Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have gained substantial exposure in 2020. Unfortunately, it has taken recent events of racism and abuse of power to bring it to the forefront. I hope the pain and loss associated with these events will not go to waste but will result in positive change. I do not consider myself an expert on DEI and even feel a bit exposed to critique by merely writing this editorial. Still, given my position in my firm and the profession, I feel it is my responsibility to talk about DEI and address it. I believe we all need to consider how we can positively impact DEI as individuals, as firm leaders within our firms, and through our professional organizations. …

As I write this editorial, many communities and cities in the United States are just starting to “re-open” following the Coronavirus pandemic and shelter-in-place orders.  My firm, like most, transitioned into a full work-from-home situation in March with only minor issues and challenges.  Our business and employees have adapted remarkably well.  We are conducting meetings virtually through video calls, developing and reviewing construction documents by sharing data and models, accessing information through the cloud or virtually from our servers, and participating in new project interviews remotely.  Employees are doing their best to remain engaged and connected with one another. …

We are all busy taking care of our clients, delivering structural engineering expertise, and running our businesses; we probably do not take much time to sit back and contemplate the future of engineering and, more specifically, the impacts of future changes on structural engineering. Fortunately for all of us, there are organizations and groups of highly engaged professionals considering these questions and developing some interesting material and ideas. I am one of the professionals who believe the engineering profession is heading into a period of rapid change that will ultimately have an impact on all of us and society at large. …

I have just returned from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Annual Meeting and the Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE) Executive Committee Meeting in Washington, D.C. The conference marks the start of my two-year term as Chair of CASE. Given my new role, I reflected upon the time I invest in professional activities. These activities always make me feel invigorated and energized about our profession. Energy and passion can come from several different areas; why choose professional activities? …