September 2024 SEAOCC President's Message
I am deeply honored to begin my term as your SEAOCC President, and I want to start by expressing my heartfelt thanks to each of you for entrusting me with this role. It is a privilege to serve such a talented and dedicated group of professionals, and I look forward to working alongside all of you to advance our shared goals. As I type this message in the beautifully renovated Portland airport, I am still energized by the wonderful convention that just concluded. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with colleagues from the local, state, and national levels. The exchange of ideas, experiences, and visions for the future was inspiring, and I am confident that the relationships we strengthened there will fuel our continued growth as an organization. A special thanks to everyone who made the event a success—your efforts have helped us build an even stronger foundation for the future. We may not have left with the President’s Cup trophy this year, but I believe our group left feeling like winners. Our monthly dinner meetings continue to be a vital way for us to stay connected and learn from one another. I encourage everyone to attend these events—not only for the chance to hear from thought leaders in our field but also to connect with your peers. Building these local connections is key to our success as a community of engineers. On the topic of Community, I see great opportunities in line with our Mission and Vision for us to deepen our engagement: Our Local Engineering Community: Together, we can create an even stronger network of Structural Engineers by fostering mentorship, sharing knowledge, and offering support. I believe we have opportunities to grow and learn from one another in ways that will elevate our profession locally through our committees and activities. Our Industry: As we connect more closely with the greater construction community, we have the chance to position ourselves as leaders within the industry. By staying ahead of emerging trends and advocating for best practices, we can continue to shape the future of the built environment. Our Broader Communities: Through advocacy and education, we have the power to make a lasting impact beyond our profession. I envision us taking a more active role in engaging with the public, promoting the importance of Structural Engineering in everyday life, and supporting key initiatives such as adaptive reuse in our communities. In the coming months, I will be working closely with our leadership team to put these goals into action, and I invite all of you to join me in these efforts. Your ideas, energy, and passion are what make our organization thrive, and I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together. Thank you again for your trust and support. Let’s make this a year of connection, collaboration, and growth!
Warm Regards,
Laura Rice, S.E.
2024-2025 SEAOCC President