Board Member Spotlight 2015 May-Jun

As part of our new 2015 Board member appreciation program we are showcasing a board member in our bimonthly Board Member Spotlight.  Our board member spotlight recognizes board members of outstanding contributions to the profession and our local communities. For any questions regarding the program please contact the Past President at PastPresident@ymf-oc.org.

For the May and June spotlight we would like to introduce...

Andrew Easterling

Andrew Easterling is a Transportation Engineer for AECOM in Orange, California. Andrew is currently on our Legislative Commitee and he's previously served as Treasurer (2013-2014), and Community Outreach Chair (2012-2013). In 2013 he was awarded both the ASCE Orange County and Region 9 (State of California) Award for Outstanding Engineer in Community Service. 

Below are a few questions we asked him:

School/Education/Background

School:

University of California, Irvine/MSCE

San Jose State University/BSCE

What made you want to become an engineer?

I am good with numbers, but lack the social skills to be an accountant, so naturally I became an engineer.

Work & Professional Life

Andrew's roles at AECOM typically include Transportation Planning, Traffic Engineering Design, and Construction Support. Recently he's worked on the Devore Interchange Design Build, SR-91 Design Build, I-710 Corridor DEIR/DEIS, California High-Speed Rail, and SR-85 Express Lanes. He also serves as his Transportation Group's Safety Representative.

How has ASCE impacted your work? 

ASCE provides me with the platform to network with peers and mentors to learn from and develop both professionally and personally.  Additionally, ASCE continues to help me stay current with the industry and learn about on-going and developing projects and organizational capabilities.

How/Why did you get involved? Why did you choose to stay? I got involved as a student for the numerous benefits including; scholarships, industry presentations, student competitions, and research opportunities.  I continue to stay involved in ASCE as a professional because there are still many benefits including; technical workshops, networking opportunities, and resources to better understand the industry.

What is your favorite benefit of your involvement? The greatest benefit from ASCE is the professional network developed from being active within the society.

What has been your favorite ASCE event since you got involved? Western Region Younger Member Council (WRYMC) 

What skills do you find most valuable to focus on in your career? I’ve found effective communication to be the most valuable skill.

What drew you to your specific career path? If you could start your career differently, what would you do differently?

During college I had felt I wanted to pursue a career in hydraulics and hydrology, but my career path developed differently.  Through the network I had acquired through ASCE when I was a student, I was fortunate enough to obtain a position at AECOM (formerly URS Corporation) in transportation engineering group.  After working in traditional civil engineering for short while I found my niche in traffic engineering and planning and have been working in traffic ever since. 

If I could have started my career differently I would have appreciated the opportunity to work in construction for a short time before going into design.  After working closely with contractors on a couple of projects, I now realize that there is whole another perspective to projects that most designers rarely get to see.

Awards & Recognition

Personal Life

Andrew also enjoys cycling, traveling, and trying new things.

• Outstanding Engineer in Community Service (ASCE, 2013-2014)

  Public Impact Fellowship (UCI, 2012-2013)

  John Lenard Scholarship (ASCE, 2012)

  Deans Scholar (SJSU)

  ASCE student chapter president (SJSU, 2011-2012)

  Chi Epsilon student chapter vice president (SJSU, 2011)

  Student Steel Bridge Team Captain (SJSU, 2010-2011)

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If you missed the last Board Member Spotlight, Eric Walker, you can click here to read his article.

To view the archive of all past Member Spotlights click here.