Now that I think I am done thanking everyone, let me tell you about myself. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles in a town called Hacienda Heights. After graduating from high school, I moved to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly as a Civil and Environmental Engineering Student. I graduated from Cal Poly in 2000. After interning with the Water Quality Authority, Stetson Engineering, and Boyle Engineering throughout my college career, I decided to stay in San Luis Obispo and took a position in the Water Resources Division at Wallace Group. I am currently working with Wallace Group as a Senior Civil Engineer.

During my time at Cal Poly, I got involved with the Society of Civil Engineers as their Corresponding Officer my last year in college. After graduation, it took me a couple of years, but I finally got involved with ASCE helping out with 150th year Anniversary celebration. I subsequently took over as Assistant Newsletter Editor, then Treasurer, Historian, and President-Elect. I find working with this organization rewarding and it provides me with the resources to network with other engineers in San Luis Obispo County and elsewhere. I also find that it is a great way to keep up to date with the various projects going on throughout the County.

Although my career and professional goals (being ASCE President is one of them) is a big part of life, my family is my first priority. I have been married to my husband Chuck for 9 years. We have two small children, Hayden, 5, and Kaci, 2. My family is the pride and joy of my life and without them I would not be where I am today, professionally or personally. My husband and I also own an automotive repair shop in San Luis Obispo, which I do the books for and help out with management issues. All in all, my life is full and exciting and different everyday and I can’t imagine changing it.

I look forward to a great year as ASCE President. In the months to come I hope to share my goals for this year and my perspectives on the engineering profession as a whole. Thank you again for giving me this opportunity to serve in this great organization.

Paul joined SCE in his second year. He was drawn to SCE by the club's prestige (Cal Poly SCE has won Pacific Southwest Regional 13 out of the last 15 years). After becoming a member, he jumped into office as a lowly newsletter editor (why would anyone agree to that?), and the following year became one of 3 Vice Presidents. As VP of Community Service, Paul organized a survey team to help construct a road for the Ranch Allegre Boy Scout Camp.

After his stint as VP there was only one place to go. Paul was elected president out of 2 other candidates in what he calls a close race. He enjoys the responsibility and is currently trying to increase membership from 230 to 275 members. Due to planning such events as the Pedestrian Bridge Project, a career fair, and a Conference, Paul notes that "I have never been so busy in my life."

Through working with what he calls an amazing group of officers, Paul has discovered the importance of SCE. "SCE bridges the gap between what we are learning, and what we will be doing in the field."

Outside of SCE Paul is currently on a Student Fee Initiative Committee where students decide where a certain percent of Cal Poly tuition will be spent. Through this committee Paul has helped to open labs longer, purchased new equipment, and sent people to conferences for leadership. He finds it strange to be dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Now a senior, Paul hopes to graduate in either spring or winter of next year, depending whether he decides to travel 'Down Under,' and study with the Aussies. Like many college students, he is not quite ready to make the difficult decision on a future career, although he is leaning towards construction management, "I love being out there [on site] and seeing stuff get built."

Now, let’s close our eyes and pretend that the weather is never a problem and the contractor manages to stay on time. And amongst that, the costs of the project are coming in less than expected. Now open your eyes, you’ll find you are on San Luis Bay Drive at Avila Beach Drive, where the bridge itself is completed and the auxiliary work is underway.

The San Luis Bay Drive Bridge is nearing completion, and is anywhere from 8-12 weeks ahead of schedule (depending upon who you ask). At this month’s luncheon, at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, Michael Britton, Project Manager for the County of SLO, and Craig Drake, Project Manager for T.Y. Lin, will be here to explain what brought us to this point, and Dean Russu of MNS Engineers, the Resident Engineering Consultant will explain what has happened during construction to keep the works ahead of schedule and under budget.