I am deeply honored to accept the presidency of this distinguished Association. At the same time, I feel very humble in following the footsteps of those who have come before me. In becoming the 70^th president of this Association, the path I trod did not come without struggle and hard work. Along the way, as a pupil of the structural engineering profession, many of you have given me guidance and encouragement to which I am grateful. In years to come, you will remember me not as one of the two Asian engineers ever taking the gavel but as the last SEAOSC president of the 20^th century. My successor will most certainly lay claim to being the first SEAOSC president of the 21^st century.

Like many of my predecessors, I rose through the ranks as chairperson of subcommittees, chair of standing committees and as director/ officer of the Association. Most of you know that I was involved in Building Code/ Seismology committees in my earlier years, and on the Existing Building Committee in recent years. Without a doubt, the building code development process played an important role in helping all active committee participants to understand not just the code provision itself but also the background of the provision. Any user of the building code may come to different understanding or interpretation of a provision based on ones experience background. The committee members who helped to develop the provision often can answer questions in the most direct manner and explain the background. To me this is the most unique bond in our Association.

The process of recommended change to a model building code is open to both professional and industry members in addition to building officials. Generally, the procedure in sponsoring a code change is for the proponent to present argument at the code development committee hearing. Subsequent to action taken at the code development committee hearing, the proponent often will need to attend the membership annual meeting (such as ICBO) in order to defend against challenges to the proposal. The normal process for any proposed code change may take one to two code change cycles. (One code change cycle is three years). To this end, I believe our membership has always enjoyed the steadfast success in gaining acceptance on proposed code changes sponsored by SEAOC committees.

I do encourage all members to take an active role in committee work. The proposed virtual committee, which has been discussed in the list server, may be helpful in laying preliminary ground work on code development issues. However, the committee meetings are essential to resolve negative opinions, compromises and to confirm the final positions for the committee on proposed changes.

Through the years. many individuals from SEAOSC who have been appointed as delegates to ICBO code hearings have all done remarkable work. Some of the names of those delegates include Bob Bachman, Dave Breiholz, Jim Johnson, Dick Phillips, Allen Porush, Rick Ranous, Bob Spracklen, and other old timers prior to my active participation. From first hand knowledge, I know beyond a shadow of doubt that these individual volunteers have spent countless hours in their respective missions. I salute you!

Today, the challenge which many young engineers confront in the structural engineering profession lies in the opportunity to continue ones education beyond what has been offered in a college curriculum. College graduates struggle to gain acceptance amongst the established engineers in private practice. As new technology comes to us at a rapid pace, those established engineers may also find it difficult to cope with new principles. One of the master Chinese philosopher once said that one must learn to unlearn what one has learnt. You can readily accept new principles after you forgo the traditional concepts.

During this fiscal year, I would like to put some emphasis on the following:

Member Services – In recent months, I have discovered the web server as the best vehicle to communicate among board members and to discuss questions of common interest between the list subscribers (Note: No subscription charge). The Board has authorized Don Gilbert to post Board meeting minutes on the web server pursuant to corrections and approval by Board members. I will ask all standing committee chairs to post on the web server meeting agenda, transcription of the committee discussions, and/or the meeting minutes. I will also seek fund from the board to purchase the necessary equipment for video conference use at our Association office.

Student Scholarship – In order to encourage more engineering undergraduates and/ or post-graduates to pursue the structural engineering profession and to become active participants in our Association, we must take a stronger role in the academic program. When the new Board meets, I intend to recommend the SEAOSC Board to endorse a corporate sponsored scholarship fund drive. More on this will be discussed in coming President’s message.

Quality Assurance - During a micro seminar on Constructability in 1997, I mentioned that the success of construction projects in the 21^st century would demand better leadership role of the design professionals. The structural engineer must understand fully the construction sequence and show only those details to effect such construction. The preparation of construction document should take into account constructablity as well as buildability. One of the assignments for the Quality Assurance Committee will be to enroll practicing engineers, building officials and builders in committee work in order to bridge the gap between design and construction.

As my term of presidency begins, I am committed to serve the membership. I am prepared to accept your input and to set priority of near term goals in the coming months. Please remember you don’t belong to the Association; the Association belongs to you. You can help to make the Association grow through your strong participation. Please address correspondence to me via the Association office in Whittier or e-mail seaosc@aol.com.

Wednesday Aug. 5, Brookside Golf Course #1, 1133 N. Rosemont Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103. Golf, softball, tennis, dinner and awards. Reduce stress, meet (or beat) your peers, have fun! Experience the tradition, sign up today. (See blue insert.)

16 3 p.m. Testing Standards Committee SEAOSC office

18 SEAOC Board Meeting San Francisco

19-23 Str. Engrs. World Congress San Francisco

5 SEAOSC Field Day Brookside, Pasadena

20 3 p.m. Testing Standards Committee SEAOSC office

Eimani, Touraj, Member, Taylor & Gaines;

Exley, Matt, Associate, STB Structural Engineers;

Ghosh, Susanta K., Member SE, Delon Hampton & Assoc.;

Han, Sang Whan, Corresponding, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea;

Hawkins, Thomas E., Associate, Howard F. Stup & Assoc.;

Lawrence, Richard J., Member, Grossman and Speer Assoc.;

Little, James K., Industry Member, Pacific Custom Materials;

Martinez, Mandy, Industry Member, Simpson Strong-Tie;

Tavakoulnia, Hojatallah (Vahid), Member SE, The Sichler Design Group, San Diego;

Wang, Marshall, Corresponding, 72^nd CEG/CECE, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City

Grossman & Speer Associates of Glendale, Calif., is expanding. We are interested in engineers at all levels with a minimum of C.E. license and good communication skills. Please, no calls. Fax resume to 818-507-1556.

Walker Parking Consultants requires a structural engineer (professional registration required), experienced in seismic and post-tensioned concrete design to work in its Newport Beach office. Five years experience minimum preferred. EOE/M/F/H/V. Contact Ron Travers at 949-553-1450 or fax resume to 949-553-9419.

Immediate opening at Flores, Lund & Mobayed in San Diego for a structural engineer (C.E. preferred) with minimum four years experience in building design. Please fax resume to FLM at 619-453-3296.

RMS Engineering & Design seeks structural engineers and ACAD 13, 14 operators on a part-time basis, five to 10 years experience with steel and concrete structures in water and wastewater. We are near Orange County Airport. Send resume with references to P.O. Box 8501, Newport Beach, CA 92658.

KSP Structural Engineers, young expanding firm, seeks responsible project managers, minimum seven years experience ins tructural analysis, design and detailing. Excellent verbal/written communications plus creative design for challenging project work required. AutoCad and computer knowledge helpful. Flexible firm with personable atmosphere. Fax resume to 949-660-1939 or call 949-851-8385.

Project Manager/Engineer: Five to 10 years California design experience. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Licensed S.E. or C.lE. for domestic and international projects. Fax or send resume to Paul Mak/King Huang, Martin & Huang International, Inc., 48 S. Chester Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106.

Next NEWSletter deadline: July 29.