A message from ASCE Texas Section President Travis N. Attanasio PE, CFM

January 2023

2023!

I can’t believe how quickly we got here.  Having come through 2020 facing head-on a global pandemic, we have now endured twenty twenty part 1 (2021), twenty twenty part 2 (2022) and we find ourselves in the third of a nine part series called “I’m getting tired of being part of a major historical event!” Typically sequels don’t always perform as well as the originals, however two film series stand out, Star Wars and Top Gun, and the resemblances between the two are extraordinary.  The entire basis of Top Gun: Maverick is that a small group of pilots have to destroy an extremely small target by flying quickly through a narrow, mostly impossible route and if they miss, life as they know it will drastically change.  There is even a moment in the movie where another pilot swoops in to save the hero at the last moment, much like Han Solo saving Luke Skywalker.  The lesson to take from this is how fascinating it is to look at modern films and how they draw inspiration from their predecessors. The same can be said for the ASCE Texas Section.  Thus far my Presidency has been relatively calm much in part to having drawn from the inspiration of the 109 Presidents of the Section before me. Each President sets their goals, referencing the Strategic Plan, and through the hundreds of volunteers and the staff of the ASCE Texas Section those goals are achieved. Speaking of the Strategic Plan a new website has been launched (https://www.texasce.org/strategic-plan-2022/) with a stunning graphical interface and increased visual elements over a typical plan. It’s an honor to serve the Members of the ASCE Texas Section.  I wish you the best in 2023, may you personally prosper in health and wealth, and if you ever feel down remember what Han Solo says “You know, sometimes I amaze even myself”        

Travis N. Attanasio PE, CFM, M.ASCE

2023 ASCE Texas Section President

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