Faculty Advisor - Dr. Piechota

Dr. Thomas Piechota is an associate professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering at UNLV. Piechota received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1989 from Northern Arizona University, his master's degree in civil and environmental engineering in 1993 from UCLA, and his Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering in 1997 from UCLA. His teaching and research interests are in the fields of climate change, sustainability, surface-water hydrology, hydroclimatology, droughts, water resources planning, and storm-water quality in urban environments. In 2003, Piechota received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for the project "Improved Hydrologic Drought Forecasting Using Climate Information." Piechota is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Nevada and California and serves on various committees with the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Director - Dianna (Dee) Feica

Graduated with her BS in Civil Engineering in May 2009 and is currently working on her master's degree in Civil - Geotechnical engineering with an expected graduation in 2011 (hahahahaha). She started volunteering for the UNLV ASCE Student chapter in the Fall of 2006, has attended the Western Student Chapter Leaders conference (WSCL) in Feb 2007; was treasurer for the UNLV ASCE in 2007-2008 and President (or Presi-dee) for the 2008-2009 school year. She has attended 3 PSWRC's and has to admit that Hawaii was the best one so far! (How can you beat a dolphin show and free alcohol at a luau!) She currently works as a project engineer with TransCore ITS doing construction/project management. She's sick of writing in the 3rd person, so I'm going to stop that now. I'm really looking forward to the PSWRC this year, and I really want to thank my committee and our advisors, because there is no way in hell I could do this without them. See you all soon!!!!!!!

Assistant Director & Treasurer - Noe Santos

Was "Made in Mexico" during the summer of 1987 and has lived in Las Vegas for the past 18 years. He graduated from UNLV in May 2009 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and is now pursuing a master's degree in the summer of 2011 in Water Resources. He is currently a graduate research assistant working on a solar water distillation project. He first got involved with ASCE in a way that is all too common everywhere...peer pressure! Everyone was doing it and having fun...so why not join? What's the worst thing that could happen? I mean besides being peer-pressured into other things like being the design manager for the concrete canoe, eventually running for Vice President of the ASCE student chapter and taking a math minor...right? All in all, joining ASCE was the best decision he could have made during his undergraduate studies! He is now the assistant director for the PSWRC 2010 and is also the source behind all of the "weird/not as funny as he hoped they would be" postings on the PSWRC's Facebook page...something he says he will never apologize for...never! He hopes that everyone's experience at conference is one that is most splendid...and by splendid he really means "What happens in Vegas, gets posted on facebook!" He is also a fan of using Facebook, long walks along the Las Vegas Strip and is a ginormous fan of the Seattle grunge band Soundgarden and of course Chris Cornell! Spoonman...!

Banquet/Lunches - Kathryn Leonardo

My name is Kathryn Leonardo, a senior at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I am majoring in Civil Engineering with emphasis on Geotechnical Engineering. I hope to graduate in May of 2010. I was born and raised in the Philippines, (yes I am a FOB) but has been in US for about 6 years. I work at Starbucks, and have not had any engineering related jobs, but I'm the woman when it comes to coffee. I started participating with ASCE UNLV chapter because of Big Poppa Vik, and I was coined "super volunteer" during the National Student Steel Bridge Competition last May 2009 because I was there everyday doing almost anything I can help out with. I have been an undergraduate researcher for Dr. Said, have not participated in any conferences because I'm poor, and looking forward to PSWRC 2010. I love espresso (go figure), anything green (the color, I guess the concept is fine too) and on my spare time when I'm not running around high on caffeine or no sleep, I play table tennis. I play competitively and got injured but am looking forward to hitting some balls again (hahahaha). I hope to see you all here in Vegas! :)

Communications - Melissa Cansdale

I graduated with my BS in Civil Engineering in December of 2008. I volunteered for UNLV ASCE Student Chapter because Dee asked me to. I served as an honorary officer (i.e. doing a lot of things without the title) my first year in and served as VP of Fundraising as well as undertaking the duties of VP of Conference until a replacement was elected in my second year. I also volunteered to act as the communications guru for PSWRC 2010 because of Dee. I have been to three conferences and enjoyed every one of them. We are planning PSWRC to help out our current ASCE Student Chapter officers as they all have heavy class and work loads. Some are also active in other student organizations as well. I currently work as an associate engineer/hydrologist. I also like long walks on the beach, romantic dinners, and sappy movies (kidding!). I hope everyone enjoys their PSWRC 2010 experience and look forward to meeting all of you.

Scheduler - Arlene Gloriani

I'm just a small town girl
Living in a lonely world
I took the midnight train going anywhere
...
Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Paying anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on...

Sponsorship Coordinator - Mark Elkouz

My name is Mark Elkouz and I'm working on sponsorships for PSWRC 2010. I was born here in Las Vegas and am currently a senior at UNLV, majoring in Civil Engineering. I hope to graduate in May of 2010. It was my privilege to participate in the organization of the National Student Steel Bridge Competition, which was hosted at UNLV in May 2009. I look forward to working with the advisors, faculty, participants, sponsors, and fellow committee members, to help make PSWRC 2010 the best conference possible.

Media Coordinator - Sarah Bareng

Sarah has been an active member and officer of ASCE since 2006. Starting out as the compulsory freshman in conference events and eventually promoted/suckered into being an officer. She has since organized numerous events for the student chapter such as Career Fairs, the 2009 National Student Steel Bridge Competition and now the 2010 Pacific Southwest Regional Conference. In December 2008, Sarah has graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering.

Marketing - Iani Batilov

My name is Iani Batilov, and I am pursuing a bachelor degree in Civil Engineering major with a minor in solar and renewable energy here at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The first thing people usually learn about me is that I am Bulgarian and that possibly we are classmates when a professor takes an unusually long pause before trying to read my name for attendance. Although I haven't been a college student for too long I am really trying to stay more active and have more fun with my experience here at UNLV. I really strive to learn as much as I can and have decided I am going to pace myself and take the time to perform well in both academics as well as all the other extracurricular activities that catch my eye. Some of the things I like are having scrimmage soccer games, watching movies, house music, sliding down stair railways (like those in TBE), spontaneous trips, those little coupon books UNLV hands out every semester, Chipotle, going back to Bulgaria for the summer, and getting involved when there is food involved. Hope to collect some great memories from this conference and I do believe that what I find along the journey is much more valuable than the destination. Thanks for coming and see you soon.

Webmaster - Alex Solis

I'm Alex Solis and am currently an undergraduate sophomore. I'm in limbo right now with both Civil Engineering and Computer Science majors. Not too many hobbies ... I keep busy with school, work, and now this. I like to read, golf, and program. Yes, I sound like a geek, but programming really does have logic and cohesiveness and comes naturally to me. This is my first time involved with a conference, PSWRC, and ASCE, so hopefully all goes well.

Volunteer Coordinator - Tory Jackson

My name is Tory Jackson and I am the Volunteer Coordinator for the PSWRC 2010! I am currently a Senior in Civil Engineering at UNLV. I love concrete more than any human in this world should love concrete and currently hold the title of "Queen of Concrete." My favorite day of the week is Margarita Thursday. Last but not least, I am one of the youngest cat ladies in the world with two cats, Mac and Jack Cheese. And someday I will have many, many more.

UNLV ASCE President - Ankush Sehdev

My name is KUSH!

He was born in India, but was raised and lived in Las Vegas for 19 years. He has two older brothers that are also in Civil Engineering (engineering runs in the family). Besides majoring in Civil Engineering, he is also in the Solar ad Renewable Energy minor. He joined the UNLV ASCE Student Chapter in his freshman year, Fall 2007, has attended the Workshop for Student Chapter Leaders (WSCL) in February 2008; was treasurer for the UNLV ASCE in 2008-2009 and currently the President (or Presi-kush, reference to Dee) for the 2009-2010 school year. For this conference, we have high expectations for the competitions, and we want everyone to have the best time in Sin City.

NAU Co-Conference Coordinator - Jo-Anne Barcellano

I'm a junior studying Environmental Engineering. I'm originally from Lake Havasu City. I work as a TA for NAU's Engineering department and have been a member of ASCE for the past three years. I get a kick out of nerdy Internet jokes, scrapbooking, and Apple products.

NAU Co-Conference Coordinator - Katie Hein

I am a Junior Civil Engineering student. In the future I would like to design 'Green' Structures, mainly focusing on smaller buildings or homes. I enjoy spending my free time playing rugby, off-roading, snowboarding, and hanging out with friends.

NAU ASCE President - Danny Harris

Along with being the President of the Northern Arizona University Student Chapter of ASCE, I am also a Captain for the 2010 NAU ASCE steel bridge team. I enjoy rock climbing, snow boarding, and photography when I am not working in the engineering building. I graduate in May of 2010 and will try my luck with the job market.

NAU ASCE Vice President - Sarah Christiansen

I am from Anchorage, AK. I am in my junior year at NAU, studying Environmental Engineering. I have been involved in ASCE for the past three and a half years and will continue until I graduate.

NAU ASCE Treasurer - Becky Braley

I am currently a senior in civil engineering. I am an ambassador for the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences at NAU, and am a member of the engineering honors society, Tau Beta PI. I enjoy swimming and reading when I have the time, and I love dinosaurs!

NAU ASCE Secretary - Bethany Fye

I am a senior civil engineering student at Northern Arizona University. Upon graduation, I hope to pursue a career in the field of water resources. My interests outside of school include hiking, running, skiing, and all other outdoor activities.

NAU ASCE Fundraiser and Activities Officer - Eli Reisner

I am in my fourth year at Northern Arizona University and will be graduating in May 2011 with a degree in Civil Engineering. My hometown is Lakeside Arizona. When I'm not doing schoolwork I enjoy spending time in the outdoors weather its playing sports, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and multiple other activities. My favorite part about ASCE is getting to know the people in my classes and doing activities as a group.

NAU ASCE Webmaster - Zachary Davis

Zachary Davis was a full-time homeschooling student, who decided that civil engineering was the degree for him! Zachary will graduate in May, God willing, and hopes to pursue his career upon graduation. He has taken residence inside the engineering building, but when not there he enjoys reading, video games and various physical activities such as running and soccer. If you have any questions, he most certainly will not be able to answer them, but can almost always find someone who can.