Risk Management

Hello. Let's get to know each other. Please reply to this post and tell us about yourself! Respond with your name, where you are from and a little bit about what you do or are interested in with respect to the Risk Management area. I'll go first.

I started with Carollo Engineers in Phoenix, worked for the Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, taught at Mississippi State U., served with the Northern Gulf Institute, and am now in private practice with Dynamic Solutions, LLC. I practice in water resources engineering, with the bulk of my experience in hydraulics and sedimentation of navigable waters. My wife Carol and I split our time between Mississippi and Texas.

I performed risk management analyses for navigation channel depth (probability of a ship striking the bottom vs the consequences of damage to the ship) and levee safety (probability of levee failure vs consequences of flooding). The latter is stressful because both loss of lives and the cost of property damage must be included in the consequences evaluation. I also perform project peer reviews in which Risk Registers are used with varying degrees of success.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Thanks, Bill. My interest and experience in risk management stem from a 36-year career in offshore oil and gas exploration and development in frontier locations. My experience is quite broad, encompassing both technical and non-technical risks, the use of processes to identify and manage risks, and probabilistic risk assessment. I've had the opportunity to review many projects, both in the US and internationally, at various stages of maturity. My experience has shown me the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of risk management. As part of this experience, I have gained firsthand insight into the interplay between risk management, safety, and decision-making. I returned to my roots in civil engineering after retiring in 2017, becoming active in the ASCE as a means of giving back. I have come to realize that, at its core, civil engineering is all about risk management. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Mc as part of my work with ASCE, and together we saw an opportunity to create this Community of Practice.

------------------------------
Mitch Winkler P.E.(inactive), M.ASCE
Houston, TX
------------------------------

Hello All,

Thanks Bill for the email and suggestion! 

I am an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Memphis (https://www.memphis.edu/ce/people/pfarshadmanesh.php). I received my Ph.D. in Civil Engineering in May 2017. Before that, I spent nine years as a structural engineer, working on diverse projects, including the design of hydraulic structures in water-treatment facilities.

After completing my doctorate, I joined the Socio-Technical Risk Analysis Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I worked as a researcher for about six years. One of my research areas uses probabilistic risk-assessment techniques to study how human and organizational factors affect overall risk. Looking ahead, I aim to continue focusing on complex technological systems, such as offshore structures, and to create a civil-engineering risk-assessment/management course that meets current industry workforce-preparation needs.

Best,

Pegah

------------------------------
Pegah Farshadmanesh Ph.D., A.M.ASCE
Mem TN
------------------------------

That's a super background for contributions to this Community, Pegah. I'm glad you're here.

Developing a civil-engineering risk-assessment/management course is an exciting enterprise. I hope this forum can help.

The ASCE Waterways Committee has been working toward development of a graduate curriculum in Navigation Engineering. We drew members and advice from private, government, and academic sectors to define a detailed body of knowledge as a first step. We'll be giving a status report at the September PIANC conference in Memphis.

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-27-2025 09:38 AM
From: Pegah Farshadmanesh
Subject: Introduce Yourself

Hello All,

Thanks Bill for the email and suggestion! 

I am an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Memphis (https://www.memphis.edu/ce/people/pfarshadmanesh.php). I received my Ph.D. in Civil Engineering in May 2017. Before that, I spent nine years as a structural engineer, working on diverse projects, including the design of hydraulic structures in water-treatment facilities.

After completing my doctorate, I joined the Socio-Technical Risk Analysis Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I worked as a researcher for about six years. One of my research areas uses probabilistic risk-assessment techniques to study how human and organizational factors affect overall risk. Looking ahead, I aim to continue focusing on complex technological systems, such as offshore structures, and to create a civil-engineering risk-assessment/management course that meets current industry workforce-preparation needs.

Best,

Pegah

------------------------------
Pegah Farshadmanesh Ph.D., A.M.ASCE
Mem TN
------------------------------

Hello Everyone,

I'm Ali Dehghani, a civil engineering professional with hands-on experience in high-end residential construction in northern Tehran - one of the most complex and competitive urban environments in the region. My work has involved managing on-site execution for multi-story luxury buildings, coordinating with diverse teams, and ensuring structural quality under demanding standards.

In parallel, I am actively engaged in the global civil engineering community as a Master Member of ASCE and a member of AIA, with a strong focus on risk-informed project management, structural safety, and long-term performance in the built environment.

I bring both field-level insights and a deep curiosity for advanced risk management strategies. I believe that practical experience - especially under real-world constraints - must align with theoretical risk models to create meaningful, resilient engineering solutions.

My goal in joining this community is to:

Connect with professionals who lead in risk analysis and decision-making

Contribute ideas rooted in field experience

Build a strong foundation for future contributions to complex infrastructure projects

Looking forward to the conversations and collaborations ahead.

Best regards,

Ali Dehghani

ASCE Master Member | AIA Member

📍 Tehran, Iran

------------------------------
Ali Dehghani M.ASCE
Future civil Engineer
Tehran
------------------------------

Welcome, Ali.

I agree -- theory must converge with practicality. In the "Professional and Career Topics" Forum there is a discussion of engineering creativity that touches on this need. We are often constrained by budget, schedule, or other conditions and creativity must sometimes be sacrificed to expediency. IMO, that's where Risk Management becomes essential. When practicality forces us to make tradeoffs, Risk Assessment can clearly show the probability and consequences of adverse events. The engineer's duty is to be sure stakeholders understand the potential impacts of practical tradeoffs, including the paramount value of public safety.

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2025 02:30 PM
From: Ali Dehghani
Subject: Introduce Yourself

Hello Everyone,

I'm Ali Dehghani, a civil engineering professional with hands-on experience in high-end residential construction in northern Tehran - one of the most complex and competitive urban environments in the region. My work has involved managing on-site execution for multi-story luxury buildings, coordinating with diverse teams, and ensuring structural quality under demanding standards.

In parallel, I am actively engaged in the global civil engineering community as a Master Member of ASCE and a member of AIA, with a strong focus on risk-informed project management, structural safety, and long-term performance in the built environment.

I bring both field-level insights and a deep curiosity for advanced risk management strategies. I believe that practical experience - especially under real-world constraints - must align with theoretical risk models to create meaningful, resilient engineering solutions.

My goal in joining this community is to:

Connect with professionals who lead in risk analysis and decision-making

Contribute ideas rooted in field experience

Build a strong foundation for future contributions to complex infrastructure projects

Looking forward to the conversations and collaborations ahead.

Best regards,

Ali Dehghani

ASCE Master Member | AIA Member

📍 Tehran, Iran

------------------------------
Ali Dehghani M.ASCE
Future civil Engineer
Tehran
------------------------------

Dear ASCE Risk Management Committee,

My name is Bertug, and I am currently a senior civil engineering student
at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Türkiye. I am also an active student
member of ASCE, and I am deeply interested in contributing to risk-aware
engineering practices, particularly in post-disaster infrastructure
development and urban resilience.

Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have consistently
sought opportunities that would allow me to connect theoretical
engineering knowledge with real-world complexities. One of the most
transformative experiences I’ve had was participating in the
post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Hatay, one of the hardest-hit
cities in the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes. In this context, I contributed
to the planning and design of critical infrastructure systems from the
ground up—under conditions of complete infrastructural collapse.

During this field-based work, I gained extensive experience with a wide
array of engineering software tools. I used AutoCAD Civil 3D for
alignment planning and profile drawings; ArcGIS and QGIS for spatial
data management and mapping; MS SU, MS Kanal, and Urbano for hydraulic
modeling of wastewater and stormwater networks; and Netcad for
topographic modeling and zoning applications. Additionally, I performed
open channel flow simulations and flood risk assessments using HEC-RAS.
I approached these tools not merely as design platforms, but as integral
components of risk-informed decision-making in infrastructure planning.
Each model, each map, and each hydraulic simulation served as a way to
understand, quantify, and mitigate environmental and systemic risks.

In parallel, I have acquired basic experience in structural modeling
using ETABS, particularly focused on high-rise concrete buildings in
seismically active urban environments such as Istanbul. These projects
have further informed my understanding of structural safety and
long-term performance in risk-prone settings.

I am particularly drawn to the work of the ASCE Risk Management
Committee because I believe that effective engineering today demands
more than just technical precision—it requires adaptive thinking,
multidisciplinary coordination, and proactive risk governance. My goal
is to contribute to the committee by bringing a field-sensitive
perspective, rooted in real disaster response experience, coupled with a
strong academic foundation.

I look forward to learning from and collaborating with fellow members
who are shaping the future of resilient infrastructure through
data-driven and socially responsible engineering strategies.

Sincerely,
Ahmet Bertug AYGUN
Civil Engineering Student, Boğaziçi University
ASCE Student Member
📍 Istanbul, Türkiye

Welcome, Ahmet. It's good to have you with us. Starting your career with an  appreciation of risk and risk management is a good step. I look forward to hearing your views in this forum and others.

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-01-2025 05:32 AM
From: Ahmet Bertug Aygun
Subject: Introduce Yourself

Dear ASCE Risk Management Committee,

My name is Bertug, and I am currently a senior civil engineering student
at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Türkiye. I am also an active student
member of ASCE, and I am deeply interested in contributing to risk-aware
engineering practices, particularly in post-disaster infrastructure
development and urban resilience.

Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have consistently
sought opportunities that would allow me to connect theoretical
engineering knowledge with real-world complexities. One of the most
transformative experiences I've had was participating in the
post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Hatay, one of the hardest-hit
cities in the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes. In this context, I contributed
to the planning and design of critical infrastructure systems from the
ground up-under conditions of complete infrastructural collapse.

During this field-based work, I gained extensive experience with a wide
array of engineering software tools. I used AutoCAD Civil 3D for
alignment planning and profile drawings; ArcGIS and QGIS for spatial
data management and mapping; MS SU, MS Kanal, and Urbano for hydraulic
modeling of wastewater and stormwater networks; and Netcad for
topographic modeling and zoning applications. Additionally, I performed
open channel flow simulations and flood risk assessments using HEC-RAS.
I approached these tools not merely as design platforms, but as integral
components of risk-informed decision-making in infrastructure planning.
Each model, each map, and each hydraulic simulation served as a way to
understand, quantify, and mitigate environmental and systemic risks.

In parallel, I have acquired basic experience in structural modeling
using ETABS, particularly focused on high-rise concrete buildings in
seismically active urban environments such as Istanbul. These projects
have further informed my understanding of structural safety and
long-term performance in risk-prone settings.

I am particularly drawn to the work of the ASCE Risk Management
Committee because I believe that effective engineering today demands
more than just technical precision-it requires adaptive thinking,
multidisciplinary coordination, and proactive risk governance. My goal
is to contribute to the committee by bringing a field-sensitive
perspective, rooted in real disaster response experience, coupled with a
strong academic foundation.

I look forward to learning from and collaborating with fellow members
who are shaping the future of resilient infrastructure through
data-driven and socially responsible engineering strategies.

Sincerely,
Ahmet Bertug AYGUN
Civil Engineering Student, Boğaziçi University
ASCE Student Member
📍 Istanbul, Türkiye

Hi Bill!

I am currently self-employed.  I was an airborne combat engineer officer with the 7th Special Forces Group, worked at the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC), the Nashville District Corps of Engineers, the Waterways Experiment Station (WES, now ERDC), H&H section chief or the Baltimore District Corps of Engineers, National director for Water Resources for HDR and PBS&J (now Atkins Realis).  I have made numerous webinars and in-person presentations on Risk and Uncertainty (e.g., Risk and Uncertainty Principles for Flood Control Projects - Understanding the Basics (AWO062915), Practical Applications of Risk and Uncertainty Theory in Water Resources: Shortcuts Taken and Their Possible Effects | Proceedings | Vol , No).  I have recently been very active being on Independent Panel of Experts (IPE) and Safety Assurance Review Panels (SAR) for new and upgraded flood control projects throughout the country.  These panels which consists of evaluating the safety and economics of the project with my areas of responsibility being hydrology, hydraulic, risk assessment, erosion control, and sediment transport.  I worked with Bill at WES and am excited to be collaborating with him again.  

David

------------------------------
David Williams Ph.D., HG, P.E., BC.WRE, F.EWRI, F.ASCE
President
David T. Williams and Assoc.
Commerce City CO
------------------------------

Hi, David! It's wonderful to have you join the CoP and I look forward to working with you again.

Bill

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-09-2025 02:02 PM
From: David Williams
Subject: Introduce Yourself

Hi Bill!

I am currently self-employed.  I was an airborne combat engineer officer with the 7th Special Forces Group, worked at the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC), the Nashville District Corps of Engineers, the Waterways Experiment Station (WES, now ERDC), H&H section chief or the Baltimore District Corps of Engineers, National director for Water Resources for HDR and PBS&J (now Atkins Realis).  I have made numerous webinars and in-person presentations on Risk and Uncertainty (e.g., Risk and Uncertainty Principles for Flood Control Projects - Understanding the Basics (AWO062915), Practical Applications of Risk and Uncertainty Theory in Water Resources: Shortcuts Taken and Their Possible Effects | Proceedings | Vol , No).  I have recently been very active being on Independent Panel of Experts (IPE) and Safety Assurance Review Panels (SAR) for new and upgraded flood control projects throughout the country.  These panels which consists of evaluating the safety and economics of the project with my areas of responsibility being hydrology, hydraulic, risk assessment, erosion control, and sediment transport.  I worked with Bill at WES and am excited to be collaborating with him again.  

David

------------------------------
David Williams Ph.D., HG, P.E., BC.WRE, F.EWRI, F.ASCE
President
David T. Williams and Assoc.
Commerce City CO
------------------------------

Thanks, Bill, for allowing us to introduce ourselves. I retired in 2020 after 40 years in the industry. I spent 8 years working for Louisville Gas & Electric on a greenfield coal fired power plant and the balance of my career working for Industrial Contractors Skanska out of Evansville, IN. I have experience in all types of construction projects, in multiple industries, on large and small projects. My background includes scheduling, estimating, project management, and corporate management.

I returned to Purdue in 2021 to pursue my PhD in civil engineering. My dissertation topic is Risk Analysis for Contractors on Mega-Projects. I am studying the impacts of Stage of Development (FEL), Type of Contract, and Relationship to Owner on the risk factors associated with large projects. I hope my experience and research can be a benefit to this group.

James E. Seibert, P.E.

Evansville, IN / West Lafayette, IN

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James Seibert P.E., M.ASCE
Retired
Evansville IN
------------------------------

That's wonderful, James. I was also a non-traditional PhD student, returning to school after 30 years working. Your research will certainly benefit all of us. Please keep us updated.

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-27-2025 05:09 PM
From: James Seibert
Subject: Introduce Yourself

Thanks, Bill, for allowing us to introduce ourselves. I retired in 2020 after 40 years in the industry. I spent 8 years working for Louisville Gas & Electric on a greenfield coal fired power plant and the balance of my career working for Industrial Contractors Skanska out of Evansville, IN. I have experience in all types of construction projects, in multiple industries, on large and small projects. My background includes scheduling, estimating, project management, and corporate management.

I returned to Purdue in 2021 to pursue my PhD in civil engineering. My dissertation topic is Risk Analysis for Contractors on Mega-Projects. I am studying the impacts of Stage of Development (FEL), Type of Contract, and Relationship to Owner on the risk factors associated with large projects. I hope my experience and research can be a benefit to this group.

James E. Seibert, P.E.

Evansville, IN / West Lafayette, IN

------------------------------
James Seibert P.E., M.ASCE
Retired
Evansville IN
------------------------------

AN  
1st Place SEI Structures Challenge 2021 at Structures Congress
Member of the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of United States
2023 YMLS - Younger Member Leadership Symposium
RESTON, VA - 2023 (USA)   

Thank you!

------------------------------
Andre Newinski S.E., M.ASCE
Structural Engineer - ASCE 7-28 Member: Main Committee and Subcommittee
AN
Santo AngeloBrazil
------------------------------

Welcome, An. It's good to meet you and have your voice present in this community. I hope you'll take a look at the draft Risk Primer and comment.

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-28-2025 02:50 PM
From: Andre Newinski
Subject: Introduce Yourself

AN  
1st Place SEI Structures Challenge 2021 at Structures Congress
Member of the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of United States
2023 YMLS - Younger Member Leadership Symposium
RESTON, VA - 2023 (USA)   

Thank you!

------------------------------
Andre Newinski S.E., M.ASCE
Structural Engineer - ASCE 7-28 Member: Main Committee and Subcommittee
AN
Santo AngeloBrazil
------------------------------