When I look back on my experience as an association volunteer, I am honestly surprised that I now serve as SEAMASS President. Ten years ago, I had joined the newly-created SEAMASS Young Members Group (YMG) with some encouragement from my boss at the time, John Isbell. Through my time with the YMG and the Board of Directors, I quickly opened my eyes to the role SEAMASS plays in the lives of practicing engineers and to all the behind-the-scenes work this group does to support, promote, and advance the profession.

As a volunteer-led organization, SEAMASS promotes supporting and advancing the practice of structural engineering as part of our core mission. The enormity of this undertaking requires a robust pipeline of volunteers to make significant strides toward securing a resilient and prominent future for the structural engineering profession.

Therefore, I ask that you help pass the baton, and encourage your colleagues to join and become part of this vital organization. Also consider how you can add value by sharing your skills, perspective, and experience. A number of committees have open positions, including Codes, Scholarship, and Professional Development. We’re also kickstarting two new committees, SE3 (Structural Engineering Equity & Engagement) and Sustainability. Please share this opportunity and reach out to secretary@seamass.org for more details or to lend your support.

For our 2022-2023 fiscal year, we’re planning exciting programs that will bring back the in-person experience, in addition to virtual webinars. We look forward to seeing you at those events! Thank you in advance for your participation and support.

Sincerely,

Congratulations to the 2022 SEAMASS Engineering Scholarship winner, Alanna Joachim, a member of UMass Amherst Class of 2022 who earned her B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering. She received a $2,000 check; one-year SEAMASS/NCSEA Student Membership, and admission to a SEAMASS professional development event of her choice. Alana formally received her award at the SEAMASS Annual Meeting.

Craig Barnes, PE, SECB, founding SEAMASS President and current member, has reduced his hours with CBI Consulting Inc., a firm he founded 38 years ago with Charles Chaloff, PE. He looks forward to sharing his “retirement” time with son Jeff’s consulting firm, Barnes Consulting Group, LLC upon wrapping up daily activities with Socotec LLC, the renamed CBI Consulting Inc. Thank you, Craig, for your tireless commitment and many contributions to the local and national engineering community.  

Chelsea Hoplin, PE, Project Manager, GEI Consultants has received a Women in Deep Foundations (WiDF) Professional Development Grant of $1,750. She is one of 6 women working in the deep foundations industry to receive this grant from the DFI Educational Trust. The grant covers conference registration and related expenses for Chelsea to attend DFI’s 47th Annual Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, October 4-7, where she will accept her award. 

The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) has been meeting regularly to review updates to the 10th Edition of the MA Residential Building Code. SEAMASS member Lisa A. Davey, PE serves as the Board’s Vice Chair, and provides this report:

The majority of chapters are now posted to the BBRS website for public review. The Board is still reviewing Chapters 9 and 4. A public comment meeting will be held in October.

Anyone interested is encouraged to review the current draft on the BBRS website, and participate in the October meeting. The Board’s goal is to submit the entire code for promulgation by year-end.

Michael Fillion, PE, SECB, owner of Fillion Group, Inc. and chair of the NCSEA Existing Buildings Code Committee, represented NCSEA at the ICC Public Comment Hearings on Sept. 15 in Louisville KY with committee member Julie Furr, PE, SECB regarding proposed changes to the 2024 IEBC.

Mike and Julie will also offer their presentation, Navigating the IEBC and 2024 Structural Provision Changes, at the NCSEA Structural Engineering Summit in Chicago on November 3 from 4 – 5 p.m.  In response to the recent building collapse of the Champlain Tower in Surfside FL, the Committee has begun an initiative to research building assessments and become a practical resource that provides standards, guidelines and materials to structural engineers nationwide. The committee is coordinating efforts with ICC, ASCE, and the Applied Technology Council (ATC).

Did you know that half of all structural engineers have considered leaving the profession at some point in their career? Engineers with mentors are 78% more likely to remain in the industry, and 40% more likely to aspire to principal/owner positions.

If you would like to help guide the next generation of engineers, please consider joining the SEAMASS Structural Engineering Engagement and Equity (SE3) Committee.

The SEAMASS SE3 committee strives to attract and retain talented people into our profession, and to ensure all structural engineers have a clear pathway to success in their careers. Through hands-on seminars, mentoring, and networking events, the intent is to bridge the gap between engineers of all backgrounds regardless of race, gender, age, or job title. Our work ranges from identifying opportunities for professional development and training to improving project management skills. It also includes promoting flexible policies to accommodate the work-life balance needs of employees and addressing wage gaps and other inequities.

LEARN MORE & PARTICIPATE: Simply reach out to SEAMASS members Rob Kane or Chelsea Hoplin to learn more about the SE3 Committee, and ways to get involved.

BALA seeks a Structural Engineer for the firm's Boston-area office. Click here for position details and how to apply.

e2 engineers has Project Engineer positions open in Concord, MA and New London, CT and Senior Structural Engineer positions open in Concord, MA & New London, CT. 

Email resume to: careers@e2engineers.com

IDEA StatiCa seeks two Regional Engineers, one for the Southern US (Carolinas thru New Mexico) and one in either the Northeast or Western US. Click here for details.

L.A. Fuess Partners seeks a Structural Engineer (EIT) and a Structural Engineer (Licensed) for its Boston office.

Visit LAFP Careers or Job Application pages

The Marr Companies seeks candidates for a variety of positions. Click here to view position descriptions and how to apply.

Socotec seeks candidates for a variety of positions throughout New England.

Click here to view all open positions

Thornton Tomasetti seeks candidates for its Boston office and beyond.

Click here for position details and how to apply.

Vital Structures, LLC seeks candidates for:

Click here to view position details.