ASPE Chicago ChapterThe American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) is the international organization for professionals skilled in the design, specification and inspection of plumbing systems. ASPE is dedicated to the advancement of the science of plumbing engineering, to the professional growth and advancement of its members and the health, welfare and safety of the public. The Society disseminates technical data and information, sponsors activities that facilitate interaction with fellow professionals, and through research and education, expands the base of knowledge of the plumbing engineering industry. ASPE members are leaders in innovative plumbing design, effective materials and energy use, and the application of advanced techniques throughout the world.
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Chapter Formation
The Chapter formation began in 1967. Messrs, Albert Tremari, William Johncox, Richard Koral and Werner Ellman began contacting Chicago area plumbing engineering personnel in the interest of creating the second ASPE Chapter. Their efforts were well received. During 1967 and 1968 a Petition for Charter was created with 25 signatures for submission to the Society. On January 3, 1969, our first Chapter President, Mr. William Johncox, submitted the Petition for Charter to the Society.
On July 17, 1969 the Society issued our Charter “for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of plumbing as an engineered science” which listed our first 48 members.
ASPE Chicago celebrated its 50th anniversary in July 2019. The Chapter has experienced continued growth and currently is the 2nd largest chapter in the Society.
On July 17, 1969 the Society issued our Charter “for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of plumbing as an engineered science” which listed our first 48 members.
ASPE Chicago celebrated its 50th anniversary in July 2019. The Chapter has experienced continued growth and currently is the 2nd largest chapter in the Society.
Officers
The Chapter has always had a strong willingness and participation of its members to serve as officers and/or committee members. Chapter Presidents have been:
(Records of Boards of Directors are not complete)
- 1968-1970 William Johncox
- 1970-1972 Alfred Steele
- 1972-1974 Carl Adler
- 1974-1976 Russell Calderwood
- 1976-1978 Robert Cutler
- 1978-1980 William F. McCarthy, PE, CIPE
- 1980-1982 John C. Bukalski, CIPE
- 1982-1984 Kenneth Wentink, PE, CPD, FASPE
- 1984-1986 John C. Bukalski, CIPE
- 1987-1989 Michael J. Cwanek, CIPE
- 1989-1991 Steven T. Triphahn
- 1991-1993 Robert Dahlmann, PE, CPD
- 1993-1995 Michael J. Cwanek, CIPE
- 1995-1997 Timothy A. Smith, CPD, FASPE
- 1997-1999 Daniel J. Fagan, PE, CIPE, FASPE
- 1999-2001 Joseph F. Ficek, CPD, GPD, FASPE
- 2001-2003 Daniel J. Fagan, PE, CIPE, FASPE
- 2003-2005 Robert D. Jackson, CIPE
- 2005-2007 Jason S.A. McDonald, CPD, FASPE
- 2007-2009 David DeBord, CPD, GPD, LEED AP BD+C, ARCSA-AP, FASPE
- 2009-2011 Jason S.A. McDonald, CPD, FASPE
- 2011-2013 Frank Sanchez, CPD, GPD
- 2013-2015 Rick Butler
- 2015-2017 Mark Mannarelli, CPD
- 2017-2019 April Ricketts, PE, CPD
- 2019-2021 Chris Sbarbaro, PE, CPD, GPD, LEED AP
- 2021-2023 Scott Jagodzinski, CPD, GPD
- 2023-2025 Chris Rohan, CPD
- 2025-Present Scott Jagodzinski, CPD, GPD
(Records of Boards of Directors are not complete)
Annual Schedule
The scheduling of Chapter meetings and functions has been consistent. The third Thursday of the month has typically been ASPE Chicago night from September through May. The June golf outing has been on the third Friday. The monthly meeting format is currently dinner followed by a manufacturer spotlight, and then a technical presentation by manufacturers or their sales representatives. Q&A sessions after the presentations are always stimulating. Beginning in the late 1990's, a primer session was introduced and took place prior to dinner. A primer was generally an informal 20-30 minute presentation on some of the basics of plumbing engineering for our members who are new to the industry. The first primers were created to be review/ test preparation sessions for members planning to take the Certified in Plumbing Engineering (CIPE) exam, which is now known as Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD) exam. The primer and technical presentations were proposed by the Chapter Vice President Technical and were reviewed by the Chapter Board of Directors at the start of the schedule year. The April spot on the calendar was traditionally our Product Show, though starting in 2013, the Product Show was moved to September. And that was again changed in 2022 when ASPE Chicago joined the Illinois PHCC Expo as a co-located show at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, IL where the Chapter brought some of its own exhibitors and presents continuing education seminars for ASPE members. Chapter elections are held at the May meeting.
Meetings in the first years were held in downtown Chicago, as the majority of the membership was employed downtown. Emphasis was always placed on location and maintaining low dinner costs. In 1973, in what was being considered a small gamble location-wise, a permanent dinner meeting location was found approximately 4 miles outside of the downtown area at: Zum Deutschen Eck (The Corner Table) restaurant which worked out very well for both the Chapter and the restaurant for many years. Russ Calderwood was acquainted with the Wirth family, the owners, and connected the Chapter with them. The Chapter also held several product shows at "Zum" until space became inadequate. The restaurant closed in 2000 and was torn down. Since then, meetings have been held at several other Chicago area restaurants and breweries. Many Chicago Chapter members still miss "Zum". Tickets Please!
The scheduling of Chapter meetings and functions has been consistent. The third Thursday of the month has typically been ASPE Chicago night from September through May. The June golf outing has been on the third Friday. The monthly meeting format is currently dinner followed by a manufacturer spotlight, and then a technical presentation by manufacturers or their sales representatives. Q&A sessions after the presentations are always stimulating. Beginning in the late 1990's, a primer session was introduced and took place prior to dinner. A primer was generally an informal 20-30 minute presentation on some of the basics of plumbing engineering for our members who are new to the industry. The first primers were created to be review/ test preparation sessions for members planning to take the Certified in Plumbing Engineering (CIPE) exam, which is now known as Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD) exam. The primer and technical presentations were proposed by the Chapter Vice President Technical and were reviewed by the Chapter Board of Directors at the start of the schedule year. The April spot on the calendar was traditionally our Product Show, though starting in 2013, the Product Show was moved to September. And that was again changed in 2022 when ASPE Chicago joined the Illinois PHCC Expo as a co-located show at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, IL where the Chapter brought some of its own exhibitors and presents continuing education seminars for ASPE members. Chapter elections are held at the May meeting.
Meetings in the first years were held in downtown Chicago, as the majority of the membership was employed downtown. Emphasis was always placed on location and maintaining low dinner costs. In 1973, in what was being considered a small gamble location-wise, a permanent dinner meeting location was found approximately 4 miles outside of the downtown area at: Zum Deutschen Eck (The Corner Table) restaurant which worked out very well for both the Chapter and the restaurant for many years. Russ Calderwood was acquainted with the Wirth family, the owners, and connected the Chapter with them. The Chapter also held several product shows at "Zum" until space became inadequate. The restaurant closed in 2000 and was torn down. Since then, meetings have been held at several other Chicago area restaurants and breweries. Many Chicago Chapter members still miss "Zum". Tickets Please!
Members at the Society Level
The Chicago Chapter has had many members serve on Society committees and perform Society work in addition to serving the Society Board of Directors. The Chicago Chapter membership strongly believes in the value and benefits of our organization and has not hesitated to step up to the plate when a need arises. The volunteerism of the Chapter’s members is also exhibited through the numerous Society Director’s and Chairman’s Awards received by the various past Boards of Directors. The Chapter and its members have received nearly one hundred awards for various merits that include Technical, Legislative and Humanitarian efforts.
Society Positions:
Society Positions:
- Russ Calderwood served as Society Treasurer from 1978 to 1980.
- Al Steele served as ASPE Research Foundation Chairman from 1983 through *****.
- Robert Cutler served as the Chairman for the 1984 Convention Host Committee.
- Ken Wentink served as co-Chairman at the 1986 Convention.
- Russ Calderwood served as Convention co-Chairman at the 1988 through 2000 biennial Conventions. Mr. Calderwood passed away in September 2010.
- Ken Wentink served as Society President from 1994 through 1998. Ken served as ASPE Research Foundation Chairman from 1999 through 2007. Mr. Wentink passed away in April 2008. After Ken's passing, the Society Board of Directors established the Kenneth G. Wentink College of Fellows in his honor.
- Julius Ballanco served two terms as Society President from 2006-2008 and 2008-2010. Julius previously served as society’s Vice President Legislative and Technical from 2000 through 2006. Julius also served as President of the ASPE Research Foundation from 2010 through 2014.
- Timothy A. Smith served as Society Vice President Technical from 2010-2012. Prior to this position, Tim served two terms as Society Region 5 Director from 2006-2008 and 2008-2010. He also served as Region 5 Chairman from 2004 through 2006 and served the Society Board of Directors as the first Technical Liaison to the Board from 2008 through 2010.
- David DeBord served as Society Vice President Legislative from 2010-2014, Vice President Education from 2014-2016, and Vice President Technical from 2016-2018.
- Jason McDonald served as Society Vice President Membership from 2020-2022 and 2022-2024. Prior to that, he served as Society Membership Committee Chair from 2016-2018 and 2018-2020.