Thomas Smith — longtime ASCE leader and Executive Director for the past 11 years joins Dr. Dennis D. Truax for a special edition of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast. They discuss civil engineering’s future through the lens of workforce shortages, AI, sustainability, extreme weather, and the critical role of advocacy, trusted engineering knowledge, and inclusive pathways into the profession.

• Tom’s career path: civil engineering → law → ASCE

• ASCE’s biggest profession-wide impacts (report cards, standards, public outreach)

• Why AI must be applied “with purpose” — outcomes that serve humanity

• Workforce development + career-connected learning

• Infrastructure investment advocacy and what comes next

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