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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
As part of our Member Appreciation Program, we are showcasing a member in our bi-monthly Board Member Spotlight. Our member spotlight recognizes members for their outstanding contributions to the profession and our local communities. For any questions regarding the program please email PastPresident@ymf-oc.org.
January/February
2026
INTRODUCING
Chris Acebal
EIT
Transportation Engineer
Caltrans
University Outreach Chair
ASCE Orange County Younger Member Forum
PERSONAL LIFE
Where did you grow up?
Born and raised in Los Angeles County.
What made you want to become an engineer?
Growing up, I always enjoyed solving complex puzzles, constructing, and rearranging things. I thank my parents and family for putting the right things in front of me as a child (LEGOs) that fascinated me into engineering.
Favorite hobbies, sports, and interests outside of engineering?
I love to build and collect LEGOs, play basketball, play video games, hike, and explore new places.
Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...
Drinking matcha with the quarter zip on.
What college(s) did you attend? Can you list your degrees, any honors, and involvement in engineering organizations during school?
I earned my B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from California State University Fullerton. I was involved with the ASCE Student Chapter for 3 years, where I participated in competitions such as Steel Bridge, Transportation, and Environmental. Additionally, I served as the Symposium Chair in 2023. During this time, I was also involved in the Institute of Transportation Engineers club as a member and the Inter-Club Council for Engineering and Computer Science as Chair.
WORK & PROFESSIONAL LIFE
Describe your responsibilities and some significant projects.
My responsibilities include monitoring and maintaining the traffic operations of various complex segments of the State Highway System. I often conduct fieldwork to find ways to improve mobility and safety for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other travelers across the state of California. Some of those improvements include roundabouts, auxiliary lanes, crosswalks, signs, traffic signals, bike lanes, and much more. Some of the tasks I perform to make these improvements possible include creating traffic analysis models, plans, and maintenance work orders. This includes reviewing proposals for land developments and permits from consultants and local jurisdictions near or on the State Highway System. I’ve reviewed projects and implemented improvements for routes within both San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Some notable routes include I-10, I-15, CA-66/US-66 (historic), CA-71, and CA-91.
What project are you currently working on and what have you accomplished/what are your tasks?
N/A
What is your favorite part about being a Civil Engineer?
My favorite part of being a civil engineer is being able to make a difference and give back to the community through infrastructure improvements. Seeing those improvements and projects become a part of daily life is a rewarding experience.
What skills do you find most valuable to focus on in your career?
Some skills I find most valuable include resourcefulness and decision-making. I find resourcefulness and decision-making valuable because it is essential to use the resources around you to help make critical engineering decisions on a day-to-day basis.
What drew you to your specific career path? If you could start your career differently, what would you do differently?
I was drawn to the career path of transportation engineering because it is something I find fascinating, and the knowledge I can gain in this field is limitless. I found Caltrans to be one of the best starting places for my career, thanks to their rotation program and endless library of resources that allow me to continue learning. If I could start my career differently, I would have wanted to experience different fields of civil engineering before deciding on going down a specific path. I started my career in construction engineering; however, I found my early career interest to be in transportation engineering.
ASCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
How/Why did you get involved? Why did you choose to stay involved?
I got involved as a student in 2022. I chose to stay involved as a professional because, as a student, ASCE helped me discover a piece of my identity and gain exposure to the real world of civil engineering. Everyone in ASCE has been so nice and helpful as I've grown as a person, and because of that, it's a great community to be a part of.
How has ASCE impacted your work and/or what is your favorite benefit of your involvement?
ASCE has impacted my work by helping me develop early leadership skills. One of my favorite benefits of my involvement is the network of fellow engineers and being able to give back to the community through the University Outreach, K-12, and community service programs.
Who is someone you Admire and Why?
I admire my mentors who helped guide my career so early on. I am grateful to have had such a prosperous start to my career. Through them, I've learned to trust my intuition, be creative, and open-minded.
If you have one piece of advice to give to young professionals what would it be?
Focus on communication and your willingness to learn. Those will be the fuel for your early career. Being able to communicate with your peers and gain knowledge through conversation and questions is essential to growth as a civil engineer. Be willing to take the next step, try to take your FE early, and try to learn the specialized/difficult tasks. Being willing to reach for your FE early or learn specialized tasks makes you that much more valuable to yourself and your team.
Lastly, what would be your personal motto?
As a civil engineer, you've done your job if no one is thinking about your work.
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