ASCE OC Younger Member Forum: Western Region Younger Member Council 2026

Members of the ASCE Orange County Younger Member Forum (OC YMF) recently traveled to Reno, Nevada, to participate in the Western Regional Younger Member Council (WRYMC), part of the ASCE Multi-Region Leadership Conference. The event brought together young professionals, students, and ASCE leaders from across the western United States for a weekend of leadership development, collaboration, and networking.

ASCE Orange County Younger Member Forum Members at WRYMC 2026 in Reno, Nevada

WRYMC provides early-career civil engineers the opportunity to connect with peers from across the region, exchange ideas, and develop leadership skills that strengthen both their careers and their local ASCE groups. The conference included professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and various different technical tours.

During the conference, ASCE OC representatives participated in sessions focused on leadership, communication, and the future of the civil engineering profession. Attendees also connected with younger member groups from across Regions 8 and 9, learning about successful programs, outreach initiatives, and strategies to grow engagement within their local communities.

A highlight of the conference was the WRYMC Awards Banquet, where younger members and groups from across the region were recognized for their achievements and contributions to ASCE.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients from ASCE Orange County:

• Outstanding Younger Member Group Project Award: Mentorship Program  

• Outstanding Younger Member in ASCE Activities Award: Marionne Lapitan 

• Outstanding Younger Member in Community Activities Award: Celeste Chan 

• Outstanding Younger Member in Government Relations Award: Natalie Luna 

• Outstanding Young Civil Engineer in the Public Sector Award: Samuel Saldivar 

• Outstanding Young Civil Engineer in the Private Sector Award: Tyler Hodges

These awards recognize outstanding leadership, community involvement, and contributions to the civil engineering profession.

Did you miss WRYMC in Reno? Don’t worry, you’ll have another chance to attend soon!

After a decade, WRYMC will return to Southern California in October 2027, hosted in sunny Los Angeles, California. Save the date as ASCE prepares to welcome younger members from across the western region for another inspiring conference filled with leadership development, networking, and professional growth.

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About the Author:

Samuel Saldivar is a Civil Engineering Associate working in the Inter-Agency Utility Coordination group at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree at Cal Poly Pomona. Sam currently serves as the ASCE OC YMF External Activities Chair. On his free time, he enjoys to traveling and spending time with friends and family.