SEF Fall Lecture- November 9, 2010

Everything I needed to know in life I learned as a structural engineer
Three Guiding Principles
by Richard Weingardt

We have many defining moments as we move through life -- deciding to become a structural engineer in the first place, for some, marriage and children, illness, the loss of loved ones, changing (or not changing) jobs, and so forth. They all have a major impact on who we are.       

This year's fall lecture will feature Richard Weingardt. The defining moments he will discuss focus on the lessons learned while being a structural engineer that affect how we do business and position ourselves as industry and societal leaders. Weingardt will review the challenging projects and strange events over his 50 years of practice that have led to three guiding principles for business, leadership and achievement. Both technical problems and solutions, and client relationships, will be addressed.   

Design and engineering are noble professions and those in them, hard working and intelligent, keeping up on the latest, greatest design standards, materials and systems -- and computer programs. However, many avoid being pacesetters in big-picture events, where their talents are increasingly needed. You will come away from Weingardt's presentation with ideas on how to do this and with a new perspective on your career.  

A practicing structural engineer for 50 years, Weingardt is the author of nine books and 600-plus published articles on engineering, business, leadership and creativity. His latest books, Circles in the Sky and Engineering Legends, feature the contributions made by U.S. engineers in developing the country. He writes regular op-ed columns in ASCE's Leadership and Management in Engineering Journal and in Structural Engineer magazine, and is a frequent contributor to a variety of trade and non-trade publications.

Weingardt is a graduate of the University of Colorado with masters and bachelors degrees in structural engineering and a registered professional engineer in 30 states. He has served in leadership positions in numerous professional and community groups, and is a motivational speaker, traveling to all seven continents. The firm he founded in 1966 has completed 4,700 major projects worldwide, including design award winners like the Airside Terminals (Concourses A, B & C) at Denver International Airport, Jefferson County Government Center, National Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum, Oklahoma City, Harrah's New Orleans Jazz Casino, Haeundae Beach Hotel in Busan, South Korea, Ceres International Agricultural Complex near Rostov, Russia, Saleh Kamel Office Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.