Ken O'Dell, SE
President

President’s Message June 2020

Over the past 12 months I have been enriched by the privilege of being the President of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California. I have had the honor of working with an incredible team of passionate fellow engineers on the Board of Directors who desire to see our profession grow. I have had the honor of working with numerous committee Chairs and members in their endeavors to foment ideas that instill the value of structural engineers within the association and the surrounding communities. I have had the honor of working with a dedicated team from our Association Management office. I have had the opportunity to greet and speak with numerous sponsors and contributors without whom the association would be a lesser version of itself. Finally, I have had the privilege of meeting and sharing ideas with students as they seek a role in helping define the future of the structural engineering profession. To all of you, I say Thank You!

As I contemplate this past year, my mind runs to the list of accomplishments that prove incredible work was done and that the value of your membership has been protected. However, I believe it may be more impactful to reflect on the things we have yet to achieve.

A year ago, this week, I outlined goals focused on increasing the engagement of our association with the community and with each other. I am pleased to share that we have built upon our relationships with local agencies and policy makers; however, we still struggle to bring more of you, our members to the table, whether that be the dinner table or committee table. I strongly believe this association can do better, and I again ask each of you to find your place to play an integral part in advancing SEAOSC and our profession.

This past year we have solidified relationships with several local Colleges and Universities to build bridges and create continuity for new graduates to transition into the profession with relationships already established. As we strengthen these ties in the coming years, I encourage you to be engaged with the student chapters and be a mentor to the incredible next generation of structural engineers.

As the future of structural engineering responds to increased client demands and expectations, unimaginable opportunities will develop to push us into better designs with new materials and enhanced performance outcomes. However, this happens only when we participate and help frame the conversation. Our committees are on the forefront of these efforts, and they have accomplished great things, but we can do better. Currently our committees are made up of a very small segment of our membership. We suffer from the a few classic rules:

The 80-20 rule:  80% of the work is accomplished by 20% of the people
The Room rule:  100% of the work is accomplished by the people “in the room”.
And the 0-rule:   When not in the room, we have ZERO impact on the future of the Profession.

I have had the privilege of working with great people, but in each of these endeavors it has been clear; we could be doing so much more, if only more of our incredibly talented members became engaged participants. The committees eagerly anticipate your engagement; I encourage you to join the conversation and be enriched by the depth of the relationships you will build.

As we look back on the past few months, we realize that the Great Pandemic of 2020 will help reshape our industry, both in the economic short-term and in the long-term re-structured delivery of services. We will find tools to be more productive, but I cannot emphasis enough the power of the collaborative spirit of people. Technology tools are fantastic, but they are not in and of themselves solutions. Solutions come from people sharing ideas and reaching common goals, together, in the same room.

Finally, these past several weeks have caused many to reassess their role in instigating change within our profession and society. It is my hope the Call to Action put forth by NCSEA/CASE/SEI and SEAOC will prompt important conversations in our firms and communities. But most important, the Call requires Action. This action will require our engagement in seeking and developing holistic solutions that put weight and meaning behind the words. I encourage and remind each of us, that the work is done by those in the room. To properly honor Mr. Floyd and all those who have suffered at the hand or by the action or inaction of others, this work requires ALL of us to be in the room.

As I close my last President’s message, I simply encourage us to live our profession with the same excitement we had when we entered it. Regardless of the number of years it has been, we chose a noble profession, or perhaps it chose us. Even in periods of turmoil, devastation, and prosperity this has been and will remain a noble profession. A profession made better by the contribution of each individual and made stronger when those individuals join in collaboration and service.

Thank you for the privilege and honor to have been in your service.

Kenneth O’Dell, SE
2019-2020 SEAOSC President