Tom Smith

As Executive Director of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Tom Smith leads a staff of over 200 and an active volunteer workforce of over 10,000, facilitating ASCE’s tradition of providing high-quality products and services to more than 160,000 members in 177 countries, in all civil engineering disciplines and at all points of their career paths.

Before joining ASCE, Smith practiced law in Northern Virginia with a focus on commercial, construction and land use litigation in federal and state courts, and land use applications for commercial, industrial and residential development.

Outside of ASCE, Smith serves as (i) board trustee and treasurer, United Engineering Foundation, (ii) board director and vice chair, Renewable Natural Resources Foundation, (iii) member, Department of Commerce Industry Trade Advisory Committee for Services Industries, and (iv) vice-chair, National Institute of Building Sciences Consultative Council. Smith participates in a variety of other community or nonprofit organizations, including the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE), U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals and Order of the Engineer. He is also a member of the National Academy of Construction and the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society.

Smith has published articles on engineering ethics and legal issues and is a frequent speaker on association and civil engineering subjects. In addition to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering, Smith is admitted to the bar in Virginia and the District of Columbia and is certified as an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) and a Certified Association Executive (CAE). Smith is an ASCE Fellow and past recipient of the ASCE William H. Wisely American Civil Engineer Award, and the University of Virginia Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award.

Events from this organizer

June 2025
June 26 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Congressional Briefing: Retrofitting for Resilience

Rayburn Congressional Office Building, Room 2167 Rayburn Congressional Office Building, Room 2167

Extreme weather events, including hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms, have caused devastating financial and human losses across the U.S., with cumulative disaster costs reaching nearly $3 trillion since 1980. In 2024 alone, 27 major disasters resulted in damage exceeding $1 billion each, underscoring the urgent need for resilience measures to protect lives, property, and local […]