I hope that as you read this article, you had a most enjoyable Thanksgiving! We all have much to be thankful for. Today brings me a lot of joy as I reflect on our tremendous experience in Columbus. Thanks to all of you, the 2024 Convention & Expo was one of my favorites from the past two decades. Thinking about what we will do over the next two years is exciting, so let’s start talking about some areas of expectations.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that the more planning and execution we do as an organization, the more we can achieve together. In my opinion, the belief that one person can do everything is a myth. However, one person can tremendously impact another and an entire organization. The person who can make the largest impact is you.
Over the years, I have learned to love reading (listing on audible) many great books on leadership, lean manufacturing, personal development, and several other topics. Technology continues to evolve, providing us with access to multiple delivery forms. Some of us are old enough to remember 45s (records), 8-track players, or the revolutionary Walkman. The earth shook when the iPhone was created, and people like the billionaire Steve Balmer said, “This won’t appeal to business customers.” Brilliant people miss from time to time. Leadership takes place at all levels of any organization. It is always essential to know the goals, the skill sets of the contributors, and the resources available to you to support the mission.
At the core of ASPE, our mission is education. We are the Society responsible for training the generations to come. As we proudly display on our website, aspe.org:
The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) is the international organization for professionals skilled in the design, specification, and inspection of plumbing systems. ASPE is dedicated to the advancement of the science of plumbing engineering, to the professional growth and advancement of its members, and the health, welfare and safety of the public.
The Society disseminates technical data and information, sponsors activities that facilitate interaction with fellow professionals, and, through research and education, expands the base of knowledge of the plumbing engineering industry. ASPE members are leaders in innovative plumbing design, effective materials and energy use, and the application of advanced techniques throughout the world.
We will continue to stay true to our charge. Our leadership team will continue working with operations to enhance our offerings while creating a safe environment for all our members to grow and advance their careers. There will be many opportunities to develop lasting friendships and professional opportunities.
We will focus on growing our student membership, committee activities, and legislative awareness and continuing our efforts to create a PE option for plumbing engineering. Every one of our members plays a part in our success. I invite you to get involved in your local Chapters, taking on leadership roles with special activities, legislature involvement, and community outreach. Our work at the Chapter level is the foundation for our entire Society. The stronger our Chapters, the stronger our whole Society can become.
I am open to hearing from as many of you who wish to reach out to me. Our Society has a great purpose that I hope you enjoy serving. Let’s continue our efforts together for a fantastic organization.
With this Volume 3 of my articles, I am enclosing Volume 3 of the ASPE education crossword puzzle. Luther Thevenin, CPD, MCPPO, is one of our many talented contributors to the ASPE Education Committee, and he has put together some great puzzles for our ASPE community. So, take some time and complete the crossword puzzle. The answers will be posted in my next article.
Until next time…
