Recent increases in seismic activity in Southern California remind us all of the importance of earthquake readiness and preparation. As professionals dedicated to safeguarding our communities, it’s crucial for structural engineers to be prepared to respond to our families and communities in the next large event. Here are some key steps to ensure we’re ready to respond:

• Get certified: Consider enrolling as a Cal OES SAP evaluator or renewing your status if expired. Ensure you have obtained your digital SAP ID via the VEOCI program. SEAOSC will be hosting a SAP evaluator training in October.
• Educate clients: Remind your clients about the vulnerable building types they may own or work on. Offer informational resources on retrofit opportunities and ordinance measures, such as our SEAOSC Safety Fact Sheet and SEAOC Seismically Vulnerable Building Fact Sheet.
• Review emergency plans: Review and re-familiarize yourself with your firm’s emergency response plan. If your firm does not have an emergency response plan, now is the time to put one together.
• Promote preparedness: Join the upcoming Great ShakeOut earthquake drills on Oct 17 and encourage your network to participate.
• Engage with SEAOSC: SEAOSC has a variety of committees that offer further opportunities to get involved and support your community. View the list and how to join at seaosc.org/Committees. Not sure which is best for your interest, email us, and we’ll find the right one: seaosc@seaosc.org
• Sign up for alerts: Sign up for an Earthquake Early Warning alert system, provided through various sources. Here is one resource that is being used by some of our members: myshake.berkeley.edu

Let’s stay vigilant and prepared to protect our families and communities.

Dear Members,

This week, our members head to Portland to attend the annual SEAOC Convention; the place for networking, development, and technical knowledge opportunities all condensed into a few days. I think back to the very first convention I attended back in 2010 in Indian Wells, which I attended from a generous younger member grant provided by Nabih Youssef. I left that week amazed at having connected with many other structural engineers from around the state - firm leaders, mid-career engineers, and young members alike - I had found my people in the conversations I had that week. I was also impressed by the technical seminars and the access I had to learn about current studies within the forefront of structural engineering. This week, SEAOC continues to carry the charge to provide grants to young engineers in our profession through the Pathways program and now I get to be a Pathways Partner and see the development of our younger members from that lens. If you are attending this week’s convention, I look forward to connecting with you in person.

Convention, however, is not the only place to have these networking and technical knowledge experiences and we at SEAOSC are working to provide several such opportunities this year. Two upcoming events are worthy of a special note this month. September 25th will be our Committee Showcase event where you can connect with committee chairs and hear their pitch for the work they plan on doing this year. And October 9th brings an in-person dinner meeting where we will hear about the changes in ASCE-22 to geotechnical provisions that will affect our structural design. Both of these events are opportunities to connect with other engineers - to find your people - and I hope to see you there.

Garrett W. Mills, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2024-25

For several years now, SEAOSC has been working on our public messaging following hazard events – an effort that has been picked up by our state partners at SEAOC and our national partners at NCSEA for larger events – but that remains local for smaller events. Yesterday’s 4.4 magnitude earthquake falls below the threshold for triggering our messaging, however, the epicenter being very close to downtown Los Angeles deserved a response. Many of us members and certainly many Angelenos felt the shaking and we thought about how our buildings responded and how they would respond in a much bigger earthquake. SEAOSC issued a statement to local media outlets directing the public to contact their local structural engineer for building evaluations and damage assessments using the Find an Engineer page on our website and directing the media to contact one of our named media relations members for interviews. If you as a member find yourself receiving inquiries from the media for a response from a structural engineer, we would encourage you to send them our way by contacting mediarelations@seaosc.org.

Dear Members,

The new SEAOSC year is now officially in full swing.

This past week launched our new SEAOSC year with two big events. The first was a kickoff retreat with our new Board of Directors and committee chairs - where a room full of our dedicated volunteer leaders spent the day celebrating the work that we have done together the past several years and exchanging ideas about the work ahead of us. The second was our golf tournament on August 5th - the first member event of the new SEAOSC year. Both events were a tremendous success.

SEAOSC’s committees remain the most vital part of the association. As we look forward to the restart of the academic school year, we also restart our committee goals and rosters for the year.

Just like the member that played their first round of golf at the SEAOSC tournament, we as association leaders want to help break down the intimidation barrier that may prevent someone from joining a committee. To that end, committee meetings are open to anyone to attend as an observer and I encourage you to consider which committee would be of particular interest to you. I personally was much further in my career and involvement at SEAOSC before I realized that I could enrich my experience by taking part in committee work. Even as a young engineer, I had plenty to add and I would have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from just being in the room. I hope you will take a moment and review https://seaosc.org/Committee-Pages and find the committee that most interests you - you definitely belong and have plenty to add!

Garrett W. Mills, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2024-25

Dear Members,

It is the 30th anniversary of the Northridge earthquake and 2025 will bring the 100 year anniversary of the Santa Barbara earthquake. These anniversaries give us unique opportunities to promote structural engineering in our communities.

Our safer cities initiatives are up and running. This year we will continue the work of advocating for sensible legislation with our policy-making partners. We expect to partner with two or three more cities this year that will be enacting retrofit ordinances.

We also look to bolster our relationships with our partners in academia, both faculty and students, as we in Southern California drive research that has local, state, national, and global impacts.

We have a full calendar of events through the rest of the year, and you can mark your calendars now for the 2nd Wednesday of each month to attend a SEAOSC event.

Our regular slate of events over the course of the year includes the Golf Tournament, the SEAOC convention in Portland, our Committee Showcase, Gingerbread Challenge, Trivia Night, Emerging Engineers Night, SEE Awards, and June Technical Summit.

The upcoming year also brings back the in-person Career Fair, the Leadership Symposium, in-person dinners and a winter technical day.   In addition, Structured Connections events throughout the year are being reimagined as partnership events with industry partners like AIA and ICC as we continue to strengthen those relationships.

I am grateful for your involvement in the Association, in your committee work, in attending and planning events, in being mentors and advocates for our emerging professionals, and in promoting and elevating the profile of our distinguished profession. You are truly inspiring, and I look forward to serving you as your President.

Garrett W. Mills, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2024-25

Join us for an inspiring webinar series, "Structural Engineer Spotlight Series: Something from Nothing" featuring the incredible journeys of members from the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC). This series is created by the esteemed filmmaker Dilip Khatri and showcases the personal and professional stories of SEAOSC members as they navigate their paths from humble beginnings to becoming influential figures in the field of structural engineering.

This series dives deep into the lives of structural engineers who have overcome various challenges to achieve remarkable success. Each episode highlights a different member, exploring their unique backgrounds, career milestones, and the pivotal moments that defined their journeys. These stories not only celebrate their achievements but also offer valuable insights and inspiration to aspiring engineers and seasoned professionals alike.

Episode #1 July 19th at 12:00 CST : Tells the story of Lorena Arce, and her journey, struggles and steps to becoming the engineer she is today followed by a live Q&A session with Lorena. Register here.

Episode #2 August 16th at 12:00 CST : Tells the story of Adena Geiger and her journey from Iran, through a rigorous education process to a graduate with her Masters in Civil Engineering. This will be followed by a live Q&A session with Adena. Register here.

Episode #3 September 20th at 12:00 CST: Tells the story of Daryl Frigillana and his journey towards becoming a structural engineer followed by a live Q&A session with Daryl. Register here.

Thank you to Dilip Khatri for producing and creating this film series.

This event has been brought to you by the NCSEA Foundation. Donate to the Foundation.

This June, SEAOSC hosted its annual Safer Cities Breakfast where building officials and city leaders from across Southern California joined SEAOSC leadership to discuss how they can work together to make buildings safer and more resilient.

Attendees discussed soft story retrofitting strategies and the main challenge they’re running into to get these programs adopted and in place. Many cities discovered that they’re facing the same challenge: educating their local communities (and leaders) about the need to invest in long-term safety for older buildings. As a result, SEAOSC is now developing communication materials for local governments and communities to raise awareness and spur action.

As it continues to work with local leaders to make Southern Californian cities safer, SEAOSC plans to engage on additional issues like reoccupation strategies post-earthquake as well as other emerging issues where SEAOSC’s collective expertise can advance these critical priorities.

SEAOSC is delighted to announce that Traci Wong, PE, Principal at Miyamoto, will join the SEAOSC board for the 2024-26 term. Traci’s extensive experience and passion for structural engineering make her an invaluable addition to the board, and we look forward to her contributions in the coming years.

Traci’s relationship with SEAOSC began over 25 years ago when she joined the student chapter at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Her decision to join was inspired by the collaboration and fellowship she observed among structural engineering professionals at various stages of their careers. Traci reflects, "I’ve stayed a member because I’ve been enriched by many of my colleagues who have become friends, resources, teachers, advocates, and industry leaders. I believe that when we elevate and support each other, we strengthen and evolve our profession. I will continue as a member in hopes that I can give back the support and integrity I was lucky enough to experience and grow from."

Traci’s path into the structural engineering industry was ultimately motivated by the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. She recalls, "My school bus stop on Olympic and Barrington in West Los Angeles was directly in front of the 6-story L- L-shaped concrete frame Barrington Building. Before it was quickly demolished, I spent some time looking at the collapsed 2nd story, the prominent X-cracks in the columns, and the crushed corner columns and exposed rebar. The building was not much older than me and I was fascinated by the “why” and how a newer building could sustain that extent of damage. My friend’s house slid off the foundation and another’s apartment was unsafe to return to. I witnessed the impact of the devastation and wanted to be part of a solution, so I chose structural engineering as a major and never looked back."

As Traci steps into her role as a SEAOSC board member, her drive to contribute to safer, more resilient buildings and communities will undoubtedly enrich SEAOSC and the broader structural engineering community. We are excited to welcome her and we look forward to the positive impact she will make during her term.

SEAOSC is pleased to announce that Hooman Tavallali, SE, Structural Principal Engineer at Cannon, will serve as an incoming SEAOSC board member for the 2024-26 term!

Hooman’s engagement with structural engineering associations has been a cornerstone of his professional journey. Reflecting on his involvement, he shared, "Joining SEAOSC was a natural step for me. Since the start of my professional career, I have been a member of one of the Structural Engineering associations. My journey began with SEAONY when I took my first job in New York City. After moving to California, I joined SEAONC, and finally, I became a member of SEAOSC when I relocated to Irvine two years ago. Throughout my career, I have actively participated in different committees."

For him, his membership in these associations serves two critical purposes. "Firstly, it provides a platform to contribute to both the Structural Engineering community and the general public by promoting the importance of our profession. Secondly, I have always benefited from the interactions with my colleagues and peers, learning from them, and having a common venue to discuss and address the challenges faced by the Structural Engineering community. As structural engineers, we are problem solvers, and there is no better way to tackle our profession's challenges than by collaborating with our peers."

Hooman is particularly enthusiastic about the future of the Structural Engineering industry, driven by technological advancements and a focus on sustainability. "What excites me most about the future of the Structural Engineering industry is the rapid advancement in technology and its potential to revolutionize our field. Innovations in materials, construction methods, and design software are opening up new possibilities for creating safer, more efficient, and sustainable structures. Additionally, the growing emphasis on resilience and sustainability is driving the industry towards developing solutions that not only meet the needs of today but also address the challenges of the future, such as climate change and urbanization. The increasing integration of interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration with other fields also promises to enhance our ability to solve complex problems and innovate continuously. The future of Structural Engineering is bright with opportunities to make a significant impact on society and the built environment." he explained.

When asked about the SEAOSC Community, Hooman emphasized the value of the association's collaborative spirit and the professional growth opportunities it offers. "What I value most about our SEAOSC community is the collaborative spirit and the opportunities it provides for professional growth. The interactions with colleagues and peers are incredibly enriching, offering a platform to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and collectively work towards solutions. This community not only fosters professional development but also promotes the importance of Structural Engineering to the general public, enhancing the impact of our profession. The support and camaraderie within SEAOSC make it an invaluable resource for any structural engineer."

Hooman's proven track record in the industry and active participation in various committees demonstrate his commitment to advancing the field of Structural Engineering. SEAOSC looks forward to his contributions, innovative ideas, and collaborative approach that will significantly enhance the organization's efforts to promote the profession and address the evolving challenges within the industry.

SEAOSC is pleased to announce that Mikhail Gershfeld, S.E., Professional Practice Professor of Civil Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona, will be serving as an incoming SEAOSC board member for the 2024-26 term!

Mikhail's journey into the structural engineering industry is as inspiring as it is unique. Reflecting on his early fascination with the field, he recounted: "I was 12 years old when, during our family visit to a technical bookstore, my father told me to pick a book I wanted to buy. I found a book on structural failures with images and descriptions. I could not believe that these large buildings and bridges could just collapse. I ended up buying that book and have read and re-read it multiple times. Since then, I have wanted to learn why these structures fail and how we can prevent it from happening." This early curiosity laid the foundation for his career, focusing on designing safe and reliable structures.

As a professor at Cal Poly Pomona, Mikhail has a wide range of research interests that reflect his dedication to improving the field of structural engineering. His research areas include Timber Engineering, Earthquake Engineering, Community Resilience, and Interdisciplinary Education.

Offering advice to future engineers, Mikhail emphasized professional integrity: "There will be a time in your engineering practice when your or someone else's poor business decision (low fee, not enough time, not enough personnel, pressure from the customer) might cause you to consider "cutting corners" to accommodate the business situation. My advice is simple: keep business failures from ever impacting the quality of your professional work; draw a bright red line between the two, and once the business decision is made, perform professional work of the highest quality you can."

Mikhail's appointment to the SEAOSC board highlights his expertise and leadership. His commitment to integrity, prevention of structural failures, and diverse research interests inspire current and future engineers. As he takes on this new role, the structural engineering community can look forward to his continued contributions and positive impact.