensed professional engineer in Texas and New Mexico and is an Envision Sustainable Professional.

Chris is a Past President of the ASCE El Paso Branch and has served on its board since 2011. He was recognized by the branch and named Young Civil Engineer of the Year in 2013. During 2019’s E-Week, Chris was recognized by ASCE as an outstanding volunteer for Region 6.

In 2018, Chris was selected for and completed the El Paso Chamber’s Leadership El Paso program. Chris also participated in PSC’s Leadership Academy in 2014, facilitated by the CrossGroup, which has served as a template for NSPE-TX’s Leadership Institute. An El Paso native, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated in 2003.

John N. Mudd PE
CECON Planning Committee Co-Chair
Andrew J. Domke PE
CECON Planning Committee Co-Chair
Kate S. Osborn PE
Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair
Dora E. Marin-Robles PE
Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair
Yan G. Linwood PE
Editorial Committee Co-Chair

Yan Linwood PE is a licensed structural engineer in Texas and Florida who holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from the Purdue University at West Lafayette, Indiana. Yan Linwood has approximately 10 years of experience in the Bridge Engineering field. Most of his experience revolves around design, project management and construction engineering services for highway bridges Design-Build projects in the USA. Throughout his career, Yan had served both Private and Public sector projects. Yan worked as one of the segment-leads for the Texas High Speed Rail project as well as several state Department of Transportation including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. Yan had also worked on some complex bridge designs in Canada, USA and India, including the Ganga River Bridge that spans approximately 2 miles between Sultanganj and Aguwani Ghat in Bihar, India.

Throughout his undergraduate years in college and his professional career, Yan has been a long-time member of ASCE. Yan has served ASCE in various committee and board positions at both the Branch and Section level. He was part of the ASCE executive board as Outreach Coordinator when he just started his career in Indianapolis. Next, he moved to Tampa Bay and he participated as the Vice President of the ASCE Florida West Coast Branch YMG for the year 2017-2018. Due to a local Texas project, Yan moved to Houston in 2018 and he was immediately involved as the Younger Member Technical Activities Chair for the ASCE Houston Branch and he is now also serving in the Editorial Committee as a First Year Director at Large for the ASCE Texas Section. Yan Linwood has insatiable hunger for network building, leadership opportunity as well as serving other Civil Engineering professionals. When he can take a break from work, Yan enjoys spending time at his garage working on carpentry projects or hanging out with his wife and his 2 dogs doing outdoor activities including biking, hiking, and traveling.

Kenneth M. Struzyk PE
Evaluation & Repair of Residential Foundations Committee Chair
Chad M. Ballard PE
Honors Committee Chair & Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee Co-Chair

Chad Ballard P.E. is a licensed Civil Engineer holding a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and has experience using a variety of hydrologic and hydrodynamic solvers and modeling platforms. In both an advisory and consulting role, Mr. Ballard has helped hundreds of engineering firms around the world apply different numerical modeling solutions to their specific projects. Currently, he works as a consultant at Plummer Associates as well as a previous adjunct faculty member teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in hydrology and hydraulics.

He is a past board member of the local chapter of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) and is involved currently with EWRI at the national level as part of the Calibration/Validation of Free-Surface Hydraulic Models Task Committee. Mr. Ballard also has been involved as a previous board member of a professional chapter of Engineering Without Boards (EWB) as well as being involved with other non-profit flood modeling work in developing countries. He currently lives in Dallas-Fort Worth area with his wife and five daughters.

Andres A. Salazar PhD, PE
Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee Co-Chair

Andres Salazar PhD, PE, D.WRE serves as Managing Director of Water Resources Engineering for Walter P Moore and Associates.  He joined the company in 2009.  Dr. Salazar has more than 20 years of experience in water resources planning, infrastructure planning, flood risk assessment, and storm water management.  Dr. Salazar earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia, and later a PhD degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Phillip G. King PE, D.GE
Foundation Investigation & Design Committee Chair
Austin Messerli PE
Government Affairs Committee Co-Chair

Austin Messerli P.E. is an active member of ASCE, first participating in the in the University Chapter, in which he eventually became president, then holding various positions professionally. Currently, he servers as ASCE Texas Section Government Affairs Co-Chair and Austin Branch Government Affairs Chair. He helped Chair the Highway and Roads Committee and assisted the Parks and Rec Committee of the 2021 Texas Infrastructure Report Card. He has participated in national Legislative Fly-In, Drive-Ins, MLRC, and student mentoring programs

Austin is a Professional Engineer and has both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He is as a Project Manager who works in Municipal, County, and DOT transportation projects with over 7 years of experience across Texas, Oklahoma, and the surrounding States. The most exciting part of his work is seeing all the various pieces of transportation projects come together and form a positive and lasting impact the on the public.

Michael Bloom PE
Government Affairs Committee Co-Chair
Melinda Luna PE, CFM
History & Heritage Committee Chair

Melinda Luna, PE, GISP, CFM has been a civil engineer for almost 30 years. A graduate of Texas A & I University, she has been interested in Texas history since childhood.  She has been very active with the American Society of Civil Engineers serving as the History and Heritage chair for 17 years as well as serving as local branch officer, scholarship committee member, National committee member on the Environmental Water resource Institute History & Heritage committee, and volunteering her technical skills to solve questions.

She shares her research in Texas civil engineering via a History column – Texas Civil Engineering History in the Texas Civil Engineer magazine.  She also gets contacted by the public for help answering questions and is helpful to authors, genealogist, ASCE members, and others interested in Texas Civil Engineering history.  Along with being a Professional engineer, Melinda has other certifications as a Geographic Information Systems professional and a Certified Floodplain manager.

Patrick J. Williams PE
Membership Committee Chair

Patrick Williams, PE, LEED AP has served ASCE on various levels over the past 16 years.  His decision to become involved stemmed from his passion for engineering and connecting with his peers to benefit the public welfare in his home community.  Playing an active role in the Young Member Forum of the Philadelphia, PA Branch early in his career, he volunteered for such efforts as the biannual “Soup Squad” initiative to prepare and deliver food for elderly and immobile citizens; as well as being an annual judge for multiple Future Cities competitions for students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, which he recognizes as crucial for the sustainability of the engineering profession.  Arriving to his new home in Dallas, Texas in 2017, he has served as the Texas Section Director and Secretary for the Dallas Branch.  He continues his latest contribution of service as Treasurer for the branch for the next two years; in addition to leading multiple committees.  He is the new Membership Committee Chair for the Texas Section.

Mr. Williams serves on the Board of Governors of the Alumni Association of his alma mater; volunteering time throughout the year due to his interest in engaging with students and assisting them in the transition after graduation.  His firm awarded him distinction for his dedication to improving the firm and is highlighted in the company’s “Faces of Urban” initiative.  He is a certified personal trainer through the American Sports & Fitness Association, and he is also a practicing ordained minister.  He is on the Engineering Committee for the Airports Consultants Council (ACC) to dedicate his knowledge on funding and regulations to the aviation industry, and also donated his time and knowledge this year as the civil engineering lead in a community outreach project for a local Baptist church in a low-income area in North Texas to help design improvements for their facility and qualify for the funding they need.  Mr. Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of Awareness, Inc; a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization founded in Irving, Texas.  Awareness, Inc’s mission is to serve as an advocate for those who are unable to help themselves, with a focus on philanthropy and fundraising for those in need.

Mr. Williams maintains his license as a Professional Engineer in numerous states and has also earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s certification as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional.  He is the current Southwest Regional Manager for Urban Engineers, an engineering and construction management firm with the regional office located in Irving, Texas.

 

Patrick M. Beecher PE
Office and Personnel Committee Chair

Patrick Beecher PE is a Senior Principal with Terracon Consultants, Inc. He serves as the Geotechnical Department Manager for Terracon’s Houston office. Patrick is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas with over 19 years of experience providing geotechnical engineering consulting for a variety of projects in Texas.

Patrick received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1997 and 1999, respectively. He is married and has two girls.  He has been a member of ASCE since 1994 and currently serves as a Section Director for the Houston Branch.  He is actively involved in Kinsmen Lutheran Church, Heatherwood swim team, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Lutherhill Ministries.

Art M. Clendenin PE
Past Presidents Council Committee Chair

Art Clendenin PE began his involvement with ASCE as a student at Texas Tech University. He was the Concrete Canoe Chairman for three years and also served as the Student Chapter President. He spent the first 15 years of his career at TxDOT in the Corpus Christi District, where he worked up through the ranks from Engineer Assistant to Area Engineer.  During this time he was an active participant in ASCE at the Corpus Christi branch’s activities where he served in all branch leadership roles.  He served as the Corpus Christi Branch Director completing the term as he moved to the Northeast Texas area in 1998.

While settling into East Texas as a consultant project manager, Art continued his involvement at the state level serving two sequential terms as the Vice President of Technical Programs.  His professional service continued at the Branch level also, where he has served on numerous volunteer committees and has participated as a practitioner-advisor to the UT Tyler Civil Engineering program, numerous terms as the Northeast Texas Branch Director and substitute director.  Art is the Quality Control Director and Product Development Engineer for Del Zotto Products of Texas, Inc. , a precast concrete and form manufacturing company with locations in Gladewater, TX; Sealy, TX; and Wrenshall, Minnesota.  Art has supported the UT Tyler Civil Engineering Program as an adjunct instructor and assisted the Civil Engineering Department with various class projects.  Most recently he helped the student branch host the ASCE National Concrete Canoe competition.  Within the precast realm, Art is currently serving as financial analyst for the Texas Concrete Pipe Association and is a Program Advisor to the Kilgore College Industrial Maintenance Program.

Some highlights of Art Clendenin’s 34 year career include development of the first pre-cast bent caps used in Texas bridge construction, creating the first mitigation plan for inclusion into a roadway project for leaking underground storage tanks, providing design and construction expertise for the Loop

363S/IH35 multi-level interchange in Temple and also schematic corridor design and review for the IH35 expansion from Belton to Salado.

Art is a member of the Executive Board of “We the People- Longview” which is an information conduit for local citizens regarding a wide range of current event issues.  He serves as a lead usher and also deacon at his church, where he and his wife are active members.  Art and his wife, Mary Lou, have raised three daughters and now enjoy three precious granddaughters whenever possible.   When time permits they play hard at various water activities or enjoy long rides and trips on his motorcycle.

Jessica Hilscher PE
Student Competitions Coordinator
Robert F. Pierry PE
Residential Foundations Oversight Committee Chair

Bob Pierry P.E. has been the President and principal owner of Pierry Consulting, Inc., a firm specializing in evaluating existing residential and light commercial foundations since 2005.  Bob’s other experience includes 23 years in the foundation repair contracting business, preceded by 6 years with an asphalt paving contractor.  Bob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Duke University in 1976.

Bob has been an active member of ASCE for many years.  In addition to his current role as Chairman of the Residential Foundations Committee for the Texas Section, he has served as Chairman of the Texas Section Geotechnical Committee, which became the Texas Chapter of the Geo-Institute during his tenure, as well as Section Vice President – Technical.  Bob has also served on two national ASCE technical committees.

Bob currently volunteers regularly for Habitat for Humanity of Denton County, formerly serving on the Board of Directors as both Treasurer and Vice President.  Bob has been very happily married for nearly 40 years, and has 2 sons and 2 grandchildren.  He enjoys traveling and scuba diving.

Joe W. Alvarez
Younger Members Committee Chair

Joe Alvarez has been active in ASCE since his freshman year at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.  While in school, he was on the steel bridge team that qualified for nationals in Salt Lake City, UT, as well as a member of the concrete canoe team and eventually serving as student branch president.  In 2008 and 2009 he helped the Corpus Christi Branch and Rio Grande Valley Branch as they hosted the Spring Section Meetings.  He served under Keith McBride and coordinated all registration and secured all facilities associated with the concrete canoe competitions that occurred during and in conjunction with those section meetings.  In addition, he served in a similar role for the 2013 Spring Section Meeting and Centennial Celebration.  Upon graduation, he has served the Corpus Christi Branch in various roles and is currently the Younger Members Committee Chairman of the Texas Section and the Section Director for the Corpus Christi Branch.

Joe is currently employed with the Texas Department of Transportation. In his spare time, Joe serves in roles for other civic organizations in the South Texas area.

Kacey C. Paul PE
Strategic Planning Committee Chair
Eva Schexnider EIT
Student Activities Committee Chair
Michael Schneider PE
Editorial Committee Co-Chair & Tellers Committee Chair

Michael Schneider PE, a Beaumont Texas resident, has spent the last seven years working on many port and industrial projects on the Texas Gulf Coast.  Working in the petrochemical and shipping industry in the Golden Triangle area afforded him the ability to be very active in the engineering community, including being a board member of both his Texas Society of Professional Engineers and American Society of Civil Engineers chapters.

He received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Manhattan College, and had the opportunity to work as both a design and field engineer on many high-profile projects in the New York City area such as the World Trade Center Recovery and Rebuilding; the Barclay Center in Brooklyn; 432 Park Avenue; and several other bridges, high rise buildings, and stadiums.

After moving to Texas, Michael received the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Sabine Chapter Young Engineer of the Year, as well as the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce 40 Professionals Under 40 recognitions.  He currently holds the position of Regional Manager of Texas and Louisiana at Collins Engineers, Inc.

When not working, Michael enjoys expanding his knowledge and skills in his many hobbies including fishing, horseback riding, and SCUBA diving.

Griselda Gonzales PE, LEED AP, ENV SP
Texas Infrastructure Report Card Committee Chair
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STEM Committee Chair
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Construction Institute Chapter Chair
Russell Erskine
Environmental & Water Resources Institute Chapter Co-Chair

Russell Erskine serves as the co-chair of the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) for the ASCE Texas Section and has served in this position since 2017.  He is an active member in the Dallas Branch of ASCE.

For over 20 years, Russell worked for the consulting engineering firm of Halff Associates, Inc. where he worked on floodplain reclamation projects, performed floodplain reviews for several communities in the Dallas area, and served as District Engineer for several levee districts in the Dallas area.  A little over a month ago, Russell went to work for the City of Plano where he will serve as their floodplain reviewer, a Community Rating System contact, and help with drainage and stormwater related issues.

Russell graduated from Tarleton State University in 1995 with a B.S. in Hydrology and Water Resources. Russell went back to school in 2001 and graduated from Colorado State University in 2004 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.

In his free time, Russell enjoys camping and fishing on property that he co-owns with his brother down in Central Texas, dove hunting, playing pool, playing golf, model railroading, planting a vegetable garden, traveling, attending Texas Aggie football games with his family, and watching his CSU Rams play.

Curtis B. Beitel PE, CFM, ENV SP
Environmental & Water Resources Institute Chapter Co-Chair

Curtis Beitel has been active in ASCE since he graduated from Texas A&M University in 1993.  In 1996 he served as the Continuing Education Chair of the Fort Worth ASCE Branch, organizing several CPD classes on HEC-RAS and Bioengineering.  He continued to serve the Fort Worth Branch in several officer positions including Branch President in 2001-02.  Curtis served as the Water Resources Chair of the Texas Section from 1999 to 2001 and was Vice President-Technical in 2002-2003.  He continued to serve on the Texas Section Board as the Section Director from the Fort Worth Branch from 2003 to 2005.  He was the Budget Chair for Fall 2007 Meeting of the Texas Section in Fort Worth, and served as the General Co-Chair of the Texas Section/CI/ICSDEC Fall 2012 Conference in Fort Worth.

Curtis received the Fort Worth Branch’s Young Engineer Award for Professional Achievement in 1998.  He is also active in the Texas Floodplain Management Association, serving as their Newsletter Editor since 2004, and is a member of the Society of Military Engineers.  To help community leaders understand the risk that flooding poses to their local economy, Curtis conceived and led the development of the FloodManager game for the ASFPM Foundation, and teaches the “Experience a Town At Risk” classes at various conferences.  The ASFPM Foundation presented him with an award for Outstanding Contributions in 2010.  HDR presented him with a Pathfinder Award for External Client Service in 2013.

Curtis is currently the North Texas Water Resources Program Manager for HDR Engineering, and was named a Professional Associate of the company in January 2013.  He is leading the development of the Bexar County Flood Warning System for the San Antonio River Authority, and works on projects for public clients across Texas.  He has been married to his wife Leanne since 1996 and they have two daughters – Katherine and Ellie.

 

Fadi N. Faraj PE
Geo-Technical Institute Chapter Chair

Fadi Faraj P.E. is a Vice President for HVJ Associates, a leading specialty engineering firm in Texas.  Previously, he filled in the roles of Branch Manager, Department Manager, Project Manager, and Staff Engineer.  He has strong managerial and leadership skills combined with extensive technical experience in geotechnical engineering over the last 18 years.  He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas since 2005.

He holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the American University of Beirut.  He has been a member of ASCE since 2002, and he served as chair with the Houston Chapter on the “Hospitality” and “Primary and Secondary Education” committees.  Some of his volunteer work with ASCE includes presenting to high school students about being a civil engineer, engaging kids in engineering activities at the Children Museum, helping with supplies at the Food Bank, judging projects at Future City Competition, and maintaining clean highways through TxDOT’s “Adopt a Highway” program.

Marcelo F. DaSilva PhD, PE
Structural Engineering Institute Chapter Chair

Marcelo DaSilva PhD, PE is a Senior Structural Engineer for Burns & McDonnell, a top 10 ENR Design Firm and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. He started his career in the oil and gas industry then had a short tenure in the façade design (glazing/building) industry, and he is now fully engaged in the transportation industry as a bridge engineer. With nearly a decade of strong technical experience and background, Dr. DaSilva has become a national resource to Burns & McDonnell for delivering complex analyses and innovative solutions to clients across the nation.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and a Master and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. He has been a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas since 2015.

He has been a member of ASCE since 2013 and recently he is serving as co-chair with Austin Chapter on the “UT Austin Mentoring Committee” as well as being a mentor to UT students himself. Dr. DaSilva is also a reviewer for the ASCE Structural and Bridge Engineering Journals. Some of his previous volunteer work includes participating in the ASCE K-12 outreach program, showing UNL’s structure laboratory to K-12 students, building bicycles with CYCLE Houston, and helping cyclists during MS 150. He embraces the chance to chair the SEI-TX section as an opportunity to increase his leadership skills while contributing to his community and peers.

In his free time, Dr. DaSilva enjoys cycling, pump workouts, playing soccer, watching sports, enjoying a sunny beach, and spending time with his future wife and two sons.

Surya Bhandari EIT
Transportation & Development Institute Chapter Chair
Chris Ernst PE
Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute Chapter Chair
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Forensics Group Institute Chapter Chair