ANNOUCEMENT

ASCE MD Section Bylaws Annotated for Vote

The ASCE Maryland Section Board of Directors has reviewed the Section Bylaws and is proposing several changes to make the procedures for updates more clear, and to make the Bylaws consistent with the current operating practices of The Society and The Section. If you have any questions, please reach out to Director Clint Martin (cmartin@ascemd.org). Changes to the bylaws are shown in the adjacent PDF. Please vote for or against the changes shown. Should a majority of members voting, vote for the changes, they will become effective after coordination with The Society.

Upcoming Events


December Skills Training
Time ManagementJoel OppenheimerWednesday, December 7, 2022, 5-6:30p
December Holiday Celebration
Recognition of New Life Members Tours of The Engineers ClubToys for TotsWednesday, December 14, 2022, 6p
January PDH & Social EventMES' Role in Bringing Baltimore's Back River WWTP Back into ComplianceWednesday, January 11, 2023, 6p
February PDH & Social EventBe The Leader You were Meant to Be, Jim O’BrienStudent Night & Career FairWednesday February 8, 2023, 6p

Fall 2022 Presidents Message Charles W. W. Mitchell, III, P.E.

Fall is a time of transition which couldn’t be truer this year than ever before. As we evolve toward a new phase in the global pandemic, and as the leaves turn and temperatures fall, I encourage you to consider engaging with ASCE Maryland in new ways. If you haven’t attended an ASCE event in a while, especially in person, you may be pleasantly surprised at the value a face-to-face conversation with colleagues will bring in a world that has been bursting with screen time over the last two plus years. For those who have been steadfast attendees of our events, thank you and please share your experiences with others encouraging participation in support of our mutual success. Many of you may have considered becoming involved as a volunteer leader but haven’t yet taken that next step to express interest. Our organization thrives on volunteer leadership; please consider sharing your interest and we will work to find a mutually beneficial role. Continues....

December 7, 2022, 5-6:30p (Virtual Event)

Member & Employees of Sponsor Firms: Free
Non-Member/Guest: $10

Registration Deadline: December 2, Noon

December Skills Training
Time Management
Joel Oppenheimer, PE

Do you feel like you never have enough time to get everything done? At the end of a busy day, do you wonder if you accomplished anything important? Do you feel like you are spinning your wheels? Do you wonder what the top of your desk looks like (is it wood or metal)? This overview of time management looks at life management, setting priorities based on your goals and then offers tips to avoid wasting time. Come listen to how you can improve your life at work and at home by managing your time better. Specifically, the time management portion will cover: Definition of Time; Life Management versus life leadership; Definition of Time Management; Keys to Effective Time Management; the Time Management Matrix; 7 Ways to Get More Done; Delegating; Time Wasters; Organize Your Desk; Other Time Management Best Practices including Managing Meetings and Avoiding Procrastination. This seminar is part of the “Building a Better Life, Concrete Steps for Success” Seminar Series (www.buildingabetterlife.net).

About the Speaker

Joel Oppenheimer was a Senior Vice President at STV Incorporated overseeing their Maryland Transportation and Infrastructure practice for 17 years until October 2021. He is partially retired and currently is a Senior Project Manager at STV in a part-time role. He has more than 40 years of planning and engineering experience, a Master’s Degree in Engineering Administration and is a professional engineer in Maryland and 8 other states. He began inspirational/motivational speaking in 2003 and has presented various seminars of his “Building a Better Life—Concrete Steps for Success” program more than 390 times.


This event is ASCE Maryland's second in a four part series of virtual skills trainings. More Details to come on the spring trainings.

The Engineer's Club
11 W. Mt. Vernon Place
Baltimore, MD 21201

December Holiday Celebration
Recognition of New Life Members & Tours of The Engineers Club

December 14, 6pm

Registration Deadline: Friday December 9, Noon

Member: $45
Non-Member/Guest: $60
Student: $30
Government: $30

Schedule

5p or 6p - Tours of the Engineers Club
6p - Networking & Social Hour
7p - Dinner
7:45p - Announcements & Life Member Presentation

Registration Deadline: December 9, Noon

Menu

Chef's Choice Salad
Buffet Dinner
Dessert
Standard Spirits, Wines, & Beers




Join ASCE Maryland to recognize our newest life members and celebrate the Holidays. Please remember to bring a new, unwrapped toy for our donation to toys for tots!

And DON'T MISS the tours of The Engineers Club, included FREE with your event registration. Please sign up for at the Tour Registration link after registering for the event. Tours beginning at both 5 pm and 6 pm.

January 11, 2023, 6:00p

Member & Employees of Sponsor Firms: Free
Non-Member/Guest: $10

Registration Deadline: January 2, Noon

January PDH & Social Event
MES’ Role in Bringing Baltimore’s Back River WWTP Back into Compliance
Matthew M. Lapinsky, PE

On Sunday, March 27, 2022 the Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment directed the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) to “take charge of the Back River WWTP, including its operations, maintenance and improvements functions, in order to work with Baltimore City to ensure that Baltimore City meets the following objectives: protecting public and environmental health; abating any further nuisance; providing appropriate levels of qualified staff; conducting appropriate maintenance, improvements, and modifications; operating the Back River WWTP in compliance with all terms of the Back River Discharge Permit; and ceasing all unpermitted discharges from the Back River WWTP.”

On March 28th, MES developed and dispatched four teams to the Back River WWTP to address the compliance problems. For the next two months, MES reviewed the conditions at the plant and prepared an assessment report for the Maryland Department of the Environment. This presentation will review MES’ engineering and operational findings and recommendations, and how MES’ maintenance, operations and engineering staff worked with the Back River WWTP personnel to bring the plant into compliance in three months.

About the Speaker

Mr. Lapinsky is the Division Chief of Water and Wastewater Engineering at Maryland Environmental Service. He has a diverse background in engineering, capital programs, project management, facilities and utilities operations, public works, and management.

Mr. Lapinsky is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and Frostburg State University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, respectively. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Maryland and Pennsylvania. He also holds Maryland Department of the Environment Collection and Distribution system operator licenses.



February 8, 2023, 6:00p

Member & Employees of Sponsor Firms: Free
Non-Member/Guest: $10

Registration Deadline: February 2, Noon

This event is also student night and our next career fair.

February PDH & Social Event
Be The Leader You Are Meant To Be
Jim O’Brien

Do you want to be the most effective, intentional, inspirational, and influential leader that you can be? Join our conversation to learn how you can become THIS LEADER.

This conversation will be engaging, stimulating, informative, and participative. We will not waste your time. Our leader development is focused on YOU. It is practical and pragmatic. You will be able to use what you learn immediately in your work, family, and leisure time activities. You will have the opportunity to build professional and personal relationships with others important for your life. You will have more tools and better direction to BECOME A BETTER YOU!

Jim is eager to share what he has learned with likeminded and thoughtful people who want to be part of something bigger than themselves that is laser-focused on making our world a better place to live. Jim has been part of developing thousands of leaders who make a difference in lives of others.

About the Speaker

Jim O’Brien has a lifetime of experience and learning how to be the best leader that he can be. His learning started early and occurred frequently. Born to a large family in what was to become the “middle child” position, he immediately found his surroundings to be like our world of today--quite “VUCA”, that is “volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous”. Fortunately, Jim also saw that he was accompanied in his small community by “many” positive role models, peer mentors, and eager teachers.

Further, his formal education included a BS degree from the US Military Academy at West Point, NY with graduate degree in Engineering Mechanics from Stanford University. Jim has been successful as an US Army Corps of Engineers officer, a nonprofit association executive, a university professor, and a leader developer of individuals and for organizations.

Thomas Viaduct Railroad Bridge

Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

The Thomas Viaduct in Relay Maryland has been designated as a National Historic Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The Viaduct was the most challenging part of the first railroad line to the U.S. Capital city and when opened in July 1835, it was the longest stone arch bridge in the world.

The ASCE Maryland Section is working to have a bronze plaque mounted near the viaduct to honor the designation. We are raising funds for the pedestal and to mount the plaque, retain a contractor, and arrange for delivery. Our fundraising goal is $3,500. All organizations that provide donations will recognized at the mounting ceremony. Please consider donating (via the link at the left) today! ASCE Maryland is a 501(c)3 organization, so your donation may be tax deductible.