March 2025 Newsletter 
President's Letter
Dear Members, Colleagues, and Sponsors,
This past year, SENH submitted a nomination for Dr. Raymond Cook for the 2025 New Hampshire Engineer of the Year based on his more than three-decade career as a professor, over twenty years of service on his town planning board, and his vast contributions to the engineering community. It is with great pleasure that SENH announces that Dr. Cook was selected by a jury of his peers from New Hampshire’s engineering societies and was named the 2025 Engineer of the Year. He was recognized for this award at the Engineer’s Week Banquet on 2/20/2025. Congratulations Dr. Cook!
Thanks to the generous donations received by Hoyle Tanner, Gunstock Mountain, and H&H (as well as many individual contributions made by our members) SENH was able to award two scholarships to college students pursuing structural engineering through the 2025 scholarship program. Please look in our committee updates section for more information about these students and their winning scholarship essays.
On April, 22nd SENH will again be participating in Manchester Central High School’s career fair held from 10am – 1pm. We will have a table at the career fair and an opportunity to speak with a host of students about our profession. If you are interested in volunteering and would like to participate in this event, please email me at [email protected].
Lastly, there will be an opening on the SENH Board of Directors this May. After serving three terms (six years) on the Board, I have reached the maximum time allowed by our bylaws and will be stepping down from the Board. Over the last six years it has been my privilege to serve this organization, and to have worked with so many talented engineers. I am excited to announce that SENH has nominated a fantastic candidate to join the Board of Directors, Ms. Katie Welch, PE. Please see Katie’s nomination announcement further in this newsletter and join me in officially welcoming her to the Board of Directors at our May meeting.
Sean Brown, PE, ENV SP
President, Structural Engineers of New Hampshire
Committee Updates
Code Advisory Committee
Chair: Dan Martel, PE; Members: Joaquin Denoya, PE
Board Liaison: Dan Martel, PE
'Tis the season for State legislation proposals. We are watching a number of proposed measures introduced since the start of the 2025 session that are relative to structural engineers and our practice. Thanks to ACEC for sharing their tracking information complied by Executive Director Jess Eskeland. Please reach out to Dan Martel if you'd like to be involved in the discussions, or if you think SENH should vocalize our support or opposition.
Senate Bill 188 - With the goal of expediting the building permit process, allows property owners to engage independent third-party providers, such as licensed engineers and architects, for building code inspections and plan reviews.
Status - well supported, likely to pass
House Bill 428-L and Senate Bill 94 - Prohibit municipal amendments to the State Building Code.
Status: unknown
House Bill 134 - Amends the State Building Code, most notably ratifying amendments by the Building Code Review Board from May to September 2024 and changing the National Electric Code from 2020 to 2023 version. Effective 7/1/2025.
Status: unknown
House Bill 244 - Recodifies municipal enforcement of the Building and Fire Codes.
Status: "retained in committee" (unlikely to advance or gain support)
Senate Bill 185 - establishes time limitations for investigations by the Office of Professional Licensure of professional misconduct.
Status: likely to pass the Senate
House Bill 82 - Moving certain authority from State Boards (including the PE Board) to the Office of Professional Licensure, including license issuance.
Status: unknown
House Bill 435 - Clarifying the definition of the "practice of engineering" to exclude information technology, information security, electronics, digital systems, or computing.
Status: approved by House ED&A committee. ACEC is investigating to understand the purpose and discussing with the PE Board.
NH Engineer and Young Engineer Awards Committee
Co-Chairs: Josif Bicja PE, Katelyn Welch PE
Board Liaison: Jonathan Sproul, PE
No update at this time.
Professional Development Committee
Co-Chairs: Katelyn Welch PE, Eric Caron PE
Members: Fernanda Fischer PE, Blaise Imbembe PE, Holly Lauzon, Dustin Wells
Board Liaisons: Kayal Hampe PE, Rebecca Lubrano PE, Jonathan Sproul PE
Information for the April 2025 meeting can be found on the SENH website Events page.
Public Relations Committee
Chair: Bob Durfee, PE; Co-Chair: Sean Brown, PE
Board Liaison: Sean Brown, PE
SENH Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners!
Structural Engineers of New Hampshire is very pleased to announce that two University of New Hampshire Civil Engineering students have been selected to receive the 2025 SENH Scholarships of $1,000 each. Students are eligible for these scholarships if they are entering their junior and senior years of study with a focus on structural engineering. This year, Mr. Mason Pillsbury was named the winner of the Arthur W. Rose, Jr. Memorial Scholarship and Mr. Luke Palazzetti was named the winner of the SENH Younger Members Group Scholarship. These scholarship recipients will be recognized for their achievements at the Engineer’s Week Banquet and Awards Ceremony taking place at the Grappone Center on Thursday February 20th.
SENH is proud to support students as they pursue their undergraduate degrees, as this is the first step in becoming tomorrow’s engineers and problem solvers. Congratulations Mason & Luke! And a very big thank you to everyone who participated in our scholarship raffle at the January membership meeting. Your support made it possible for SENH to offer these scholarships.
Lastly, the recipient of the Arthur W. Rose Jr. Memorial Scholarship has agreed to share his interest statement which was part of the application. The prompt was “Provide a brief statement presenting your interest in structural engineering and the occupation you would pursue upon graduation. Please see his response below.
Mr. Mason Pillsbury:
Structural engineering has always fascinated me, with my passion starting as a young child building the tallest marble run roller coasters I could. Over the years, middle and high school projects, including model bridges and buildings, have fueled this interest and shaped my career aspirations. I have always been captivated by the design and construction of high-rise skyscrapers and iconic bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Millau Viaduct, which I hope to visit someday. In the future, I aim to design structures that are safe, sustainable, and visually appealing.
My experience at UNH has solidified my decision to pursue a career in structural engineering. This past semester, I began preparing for the FE exam and plan to take it in the first quarter of 2025. After graduating in December 2025, I intend to seek a structural engineering position in south or central New Hampshire. Ideally, I would like to work for a smaller firm where I can gain exposure to a variety of projects and design challenges, providing me with a well-rounded foundation early in my career.
Currently, I am particularly interested in pursuing a career as either a bridge or forensic engineer. As a bridge engineer, I would love to design transportation structures like highway overpasses or cable-stayed bridges. However, I am especially drawn to working on smaller rural bridges that play a significant role in supporting local communities. I would enjoy consulting directly with community members to understand their needs and seeing the tangible impact of my work. I am also intrigued by the field of forensic engineering, which I recently learned more about. Investigating structural failures and determining their causes appeals to me because it combines problem-solving with a direct contribution to improving safety and preventing future failures. I find the idea of making structures safer for people deeply rewarding. Both career paths align with my passion for solving complex problems and making a lasting impact on communities.
In the future, I hope to attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree in structural engineering. However, I believe that gaining real-world experience immediately after earning my bachelor’s degree will provide invaluable practical knowledge and a strong foundation for advancing my career.
Mr. Luke Palazzetti:
As a senior majoring in Civil Engineering at the University of New Hampshire, my academic journey has led me to appreciate the principles that define structural engineering. The technical aspect of designing structures that are not only safe and functional but also aesthetically pleasing has interested me more and more as I pursue my undergraduate degree.
Upon graduation, I wish to attend graduate school at UNH to solidify my knowledge in structural engineering. I aspire to begin my professional career as a structural engineer, focusing on designing bridges, buildings, and other structures using various mediums such as steel, concrete, and timber. I look forward to applying my knowledge to innovative designs that balance structural integrity, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
My long-term goal is to attain a Professional Engineer license. Achieving this milestone will enable me to take on greater responsibilities in project management and design oversight, ensuring that the structures I contribute to meet the highest standards of safety and excellence. Structural engineering offers a unique opportunity to leave a lasting impact on society. The idea that my designs could stand for decades to come motivates me to strive for excellence.
Structural Engineering Excellence Awards Committee
Chair: Bob Durfee; Co-Chair Bob Champaign
Members: Fred Emanuel, Josif Bicja
Board Liaison: Dan Martel
Deadline for Project Submissions had been extended to Friday, March 21, 2025!
The original deadline of Friday, February 28th has passed. The Board received several entries in a few categories and decided to extend the deadline to encourage more entries in all categories.
Structural Engineering Licensure Committee
Chair: Kayla Hampe, PE; Assistant Chair: Eric Caron, PE
Members: Sean Brown, PE; Bob Durfee PE; Matt Low, PE
Board Liaison: Kayla Hampe, PE
No update at this time
Sustainable Design Committee
Chair: Tom Lamb, PE
Board Liaison: Rebecca Lubrano, PE
No update at this time
Younger Member Group
Chair: Dustin Wells
Board Liaison: Sean Brown, PE
Past Event - Ski Day at Loon Mountain with SEAMASS
Pictured below are the attendees from the SENH-SEAMASS joint Ski Day Event, with the iconic Loon Mountain signadn a beautiful clear view of the White Mountains (Twin Mountain and Mount Bond pictured) in the background!
Upcoming Events
SENH YMG has many events on the horizon, all of which are in the planning or brainstorming stages. Be on the lookout for information from the following events:
- TopGolf: Joint TopGolf event with SEAMASS - likely sponsored mostly or fully sponsored by the two groups (likely late spring/early summer)!
- 2nd Annual SENH/ASCE Fisher Cats Nonprofit of the Night event - likely in August/September!
Other potential events drawing interest:
- A joint hiking event with SEAMASS (likely in the Fall, if there is enough interest)
- Volunteer opportunities: Trail maintenance, Habitat for Humanity, etc.
For anyone who is interested in these events/event ideas, please let the YMG know using the Google Forms link below - the potential events with the most support will be most likely to make it out of the planning stages (thank you to those who have already responded)!
Thank you and feel free to reach out with any questions, comments or suggestions!
Structural Engineering Engagement and Equity (SE3) Committee
Chair: Tom Lamb, PE
Board Liaison: Rebecca Lubrano, PE
No update at this time.
Membership Committee
Chair: Dan Martel, PE
Members: Rebecca Lubrano
Board Liaison: Dan Martel, PE
Welcome to new member Elizabeth Laughlin of Weston & Sampson!
And welcome back to returning members Steve Langevin of GPI and David Macolini of Thorton Tomasetti!
SENH Appointments
Joint Committee of NH engineering Societies
SENH Representative: Timothy Polson, PE
Board Liaison: Sean Brown, PE
No update at this time
NH Quality Base Selection Coalition
SENH Representative: Christopher Fournier, PE, SE
Board Liaison: Vacant
No update at this time
National Council of Structural Engineer Associations (NCSEA)
Delegate: Bob Durfee, PE
Alternate Delegates: Tom Lamb, PE, Kayla Hampe, PE
NCSEA has announced the 2025 SEA Leadership Retreat will be held on May 7-8 in Chicago (Des Plains), Ill at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel.
SENH has sent one or more representatives to this retreat every year since its beginning in 2000. The Board is currently considering sending a representative to the May, 2025 retreat.
Northeast Coalition of Structural Engineer Associations (NECSEA) Committee
SENH Representative: Tom Lamb, PE
Board Liaison: Rebecca Lubrano, PE
No update at this time
NCSEA Brand Ambassador
SENH Representative: Tom Lamb, PE
Board Liaison: Rebecca Lubrano, PE
No update at this time
SEI Delegate
SENH Representative: Vacant
Board Liaison: Vacant
No update at this time
UNH Liaison
SENH Representative: Vacant
Board Liaison: Vacant
No update at this time
NCSEA Code Advisory Committee General Requirements Subcommittee:
No update at this time
Board of Directors Nomination
There is one Board of Director term expiring in May 2025. Sean Brown has served three consecutive two-year terms and is no longer eligible to run for a Board of Director position. The SENH Nomination Committee has met and nominated Katie Welch for the vacant position. No additional nominations were submitted to the Board of Directors. The nominee will be considered, and voting shall be conducted by a hand vote at the annual May meeting.
Katie Welch, PE
Katie Welch is a structural project engineer with Hoyle Tanner. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of New Hampshire, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering. At Hoyle Tanner, Katie gets to work on the design and analysis of bridges, roadways, and other structures for new construction and rehabilitation projects. Beyond her design and technical efforts, Katie also leads numerous projects in the stakeholder engagement process to ensure smooth transition from design through the construction phase of many projects. She has been the Co-Chair of SENH’s Professional Development Committee since 2018. Outside of work and professional activities, Katie loves spending time with family, snowboarding in the winter, and being on Lake Winnipesaukee in the summer.
Calendar of Events
SENH Meeting Announcement
Next Meeting: November 19, 2025, 5:30 pM
Place:
UNH - DeMeritt Hall Room 112
9 Library Way
Durham, NH 03824
Presentations:
UNH Student Presentations
UNH Concrete Canoe Update
UNH Steel Bridge Team Update
Please consider donating to the UNH Steel Bridge and/or Concrete Canoe teams! Donation options are available through the event registration.
Member Presentations
Engineers at Ground Zero
by SEAoNY, with Remarks from Bill Lyons of Euclid Chemical (SEAoNY member)
Description: "Engineers at Ground Zero, directed by Kalim Armstrong, is a documentary that highlights the little-known role structural engineers played following the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. While first responders have been rightfully praised, this film focuses on the structural engineers who ensured their safety during recovery, helped stabilize structures, and prevented the Hudson River from flooding the NYC Subway system. Featuring firsthand accounts, it examines how 9/11 has influenced building design and emergency response to keep the public safe. It is also a film about human nature and people coming together to take care of each other in the aftermath of a traumatic loss of life." Description taken from Vacationland, LLC (https://www.vacationland.film/engineers-at-ground-zero).
Cracked Masonry Post-Installed Anchor Provisions: Are You Ready?
by Derek Gilbert, PE of Simpson Strong-Tie
Description: Recent changes to ICC-ES acceptance criteria document AC-58. Essential design and qualification provisions for post-installed adhesive anchors in masonry.
Derek Gilbert is a Senior Field Engineer at Simpson Strong-Tie, specializing in concrete and masonry construction. His expertise includes anchor systems, field testing, crack repair, and composite strengthening, as well as solutions for cold-formed steel, structural steel, and mass timber. Derek supports clients across the six New England states, as well as New York City and Long Island. He leverages his 20-plus years of structural engineering and technology consulting experience in helping structural engineers, contractors, and installers.
The Bank Renovation and Addition
by Tom Lamb, PE of TFMoran
Description: This project was renovations and additions to a bank originally built in 1928. The building was owned by several banks over the years and was currently occupied by a national bank firm. The project included a complete gut renovation of the existing steel, wood and stone masonry structure. Removal of existing interior columns, removal of the rear of the structure, deepening of the basement by 2 feet, lateral load resisting system upgrades and an addition that included new second floor space and a roof deck. This was accomplished with a substantial amount of foundation work, the addition of steel framing, including a truss, and a significant collaborative effort to shore of the existing slate roof during construction. In what was already a complicated project. One more owner requirement provided an interesting twist.
Tom Lamb is a Structural Engineer and Principal at TFMoran. Since graduating from the University of New Hampshire, Tom has gained over 20 years of experience in the structural design of Commercial, Public and Residential structures throughout the Northeastern United States. He is a member of the NCSEA sustainable design committee and a voting member of the NCSEA Code Advisory General Requirements subcommittee. He also represents SENH as an alternate delegate to NCSEA.
Agenda:
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Registration/Social Hour/Dinner/Activity
6:30 pm - 6:45 pm Business Meeting
6:45 pm Presentations
Dinner:
Pizza, Assorted Sodas, and Water
Parking:
Please use visitor parking lots, which are “pay and display,” or other “pay and display” spots around campus. Free parking is available in designated faculty/staff and commuter lots after 6:00pm (recommended lots are A, B, F, H, and P). Please be careful to read all parking lot signs and hours before parking, and see the attached parking map.
RSVP:
By Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 5:00pm. There will be a $10.00 late fee for anyone wishing to RSVP past this date (with the exception of students and faculty/staff).
PDH:
2.0 PDHs have been assigned for attendance. Attendees are responsible for ensuring their check-in on the attendance list upon arrival at the meeting.
Cost:
$30.00 Member Ticket
$40.00 after 5 pm November 12
$0.00 Student Ticket
$0.00 UNH Faculty/Staff
$30.00 Non-Member Ticket
$40.00 after 5 pm November 12
$20.00 Government Employee
$30.00 after 5 pm November 12
$20.00 Retired Member
$30.00 after 5 pm November 12
Last Meeting Attendance List & Meeting Minutes
SENH meeting January 22, 2025, 5:30 pM, Grappone Conference center, Concord, NH
Minutes recorded by Dan Martel, Secretary
Business Meeting
- President's Update - Sean Brown
- Please contribute to the raffle, to benefit student scholarships. Number and value of scholarships to be determined by donations and we hope to award two ~ $1,000 scholarships again.
- Treasurer's Update - Kayla Hampe
- 2024 budget closed with a small profit (~$300)
- 2025 Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards - Bob Durfee, Committee Chair
- Now accepting entries with deadline of February 28.
- Modifications from previous years programs include:
- Adding a building renovation category
- Allowing judges to issue "Merit" awards in each category, at their discretion, for those projects not deemed the most excellence but worthy of recognition.
NHDOT Bridge Program Update
- Thank you to David Scott, PE for providing updates on Bridge Design staffing shortages, funding, 2024 accomplishments, and projects status.
Blue Hill Falls Bridge
- Harold Walton, PhD, PE, presented this project designed by HNTB, a unique rehabilitation and superstructure replacement over tidal waters in Blue Hill, Maine.
Attendance at this meeting grants the attendees listed below with 2.0 PDHs
| Name | Company | Notes |
| Adam Stockin | WSP USA, Inc. | |
| Alexander Wimsatt | PROCON | |
| Andrew Hummers | DuBois & King | |
| Andrew Sweet | HNTB Corporation | |
| Anna Giraldi, PE | The H. L. Turner Group | |
| Bill Saffian, PE | NHDOT | Speaker |
| Brandon J Loiselle | GM2 Associates Inc. | |
| Christopher Gagne, P.E. | McFarland Johnson | |
| Dan Martel | Team Engineering | Secretary |
| Darren Blood | GM2 Associates, Inc. | |
| David Scott, PE | NHDOT | Speaker |
| Derek Gilbert | Simpson Strong-Tie | |
| Dilan Gobiel | HNTB Corporation | |
| Dustin Wells | H&H | |
| Edward Weingartner, P.E. | Hoyle Tanner Associates, Inc. | |
| Eric Caron, P.E. | TEC, Inc. | |
| Evan Proulx | McFarland Johnson, Inc. | |
| Fernanda Fischer, P.E. | H&H | |
| Fred Stanley Emanuel | Emanuel Engineering, Inc. | |
| Harold Walton, PE | HNTB Corporation | Speaker |
| Holly Lauzon | Hoyle, Tanner and Associates | |
| Jacob Pouliot, P.E. | TFMoran, Inc. | |
| Jason L Gallant | Wright-Pierce | |
| Jennifer Reczek | CDM Smith | |
| John Byatt, P.E. | BETA Group, Inc. | |
| John Liddle | Gannett Fleming | |
| Jonathan Sproul, P.E. | PROCON | Vice President |
| Joseph Jorgens | HDR | |
| Josif Bicja, P.E. | Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. | |
| Karie-An James, P.E. | WSP USA, Inc. | |
| Katelyn Welch, P.E. | Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. | |
| Kayla Hampe, P.E. | Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. | Treasurer |
| Kienan Kittredge | HNTB Corporation | |
| Laith Qurreh | CDM Smith | |
| Lauren Robbins | McFarland Johnson, Inc. | |
| Lori Driscoll | HNTB Corporation | |
| Mario LoCoco | HDR Inc. | |
| Michael Brassard | AECOM | |
| Michael Richard | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | |
| Nick Caron | HDR, Inc. | |
| Paul Lefebvre, P.E. | HDR, Inc. | |
| Peter Wu | HDR Inc. | |
| Philip Brogan | The H.L. Turner Group Inc. | |
| Rebecca Lubrano, P.E. | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Director at Large |
| Rick Wolf, Jr. | The H. L. Turner Group | |
| Robert H. Durfee, P.E. | Dubois & King, Inc. | |
| Samuel Cheney | The H. L. Turner Group | |
| Samuel I White | McFarland Johnson, Inc. | |
| Sean Brown, P.E. | H&H | President |
| Spencer Lindsley | McFarland Johnson, Inc. | |
| Stephen Boyington, P.E. | HDR, Inc. | |
| Stephen Langevin | Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. | |
| Thomas A French | HDR, Inc. | |
| Thomas P Levins | GM2 Associates, Inc. | |
| Torrey P. Adair | HEB Engineers, Inc. | |
| Trevor Ricker | HEB Engineers, Inc. | |
| Westley Nuhn | Wright-Pierce | |
| Zachary Goin | GM2 |
