ASCE Metropolitan Section

September is a time of transition; it is the time of the year that we put the deck furniture away, close the pool, schools open and the days become shorter. Fall is also a beautiful time of the year as the leaves begin to change color. This is truly a time to enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful scenery.

On behalf of the ASCE Met Section Officers I would like to welcome you back for another year of Met Section technical lectures and outreach activities. I would like to again thank the members of the Met Section for electing me Met Section President for 2010-2011. This is truly a great honor and one that I will take seriously. You may not know a lot about me, but I hope to change this in the coming year. I am the Chairman of the Department of Construction Management and Civil Engineering Technology Department at New York City College of Technology/CUNY. The college is located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Downtown Brooklyn (Metro Tech). I have been involved with the Met Section for the past 10 years in various capacities.

Robert A. Olmsted, P.E., F. ASCE died on August 16, 2010 at the age of 85. A direct descendant of Frederic Law Olmsted—the designer of New York City's Central Park—Bob had over 60 years of experience in the planning, design and construction of transportation facilities in the United States, Latin America and Africa and was an expert on transportation projects in the New York Metropolitan Area.

On a recent sweltering hot Saturday in July where the mercury soared to 97 degrees, ASCE younger members from across the Northeast converged upon the Jersey Shore to enjoy the sun, sand and surf at Manasquan Beach, where the ocean temperature was a pleasant 67 degrees. Four younger member groups were represented on that day, including the Metropolitan Section, North Jersey Branch, Central Jersey Branch and Delaware Section.

On June 16, 2010, the Met Section held its annual dinner dance and awards presentation at the Penthouse Suite of Terrace on the Park, overlooking Queens' Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The event included a cocktail hour, recognition of service by officers and chairs of technical groups and committees, the installation of incoming officers and the presentation of the following awards:
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Francis J. Lombardi Elected a Distinguished Member by ASCE

Francis J. Lombardi, P.E., Chief Engineer of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, has been elected to ASCE's 2010 Class of Distinguished Members.

According to ASCE, "A Distinguished Member is a person who has attained acknowledged eminence in some branch of engineering or in the arts and sciences related thereto, including the fields of engineering education and construction."

Mr. Lombardi, along with twelve other honorees from across the country will be inducted formally as Distinguished Members at ASCE's 140th Annual Civil Engineering Conference, which will be held in Las Vegas from October 21-23.

Eva Lerner-Lam, the President of Palisades Consulting Group, Inc., has been selected to receive ASCE's James Laurie Prize, which will be presented during ASCE's 140th Annual Civil Engineering Conference, which will be held in Las Vegas from October 21-23.

Named for the first President of ASCE, the annual prize was first established in 1912 and recognizes a member "who has made a definite contribution to the advancement of transportation engineering, either in research, planning, design, or construction, these contributions being made either in the form of papers or other written presentations, or through notable performance or specific actions which have served to advance transportation engineering."

On May 6, 2010, Long Island Branch held its Annual Awards Dinner Dance at the Westbury Manor. The event allows ASCE to recognize 2009-2010 projects, fellow engineers and extend thanks to members and their companies that help to support the Long Island Branch throughout the year. It is also a great way to allow everyone a chance to network with other engineers and cut a rug if the dance bug bites.
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