Mario A. Baratta, P.E., F.ASCE

Vision Statement

It has been an honor to serve the membership of the American Society of Civil Engineers over my professional career of 43 years. The contributions provided excellent leadership experience. During 2002-2005 I served as the California District 13 Director and headed the Region 9 Formation Team. These were trying times for the Society and a great challenge, but working together with other Board members the challenges were met.

This is a time for effective future planning to meet 2025 strategic goals and objectives, management of current programs, motivation of our membership, furthering educational goals and increasing the membership. We need to assist our members in meeting the established professional goals and standards of practice, foster involvement in government, continue the stewardship to protect the infrastructure. Attention is needed to define environmentally green design betterments, promote sensitivity to community needs, recruit and train new engineers. It is an effort to which we must all contribute.

Over the years ASCE has done much to improve itself and motivate its membership to foster a diverse environment in the community, in the work place and in the conduct of our profession. A broader effort is needed to work in and compete in a broader global market. We need to attract the best, train the best, meet the shortages of engineers to
actually carry out the protection of our infrastructure and attack and fund the tremendous backlog. Whether it is bridges, roadways, water systems or sanitary sewer systems, our communities need our help to maintain the standard of living. We need trained and experienced civil engineers who are willing to work with government to get the job done.

My experiences include a long career as an engineering-manager in public and private practice, extensive ASCE and other community activities since college days. It includes the support of student activities such as the Summer Institutes at two universities. It includes the leadership of over 1000 employees in small, large and industrial
organizations, heading of facilities and engineering staffs; and Navy Seabee Construction activities. I feel that this involvement with people and management of resources has prepared me well in qualifying for the privilege of being your president-elect candidate in 2008-2009.

My priorities will be to support the wishes of the membership, encourage educational opportunities, promote government involvement, environmentally green designs, and construction operations improvement research, work with institutes and other societies towards common goals.