The Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) recently elected its 2008–09 board of directors.

Laurel Johnson, P.E., senior project engineer in the Shelby Township, MI, office of Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. (SME), was elected vice president of the NAWIC Detroit Chapter. Johnson co-chairs the chapter's Scholarship and Block Kids Program Committees, and serves on the Construction Industry Awards Committee.

The 2008–2009 NAWIC Detroit Chapter Board also includes:

• President: Carol Varga, of Sorensen Gross Construction Company
• Corresponding Secretary: Marilyn Mitchell, of Evans & Luptak P.L.C.
• Recording Secretary: Nola Lee, of Aluminum Supply Co., Inc.
• Treasurer: Donielle Wunderlich, of George W. Auch Company
• Immediate Past President Kathleen Dobson, of Alberici Constructors, Inc., and
• Directors: Cheryl Anthony, of Beaumont Services Company; Karen Hill, of the Construction Association of Michigan; Rachael Jennings, of Beaumont Services Company; Susan Long, of Klochko Equipment Rental Company; Mickey Marshall, of North Coast Commercial Roofing; Ednette Mixon, of Alberici Constructors, Inc.; Shannon Newbery, of A1 Quality Restoration; and Sarah Santostefano, of O'Brien Construction.

Johnson was also appointed to the city of Sterling Heights Board of Code Appeals. The board of code appeals also includes: Oscar Chapaton, Douglas Harvey, Terry Measel, and Thaddeus Stanek Jr.

At SME, Johnson specializes in providing solutions to geotechnical engineering challenges and constructability issues, including specialized earth retention and instrumentation projects. With 15 years of experience, she supports SME clients at every stage of the building cycle, from site acquisition and design through construction, maintenance/restoration and redevelopment. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Science degree in civil engineering from Wayne State University.

The Detroit Chapter of NAWIC was founded in 1971 and is one of the largest chapters in the Midwest. Nationally, NAWIC has a membership of more than 5,500 with more than 179 chapters. NAWIC's core purpose is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry. For more information visit www.nawicdetroit.org or www.nawic.org.

The City Board of Code Appeals hears appeals to the City Building Code, including building, fire prevention, mechanical, plumbing, and property maintenance. Each member is a licensed professional engineer or architect, builder, or superintendent of building construction with at least 10 years of experience. For more information visit, www.sterling-heights.net.

SME supports clients at every stage of development and ownership, from site acquisition, design and construction to maintenance, restoration and redevelopment. SME helps its clients locally and across the world by providing practical, sustainable solutions to the most challenging site and building-related problems. SME's team of over 220 professionals operates from eight offices in Michigan and Ohio. Since 1964, SME's mission has been to add significant value to its clients' projects and become a trusted member of their project team. SME's geosciences, materials and environmental capabilities serve many markets in the built and natural environment, including commercial, development/redevelopment, education, energy, health care, industrial, retail, state/local government, telecommunications, transportation, and agriculture. For more information, visit www.sme-usa.com.