Gajanan M. Sabnis, Ph.D., P.E., Hon.M.ASCE

Vision Statement

An active ASCE member for over four decades, I am a proud civil engineer. I have played various strategic roles on the Board and am now a Region 10, International Nominee as President-elect. I have substantial experience working with multiple technical committees and have served ASCE and other organizations professionally. I have traveled globally extensively, helped establish professional chapters on my own initiative and worked closely with people of various cultures and backgrounds. My rich experience and confidence have me well-prepared for this leadership position.

My plans for ASCE focus on issues from existing strategic plan: deferred infrastructure; increasing complexity of professional practice; stimulating employers' involvement in ASCE; transitioning students to Membership, etc. These critical issues must be looked in a holistic way to help ASCE succeed in the future.

My vision to solving these issues follows the Vision 2025 Report. It relates to International activities and responsibilities towards the key predominantly global issues including: fulfillment of Sustainability with the acceptance of green design; effects of shifting populations around the world for Membership and global Infrastructure development to mention a few.

Towards global sustainability, ASCE must assume a leadership role as professional umbrella and ASCE Brand collaborating with other organizations such as USGBS, ASEE and ACI.

Towards 150th celebration in 2002, when President Thornton (1995) challenged to increase ASCE membership from 125,000 to 150,000, I worked at the forefront of that effort, winning three Membership recruitment awards, the last for the record-setting 176 and many more students. Our efforts for further growth will succeed only by understanding the needs of young and new engineers to join, so that their strength and support are utilized for ASCE success. We must make members proud of their belonging to the world's premier civil engineering society.

My commitment to Sustainability extends to my personal life. I built and we reside in a green "award-winning concrete" house. It seamlessly combines the needs of the environment with energy efficiency and savings in nature's materials resulting in unique fire-resistant and quiet home.

ASCE Leadership must have a Vision for goals by unifying its constituents. President must have an understanding of the system with experience and ability to manage it. I will utilize my multicultural background and innovative approach using technologies to communicate and bring engineers together globally.

As your president-elect, I am committing to address these issues and to help ASCE grow into a much stronger leading organization.