Dennis D. Truax has been elected ASCE’s 2021 president-elect by a majority of Society members.
Truax, Ph.D., P.E., DEE, D.WRE, F.NSPE, F.ASCE, has spent four decades on the civil engineering faculty at Mississippi State University. Since 2006, he’s served as the James T. White Endowed Chair and Department Head.
He has also worked as a consulting engineer or managing principal of several firms. In addition, he has served as adviser and regulatory consultant with various governmental agencies.
“I’m pleased that the members of ASCE feel that I merit their trust,” Truax said. “Everything I am is a result of being a civil engineer. This profession has afforded me great opportunities, and in the same breath, I cannot disconnect ASCE from the profession or my successes.
“Having an opportunity like this, to continue what I’ve been calling my servant-leadership at ASCE, it’s humbling and very exciting.”
Truax’s lengthy ASCE career includes service as District 14 Director from 2001 to 2004, two terms as the Society’s treasurer and tenures on many Society-level committees and working groups. This includes his current role as chair of the Committee on Technical Advancement and member of the Committee on Licensure. At Mississippi State, Truax was ASCE Student Chapter faculty adviser for 26 years. He has served in multiple roles for the Mississippi Section, including president (1991-92).
Constitutional amendments pass
As part of the 2020 ASCE election, the membership also approved, by the required two-thirds vote, proposed constitutional amendments intended to improve the organization’s flexibility, nimbleness and responsiveness, as well as giving voting equity to dues-paying Affiliate members.
“One of my goals as president is to help modernize and streamline the organizational structure of the Society, making it inclusive and more nimble,” said ASCE President K.N. Gunalan. “And these constitutional amendments will do just that.”
Truax will join Gunalan and 2021 ASCE President Jean-Louis Briaud as ASCE’s presidential triumvirate when he is inaugurated as president-elect at the Annual Business Meeting this fall during the ASCE 2020 Convention. He will succeed to 2022 president the following year.
“There’s a lot of work to be done to ensure that our Society addresses the needs of our members, our communities and our profession,” Truax said. “It’s exciting for me to be a part of that. New opportunities, new challenges, new ways of doing things.
“I think we can take it to the next level.”
The following is the complete 2020 election results, as voted on by Society members based on the ASCE Region where they live. The Technical Region Director election was open to all members who are members of an Institute.
2020 ASCE election results
President-Elect
Dennis D. Truax, Ph.D., P.E., DEE, D.WRE, F.NSPE, F.ASCE
Technical Region Director
Kevin D. Nielsen, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE
Region 1 Director
John C. Folts, P.E., M.ASCE
Region 1 Governor
Danielle H. Spicer, P.E., LEED AP, ENV SP, M.ASCE
Region 2 Governor
Joseph Platt Jr., P.E., M.ASCE
Region 3 Governors
Craig W. Bursch, P.E., F.ASCE
Therese R. Kline, P.E., F.ASCE
Region 4 Governors
Christina L. Ammens, P.E., M.ASCE
John F. Garner, P.E., M.ASCE
Brian Reynolds, P.E., M.ASCE
Region 5 Director
William L. Pratt IV, P.E., LEED AP, M.ASCE
Region 5 Governors
Rudolph A. Simoneaux III, P.E., M.ASCE
Jennifer Sloan Ziegler, Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP, M.ASCE
Region 6 Governors
Tim C. Newton, P.E., M.ASCE
Kensey W. Russell, P.E., M.ASCE
Region 7 Governors
Shawnna Erter, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE
Steven G. Hakes, P.E., M.ASCE
Region 8 Governors
Tor J. S. Anderzen, P.E., F.ASCE
Fausto B. Burruel Sr., P.E., M.ASCE
Region 9 Director
Kenneth H. Rosenfield, P.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE
Region 9 Governor
Tapas Dutta, P.E., ENV SP, QSD, F.ASCE
Region 10 Governors
Panagiotis Andreas Chatzipanos, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, M.ASCE
Raymond Hai Ming Leung, Ph.D., C.Eng, P.E., F.ASCE
The membership also approved by 75.4% the proposed Constitutional amendments. Amendments to the Constitution require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of those members voting.
Congratulations Truax and entire elected team. Hope you all will do a great job. A kind request, Please do more activities & seminars for the international teams yearly.
Stay safe & have a wonderful day.
Regards,
Vignarajh K K
Warm greetings and hearty congratulations to all Region Directors Elect, lead by Dennis D. Truax, President-Elect. While commending the diligent efforts of present team under the exemplary leadership of Gunalan, I see a lot of promise in the incoming team and am sure, as ASCE members, we can look up to some positively disruptive improvements and game changers in quest of enhancing our professional services for the cause of our communities.
Dear Sir,
Hearty Congratulations to Mr. Truax and entire elected team.
WIsh you all the best.
Regards
Venkata Narayana ANgina
India
Congratulations to President, Governors and Directors elect. Wish you and all of us the best during your leadership.
Congratulations to all of our newly elected leaders. The membership also approved some fairly substantial constitutional changes. Board, use your expanded powers to support ASCE’s Fundamental Principles and Canons. And, for the first time in our history, non-Civil Engineers, indeed, anyone who signs up online and pays money, has the right to vote and now has influence in ASCE’s governance. Please let ethics be your guide.
Thank you for taking the time to review and provide comment on the amendments to the ASCE Constitution that were recently passed by our members.
As explained in my letter dated May 7, 2020, the amendments to the Constitution did not transfer any power from the membership to the Board of Direction. The membership still approves any revisions to the structure of the Board of Direction, voting grades of membership, and revisions to the Constitution. We moved into the Bylaws only information that did not require membership approval.
WRT Affiliate Members – they are a part of our profession/ industry and make up only a small fraction of the Society membership. In addition to paying the annual dues, they must also abide by the Society’s Code of Ethics. Hence in the spirit of being an inclusive organization do not see them as a threat to the governance of the Society.
I appreciate your comments and can assure you the Board of Direction will execute its duties in a very conscientious and ethic manner.
Congratulations to Dr Truax, long-standing leader and educator at Mississippi State!
BSCE Class of 1962 MSU
Congratulations! President Truax. Have a Great Day. Work Safe.
Congratulations Mr Truax. I am sure, you will enjoy serving us ASCE members, cheers. There is lasting joy is serving.
Congratulations Dr. Truax and the entire elected ASCE team.
Good luck to all elected officials with your tenure.