Howard Berkof
Student (Masters of Business Administration program)
Harvard Business School

ASME affiliation:
Board of Governors, Leadership Development Initiative Intern (’05-’06)
Management Technical Division, Vice Chair (’04-’06)
Strategic Management Sector, Nominating Committee Alternate (’06-‘07)
Center for Professional Development, Practice, and Ethics (’05-’07)
Old Guard Young Engineer of the Year (2005)

As an early career engineer raised in a constantly changing world, I would like to share my viewpoint on the ASME reorganization and funding cuts that have hit us all so hard.  First, let me begin by saying that in five years at Ingersoll-Rand, I survived through five different bosses, three major reorganizations, two very different sales territories, and priorities and initiatives that changed faster than the weather this winter.  Unfortunately, I think my experience is more typical than not of young engineers today in industry.  The current generation of engineers experience constant management turnover, company mergers and acquisitions, change management processes that come in and out of style, and an increasingly competitive global environment featuring new technologies and an ever present pressure to be flexible and work hard and long hours.

My point is this, I, and so many of today’s early career engineers have become accustomed to change to keep up with the world economy and the changes at ASME are no different.  The organization had been operating pretty much the same over the last 20 years, was in need of a major facelift.  ASME needed to do something; they needed to change their ways in order to face the next 20 years as a lean, flexible organization that will add value to its membership and industry partners. 

In regards to the new matrix organizational structure, I have to admit that I actually like it.  I love the fact that sectors and communities are integrated with each other, working together, and getting to know each other.  I grew up in ASME through the Council on Member Affairs “silo,” and had no clue that there were other councils in ASME, and didn’t know anyone in them, and consequently, had no opportunity to expand my ASME horizon.  Today, I am active in three sectors, and can see how people are actually working cross-functionally.  It is truly exciting.  The new organization has allowed events and activities to happen that could not have been possible in the old system. 

In regards to the elimination of section funding, I know that this is a painful decision, but not a devastating one.  Sections will indeed be able to adapt and move forward.  There are available resources through the program funding options at ASME, including the new Strategic Priorities Grant Fund, the ASME Development Fund and the Foundation Grant Program.  All this information is available on the recently launched Web site: www.asme.org/Governance/Volunteer/Funding/Program_Funding_Options.cfm.  This site provides information on special event or project funding that will return long-term success for the Society, such as increased membership, young engineer retention, and potential future revenues. 

All this said, my personal tendency is to be optimistic about ASME’s future.  To dwell on the past and waste time and effort on something that is not coming back just seems counterproductive.  I personally will engage in the new organization and take advantage of every new opportunity it has to offer.   There are so many new opportunities and leadership positions available to young engineers.  The Young Engineer Initiative is producing tangible results that translate to more opportunities than ever for early career engineers to be involved in the Society, more professional development opportunities, such as young engineer forums, and a large database of new volunteers.  Believe me, I see it — there are young engineers in high-level positions; that never could have happened before.  There are more early career engineer volunteers than I can remember who believe in ASME, and truly want to make a difference.  These people are the future of the Society.

With my experience serving on senior-volunteer levels for seven years, and most recently this past year as a Leadership Development Initiative Intern on the Board of Governors, I have gotten to know the ASME volunteer and staff leadership very well.  I can honestly and truly say to you that every one of them has the best of intentions for each and every member of ASME, and wants to see the Society grow and prosper in the future.  I believe in them, even though I do not always agree with their decisions.  I do, however, understand the bigger picture, and the justification behind these decisions. 

A major challenge throughout this entire change process has been poor communication, and everyone is aware of that. However, with vehicles like ASME Connections, Communities of Practice, the new K&C Communique and your own section and division newsletters, we can work on improving the communication issues.

The heart and effort is there, believe me.  If we all work together there is nothing we can’t do to make ASME a truly great organization.