American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

American Society Of Civil Engineers

TZUFIT BOYLE PE, F.ASCE, PMP, Past President, ASCE Florida Section 2022-2023

Civil engineering, one of the country’s oldest professions, has always been a trusted source for information and knowledge. As engineers, we are sworn to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare.

But what does that really mean? And how can we hope to keep up with the latest trends and solutions that our world faces today?

Today’s environment is vastly different from that of our country’s founding, or to a person of the Industrial Revolution. We are living in a world where protecting the health of the public involves providing communities with clean water, varied forms of transportation, reliable electric grids and a data network that can support our business and leisure.

Safety means that the cars we drive can assist us in crash avoidance, and the air we breathe is free from harmful chemicals. Welfare needs extend beyond affordable housing to encompass connected communities and transportation.

Professional societies, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), have offered the engineering community the support it needs to face today’s challenges. From continuing education and professional development to networking and task force opportunities, ASCE has assisted engineers in Florida in achieving their mission. We provide a trusted source to disaster response and the evaluation of structures from natural to manmade events.

The Florida Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (Florida Section) holds several professional development events at every level of membership. Student Chapters benefit from mentoring programs throughout the state, as well as a student conference geared towards integration

into the workforce and an understanding of the demands of the profession. Working professionals attend multiple local events that focus on continuing education and networking, while the Florida Section hosts a continuing education day in the winter and professional development conference in the summer.

The Florida Section’s main event each year is the Annual Conference, taking place this year on July 13-14 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando. The Florida Section Annual Conference brings more than 80 technical and professional development sessions in 7 tracks of engineering: structural, geotechnical, environmental & water resources, transportation, utilities, sustainability, and professional development.

In addition to professional and technical development, the state-required two-hour Laws/Rules & Ethics course will be offered. The conference also offers exhibitor space to showcase new and innovative products and hosts the annual recognitions awards ceremony. The conference offers something for everyone, including our growing number of student members, offering learning opportunities and scholarships.

ASCE also offers specialized institutes to create a community that helps focus learning on different civil engineering disciplines: Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI); Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute (COPRI); Construction Institute (CI); Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI); Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI); Geo-Institute (G-I); Transportation and Development Institute (T&DI); Structural Engineering Institute (SEI); and the Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute (UESI). These institutes hold national and international conferences for the advancement of their respective engineering members.

On the issues of sustainability and resiliency, ASCE is a founding organization of the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, whose mission is to help communities around the world build sustainable, resilient, and equitable civil infrastructure; train and credential Envision® sustainability professionals and verify projects using Envision®; and protect the environment, enhance human health and well-being, and bolster economic prosperity.

The Envision® program provides a consistent, consensus-based framework for assessing sustainability, resiliency, and equity in civil infrastructure. Last year, nearly 300 projects sought the Envision® rating, largely in the transportation and water sectors. Since the program’s inception, over 6,000 professionals have been accredited in the program.

ASCE is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion by providing guidance on proper inclusive communication, meetings, events and leadership. The Florida Section accepts all members and enjoys a diverse leadership team. As membership is spread over a large geographic area, events are planned throughout the state to provide opportunities for accessible continued learning.

The Florida Section was founded nearly 100 years ago and is the third largest Section in ASCE. The mission of the Florida Section is to advance professional knowledge and improve the practice of civil engineering.

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