On November 2, 2025, the Pittsburgh Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers hosted their annual Fall Kickoff and Life Member Banquet at the LeMont Restaurant on Mt. Washington.  Engineers, ASCE life member inductees and past life member inductees, professors, students, and parents and families were in attendance.  

All were greeted at the door by Nadeen Fatfat, one of ASCE’s Board of Directors, and Alma Rettinger, PE, our past-President, who provided nametags for all attendees.

The banquet started with a social hour from 430 pm until around 530 pm. At that time, Pat Sullivan, PE, our customary emcee, used his microphone like voice to ‘recommend’ that people start their trek to the dining area, complete with a breathtaking view of downtown Pittsburgh.

Pat’s 15-minute monologue discussing what he feels like talking about on that day began…..this year, it was the 128 Crayola crayon colors and a few math problems!  Do you know that 10+10 = 20 and 11+11= 20 too?   

There is never a dull moment when Pat gets a chance to talk….

As is tradition, Pat invited each of the Corporate Sponsors for the Life Member Banquet to the podium to receive a certificate of appreciation for their gracious sponsorship and to talk about whatever they wanted.   Thanks again to our corporate sponsors… Hill International and Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc! 

Also, in tradition with the Fall Kickoff theme, Taylor DaCanal, PE, the current President of the Pittsburgh Section, said a few words, thanked the life members for their career contributions and discussing her goals and objectives for her presidency.

This year’s keynote speaker was Adam Taylor from DCI/Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation.  His presentation entitled ‘The Revitalization of the Carrie Furnace Sites’ provided some unique history, design aspects and photographs of the furnaces, which were built in 1884 and operated for nearly 100 years.  Did you know that Henry Fownes, the original owner, sold the steel facility to Andrew Carnegie in 1898, and used the money to build Oakmont Country Club?  Many thanks to Adam for presenting.

Following a great sit-down dinner of filet, chicken or salmon, and vanilla cake for dessert, the induction of the life members began.  Unlike any of the previous induction ceremonies, where a “Q and A” of their life is administered by Pat, each life member stood at the podium and spoke freely about their lives, thanking everyone who influenced and supported their professional careers, the exciting projects they worked on, and their involvement in ASCE.  Thanks to the 2025 life member award winners who attended.

 Dave Briskey, PE Ken Greb, PE

 Mark Pavlick, PE

 Pat Sullivan, PE

Let us also thank the other 2025 Life Members for their contributions

John Nedley, P.E                      Carol Tasillo, PE

John Tkacs,                              Elizabeth Dwyre, PE

Leonard Casson, PE                 John Wood, PE

Following the life member ceremony, student chapter officers in attendance from the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie-Mellon University and Slippery Rock University were invited to the podium to talk about their upcoming goals, objectives and events for 2026. 

The event concluded with a second thanks to our Corporate Sponsors and also to our Gold Sponsor HDR Engineering.  The event concluded with a prize raffle of 5 gifts, and was again highlighted by the annual humongous CEC food basket.

Please visit the ASCE website www.asce-pgh.org for all of the pictures from the banquet.

Thanks to everyone who attended.