Providence, RI The Providence Engineering Society (PES), known for being the oldest professional engineering society in the country, introduced its new president, Chris Duhamel. The announcement was made at the society’s annual meeting featuring program speaker, Eric Offenberg, PE and director of engineering at Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA).

Duhamel, who works as a principal for DiPrete Engineering, formerly served as the society’s vice president. As a professional engineer and professional land surveyor, he brings over 30 years of experience to his new role and has served the society’s board of directors for five years.

Recently, Duhamel was re-appointed by governor Gina Raimondo to the Rhode Island Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. He is also involved with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)’s promotion of civil engineering student development.

Duhamel teaches the senior civil engineering capstone design class at the University of Rhode Island (URI) and serves on several engineering boards and committees. 

He also served for 14 years on the Westerly Town Council as a member and as President and was a member of the Town Planning Board.

“We are all very proud of Chris’ accomplishments and congratulate him on his new role as President of the Providence Engineering Society,” said Dennis DiPrete, President of DiPrete Engineering. “He has so much knowledge and expertise to share, and this is a great place for him to do it.”

PES offers opportunities to promote STEM education advancement, specifically through the FIRST Tech Challenge, a robotics competition held at New England Institute of Technology each February. PES also provides scholarships to undergraduate engineering students affiliated with PES membership. The Society is dedicated to education and the exchange of information among various engineering organizations servicing the Rhode Island area and offers opportunities to bring professionals together for recognition, fellowship, and the exchange of information.

PES Board members include: Chris Duhamel, PE, PLS and principal at DiPrete Engineering, Steven Richtarik, PE and senior project manager at BETA Group, Inc., Todd Brayton, PE and director of operations at Bryant Associates, Martin Pierce, PE and vice president at Steere Engineering, Merve Iplikcioglu Kirtan, PE and structural engineer at Steere Engineering, Danielle Goudreau, geotechnical engineer at Pare Engineering, and Chris Cronin, PE, Vice President at BETA Group, Inc.