Ronald E. Smith, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE
Technical Region Director Nominee

Q&A Responses

What do you perceive as being the most significant near-term challenges and opportunities facing ASCE and the Institutes?

Aging infrastructure is at a critical stage in the USA, and the public is beginning to feel the effects of these problems. ASCE, as infrastructure experts, has a tremendous opportunity to help this country deal with the existing problems and develop processes to help mitigate future problems. If we don’t act decisively in this current situation, ASCE’s long-term credibility could be damaged. We must take this opportunity to address the fixes and develop guidance for optimally maintaining and operating critical infrastructure systems in the future. Internal to the profession, easily accessible, high value continuing education is a major challenge.

What do you perceive as being the most significant responsibilities of a Technical Region Director (TRD)?

The TRD is the Institutes’ representative on the Board of Direction. As such the TRD must closely communicate with the leadership of each Institute, individually and through TRBG meetings, to understand their common and individual concerns/issues. These concerns/issues will be presented to the Board for discussion and/or action. Likewise the TRD is responsible for bringing concerns/issues from the Board to the Institutes for discussion and/or action. The responsibility of the TRD is to act in a leadership role, not simply as a conduit of information. It is the role of bringing the two sides together in mutual beneficial solutions.

As a Technical Region Director, how would you improve the effectiveness of the Technical Region in serving ASCE and the Institutes?

The Technical Region Board of Governors (TRBG) is the forum for exchange of ideas. I would make an effort to use conference calls to address administrative issues, leaving the TRBG meetings for coverage of innovative and imaginative ideas related to improving the Institute relationships with (a) Student Chapters; (b) Sections/Branches; (c) Local Institute-related groups; (d) Young Member Forums. A primary motivator for the formation of the institutes was ASCE’s recognition that most young professionals are more attracted to technology than business issues. Therefore a primary function of the institutes was attracting young professionals into ASCE. That idea needs further nurturing.

As a Technical Region Director, how would you promote better understanding and cooperation between ASCE and the Institutes?

Verbal communication is essential, but sometimes actions speak louder than words. My intent will be to motivate the Institutes to focus on becoming the all important “bridge” for attracting and motivating young member from the classrooms into the early stages as ASCE practitioners. As a former Student Chapter Advisor and Section Leader and given the large numbers of academics active in the Institutes, I believe this is a task that is achievable and would be recognized by ASCE as a highly valuable accomplishment. Such an accomplishment would do much to promote better understanding and cooperation between ASCE and the Institutes.

As a Technical Region Director, how would you promote more effective working relationships between ASCE Sections/Branches and the Institutes?

I began my active participation in ASCE in 1970 with the National Capital Section Geotechnical Group. I have had the privilege of presenting programs to Sections/Branches groups in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Nevada, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Colorado. I thoroughly enjoy this kind of interaction. To that end I will seek out opportunities to carry the message of the Institutes to as many Sections/Branches groups as possible. My retirement affords me the time, with travel expense assistance, to meet with any groups interested in requesting it.

As a Technical Region Director, what would you do to increase the interaction of the Institutes with CEFI and EWB-USA?

EWB-USA is a great opportunity for “doing well by doing good.” I will actively encourage the Institutes to work with Student Chapters and Young Member Forums in support of EWB-USA. The public image of ASCE can be greatly enhanced by support of the humanitarian efforts of EWB-USA. Joint efforts of the Institutes and Sections/Branches are the best way to capitalize on this opportunity.

CEFI meets a critical need for research and development focused on project implementation. The Institutes, especially the academic and construction communities, are very interested in CEFI. I recommend that TRBG provide a liaison to the Board of CEFI.

As a Technical Region Director, what would you do to increase the participation of the Institutes in ASCE’s ongoing strategic planning process?

I would encourage the ASCE President to appoint Institute leaders to the committees supporting the strategic planning process. The Institutes could then support the processes by having their liaison people lead discussions at TRBG meetings and provide feedback to the planning process.

As a Technical Region Director, what would you do to help ASCE achieve its vision for the profession of civil engineering in 2025?

I view Vision 2025 as one of the most important initiatives ASCE has undertaken during my 40+ year career in civil engineering. As such, I would encourage TRBG to discuss strategies for conveying the concept to Institute members. These could include major presentations at conferences, free webinars, presentations at Sections/Branches meetings, and presentations by Institute members at Student Chapter meetings.

The above responses appear as they were submitted to ASCE by the nominee. No revisions have been made to the responses by ASCE.