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5 Things We’ve Learned from the Civil Engineering CEO Show

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This is a guest blog by Leanna Michniuk from BigTime Software

Civil Engineering CEO ShowGood advice is invaluable. And for engineers, hearing advice from leaders in their industry can provide new ways of thinking and even a boost of confidence and reassurance in their work. BigTime Software recently partnered with the Engineering Management Institute as a founding sponsor of the show, The Civil Engineering CEO show, that features interviews with CEOs of leading civil engineering firms on important industry topics. The goal of the show has been to connect engineers with industry leaders to hear their firsthand advice on important topics. The CEOs who have appeared on the show have done just that by sharing with us how they are approaching some of today’s challenges and opportunities including the talent shortage, the abundance of infrastructure work, the hybrid work environment, and more.

Because there have been so many great words of wisdom and amazing guests on the show, we thought we would share the top five things we’ve learned from The Civil Engineering CEO show so far. Keep on reading to hear some sage advice from pros who have lived it themselves.
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Accelerated Road Research Facilities – The Key to Improving Our Highways

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Highways are an important part of the infrastructure of every country in the world. They provide the framework to move people and goods from one point to another, and this makes them an important piece to our economy and quality of life. As of 2006, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were approximately 4.1 million miles (6.6 million kms) of roads in the United States, of which 2.7 million miles (4.3 million kms) were paved and 1.4 million miles (2.3 million kms) were unpaved.

Using a simple A-to-F school report card format, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) provides a comprehensive assessment of the United States infrastructure in their Infrastructure Report Card prepared every four years. For the year 2021, highways are graded as D with over 40% of the system in poor or mediocre condition. If we look into ways to improve the grade of our highway system, it is key to target investments and allocate funding — and for this, it is important that routine, reliable data becomes the standard.

For this reason, and looking into road performance, it is important that decision-makers and engineers rely on accelerated pavement testing (APT) facilities to collect detailed performance data with the aid of different pavement sensors. Since APTs are considered large-scale, real-world laboratories, they allow us to conduct cutting-edge experimentation while avoiding the risk of failure on actual roadways.

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TSEC 51: Resilience Strategies for Buildings and Wildfires

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In this episode, we talk to Kevin S. Moore, P.E., S.E., SECB, the Senior Principal/Division Head at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, and Erica Fischer, Ph.D., P.E., an Assistant Professor at Oregon State University about resilience strategies for buildings and wildfires.

Engineering Quotes:

Resilience Strategies

Resilience Strategies

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Resilience Strategies for Buildings and Wildfire:

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TCEP 169: Civil Engineers Need To Lead the System of Systems

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lead the system of systemsIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Maria Lehman, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, the Director of U.S. Infrastructure at GHD, and an official nominee for the worldwide ASCE President-Elect 2021. Maria will be talking about America’s infrastructure, the ASCE Report Card, the needs of the civil engineering profession, and how civil engineers need to lead the system of systems.

Engineering Quotes:


Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Maria Lehman on How Civil Engineers Need to Lead the System of Systems:

  • The American Society of Civil Engineers unveiled their 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure on March 3rd. Can you share with us some of the results and grades that were given to the different sectors?
  • The Failure to Act: Economic Impacts of Status Quo Investment Across Infrastructure Systems quantifies how the persistent failure to invest in our aging infrastructure impacts the economy. Can you share some of its findings and how it affects the cost to families when we don’t invest in infrastructure?
  • How do you successfully deliver mega-projects? 
  • How would you say civil engineers need to lead the system of systems?
  • Do you have any advice for civil engineers out there who are planning to get involved with mega-projects, or who are considering pursuing a career similar to yours?
  • You are a nominee for the ASCE President-Elect 2021. Can you share with us what your vision is as a nominee?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Leading the Systems of Systems:

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TCEP 167: ASCE 2020 Report Card – West Virginia | Bridging the Gap for Young Civil Engineers

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report cardIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Tabitha Lafferre, E.I., an Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Fairmont State University about how the ASCE 2020 Report Card for West Virginia’s Infrastructure was a way of connecting engineering students with experienced professionals. Joining Tabitha in the conversation is one of her students, and the president of the ASCE Student Chapter, Lauren Johnson, who also worked on the report card.

Engineering Quotes:

report card

report card

report card

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tabitha and Lauren:

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TGEP 15: How Soil Erosion Affects the Community and Our Infrastructure

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soil erosion

In this episode of The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast, we talk to Stacey Kulesza, B.S., M.E., Ph.D., an Associate Professor at Kansas State University, about her research on soil erosion and how it affects the community and our infrastructure.

Engineering Quotes:

soil erosion

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Stacey:

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TWiCE 14: This Week in Civil Engineering – Robotic Driven Inspections of Critical Infrastructure

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Critical Infrastructure

Welcome to This Week in Civil Engineering (TWiCE), the first weekly audio and video podcast covering weekly news stories and events related to civil engineering and its sub-disciplines. In this week’s episode, we provide you with the latest news in the Civil Engineering industry including covering how the inspection Robot market has the potential to grow to 3.72 billion dollars between 2020 and 2024, bolstered by industries spanning energy, oil and gas, and mining. Also featured is how Percepto pivots from drone-based products to general robotics-driven inspections incorporating third-party platforms like Boston Dynamics’ Spot for the critical infrastructure .

Breaking News in Civil Engineering:

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TWiCE 13: This Week in Civil Engineering – Alternative Materials Could Reduce Carbon Footprint

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Carbon Footprint

Welcome to This Week in Civil Engineering (TWiCE), the first weekly audio and video podcast covering weekly news stories and events related to civil engineering and its sub-disciplines. In this week’s episode, we provide you with the latest news in the Civil Engineering industry including covering how manufacturers are tackling concrete’s carbon footprint problems by reformulating cement with similar-behaving materials that inherently generate less carbon dioxide than the ones used in traditional manufacturing methods.

Breaking News in Civil Engineering:

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TWiCE 08: This Week in Civil Engineering – Traffic Control and Smart Tech

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Traffic Control

Welcome to This Week in Civil Engineering (TWiCE), the first weekly audio and video podcast covering weekly news stories and events related to civil engineering and its sub-disciplines. In this week’s episode we provide you with the latest news in Civil Engineering including how traffic control in Las Vegas could soon be changing drastically.

Breaking News in Civil Engineering:
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TCEP 155: Learning and Development: Understanding People Starts With Understanding Yourself

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Learning and DevelopmentIn this episode, I talk to Gil Hantzsch, P.E., FACEC, the CEO at MSA Professional Services, Inc., about his career journey of becoming a CEO. He provides some great learning and development advice throughout the episode, which makes it one of my favorites.

Engineering Quotes:

Learning and Development

Learning and Development

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Gil:

  • How big is your firm and what markets do you serve?
  • What advice can you give engineers who want to be in a leadership role but are struggling to work with people?
  • How do you see the civil engineering industry going for the next three to five years and beyond?
  • With all that has happened with the pandemic, does this change the way you think about the future for the company?
  • You are a big proponent of learning and development. Why is it important to you?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode:

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