First Year Judge 2023

 As Executive Director of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Tom Smith leads a staff of over two hundred and an active volunteer workforce of over 10,000, facilitating ASCE’s tradition of providing high-quality products and services to more than 150,000 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 on the boards of the United Engineering Foundation (UEF), the National Park Trust, and the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals, and he is a member of the Department of Commerce Industry Trade Advisory Committee for services industries. He participates in a variety of 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, National Academy of Construction, Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society, and Order of the Engineer. 

Smith has published articles on engineering ethics and legal issues and is a frequent speaker on association and civil engineering subjects. He 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). 

In addition to a master’s degree in structural engineering and bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Virginia, Smith holds a law degree from Washington & Lee University. Smith is an ASCE Fellow and past recipient of the University of Virginia Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award, as well as the ASCE William H. Wisely American Civil Engineer Award.