Dr. David B. Ashley is a professor of engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he most recently served as the eighth president from July 2006 to July 2009. This emerging research university, located in one of the nation’s fastest growing urban areas, currently enrolls more than 28,000 students with a projected enrollment of 32,000 by 2012 and employs more than 3,000 faculty and staff. Prior to coming to UNLV, Dr. Ashley served as the founding Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost at the University of California, Merced, and held the Shaffer-George Chair in Engineering. He has also served as Dean of Engineering at The Ohio State University and has held Civil Engineering faculty positions at the University of California-Berkeley, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Ashley’s principal research and teaching activities are in the area of construction project planning, focusing primarily on risk analysis and management of large-scale, complex projects. His recent studies have addressed innovative project financing and new project procurement approaches. His work with this field has brought him recognition as a National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator and from ASCE, the 2004 Peurifoy Construction Research Award; the 1992 Construction Management Award; and, in 2007, he was elected to Distinguished Member status. Dr. Ashley was inducted as a member of the National Academy of Construction in October of 2008. For his academic contributions, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Chalmers University in Sweden in May of 2000. Dr. Ashley holds B.S. and M.Sc. degrees in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and M.Sc. (Engineering-Economic Systems) and Ph.D. (Construction Management) degrees from Stanford University.

In this episode, David discusses the need to promote innovation in the civil engineering industry by greater investments in research and encouraging creativity in the engineering curriculum, particularly in the teaching of design. He also discusses threats and opportunities facing the profession and the value of more global thinking, strategic partnerships, and the need to understand and engage in sustainability. Additionally, he highlights some of his greatest professional accomplishments including his work on the expansion of the Panama Canal and the creation of a new University of California campus at Merced.

Download MP3 (8:33min, 8MB)

Rear Admiral David J. Nash, P.E., CEC, USN (ret.), F.ASCE, served the U.S. Navy as a commissioned civil engineer for 33 years before entering the private sector. During his 44 year career, he has gained extensive management experience and knowledge in program management, facility design, construction, logistics, and facility maintenance. Currently President of his own consulting group, Dave Nash & Associates, LLC, a company focused on project development and execution in emerging markets and the United States, Dave is a professional engineer with hands-on experience at all program and project levels, including multi-million dollar complexes and multi-billion dollar infrastructure reconstruction programs. During his career, Mr. Nash has provided construction, program, financial, and acquisition management services for programs and projects all over the world including multiple billion dollar global construction programs that encompassed industrial facilities, transportation, housing, and utilities projects; established innovative acquisition procedures from field to executive level; and created and initially managed the largest reconstruction program ever attempted by the U.S. Government outside its borders. His experience includes the management of multi-billion dollar physical asset programs, including the U.S. Navy’s shore installations worldwide and the reconstruction of Iraq’s infrastructure.

In this episode, Dave discusses the importance of leadership as a key attribute of successful engineers as well as the need for sustainable renewal of U.S. infrastructure and the accompanying political will to stay the course. He also highlights some of the unique international challenges he faced during his experiences in Iraq.

Download MP3 (8:39min, 8MB)

Greg M. Graves, P.E., was named Chairman of the Board of Burns & McDonnell on December 11, 2008. He became President and Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2004, and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the employee-owned firm. In addition, he coordinates the activities of the firm’s various production and support groups to assure uniformity and consistency in both domestic and international operations, as well as developing and executing corporate policies and goals. Burns & McDonnell employs 3,000 professional and support personnel and generates annual fees of $1 billion.

In this episode, Greg shares his greatest professional accomplishments and regrets, his concerns about the economy and the speed of recovery for the engineering industry, and current threats and opportunities facing the civil engineering profession. He also discusses current obstacles to innovation in the U.S. in terms of the short term/single quarter focus and the need for well rounded engineering graduates with a strong business sense.

Download MP3 (9:36min, 9MB)