4:00 PM
Speaker Presentations
See below for more information about this month's speakers.
6:00 PM
FPA Annual Meeting
Please join us for our annual meeting and the introduction of incoming Board of Directors.
6:30 PM
Cash Bar and Mixer
Enjoy an opportunity to meet and network with FPA members. Beer, wine, and sodas will be available for purchase.
7:00 PM
Annual Dinner
Join us for our annual dinner celebrating the end of another year. Members enjoy a complimentary meal and non-members can purchase their meal. (A vegetarian option is available.)
4:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
The Economics of Residential Engineering: Navigating Price Compression in a Commoditized Industry
Presented by Reece Scott, P.E., with TurnKey3D, LLC
BIO: Reece Scott is a Professional Structural engineer with a Master of Science in Engineering from Texas A&M University. He has over 10 years’ experience working in the Houston market space and has primarily specialized in the residential structural engineering industry.
ABSTRACT: The residential engineering industry is facing growing competitive pressures, where cost often outweighs expertise in client decisions. Engineering services are increasingly viewed as interchangeable, undervaluing the unique skills, experience, and creativity professionals contribute. This perception drives fees downward, pushing firms to compete primarily on price. Over time, these dynamics can erode professional satisfaction, compromise project quality, and in some cases lead to overruns or overengineering that ultimately outweigh any savings from reduced design fees.
In this presentation, we’ll examine the causes of this price compression, its impact on the sustainability of engineering practices, and strategies to counteract it. By framing the issue through Richard D’Aveni’s principle of hyper-competition, we’ll see how rapidly eroding advantages create a cycle of aggressive fee competition. Finally, we’ll outline ways engineering firms can highlight their value beyond price—focusing on quality, innovation, and trust—to sustain competitiveness in a commoditized market.
5:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Geoforensic Evaluation of a School Facility in South Texas
Presented by Mr. David A. Eastwood, P.E., and Mr. John Wang, Ph.D. with Geotech Engineering and Testing
BIO: Dr. Wang is a Project Manager at Geotech Engineering and Testing (GET) with the responsibility for daily operations of Geoforensic and geotechnical explorations, data analyses and preparation of report recommendations. He has several years of experience in the field of geoforensic, geotechnical, environmental, and materials engineering. He has been involved in geoforensic studies as they relate to commercial structures, residential, slope failures, pavements, retaining walls, sewer leaks, plumbing leaks, etc. His other experience includes research and development in the field of soils, rock materials testing for slopes, retaining walls, pavements, low to high-rise buildings, slope protection remedial works, deep foundations, flood control channels, community centers, office buildings, and subdivisions. His other experience includes research and development in the field of unsaturated soil mechanics (expansive soils). Dr. Wang is also actively involved in environmental site assessment projects, including Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Studies.
ABSTRACT: Dr. John Wang, M.S.C.E., with Geotech Engineering and Testing, will help you understand the basics of geotechnical and forensic engineering as it relates to the Geoforensic Engineering Study of a School Facility in South Texas. The school was constructed in 2009. The existing building is a two-story structure. Our site visit indicated that the building has many cracks in the exterior brick, interior CMU, and floor slabs. A Geoforensic study was conducted to identify the causation for distress and to develop repair techniques. In his presentation, Mr. Eastwood will explore methodologies to identify the causes of the foundation distress. The scope of our geoforensic study included conducting site visits, ground penetrating radar testing, geotechnical borings, elevation measurements, test pits, laboratory testing, and reporting. In addition, he will discuss the repair techniques that reduce future movement and cracking of the structure. The study indicates that the building failed due to poor design, improper construction, and poor foundation maintenance. The foundation repair consisted of leveling the building, using steel pipe piles, chemical injections, and improving site drainage.