DEI or ‘die’ – A Noteworthy Discussion

Overview
Speaker(s)

Presented by NSPE’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Experience Level: Any level of experience

The subject of representing ALL voices and life experiences in the world of engineering is often times contentious. This presentation looks at the subject of DEI from the perspective of engineers with differing life experiences. Quite often, the input of those engineers with different life experiences that diverge from the perspectives of what are considered to be the 'best and brightest' practices are relegated as an after-thought or outright ignored. There are those that feel strongly that DEI does not belong in the engineering profession. After all, physics is physics regardless of sex, race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. Not only will this webinar examine that premise, it will also bring to light many of the experiences and needs of the various members of the public that have long gone unheard - and in too many cases have resulted in needless deaths as a result of clinging to the 'best and brightest' engineering approaches. This webinar will highlight that the terms ‘best and brightest’ are often based on a purely self-centric premise. We’ll discuss and point to clear examples of why the definition of ‘best and brightest’ is quite different depending upon the definer.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Attendees will recognize that important aspects of successful engineering projects will require a diverse set of life experiences/perspectives.

2. Attendees will learn that a homogeneous perspective is not capable of seeing nor understanding the needs of a heterogeneous society.

3. Attendees will learn that the key to employee retention, contribution and happiness is understanding, respecting and accepting the concept that each employee has differing needs and expectations.

1 PDH

Pricing:

NSPE Members: FREE

Non-members: $75.00 (Join NSPE today and save on this purchase.)

To register, add this webinar to your shopping cart and check-out in the NSPE e-store.

Richard B. Easley

President

E-Squared Consulting Corporation

Richard Easley is the President of E-Squared Consulting Corporation, a 26-year-old small firm specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). He has 38 years of experience in providing transportation technology consulting services in 34 states and 25 countries. Mr. Easley serves on the Boards of ITS Canada and the International Parking and Mobility Institute (IPMI) and serves(d) as Chair of technical committees within the Institute of Transportation Engineers, Intelligent Transportation Society of America, IPMI, ITS Maryland, etc. In addition, Mr. Easley is the Chair of the NSPE DEI Advisory Committee, the ITS Canada DEI Committee, member of the ITS United Kingdom DEI Committee and provides technical services/guidance to the USDOT and state DOT organizations.

Rick Guerra, P.E., F.NSPE

President/CEO

Jose I. Guerra, Inc.

He is President/CEO, and majority shareholder of Jose I. Guerra, Inc., a full-service facilities engineering firm with offices in Austin and San Antonio, Texas. The firm provides a comprehensive range of Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineering services to clients throughout the State of Texas.

Rick has been an active member of NSPE since 1994. He is the current NSPE President and was Pas President of NSPE-Texas in 2017 and has served on numerous committees and tasks forces at the national level. In 2018 he was named a NSPE Fellow.

He received his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1982 and his MS in Engineering in 1988, both from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas and California. In 2007, Mr. Guerra was appointed by Governor Rick Perry as the Licensed Professional Engineer Member of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, where he served until 2019.

Betty Jean Jordan, P.E.

President

Polyscape, LLC

Betty Jean Jordan is a civil engineer who specializes in erosion and sediment (E&S) control and stormwater management. She owns her own company, Polyscape, LLC; teaches Georgia required E&S certification classes with the NPDES Training Institute; and works as a project manager with her husband at Jordan Engineering, Inc. In engineering projects and systems, Betty Jean cares not only about technical expertise but also the ethical, just, and sustainable implications for humans and other life.

Britt E. Smith, P.E.

Operations Division Director

Jefferson City Public Works

Britt E. Smith, P.E., F.NSPE, received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He began his career with a civil consulting firm and later moved to public services and is currently the operations divisions director for the Public Works Department in Jefferson City where he oversees the streets, parking, central maintenance, and airport divisions.

Britt is an active member of NSPE. He has held various positions with the Missouri state society including that of state president and served as NSPE’s national president in 2022-2023.