The ASCE-VFMA Annual Joint Technical Seminar was held at The Westin in Virginia Beach on April 3, 2025. The theme for this year’s seminar was The Engineers Role in Disaster Mitigation and Recovery. This seminar offered a valuable chance to learn from leading experts and engage in discussions crucial to advancing disaster mitigation and recovery efforts in the engineering field. 60 engineers, planners and industry professionals attended this day long seminar.
Topics and speakers included:
·VDEM Approach to Flood Monitoring and Mitigation/Recovery - Steven Pyle and Debbie Messmer/VDEM
Fortifying Coasts: Evaluating Louisiana's Flood Systems for Hampton Roads' Future - Ignacio Harrouch, P.E./Stantec
Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene – An Insurer’s Perspective - Mike Vernon, Realtor, Flood Mitigator, Consultant
Engineering Flood Preparedness AI & ML - Driven Risk Assessment & Emergency Response - Katherine Osborne, Stantec Digital Center of Excellence 5
·Emergency Response Inspections: Lessons Learned - Mandy Schindhelm, P.E., Marine Solutions, Inc.
Virginia Beach Flood Protection Program (Ripple Effect) Update - Mike Mundy, P.E., City of Virginia Beach Public Works
Hurricane Helene Emergency Bridge Replacement - Roland Moreau, ECC Corp.
Morning Speakers: Ignacia Harrouch, Katherine Osborne, Debbie Messmer, Steven Pyle, Mike Vernon
Afternoon Speakers: Mandy Schindhelm, Roland Moreau, Whitney Katchmark, Mike Mundy
