License-wielding alumnus helps profession ward off evildoers By Susan Lassetter
Faster than a slide rule, more knowledgeable than an instruction manual, able to control tall buildings with automation, he may not fit typical superhero archetypes, but Gerald Wilbanks will help protect the public welfare through engineering’s own brand of Justice League—the state licensing board. Appointed by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, Wilbanks will serve a five-year term on the Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Each state’s board is tasked with overseeing all aspects of this engineering professional registration, including the exams, individual applications, rules, and regulations. “This position gives me the opportunity to give back to the profession that has been good to me,” Wilbanks said. “I want to see engineering held to a high degree of accountability and to help make the field even better for those who are just starting out. It is imperative that there be a strong process to maintain the integrity of the practice of engineering.” While the position doesn’t come with a cape or a Batman-style utility belt, Wilbanks will be expected to help preserve the principles of the field while preventing malpractice and fraud. A license is not strictly necessary for most corporate engineering jobs, but it is required for contractors and consultants to ensure that even independent engineers are held accountable for the quality of their work. “This credential verifies that the practitioner has met the qualifications to practice in an engineering specific field and safeguard the health, welfare and safety of the public,” Wilbanks explained. “Medical, legal and other professions have boards
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Momentum Spring 2010
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