Professional Engineering Ethics: How are we doing?
Ethical issues illustrated with real world examples

Dr. Howard J. Hill, PE, SE
Senior Principal and Executive Director of Project Operations
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025
4:30 p.m.
HAMP 1144

Abstract

Most, if not all, states have professional engineering practice requirements that include a code of ethics. This talk will provide real world examples of ethical issues and how they were handled or, in most cases, mishandled. It will also show how actions like promoting the use of the latest technical information and requiring measures that enhance public safety can actually be unethical. While identifying the right thing to do is not always easy for an engineer, in some cases we will share, it wasn’t even an objective.

Bio

Howard Hill joined WJE in 1988 and has since participated in hundreds of structural investigations and evaluations. His experience includes investigation of structural failures, assessment of damaged structures, evaluation of structural stability, evaluation of construction and design errors, design of repairs and retrofits for existing structural systems, peer reviews of proposed designs, instrumentation and data analysis, expert testimony, and the preparation and presentation of technical papers and seminars. Dr. Hill’s work has involved structural materials—such as steel, concrete, masonry, and timber—and many types of structural systems, such as bridges, buildings, stadiums, parking garages, towers, and industrial facilities.