'Tis the Season for Service and Sacrifice

By BRYAN L. HUTTON, CPD, MBA, FASPE, ASPE President (2025-26)

As we enter this special time of year, I find myself reflecting on the blessings we have—both individually and as a Society. The holiday season reminds us to pause, give thanks, and recognize the many gifts that enrich our lives: our families, our communities, our professions, and the opportunities we have to make a meaningful difference in the world around us.

For Christians, Christmas is a celebration not only of Christ’s birth, but of the profound message His life represents—self-sacrifice, service, and giving without expectation. That message resonates deeply with me, and I believe it also speaks to the heart of who we strive to be as members of ASPE.

Self-sacrifice is not always dramatic or grand.

Sometimes it is simply the willingness to give our time to mentor a younger designer, to volunteer at a Chapter event, to share knowledge on ASPE Connect, or to support a colleague facing a difficult moment. These quiet acts of service strengthen our profession just as much as our technical achievements.

Our Society exists because generations of members have chosen to give of themselves for the benefit of others. They built local Chapters, wrote standards, taught seminars, led committees, and opened doors for the next wave of engineers and designers. Their efforts—often unseen—created the welcoming, supportive, and opportunity-rich environment we enjoy today.

This month, I encourage each of us to reflect on how we can embody that same spirit of giving:

• Be thankful for the mentors, leaders, and peers who have helped you along the way.
• Be generous with your knowledge and your encouragement—someone may be depending on it.
• Be present for those in your community or Chapter who may be facing challenges.
• Be open to the idea that your contribution, however small it may seem, can be the spark someone else needs.

ASPE is more than a professional society—it is a community bound by shared goals and shared values. We unite to advance plumbing engineering, to support one another’s growth, and to elevate the standard of excellence in our industry. When we give our time, effort, and heart to that mission, we honor the legacy we inherited and strengthen the foundation for those who will follow.

Thank you for your dedication, your service, and the countless ways you contribute to our Society. I am grateful to be on this journey with each of you.

I am enclosing Volume 8 of the ASPE Education crossword puzzle. Luther Thevenin, CPD, is one of our many talented contributors to the ASPE Education Committee, and he has put together some great puzzles for our ASPE community, so take some time and complete the crossword puzzle. The answers will be posted in my next column.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas season and a meaningful, restorative New Year.

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For more columns from Bryan Hutton, visit his ASPE President's Pen page.