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April 2026 
President's Message
If you’ve ever wondered why our newsletter arrives mid-month rather than at the beginning, there’s a reason grounded in our bylaws and process. Our board meeting is held on the same day as our Second Tuesday dinner meeting, and during that board meeting we review new membership applications. Per our bylaws, those applicants must then be published in the newsletter, initiating a 28-day member review period during which objections may be raised. After that period, and a final board review, membership is approved and published again.
This sequencing is why the newsletter timing may feel delayed; it’s a function of ensuring a transparent and consistent membership process.
That same timing creates an interesting challenge for this message. By the time you read this, our April dinner meeting has already taken place, yet there is little time to report on it in detail. So I’ll do what I often do, acknowledge it in retrospect and trust that it was a successful and enjoyable evening.
Our April meeting was our Annual Student Night and Scholarship Awards, held at Urban Roots here in Sacramento. This event remains one of the highlights of the year, bringing together seasoned professionals and the next generation of structural engineers for an evening of connection, mentorship, and community.
We were also proud to recognize this year’s scholarship recipients:
- Aaishah Al Haidari (CSUS)
- Clifton Heatlie (UC Davis)
- Greg Crabtree (University of the Pacific)
- Eric Zaragoza (CSU Chico)
- Merryn Anderson (UNR)
Congratulations to all of our awardees. And a sincere thank you to Jim Carlson for coordinating the scholarship program. We did not receive entries from Fresno State this year, hopefully we can re-engage them in the future.
On the topic of students, Alban made a strong effort this year to revive the SEAOCC student competition. While timing challenges prevented it from coming together, substantial groundwork has been laid. That positions us well for a successful return in 2027, complete with the hands-on, build-and-break competition we all enjoy.
Looking back briefly, March’s dinner meeting featured an excellent presentation by Eric Fuller on the transformation of the Eastern Star Lodge into an upscale hotel, a SEAOCC SEE Award winner also presented at the 2025 SEAOC Convention. The project highlighted the complexity of modernizing a historic structure while preserving its architectural character. Having visited the completed building, I can confirm it is an exceptional result.
Speaking of SEE Awards, this is your reminder:
The FINAL submission deadline is this Friday, April 17.
If you have a project to showcase, I strongly encourage you to submit. We look forward to recognizing outstanding work at our annual awards dinner in June at Mulvaney’s, always one of the best events of the year.
Our Younger Member Forum (YMF) continues to stay active. They hosted a bowling event in March, and a Topgolf event is scheduled for May 1. These events are a great opportunity for emerging professionals to connect, and I encourage you to spread the word. Many thanks to Francisco Rodriguez and Catherine Moore for their continued leadership, our emerging professional “powerhouse.”
Looking ahead:
- May 14: SEAOCC Annual Golf Tournament. Whether you have a foursome or are signing up individually, we’ll get you on a team. Thank you to Nick Herskedal for organizing this event yet again. (Full disclosure, I’ve never attended before, but I plan to change that this year.)
- August 26–28: SEAOC Convention in Scottsdale, AZ
- October 27–30: NCSEA Summit in San Francisco, right in our backyard this year
In addition to events, you’ll soon see two ballots grace your email in-box:
- Bylaws Revision Ballot. Our bylaws have not been updated in many years and need modernization. Please take the time to review and vote.
- Annual Elections Ballot. As always, your participation is important. If you have nominations, please share them with the committee.
I started this message wondering what to write, but as it turns out, there was quite a bit to cover this month after all. And as always, I welcome your feedback: suggestions, ideas, and constructive input are encouraged.
Thank you for everything you contribute to this profession.
Warmly,
Sonia Eliseo, SE
SEAOCC President
Calendar of Events
YMF is hosting a TopGolf night May 1, 2026
May 01, 2026
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Topgolf Roseville
1700 Freedom Way
Roseville , CA 95678
SEAOCC Annual Golf Tournament May 14, 2026
May 14, 2026
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Teal Bend Golf Club
7200 Garden Highway
Sacramento, CA 95837
Venue website
SEAOC Convention August 26 to August 28, 2026
August 26, 2026
12:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale
7500 E Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Committee Reports
YMF TopGolf Event - few Tickets remaining
We are hosting our next social event at TopGolf in Roseville on Friday, May 1st, from 6:30-8:30 pm. Please come out and join us for some golf, food, drinks, and good company. Looking forward to a fun event to kick off the weekend and summer!
Register yourself and a co-worker/friend before spots fill up!
Welcome New Members
New Members Posted Members April 14, 2026
Brandon Biando, Caltrans - Associate
Wilder Mazariegos, CAU, Sac - Student
Aasihah Al Haidari, CAU, Sac - Student
New Members Approved Members
Sarah Outzen, Henkel - Industry
Jonathan Kotyakov, Heavenly Coffee - Student
Taneil Evans, Structuary Engineering, Inc. - Member
New Posted Members and Approved Members are posted to the SEAOCC website after the board meetings.
SEAOCC ByLaws
To the Structural Engineers Association of Central California membership:
This month, we are asking our voting-eligible members to participate in an important vote to ratify Board of Director proposed updates to our Association bylaws. Voting eligible members are those with the grade of Member or Member SE.
Background
Our current bylaws have not been updated since 2013, and they no longer fully reflect how our organization and profession operate today. Over the past 13 years, both our industry practices and the day-to-day operations of our Association have evolved significantly. As a result, portions of the bylaws are now out of date for a variety of logistical and practical reasons.
The proposed updates are intended to modernize the bylaws by:
- Updating outdated language so it better reflects our full membership
- Revising references to how we conduct business and communicate, recognizing that many of our events are now hybrid and that our communications are conducted electronically rather than by mail
- Aligning the bylaws with the current procedures and practices of both the profession and our organization
- Clarify our organization’s connection to the Structural Engineers Association of California and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations
- Clarify the roles and responsibilities of our members, our committees, and our Board of Directors
An email will be sent on Tuesday, April 14 to all voting-eligible members with a link to complete the vote. Voting will remain open until April 28.
Your Vote Is Essential
For these bylaw changes to be ratified, at least one-third of all voting-eligible members must cast a vote. That means participation is critical. Even if you support the proposed changes, they cannot be approved unless enough eligible members respond.
Please watch for the email on April 14 and make every effort to submit your vote before April 28.
Your participation will help ensure that SEAOCC’s bylaws accurately reflect who we are today and support how we will operate in the future.
Thank you for your time, your engagement, and your support of the Association. If you have any questions, please contact any member of the Board of Directors or the Bylaws Committee.
Laura Rice, SE
SEAOCC Past President
Membership Dues Reminder
Membership Dues Renewal Begins July 1st
Membership renewals will be going out July 1 to the email address on file for those paying as individuals, and to firm representatives for companies participating in firm renewals. Renewals will open on July 1st on our website at seaocc.org website under "Member Area". Please note that per our bylaws, a late fee will be applied beginning October 15.
If you have recently received your PE or your SE and your membership grade is incorrect, please notify us as soon as possible via email sent to [email protected]. Please also review and update your membership profile with any address or firm changes that may have recently occurred. Updating your member profile will allow us, SEAOC, and NCSEA to better serve you. If your firm participates in the firm renewal program, please check with your firm administrator that your name and correct email address is on email list sent back to SEAOCC with the payment so that there is no interruption in your membership. We look forward to your continued membership, participation, and support! Please let us know at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Job Forum
Job Posting for Members
Job listings are submitted for SEAOCC approval before being posted. Once approved by SEAOCC your listing will be posted for two months from the approval date. For listing to be reposted please resubmit your job listing.
The member fee for a 2 month posting is $150. You will be prompted for a credit card payment after clicking on the "Submit" button.
Job Posting for Non-Members
Job listings are submitted for SEAOCC approval before being posted. Once approved by SEAOCC your listing will be posted for two months from the approval date. For listing to be reposted please resubmit your job listing.
The nonmember fee for a 2 month posting is $250. You will be prompted for a credit card payment after clicking on the "Submit" button.
Submit an Ad - members Submit an Ad - Non-Members
Structural Project Manager
LPA, Inc.
Job Posting
Feb. 10, 2026
Ask SEAOCC Leadership
What’s a small habit you’d like to “spring clean” in your life right now?
"I'd like to actually file mail items when I receive them....as opposed to putting them in a pile that grows and grows until it takes me hours to make my way through it." - Megan Chang
"Avoid scrolling late at night. So the solution is to put my phone on Do Not Disturb an hour before bedtime!" - Catherine Moore
