Committees
USSD Board of Directors Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are essential to advancing solutions in dam and levee safety that equitably enhance communities. USSD recognizes that our organization is strengthened through greater diversity of our people and perspectives. We are committed to being an inclusive organization, promoting equitable opportunities for engagement by all individuals interested in, involved with, or impacted by dams and levees. We strive to foster an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and valued.
To accomplish it's goals, USSD relies on the combined efforts of our committee. These committees are comprised of individuals that are committed to USSD mission and vision. Through their collaborative efforts USSD is able to have tremendous impact on the dam and levee industry.
Click on the headings below to learn more about the USSD committees and see how you can join their efforts.
The USSD Advocacy Committee serves as the clearinghouse to establish the position of USSD for any initiative that supports national, state, and local programs, legislation, and responses to significant events related to dams, levees, and water resources.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Jeremy Begley, Mapei
Vice Chair
Scarlett Kitts, Black & Veatch
YP Vice Chair
Emily Bagnell, Knight Piesold and Co.
The Annual Conference Coordinating Committee (formerly Conference Technical Program Planning Committee) ensures the development and delivery of various aspects of the USSD Annual Conference and Exhibition. Through the collaborative efforts of designated subcommittees, they oversee presentations (technical and nontechnical), plenary sessions, legacy lectures, technical tours, vendor engagement, local activities, and other components connected to the event. These subcommittees are:
- Program Coordinating Subcommittee
- Vendor Engagement & Experience Subcommittee
- Local Activities & Attendee Experience Subcommittee
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Paul Eggers, McMillen
Vice Chair
Margaret Provencher, GEI
Annually USSD honors individuals and organizations through various awards, recognitions, and scholarships. The Awards Committee supports USSD annual awards program by facilitating the selection processes, promoting opportunities, and facilitating presentations.
The committee is directly responsible for the following awards:
- Kim de Rubertis Student Scholarships
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Excellence in Constructed Project Award
- Outstanding Paper Presentation Award
- Outstanding Paper Presentation by a Young Professional Award
- Outstanding Poster Award
The committee indirectly supports the following awards that are facilitated by other committees:
- Exceptional Young Professional of the Year Award
- Public Safety, Security and Emergency Management Recognition
- President's Award
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Brandon Hilbrich, HDR
Vice Chair
VACANT
YP Vice Chair
Nicole Wiesner, Freese and Nichols
The Bulletin Editorial Committee keeps the membership informed on items of key professional interest and technical activities by facilitating the publication of USSD's official magazine, Dams & Levees: Bulletin of the U.S. Society on Dams. This publication is published four times a year and is distributed to USSD members and others in the dam and levee profession.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Travis Tutka, USACE
Vice Chair
Sharon Krock, Schnabel Engineering
YP Vice Chair
Gabe Staats, Black & Veatch
The mission for the Committee on Climate Resilience for Dams and Reservoirs is to explore the nature and extent of geophysical and social risks induced by extreme climate patterns, the increasing vulnerability of communities to such impacts, how as a practice we can support our communities through technical leadership and innovation to foster enhanced resilience and longer-term adaptation.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Carmen Bernedo-Sanchez, Stantec
Vice Chair
Vacant
YP Vice Chair
Alexia Dassatti, Gannett Fleming
The Concrete Dams Committee concentrates on activities related to examining the technologies used in the evaluation, design, and construction of new concrete dams and modifications of existing dams. It undertakes special studies, prepares reports, and disseminates selected information regarding the use of concrete for dams or corollary topics.
Subcommittees
- Dam Raises
- Structural Analysis of Concrete Dams
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Del Shannon, Knight Piesold & Co.
Vice Chair
Hillery Venturini, US Bureau of Reclamation
YP Vice Chair
Mayank Tanwar, HDR
The Construction and Rehabilitation Committee address the role of construction techniques, construction management, contract selection, cost implications/ trends and construction activities in building and maintaining dams and dam related infrastructure.
Subcommittees
- Coffer Dams
- Cost of Estimating and Cost Trends
- Underwater Inspection & Construction
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Conrad Ginther, Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.
Vice Chair
Nick Patch, Prospect Construction
Chair
Fabrice Byebi, Black & Veatch
The Dam Decommissioning Committee provides a forum to discuss, develop, and share technical information about the decommissioning of dams. This technical information is used to provide dam owners, dam engineers and public safety officials, and other professionals with the information necessary to help guide decision-making when considering dam decommissioning as a project alternative.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Peter Haug, Ayres Associates
Vice Chair
Steve Whiteside, CDM Smith
YP Vice Chair
Jared Vegrzyn, WEST Consultants
Promotes all aspects of dam safety and security through study, compilation and interchange of information on legislation, policy, technical developments and actual performance and security requirements of dams and reservoirs; maintains information by states as to the laws relating to safety and security of dams and compiles information on dam safety and security incidents or failures of dams. Develop programs and tools which gather and disseminate dam safety and security information, coordinate and provide dam safety and security training for USSD members, and establish cooperative arrangements and partnerships with other organizations for the purpose of enhancing the dam safety and security of dams within the United States.
Subcommittees
- Risk
- Dam Failures & Incidents
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Robert Pike, Bureau of Reclamation
Vice Chair
Jacob Davis, USACE
YP Vice Chair
Abhijeet Chordia, Black & Veatch
The mission of USSD’s Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is to intentionally foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within the dams industry to provide a diverse and inclusive environment, and to focus on opportunities within the dams industry to champion members of diverse and underrepresented identities and backgrounds related to race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, social and economic status, age, disability, religion, and more.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Merry Dang, KGS Group
Vice Chair
Lucky Nagarajan, Geocomp, Inc.
YP Vice Chair
John Atkins, Patriot Hydro
Identifies seismic problems relating to dams, and when there is a need to develop new knowledge, collects and disseminates that information.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Melannie Walling, Gannett Fleming
Vice Chair
Chris Krage, GEI Consultants
YP Vice Chair
Kate Darby, GeoSyntec
Identify training topics and oversee organization of workshops, seminars, and webinars outside of annual conference.
Subcommittees
- Risk Training
- Webinar & Workshop Development
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Jaime Lubeck, HDR
Vice Chair
Josh Gilman, American Cement Association
YP Vice Chair
Hannah Gridley, HDR
Undertakes special studies, prepares reports and collects and disseminates data regarding the use of synthetic and natural materials in the construction of embankment dams.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Christopher Krivanec, HDR
Vice Chair
Jacquelyn Allmond, GeoSyntec
YP Vice Chair
Vacant
Provides a clearinghouse and reference center for environmental concerns and effects resulting from existing and proposed dams.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
John Osterle, Rizzo International, Inc.
Vice Chair
Denise Bunte-Bisnett
Vice Chair
VACANT
The Foundations Committee studies the overall engineering and geological aspects of foundations for large dams and their appurtenant structures, as well as the reservoir floor and rim. The impact these aspects have on safe performance of the project are also examined.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Patrick White, HDR
Vice Chair
Kevin Mininger, RJH Consultants
YP Vice Chair
Corey Schaal, Schnabel Engineering
The Hydraulics and Hydrology Committee supports and promotes advancement of the technical practices of hydrology and hydraulics as they relate to the evaluation of dams, spillways, and appurtenant structures. This includes flood analyses including design hydrology and flood flow frequency estimation; hydraulic design of spillways, outlet works, and other hydraulic structures related to multi-purpose project operation; analyses of floods resulting from dam failures and assessment of potential downstream consequences; hydraulic and hydrologic aspects of operation and maintenance; and reservoir sedimentation and sustainability.
Subcommittees
- Gates and Valves
- Spillways
- Sedimentation
- Hydrology
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Keil Neff, USACE
Vice Chair
Miles Yaw, TVA
YP Vice Chair
Barnard Mondal, HDR
Promotes, coordinates and aims to increase the volume and quality of engagement of USSD members with ICOLD.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Arun Parsons, COWI North America
Vice Chair
VACANT
YP Vice Chair
VACANT
Addresses levee issues, including levee systems, safety and safety programs, risk assessment and management, dam vs. levee concerns, levee security, peer and independent reviews, and other non-technical issues related to levees that are inter-disciplinary.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Scott Raschke, Schnabel Engineering
Vice Chair
Noah Vroman, USACE
YP Vice Chair
Will McRae, USACE
Compiles, analyzes and publishes information on the monitoring of dams for assuring continuing safe operations.
Subcommittees
- Fully Grouted Piezometer Installations
- Seismic Instrumentation for Dams
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
John Hynes, Stantec
Vice Chair
Amanda Sutter, USACE
YP Vice Chair
Jordan Keeney, Stantec
Develops, maintains and communicates programs and tools which gather and disseminate public safety and security best practices for and around dams.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Sharon Roach, HDR
Vice Chair
Bryan Cisar, USACE
YP Vice Chair
Junior Lagade, Black & Veatch
Promotes design, construction and operation practices to ensure safe tailings dams.
Subcommittees
- Liquefaction
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Benjamin Schmidt, WSP
Vice Chair
Kanyembo Katapa, Freeport-McMoran, Inc.
YP Vice Chair
Linda Madden, Stantec
The main role of the USSD Committee on Young Professionals is to increase membership and participation of young professionals, those 35 years of age and under, in USSD.
To learn more contact info@ussdams.org.
Committee Leadership
Chair
Aimee Corn, GFT
Co-Vice Chair
Olivia Hunt, HDR
Co-Vice Chair
Vacant