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5/1/2013
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It is an honor to serve as ACI President and be mentored by my predecessors: Jim Wight, Ken Hover, Florian Barth, Luis García, and Jo Coke. I am truly humbled to follow these extraordinary individuals. I was introduced to concrete in the 1970s by Professor Herb Moore, who taught reinforced concrete at Virginia Tech. As an undergraduate student studying civil engineering, I was captivated by Professor Moore’s enthusiasm for his subject. He opened my eyes to the potential of what I might one day design and see built. He instilled a sense of respect for the profound responsibility engineers shoulder. He stressed the importance of the lessons learned through stories and images of failures. He also stressed the individual responsibility to build upon the collective knowledge of our profession, particularly what was in the ACI 318-71 Code. As a young engineer, I was blessed to work on exciting projects, many iconic at the time. My relationship with the 318 Code deepened. As I assumed progressively more responsible positions, my relationship with ACI moved beyond the basic tenants of design as I sought guidance on quality, roles, responsibilities, and so much more. Then I took an evening job as an engineering instructor teaching EIT review, PE review, and then reinforced concrete design. My relationship with ACI broadened as I was forced to articulate what had become habit in my engineering practice. And then, at an inflection point in my career, I joined the concrete and cement industries, advancing efforts in the world of codes and standards. It was during this time I joined the ranks of the ACI convention attendees. I was and continue to be starstruck by those I met and meet: authors of my textbooks, experts the world turns to post-event/post-disaster, and concrete legends whose continuing education seminars I had traveled hundreds of miles to attend and who inspired me with their breadth and depth of knowledge and personal commitment to raise the caliber of our professional community one engineer, one city, one region at a time. Here they were at ACI, contributing to the collective knowledge of concrete. And, like me, they shared my crazy passion for all things concrete. Many years since, and many conventions later, I can recall many moments of inspiration attending ACI conventions. Like you, ACI is my technical home. At ACI, we meet people who are on the cutting edge—with new products, new means and methods, and new thinking. Today we address the complex: globalization, sustainability, resilience, performance, BIM, new communication media, extraordinary post-disaster data, and a body of knowledge that continues to expand at amazing rates. By addressing the complexities of the day, the work of this profoundly influential Institute serves as inspiration and will continue to inspire tomorrow. I thank those who have agreed to shoulder the responsibility and serve with me on the ACI Executive Committee and the Board of Direction, and as Chairs of the ACI Board Committees (these inspiring volunteers are listed in the article “ACI’s New Officers for 2013,” on p. 19). With this team, and the support of our outstanding ACI staff, we will work to: Go Global: Advance concrete knowledge to anyone, anywhere. This ambitious goal starts with geographically diversifying the membership of our Board Committees to help shape a more modern, inclusive, global vision of the Institute. Be Relevant: Do today what needs to be done to be relevant tomorrow. Vice President Bill Rushing will lead a wholesale update to our strategic plan to help map the way. And we will promulgate an integrated marketing and communication plan starting with a total revamp of the ACI website, including the retail areas and the committee work areas. The means by which people connect and share information have transformed. The power shifts to those best able to communicate. Celebrate our Legacy: Honor the work of our members and the industry; inspire the next generation. The legacies of our activities touch countless people globally. Let’s not forget to tell that part of our story. We will start by leveraging outstanding concrete projects recognized by our chapters. Stay tuned for more. Thanks for the opportunity to represent you as we collectively prepare the Institute and the concrete community for the future. Anne M. Ellis American Concrete Institute Back to Memo List
It is an honor to serve as ACI President and be mentored by my predecessors: Jim Wight, Ken Hover, Florian Barth, Luis García, and Jo Coke. I am truly humbled to follow these extraordinary individuals.
I was introduced to concrete in the 1970s by Professor Herb Moore, who taught reinforced concrete at Virginia Tech. As an undergraduate student studying civil engineering, I was captivated by Professor Moore’s enthusiasm for his subject. He opened my eyes to the potential of what I might one day design and see built. He instilled a sense of respect for the profound responsibility engineers shoulder. He stressed the importance of the lessons learned through stories and images of failures. He also stressed the individual responsibility to build upon the collective knowledge of our profession, particularly what was in the ACI 318-71 Code.
As a young engineer, I was blessed to work on exciting projects, many iconic at the time. My relationship with the 318 Code deepened. As I assumed progressively more responsible positions, my relationship with ACI moved beyond the basic tenants of design as I sought guidance on quality, roles, responsibilities, and so much more. Then I took an evening job as an engineering instructor teaching EIT review, PE review, and then reinforced concrete design. My relationship with ACI broadened as I was forced to articulate what had become habit in my engineering practice. And then, at an inflection point in my career, I joined the concrete and cement industries, advancing efforts in the world of codes and standards.
It was during this time I joined the ranks of the ACI convention attendees. I was and continue to be starstruck by those I met and meet: authors of my textbooks, experts the world turns to post-event/post-disaster, and concrete legends whose continuing education seminars I had traveled hundreds of miles to attend and who inspired me with their breadth and depth of knowledge and personal commitment to raise the caliber of our professional community one engineer, one city, one region at a time. Here they were at ACI, contributing to the collective knowledge of concrete. And, like me, they shared my crazy passion for all things concrete.
Many years since, and many conventions later, I can recall many moments of inspiration attending ACI conventions. Like you, ACI is my technical home. At ACI, we meet people who are on the cutting edge—with new products, new means and methods, and new thinking. Today we address the complex: globalization, sustainability, resilience, performance, BIM, new communication media, extraordinary post-disaster data, and a body of knowledge that continues to expand at amazing rates. By addressing the complexities of the day, the work of this profoundly influential Institute serves as inspiration and will continue to inspire tomorrow.
I thank those who have agreed to shoulder the responsibility and serve with me on the ACI Executive Committee and the Board of Direction, and as Chairs of the ACI Board Committees (these inspiring volunteers are listed in the article “ACI’s New Officers for 2013,” on p. 19). With this team, and the support of our outstanding ACI staff, we will work to:
Thanks for the opportunity to represent you as we collectively prepare the Institute and the concrete community for the future.
Anne M. Ellis American Concrete Institute
Back to Memo List
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