Programs Committee
2018 Related News
Design Challenges of a Mid-Rise Hotel on an Active Fault
The Orange County Geo-Institute Chapter hosted an August dinner meeting in Costa Mesa featuring a presentation by Dr. Marty Hudson and Ms. Rosalind Munro of Wood Group. » Read More
September Luncheon - LA Metro Regional Connector
On September 20th, Ivan Hee, PE (Skanska Civil USA) and Carlos Herranz, PMP (Mott MacDonald) presented the technical aspects of constructing the new Los Angeles Metro Regional Connector Station. » Read More
Celebrating in new, exciting and innovative ways!
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new” - Socrates
The last month has been filled with new, exciting and innovative ways of celebrating our industry, members, history and potential as civil engineers! Here are some highlights that I hope will inspire you as much as they have me.
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Padres Game + Mid-Coast Trolley Tech Tour
Many of us have ridden a light rail train at least once in our lifetime. Whether for leisure, commuting or curiosity, trains can be a very convenient mode of transportation. However, rarely do we wonder about the process required to design and build a light rail. » Read More
Branch Luncheon - Sustainability in Transportation
More than 80 industry professionals gathered at today's luncheon interested in finding out more about Sustainability in Transportation. This luncheon was presented by three different local agencies including Caltrans, TCA, and OCTA. The event was coordinate and planned by the ASCE OC Sustainability Committee and Program Committee. » Read More
Banc of California Stadium Technical Tour
ASCE OC coordinated with Mark Josten, PE (PCL Construction), the Senior Construction Manager for the new Banc of California Stadium, to tour the new structure on Friday June 29th. Several attendees had vested interests in the stadium, ranging from providing their services for the design to being a fan of the Los Angeles Football Club, which calls this stadium home. » Read More
New Fiscal Year!
Only a few days into our new roles, and already we have tons to share!! Check out the latest news regarding the ASCE Presidents and Governors Forum (PGF), ASCE California Surface Transportation Report Card Release, ASCE Los Angeles Section Annual Meeting, Installation of Officers & Awards Luncheon, ASCE Committee on Younger Members, ASCE International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure,... » Read More
Graying the Lines
It is amazing how quickly this year has gone. I want to sincerely thank all of you, especially those who supported our committees and institutes by planning, executing, and enjoying the amazing events we had this year. You made serving as Branch President as smooth as I could have ever imagined. You also made it very rewarding. » Read More
Annual Golf Tournament
It was another record year for the 2018 ASCE OC Golf Tournament on June 22. Maybe not on the scorecards, but the 132 golfers were 26 more than last year’s record attendance. It was once again a beautiful day for golf at the Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine, CA. The morning started with a warm welcome at the reception table, hot breakfast sandwiches and coffee, and some loosening up on the driving range » Read More
"Doing Politics" is Good for Your Career
I’ve said it, and I’ve heard many of my peers - “I don’t do politics”.
I was younger then, and I had different priorities. I’m not saying they were the right priorities, but as a younger adult, I didn’t see the benefit of researching each candidate for every office listed on an upcoming ballot, never mind every bill and proposition. » Read More
The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same
By Jeff Braun, P.E.
I know this is an over-used saying, and it makes me sounds like everyone’s grandfather, but I am sincerely impressed with, and thankful for, the Orange County Branch’s culture and organizational systems that make leading such a great organization very rewarding … and probably easier than some may think. » Read More
Saint Patrick's Irish Pub Social
By Chirath "Chuck" Karunathilake
OC YMF celebrated the day before St Patrick's day at Muldoons Irish Pub in Newport Beach with networking, Irish food, live music, and drinks. » Read More
Perry Elementary STEM Night
By Jenny Mital, P.E.
On March 15, K-12 committee members Crystal Mena and Jenny Mital volunteered at Perry Elementary School Science and Engineering Night in Huntington Beach. The annual science night consisted of booths with science and engineering activities ranging from biomedical to engineering, and was attended by over 100 students and parents. » Read More
Construction Update of the Gerald Desmond Bridge
By Lynn Odgiiv, P.E.
The ASCE Orange County Branch, in cooperation with the Orange County Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Chapter, and the Orange County Construction Institute (CI), held a luncheon on March 15, 2018 featuring speaker Zeph Varley who presented on the construction of the Port of Long Beach Gerald Desmond Bridge project. » Read More
"Beneath the Stars at Bowers"
By Josue Vaglienty, P.E.
For 2018, Bowers Museum in Santa Ana hosted ASCE OC for our annual Awards Night, celebrating the accomplishments of individuals and projects from public and private sectors in Orange County. Prior to the dinner, 270 attendees enjoyed an open-air social hour in the Margaret & Cleo Key Courtyard. » Read More
Soft Doesn't Mean Easy
By Jeff Braun, P.E.
Engineering involves math and science, right? Long enough ago that I don’t want to say how long ago it was, I was a high school student who enjoyed my physics and math classes more than the history and literature readings. I loved tinkering with mechanical toys and seeing how they worked, checking out bridges and buildings to see what kept them from falling down. I loved my drafting class, where I was able to create plans for a house I may want someday. » Read More
Leisa Reid - "Creating a Winning Mindset"
By: Josue Candelario, YMF Programs Chair
People are creatures of habit. Five days out of the week, we wake up, go to our office, work throughout the day, come home, and repeat the next day. After doing it for so long it is no wonder we repeat things like parking in the same spot every day, or always sitting in the same chair in the meeting room. Now ask yourself why you do that? » Read More
Delivering the State's First Diverging Diamond Interchange
By Ravi Shah, PE, QSP/D
The ASCE Orange County Branch in conjunction with the Transportation and Development Institute organized a luncheon with speakers from Mark Thomas regarding Delivering the State’s First Diverging Diamond Interchange for Manteca, CA at the State Route 120/Union Road Interchange. » Read More
Do You Believe in Luck?
By Jeff Braun, P.E.
I had the opportunity to participate as part of industry panels for two of our Branch’s student chapters over the past couple of weeks, where we discussed how students can best position themselves for internships and career opportunities. We discussed job search resources, developing a personal brand, networking, resume hints, and interviewing skills. I was very impressed with the honesty students showed when sharing concerns and fears, and their motivation to invest the time and effort to best position themselves for their career.
The conversations between the attendees and panel members were inspiring, and led me to think back to my job search experiences. I recall one of the interviews involved writing a short one-page response to a comment/question of my choosing from a list of options. One of the questions jumped out to me right away:
“Do you believe in Luck?” » Read More
The State of Sustainability 2017, Orange County
Welcome to American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE-OC) Sustainability Committee’s State of Sustainability 2017 Report - a comprehensive picture of how sustainability is being approached by a wide range of organizations and agencies in Orange County.
This was a tremendous effort on behalf of the Sustainability Committee! Continue reading to find the Executive Summary and link to the entire report. » Read More
Professional Development is NOT Optional
By Jeff Braun, P.E.
As Civil Engineers, we are members of a profession, not a “job” or a “trade”. As such, we are held to a higher standard by society and our peers. As with other professions, such as doctors, teachers, and architects, engineers are expected to maintain their level of expertise and keep up with the latest state of the practice through continued learning and professional development. It is too easy to get lost in the weeds of the daily grind, focusing on publishing the next deliverable. Before you know it, you’re ten years down the road and you aren’t aware of the latest research, software, or modeling methods; putting you at a significant disadvantage to others in the industry. » Read More