ASIE Held a Significant Luncheon Event
Two ASIE Members appointed for a prestigious position
By Dinesh Shah, MBA, PE
HOUSTON: AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INDIAN ENGINEERS & ARCHITECTS (ASIE) is a Houston, Texas based non-profit organization established in 1994 for engineers, architects, designers and technicians of Indian origin. Under the leadership of current ASIE President Raj Basavaraju, the vision of ASIE is to expand and provide benefits of the experienced and well established present generation to the new, young and dynamic generation of the future by supporting initiatives in engineering and architecture. In addition to providing technical community service, every year ASIE presents awards for the Science and Engineering Fair and offers scholarships to students pursuing engineering degrees from public universities in the Houston area. Since 1999, ASIE began the Young Engineer/Architect of the Year Award and from 2011 ASIE Engineer/Architect of the Year Award for the members, who have excelled in the field of engineering. From this year during the Engineer’s Week another award has been added – “Indian Engineers Engineering the Future”.
After earning a recognition by ASIE member and current Vice President Naresh Kolli as a “Young Engineer of the Year”, just recently two ASIE senior members are recognized for the prestigious position. Sanjay Ram, the former President of ASIE and current President of IACC – Indo American Chamber of Commerce is appointed as a METRO board member by Mayor of City of Houston. Second, Showri Nandagiri, current Advisory Council Member and former Vice President of ASIE has been selected by American Water Works Association (AWWA) to work with India, since they established their first International Community called AWWAINDIA.
This type of solid foundation has been laid for the future, and now ASIE has decided to take the organization to the next level and focusing on Building the Future together with the younger generation. Raj, the current President, a Senior Project Manager at HTNB Corp. says, “I would like to see this organization evolve to promote events across various engineering/architecture disciplines ……….. I would like to see us as an organization that mentors the generation who are the future of this profession – young students with a passion for engineering and architecture.”
ASIE consistently strives to promote professional development by organizing events monthly and annually for networking and mentoring the members and non-members. Just recently on May 11, ASIE organized their significant luncheon event at Texas Ballroom of Hess Club. The event was supported by sponsorships from ASIE Corporate members, many large engineering companies of Houston and individuals. The event surpassed the goal for the attendance, and by providing additional sitting arrangements, the attendance over 210 engineers and architects made the event a magnificent success.
The event started with social networking and self-serve buffet lunch. Raj, ASIE President presented the opening remarks with brief information of ASIE and slide presentation. Naresh Kolli introduced the keynote speaker, Dale Rudick. He currently serves as a Director of Public Works and Engineering of City of Houston. The current data and projections show that the population in Greater Houston Area will increase by 42% from the current 5.8 Million to 8.2 Million in the year 2030. The speaker in his remarkable speech discussed on the current projects, future plans and visions of public works in the Houston Area to address the needs of the population growth. After the speech, the speaker was honored with a plaque for the token of appreciation by Showri Nandagiri. The program was concluded with vote of thanks by ASIE Secretary Sai Gowthami.