President's Message - Oct. 2025

Dear Members and Colleagues:

It is my honor to serve as the new President of the Subsurface Utility Engineering Association (SUEA). Thank you for your trust and for your dedication to advancing our practice and profession. I also wish to recognize the outstanding work of past leaders whose efforts built the strong foundation we stand upon today.

As we move forward, my vision is clear: grow our membership, strengthen our committees with a diversified group of members, support ASCE 38 and ASCE 75 standards, and expand recognition of SUE among practitioners, clients, and policy makers.

 Our goals include:

• Membership Growth – Recruit more member firms that provide SUE services, as well as attract client groups and those from allied and related disciplines.

• Professional Excellence – Work with other organizations, including UESI, to promote adoption of current and future standards such as ASCE 38-22, 75-22, and others, while offering education, training, and advocacy on behalf of firms in the business of delivering professional SUE services, as well as expanding the SUE market.

• Advocacy & Recognition – Strengthening SUE’s voice in federal, state, local government, and the private sector for all types of infrastructure programs and influencing positive changes in our laws, regulations, guidelines, scopes, contracts, negotiations, and risk management mitigation.

• Global Collaboration – Deepening ties with other national and international organizations.

• Innovation & Technology – Embracing subsurface utility engineering, utility coordination, engineering, surveying, geophysics, geospatial, geotechnical, and AI advancements for our SUE businesses.

 Over the next 120 days, I will focus on:

1. Listening & Assessment – engaging members and committees.

2. Building Foundations – improving communications and holding listening sessions.

3. Action & Engagement – kicking off membership growth initiatives and standards working groups.

4. Delivering Early Wins – publishing a “State of SUEA” update; offering more webinars; developing abstracts of speaking engagements; publishing technical briefs; and launching an awards program.

5. SUEA Special Projects- implementing our partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and creating other opportunities to promote SUE.   

Our strength lies in our members. I encourage you to get involved, share your expertise, and help shape the future of our association. Together, we will build safer and smarter infrastructure—both above and below the surface.

With gratitude,

Nicholas Zembillas

President, Subsurface Utility Engineering Association (SUEA)