Dear SEAOG Members: As the SEAOG delegate to NCSEA, I wanted to report back to you on some of the items from the 2015 Annual Conference. This year’s conference was held in Las Vegas and had two full days of educational sessions preceded by a day of committee meetings and followed by a day of business reporting and the board meeting. I have attached the sessions that were presented at this year’s conference. Next year’s Annual Conference will be held in Orlando, FL. The dates for next year’s conference are September 14-17, 2016 - look for emails next year regarding the sessions for the 2016 Annual Conference. NCSEA also plans and hosts a Winter Leadership Forum which focuses on business practices. The 2016 Winter Leadership Forum will be held March 10 and 11, 2016 in Coronado Island, CA. I have attached the schedule of sessions for this conference. The individual MO delegates met on Friday morning and a summary from the delegate reports is listed below:

1. Groups that had an Executive Director vs. no Executive Director is about half and half 2. Number of members: Max = 3,000 (California); Min. = 7. Average = 261 3. Dues: Max: $275; Min. = $30. Average = $100 4. Held an Awards Program: Half did have one and half did not 5. Held Monthly Meetings: 30 chapters did; 13 did not 6. Young Members Group: 27 yes; 16 no

Some of the items covered in the business reporting from NCSEA are listed below:

1. Grant Program: NCSEA has made funds available to any member or member organization that wants to develop a program that is consistent with NCSEA’s mission.

NCSEA’s mission is as follows: NCSEA serves to advance the practice of structural engineering and, as the autonomous nation voice for practicing structural engineers, protect the public’s right to safe, sustainable and cost effective buildings, bridges and other structures. Any request for the grant must be made through the Member Organization. This program was started last year.

2. Committees: NCSEA has many committees and are always looking for new committee members. The committee list as well as committee reports and an application for joining the committee can be found on the NCSEA website at www.ncsea.com.

3. NCSEA is looking for articles for Structure Magazine so please contact NCSEA if you have a topic you want

to publish article.

4. There are great resources on the NCSEA website (www.ncsea.com/committees/young-membergroupsupportcommittee/mbers) for younger engineers.

Submitted by Michael Planer, P.E. mplaner@pesengineers.com SEAOG Delegate to NCSEA

7:00 Delegate Interaction Breakfast (MO delegates only) Summerlin F7:00 Breakfast Pavilion Foyer8:00 Welcome & Introduction Pavilion

8:15-9:30 Keynote PavilionSTRUCTURAL ENGINEERING: The Profession, The Grandeur, and The GloryAshraf Habibullah, S.E., President & CEO, Computers & Structures, Inc.Ashraf brings into focus the invaluable socio-economic contributions of structural engineering by recognizing its unmatched impact on humanity.

He will highlight the ways in which the intellect and talent of structural engineers have literally saved hundreds of millions of lives, spared us from death and destruction, and preserved and protected progress and property. Ashraf Habibullah is a registered Civil and Structural Engineer who founded CSI in 1975 and has led the development of CSI’s products, including SAP2000 and ETABS, for the last four decades. CSI’s software is used by thousands of engineering firms in over 160 countries.

9:30-10:45 Pavilion Basis for ASCE 7 Seismic Design MapsRon Hamburger, P.E., S.E., SECB, Senior Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & HegerASCE 7-10 and IBC-2012 introduced the concept of risk-adjusted Maximum Considered Earthquake/Event (MCE) ground motions (MCER), derived to produce only a 1% chance in 50 years (as opposed to a 2% chance when defined on a uniform hazard basis) that buildings will experience earthquake-induced collapse. The basis for this change in ground

motion definition and its significance are discussed.NCSEA Past President and Past Code Advisory Committee chair, Ron Hamburger, is Senior Principal with Simpson Gumpertz and Heger in San Francisco and the current chair of the ASCE-7 Committee. He is presently chairing a joint USGS-BSSC planning committee, formalizing plans to develop a new generation of seismic risk maps for the building codes.

10:45-11:00 Refreshment Break Trade Show floor

Thursday — October 1

Wednesday — September 308:00-5:00 Committee Meetings

8:00-5:00 Existing Buildings Vistas8:00-1:00 General Requirements Strip View B8:00-12:00 IRC TBD8:00-12:00 SI/QA Strip View D 8:00-12:00 Seismic Siena8:00-12:00 Wind Strip View E1:00-5:00 Advocacy Trails1:00-5:00 Basic Education Strip View C1:00-5:00 Code Advisory Steering TBD1:00-5:00 Structural Licensure Strip View E1:00-5:00 Young Member Group Support Strip View B

Other Meetings:8:00-12:00 SELC Board Strip View C1:00-5:00 SECB Board Strip View D8:00-12:00 NCSEA Board of Directors Meeting Trails

5:30-6:30 Young Engineer Reception Veranda F Sponsored by 6:30-8:30 SECB Reception Veranda F

Visit trade show booths and complete your card

for a chance to win prizes at the close of the show on

Friday!

The drawing will be held in Summerlin A-E

on Friday beginning at 11:30 a.m.

11:00-12:00 Pavilion Building Rating, Retrofit Ordinances, and Community Resilience Panel from Structural Engineers Association of CaliforniaModerator: Ryan A. Kersting, S.E., Associate Principal Buehler & Buehler Structural Engineers, Inc.The panel will discuss building rating systems, performance based design, renewed efforts for retrofit ordinances, and emerging concepts of community resilience that have launched a wave of discussions, innovations, and political involve-ment by California’s structural engineering community.

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch Trade Show floor Concurrent Sessions 1:00-2:15

A.) The ASCE 7-16 Tsunami Loads Design Standard PavilionGary Chock, S.E., President, Martin & ChockThe session will provide an overview of the technical basis and methodology for tsunami-resilient design of critical and essential facilities, taller building structures and tsunami evacuation refuge structures, based on the new ASCE 7-6 chapter Tsunami Loads & Effects. Gary Chock is the national Chair of the ASCE 7 Tsunami Loads and Effects Subcommittee that in 2015 completed the first national standard for tsunami-resistant design for the upcoming 2016 edition of the ASCE 7 Standard.

B.) Effective Communication: Tips for Improving Your Skills Kirsten Zeydel, S.E., President, ZO Consulting & Annie Kao, P.E., Field Engineer, Simpson Strong-Tie Summerlin FInstant communication – email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Snapchat, and more - doesn’t mean that we are commu-nicating effectively. You will hear concrete tips to improve your written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.Kirsten Zeydel has over 15 years of experience leading over 200 projects and is the President of ZO Consulting, Inc. located in Orange, CA. ZO Consulting specializes in cold-formed steel and evaluating/coordinating exterior facades .

Annie Kao is a field engineer for Simpson Strong-Tie, where she connects with and educates engineers, architects, building officials, and contrac-tors on design and product solutions for wood, concrete, steel, and masonry construction in the Southwest region of the U.S.

2:15-2:45 Refreshment Break Summerlin A-EConcurrent Sessions 2:45-3:45

A.) Wood & Cold-Formed Light Steel Frame Construction - Deficiency in the IBC Special Inspections PavilionKirk Harman, P.E., S.E., SECB, President, The Harman GroupThe session will compare light frame construction inspection requirements to other structural systems, identify the areas of deficiency in the Code, and present strategies to address these deficiencies.D. Kirk Harman is President and Managing Principal of The Harman Group, headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. He served for 10 years

as Chairman of the NCSEA Code Advisory Committee’s sub-committee on Special Inspections.

B.) Find the Lost Dollars: 6 Steps to Improve Profits June Jewell, CPA, AEC Business Solutions Summerlin F

Learn to get the most from people, processes and technology to gain a competitive edge. June Jewell will show you how to improve your firm’s performance and prepare the firm’s future leaders to successfully take the reins.June R. Jewell is a speaker and business management consultant to the A&E industry, and author of Find The Lost Dollars: 6 Steps to Increase Profits in Architecture, Engineering, and Environmental Firms.

3:45-4:00 Break Trade Show floor Concurrent Sessions 4:00-5:00

A.) Changes to Wind Loading in ASCE 7-16 PavilionDon Scott, S.E., PCS Structural SolutionsThis session will identify significant changes to the wind load provisions of ASCE 7-16 and the rationale for these changes. These include new wind speed maps, changes to component and cladding pressure coefficients, expanded commentary on tornado design, and more.Don Scott has been a member of the ASCE 7 Wind Load Committee since 1996 and currently serves as chair, shaping future IBC provi-

sions for wind design. He is also a member of the ASCE 7 General Provisions committee and the ASCE 7 Steering Committee, Chairman of the NCSEA Wind Committee and Past-Chair of the SEAW Wind Load Committee.

Thursday — October 1

B.) BIM and Structural Engineering Summerlin FDesiree Mackey, P.E., S.E., BIM Manager, Martin/MartinWhat is the future of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in structural engineering? This session will cover the pro-cesses, collaboration, and coordination with clients and other project participants, with an open forum for questions.Desirée (Dezi) Mackey is the BIM Manager at Martin/Martin, Inc., in Denver. Dezi has been using Revit for most of her career, and she is extremely active in the BIM community as a regular speaker at conferences, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Building Information Society, and Chair of SEAC’s BIM Committee.

6:30-8:30 Welcome Reception on Trade Show Floor Summerlin A-E Reception Bar sponsored by:

8:30-11:30 (Red) Rock ‘n’ Bowl w/NCSEA, sponsored by CSI Red Rock LanesCap off the evening with your fellow NCSEA attendees in the VIP Bowling Suites at the Red Rock Lanes, sponsored by CSI! Enjoy networking and the chance to show off your 10-pin skills.

Thursday — October 1

Friday — October 27:00 - 8:00 Breakfast Trade Show floor 8:00-10:00 Delegate Collaboration Session Summerlin F8:00-10:00 Vendor Product Presentations:

SOFTWARE Trails NON-SOFTWARE Ridges8:00 - 8:20 Tekla Holcim 8:25 - 8:45 Risa Bekaert8:50 - 9:10 Powers Fasteners AZZ9:15 - 9:35 Nemetschek Valmont9:40 - 9:55 Hilti10:00-10:15 Refreshment BreakConcurrent Sessions 10:15-11:30

A.) Lateral Design of Buildings with Sloped Diaphragms PavilionSteven Call, P.E., S.E., Call EngineeringBuildings constructed with slope roof diaphragms are often designed as if they had a flat roof diaphragm. The significant differences between the lateral designs of sloped vs. flat diaphragms including the proper diaphragm depth, the effect on the wall-to-diaphragm connection, and the effect on the design of shear walls with a sloped connection to the diaphragm will be presented. Steven Call has over 25 years of experience in structural design of buildings, including 17 years as the president of Call Engineering, and is an instructor on design and analysis of diaphragms for Boise State University. B.) Working with Multiple Generations Summerlin FPanel Discussion with the NCSEA YMG Support CommitteeModerator: Emily Guglielmo, S.E., Associate, Martin/Martin Inc.Structural engineering firms find themselves managing four generations of employees, while working to attract, train and retain staff. This session will explore differences and similarities between generations, ways to leverage their uniqueness, and suggestions for successful integration of a multi-generational workplace.

Trade Show Raffle Drawing 11:30-12:00 Summerlin A-E

12:00-1:00 Lunch sponsored by: Veranda & Veranda AB

Concurrent Sessions 1:00-2:30 A.) Lateral Analysis: Right Way/Wrong Way with Software PavilionSam Rubenzer, P.E., S.E., Structural Engineer, FORSE ConsultingLateral load requirements and corresponding analysis methods continue to increase. Sam Rubenzer will discuss the key points in lateral analysis when using different software and will guide engineers regarding what is right and what is wrong in modeling loads.Sam Rubenzer founded FORSE Consulting in 2010 and has been assisting other structural engineers with, and comparing the attributes of,

an assortment of structural engineering design software.

B.) Quality Assurance for Structural Engineering Firms Summerlin FCliff Schwinger, P.E., SECB, Vice President & Quality Assurance Manager, The Harman GroupBIM modeling, sophisticated analysis and design software, increasingly complex building codes and young engineers taking on more responsibility earlier in their careers, all emphasize the need for a formal in-house Quality Assurance program. This seminar reviews the components of a model Quality Assurance program, as well as the methodologies for perform-

ing in-house Quality Assurance reviews.Cliff Schwinger is a Vice President and Quality Assurance Manager at The Harman Group. He serves on the AISC Manuals Committee and has over 30 years of experience designing building structures.Concurrent Sessions 2:45-3:45

A.) Concrete & CMU Elements in Bending + Compression PavilionJohn Tawresey, S.E, retired, KPFF Consulting EngineersJohn Tawresey will present the applied mechanics equations for cracked elements subject to bending plus compression in a form more understandable for the practicing engineer and will then relate these to the latest masonry and concrete code requirements.John G.Tawresey is a past president of The Masonry Society, past president of the Structural Engineers Risk Management Council (SERMC),

past chair of the SERMC Claims Committee, past president of SEI and current member of the ASCE 7 Main Committee and TMS 402/602 Main Committee.

B.) The Decline of Engineering Judgment Summerlin FJon Schmidt, P.E., SECB, Associate Structural Engineer, Burns & McDonnellModern society increasingly embraces theoretical knowledge and technical rationality – i.e., science and technology – while downplaying practical judgment. For structural engineers, this is especially evident in the constantly growing size and complexity of the codes and standards. Jon Schmidt will discuss the implications, unintended consequences, and potential alternatives.Jon A. Schmidt is an associate structural engineer at Burns & McDonnell. He chairs the editorial board for STRUCTURE magazine and authors a bimonthly “InFocus” column in which he often explores the relationship between philosophy and engineering.

3:45-4:00 Refreshment BreakConcurrent Sessions 4:00-5:00

A.) Creative Problem Solving for Repairing Pavilion Wood Structures Kimberlee McKitish, P.E., NuTec GroupKimberlee McKitish will showcase four mini-case studies with creative solutions to wood repair issues. The case studies will look at the problems encountered, alternative repair options, and the thought process that led to the chosen solutions. Kim McKitish is a structural engineer with NuTec Design Associates, Inc. A licensed professional engineer, her area of expertise is in the design, repair, and reuse of manufacturing and industrial buildings.B.) Business Ownership Transfer Summerlin F Craig Barnes, P.E., SECB, Founding Principal, CBI ConsultingCraig Barnes and a likeminded structural engineer started CBI Consulting Inc. in 1984. In 2002 he designed and imple-mented a detailed buyout transition program with two of his long-term employees, to enable them to continue operations of what is now a multi-discipline engineering consulting firm. This presentation will be of benefit to attendees looking toward, or involved in, ownership transfer.Craig E. Barnes worked for a structural engineering firm, an architectural firm, and a national multi-disciplined consulting firm before joining with a fellow engineer to start and grow a new firm to an engineering architectural company with 35 people.

6:00-7:00 Awards Reception Veranda Terrace (formal attire encouraged, but not required) 7:00-10:00 NCSEA Banquet & Awards Presentation, Pavilion

featuring the NCSEA Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards and the NCSEA Special Awards

7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast Summerlin foyer8:00-12:00 NCSEA Annual Business Meeting Charleston CD12:30-2:00 NCSEA Board of Directors Meeting Willows

Friday — October 2

Saturday — October 3

On Thursday:Project Delivery Workshop - The root cause of projects ending badly is often a lack of actual teamwork among the owner, designers and contractors, the seeds of which were sown by poor-quality contractual decisions made at the earliest stages of development. If you have ever wished you could have a seat at the table where

decisions on contractual structure are made, this session will help you become better acquainted with the collaborative tools necessary for improving whole-team Project Delivery.This interactive workshop will explore virtually every aspect of modern project delivery: formal methods, with an examination of advantages and disadvantages for each; details of various contractual tools and techniques; legislative history of QBS for design firms and future QBS prospects for the construction team; and a deep dive into results of major studies that document what works and what doesn’t in the design and construction industry.Speaker: Dale Munhall, Architect, Director of Construction Phase Services, Leo A Daly

Legal Update - How to achieve your business objectives while minimizing the risks of litiga-tion. Topics will include: • Hiring the Best Candidate...Lawfully! • Properly Classifying and Paying Your Workers - Independent Contractor v. Employee - Exempt v. Nonexempt • Preventing Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace • The Handbook: Informing Employees of Policies & Procedures • Disciplining the Problem Employee • What to Expect when Facing a Lawsuit.

Speaker: Staci Ketay Rotman, Attorney, Franczek Radelet P.C.

MARCH 10 & 11 Coronado Island Marriott San Diego, CA

Save The DateSave The Date2016 Winter Leadership Forum

NCSEANational Council of Structural Engineers Associations

On Friday:

Professional Liability: Manage the Risk – Reap the RewardsProfessional Liability Risk Management - Professional liability claims typically start with a real or perceived technical issue and evolve into a full-fledged claim because of a poor business decision. In this session, attendees will learn (or be reminded of ) how these fac-tors combine to spawn a professional malprac-tice claim and gain valuable insight on how to better identify, evaluate and manage profes-sional liability risk before it becomes reality or, if it becomes reality, how sound up-front risk management can make this reality much more manageable and tolerable.

Speakers: Dan Bradshaw, CPCU, Benchmark Insurance AgencyCraig Coburn, Attorney, Richards Brandt Miller Nelson

Claims ManagementThere are four phases of the process. The first is hysteria. How can this be happening? I don’t have the time to deal with this and it is abso-lutely without justification. The second step is denial. I didn’t do anything wrong. I can prove it. Everyone who knows anything will agree. The third step is anger. How can their experts

say such things? What is wrong with the legal system? It should be fixed. Finally, the last stage is resignation. All the doors are closed. There is no logical way out. There is recognition of the injustice and the necessity to mitigate the damage and end the nonsense. Settlement usually follows and life goes on. (Originally written for SERMC by John Tawresey.)Structural engineers and defense counsel from three firms will present what happened to them when they were sued for profes-sional negligence; and the audience will have an opportunity to predict the outcome. Speakers: Seasoned [been sued] structural engineers and defense counselModerator:John Tawresey, S.E., Retired VP & CFO, KPFF

The NCSEA Winter Leadership Forum draws principals and leaders from a diverse group of structural engineering firms to engage in thought-provoking sessions, roundtables, and networking. In 2016, the focus will be on managing risk professionally, collaboratively and transparently. The first day will consist of interactive discussions on managing the various risks every firm faces every day. The second day will be a discussion of the various risks faced on projects and some of the preventative measures you can take.

Stunning views of the San Diego skyline across the bay make Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa a comfortable atmosphere for relaxation and renewal. The Resort includes a variety of luxurious on-site

features, a full-service health spa, three heated pools and convenience to beautiful sandy beaches, shopping and restaurants at Ferry Landing. The NCSEA Winter Leadership Forum room rate for the Coronado Island Marriott Resort is $239 with a complimentary resort fee (a $25 value).

Visit www.ncsea.com for more information!