Dear SEAOI Members,
I am honored and excited to begin my term as SEAOI President. Thank you for entrusting me with this role.
First, I want to take this opportunity to recognize a few individuals. Thank you to outgoing President Jim Pawlikowski for leading SEAOI through another successful year. I look forward to building upon those accomplishments this year. Thank you to Maen Farhat, Frank Lombardo, and David Nauheimer who have completed their 3-year terms as Directors. Special appreciation goes to Jennie Traut-Todaro who has fulfilled her year as past-president and has transitioned off the executive board. Jennie has served SEAOI in numerous roles over the past decade+ and we’re incredibly grateful for her dedication.
If you were able to join us at our Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards Celebration in early June, you were the first to hear about the official launch of the SEAOI College of Fellows. This is our highest honor, recognizing members who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement and distinguished service to the structural engineering profession. Nominations are now open and will be accepted until mid-January 2027. Our inaugural class of Fellows will be inducted at next year’s Awards Celebration.
One of my goals during my year as president is to do a better job of spotlighting our members and our volunteers. There are over 700 of you and I want to learn about you all. What’s your story? When did you know you wanted to become a structural engineer? How long have you been in the profession? What’s your favorite project that you’ve worked on? What advice would you give your younger self? If you’re a younger engineer, I want to know what advice you would give to a senior engineer, and vice versa. Why are you a member of SEAOI?
I’ll start. I knew I wanted to become a structural engineer during my junior year of architecture school at UIUC, ironically, after watching a grainy video of the controlled demolition of Seattle’s Kingdome during Statics & Dynamics class one day. My favorite project thus far is the Shedd Aquarium Experience Evolution. Fifteen years into my career, my advice to younger Michelle is “Don’t get so lost in the details that you lose sight of the big picture.” I think that advice is appropriate for projects, volunteer work, and life in general.
I’d love to learn more about you and I invite you to participate by filling out this form here. Pick one or two or more questions to briefly respond to. Every week in our Tuesday Update emails, we will spotlight a new individual. While this gives me a chance to learn about you, it also gives you an opportunity to learn about each other.
Finally, in recognition of America’s 250th birthday, we remember the generations of structural engineers whose work literally helped build America. It is a legacy I am proud to inherit with all of you and one that we have the privilege and responsibility to carry forward with excellence and integrity.
In service,
Michelle Ryland, SE, RA
SEAOI President
