President’s Message
By Kat Lauer, P.E., M.ASCE
President, ASCE Austin Branch

Hello ASCE Austin Branch members, Texas affiliates, and fellow civil engineers,

As we kick off a new year, I want to start by thanking our outgoing President, Tyler Dube, for his incredible leadership and dedication. Tyler’s hard work has made a lasting impact, and I am excited to continue building on the strong foundation he has helped create.

I also want to recognize our board members and committee chairs. Your passion and commitment make everything we do possible, and I’m truly grateful to be part of such an amazing team. Together, I know we’re going to achieve great things this year!

Looking Ahead: Growing Together as a Branch
This year, my goal is to increase involvement by ensuring our Branch feels welcoming, inclusive, and engaging for every member. We are a diverse group of talented civil engineers, and by encouraging collaboration and participation, we can make our Branch even stronger. I encourage each of you to get involved—whether through volunteering, networking, or attending events—there’s a place for everyone. We have some fantastic programs and events lined up this year, and I encourage you to take full advantage of all the opportunities we offer, including:

●     The Upcoming Monthly Luncheon – October 15th: Our luncheons are a great way to connect with fellow members and stay informed on industry trends.

●     Mobile Loaves and Fishes Volunteering at Community First! Village – October 19th: This event is always a fulfilling way to give back to our community. You can find more information here.

●     Monthly Coffee Chats – October 22nd: If you are looking for a casual way to meet other members, join us for a morning coffee chat! These informal meet-ups are a great way to network before the workday starts.

●     AIA Austin Urban Design Committee: Austin Light Rail Luncheon & Panel – October 31st: ASCE is proud to be a Community Partner for this event, which will delve into the innovative design and project delivery process employed in creating Austin’s future light rail system. Learn more here.

●     EWRI Austin Chapter’s 19th Annual Continuing Education Workshop – November 1st: A great opportunity for professional development, this workshop will be held at the JJ Pickle Research Center.

●     ASCE Founding Day – November 5th: Join us in celebrating the legacy of ASCE and the impact civil engineers continue to make. More information can be found here.

●     Kealing Middle School Engineering Blitz: Our annual Engineering Blitz is a chance to inspire young minds. If you enjoy hands-on STEM activities, this is the perfect way to make a difference in our community.

●     Gathering Nominations for 2025 Engineer of the Year: Soon, we will be calling for nominations for this prestigious award, which recognizes the outstanding work of civil engineers in our Branch. Stay tuned for details on how to submit nominations—this is a wonderful chance to celebrate our members and profession!

●     ASCE's Cities of the Future Film – January 2, 2025: I am excited to announce that ASCE’s Cities of the Future film will be screening at the Bob Bullock IMAX theater in Austin starting in January 2025. I encourage all members to watch the film and celebrate the impressive accomplishments of the first-place winner of the Future Cities competition, Ampere, engineered by students from Westlake High School. You can learn more about this competition and the winners here.

●     Mentorship Program with UT Austin’s Senior Design Class: We have already begun mentoring this semester, but there will be another chance next semester. This is a rewarding opportunity to guide future engineers and help shape their careers.

●     2025 Infrastructure Report Card: At the state and global level, 2025 will be an important year with the release of the Texas Infrastructure Report Card and 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure.

●     ASCE 2025 Texas Legislative Drive-In to Austin - February 18-19: With the release of the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card and the upcoming Texas legislative session, this is a critical time for civil engineers to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities within our field. In 2025 the ASCE Texas Section provides the opportunity for members to engage with our legislators and ensure that infrastructure remains a top priority.

●     ASCE 2025 Legislative Fly-In to DC - March 26-28: The online application is now available to attend the 2025 National ASCE Legislative Fly-In in Washington, DC. ASCE members will have an opportunity to meet with their Members of Congress or their senior legislative staff to share the upcoming 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, and advance the Society’s policy priorities while strengthening leadership skills they can bring back to the workplace.

●     2025 Annual Continuing Education Conference: We recently hosted our annual continuing education conference at the City of Austin’s Permitting Development Center. I want to thank everyone who attended and took part in planning the conference. This event successfully raised funds to support our programs this year, and the new venue provided a wonderful setting for attendees. We are already looking forward to enhancing the event and making next year’s spring conference even better.

●     Second Annual Pickleball Tournament : Get ready for some fun while supporting a great cause! Our Pickleball Tournament, which raises money for college scholarships, will return in spring 2025.

Get Involved
There are so many ways to plug into the ASCE Austin Branch. Whether you want to volunteer on a committee, attend social events, or take part in community outreach, there’s a place for everyone. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or simply want to get more involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out at president@austinasce.org or the next time we see each other at an ASCE event. I’d love to hear from you!

Stay Connected
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on events, recaps, and the latest news from our Branch.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President this year. Together, I know we can achieve great things!

Sincerely,
Kat Lauer, P.E., M.ASCE
President, ASCE Austin Branch