21st Century Engineer

In this episode of The 21st Century Engineer, host Dr. Dennis Truax welcomes Monica Gilmore, Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors. Together, they unpack why professional licensure (PE) still matters in today’s evolving engineering landscape — and what’s at stake when fewer engineers pursue it.

Monica shares:

• Her 20+ year journey from civil engineer to executive director

• What most students don’t know about the PE path

• The “three E’s” of licensure: education, exams, and experience

• How visibility and storytelling are shifting the profession

• Her passion for outreach, mentorship, and public safety

Whether you’re an engineering student, EIT, or licensed PE — this episode will challenge you to think deeper about responsibility, legacy, and what it really means to be a professional engineer in the 21st century.

🔗 Subscribe, follow, and share if you believe in the power of engineering to shape the world.

What happens when large language models (LLMs) become part of the engineering team? In this episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, we sit down with William (Bill) Katzenmeyer, P.E., C.F.M. civil engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of CLB Engineering to explore how LLMs like GPT-4 are redefining workflows in the AEC space.

From improving documentation and reducing design errors to creating more adaptive, future-ready infrastructure, LLMs are offering new ways for engineers to think, build, and problem-solve. This episode dives deep into the ethics, risks, opportunities, and emerging industry standards around AI-driven civil engineering.

Whether you're in design, construction, or policy, this conversation offers a practical look at how to lead in a world where LLMs aren't just tools—they're collaborators.

www.21stcenturyengineer.com

Welcome back to another episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, where we explore innovation, infrastructure, and the minds reshaping our world. In this powerful episode, host Dennis sits down with Emma Quail, a seasoned expert in non-revenue water, leak detection, and water infrastructure innovation.

Emma, now leading Technology Solutions at Ferguson — the nation's largest plumbing and waterworks distributor — dives into why up to 40% of treated water in the U.S. is lost before it reaches a customer, how outdated systems and old thinking keep the industry stuck, and why young professionals and proactive technology are our best hope for sustainable change.

From practical leak detection approaches to the power of human intervention, Emma shares actionable insights on how municipalities, engineers, and water leaders can reclaim lost water, build trust, and lead the shift toward smart, data-driven infrastructure.

This conversation is essential for utility leaders, city planners, engineers, environmental advocates, and anyone passionate about fixing broken systems before it’s too late.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes tackling engineering, infrastructure, and leadership.

📩 Contact Emma Quail Emma Quail | LinkedIn#LeakDetection #WaterInfrastructure #EngineeringPodcast #NonRevenueWater #EmmaQuail #21stCenturyEngineer #SmartUtilities #WaterLoss #FergusonWaterworks #CivilEngineering #DigitalTwins #WaterCrisis

On this episode of the 21st Century Engineer, we welcome trailblazer Eileen Vélez Vega, PE, MSCE, a civil engineer and aviation specialist who made history as Puerto Rico’s first female Secretary of Transportation and Public Works.In conversation with Dr. Dennis Truxillo, Eileen shares the realities of leading public infrastructure projects in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic restructuring — and what engineers and consultants need to understand about value-based pricing, government partnerships, and designing for long-term sustainability.They also dive into:What it really takes to stay in the AEC industry as a Latina engineer and working momWhy engineering firms must rethink support systems for womenHow to advocate for maintenance budgets in political environmentsWhy good consulting isn’t cheap — and shouldn’t beHow Kimley-Horn’s “Lift” program supports women in engineering careersPlease subscribe and help spread the word.

In this episode, Dr. Dennis Turek sits down with Tirza Austin, community manager at ASCE, to talk about mentorship in engineering, how structured programs support career growth, and why mid-level professionals are the mentors most in demand.

Tirza shares insights into how ASCE is redesigning mentorship as a strategic initiative—especially for early-career civil engineers navigating career decisions, licensure, and life in the AEC industry.

🔍 Topics Covered:

• Why formal mentoring programs work better

• Challenges young civil engineers face

• How to find the right mentor at the right time

• Mentorship success stories from ASCE

• Building trust and structure in mentoring relationships

🎧 Want more episodes? Subscribe for deep dives on engineering leadership, professional development, and behind-the-scenes conversations with AEC pros.

🌐 Learn more about ASCE's mentoring program
https://www.asce.org/

📌 Timestamps
0:00 Welcome + Why We Talk Mentorship
1:18 Tirza’s Journey with ASCE
3:13 Mentorship as a Strategic Priority
5:06 Finding Your Niche as a Young Engineer
6:32 Passion vs. Aptitude in Engineering
7:29 Why Mentorship Must Be Structured
10:13 What Mentees Must Know
14:19 What Makes a Great Mentor?
17:27 Mid-Level Mentors & Real Relatability
22:15 How Many Mentees Is Too Many?
25:11 Time Commitment for Mentoring
27:19 Workplace Bias and Navigating Real Challenges

#CivilEngineering #ASCE #Mentorship #EngineeringPodcast #AECIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment

Dr. William Hayden Jr. joins us to explain why 60% of engineering projects don’t meet goals—and why it has nothing to do with technical ability. Drawing on global consulting work and a sharp eye for systems thinking, he shares stories from inside the AEC industry, his personal encounters with Dr. Deming, and why young professionals often walk out the door without saying a word.

This episode dives deep into the cultural, educational, and structural cracks in the profession—and offers a path forward rooted in leadership, psychological safety, and truth-telling.

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Follow the show for conversations that challenge the status quo in engineering and civil infrastructure.

#Leadership #Engineering #AEC #Deming #CivilEngineering #21stCenturyEngineer

Dennis D. sits down with Tiffani Neilson (CMO, IoT Marketing) to explore how the engineering and infrastructure industries are adapting to digital transformation. From broadband access to AI-driven content and the future of trade shows, this episode breaks down the opportunities and challenges facing civil engineers, procurement leaders, and infrastructure professionals.

Why are so many civil engineers leaving the industry? In this episode, Scott, Dennis, and Miles dissect the toxic cultures, lack of purpose, and outdated systems driving talent out of one of America’s most essential professions. If you care about infrastructure, this one’s a must-listen.

Is artificial intelligence really a threat to engineering—or is it just another tool in the box?

In this episode of The 21st Century Engineer, host Dennis sits down with Nick Heim, Senior Innovation Engineer at StructureCare and host of the AEC Engineering & Technology Podcast, to talk about the evolving role of engineers in an AI-powered world.

They explore the real fears and opportunities AI presents, including:
– Whether AI can replace engineering judgment
– Why engineers are not just button-pushers
– How tech can be used (and misused) as a marketing gimmick
– The danger of “falling asleep at the wheel” with over-automation
– How the profession must adapt to avoid commoditization

🔍 Perfect for:
– Civil, structural, and infrastructure engineers
– Engineering students & new grads
– Innovators and tech leaders in AEC industries

🎙 Guest: Nick Himes
🏢 Senior Innovation Engineer at StructureCare
🎧 Host of AEC Engineering & Technology Podcast

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This episode of The 21st Century Engineer Podcast, Dennis sits down with Tara Hoke — ethics counsel for ASCE and a 20-year veteran in civil infrastructure — to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping the ethical responsibilities of modern engineers.

From the collapse of IBM’s Watson to the pressures of AI-powered decision-making in high-stakes environments, this conversation cuts straight to the core of what today’s engineers need to know.

You’ll hear about:
– Why AI can’t be trusted blindly
– How engineers are being asked to validate data they didn’t generate
– What the Watson oncology failure taught us
– How young engineers can position themselves as future-ready change agents

🎯 Whether you’re designing infrastructure, managing risk, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is your starting point for understanding AI’s ethical edge in engineering.

🔗 Mentioned in the show:
– ASCE Code of Ethics
– Civil Engineering Magazine

📢 Like what you hear? Share this episode, leave a review, and follow the podcast for more conversations at the intersection of innovation, ethics, and civil design.