President
Kamal Gautam, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE
President-Elect
Eric Sekulski, P.E., G.E.
Treasurer
Mohammad Dastmalchian, P.E.
Secretary
Lily Baldwin, P.E.
PRESIDENT
Dr. Kamal Gautam, a Fellow of ASCE, has been elected President of the ASCE Golden Gate Branch for 2025–2026. He has been active in the Branch for several years and has served in multiple roles, including as Branch President in 2020–21, where he provided steady leadership during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With 30 years of hydropower industry experience, Dr. Gautam currently serves as Director of Engineering at rPlus Energies, where he leads multiple pumped storage hydropower developments across the U.S. He is also Deputy Chair of the National Hydropower Association’s Pumped Storage Council, advocating for long-duration energy storage to complement renewable resources such as solar and wind.
Dr. Gautam is a licensed Professional Engineer in California and Hawaii and a certified Project Management Professional. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, an MSc in Hydraulic Engineering (Hydropower and Dams) from IHE Delft, and a BSc in Civil Engineering from the Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed papers and technical articles and has been featured in technical publications.
As President, his priorities are to:
- Leverage his professional network and experience to strengthen ASCE’s Golden Gate Branch and promote the civil engineering profession.
- Increase the visibility of Branch activities by engaging senior professionals, Fellows, Life and Distinguished Members, industry leaders, academics, and students.
- Diversify Branch programs to expand membership, provide meaningful learning opportunities, and foster professional networking through monthly technical presentations and training workshops.
- Support the Outreach Committee in engaging students through campus visits, strong support of student chapters, and initiatives that inspire the next generation of civil engineers.
- Strengthen connections with young professionals in firms, agencies, and associations, while providing resources that emphasize the full value of ASCE membership.
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Mr. Eric Sekulski is both a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE #83637) and Licensed Geotechnical Engineer (GE #3180) in California, with over 20 years of experience at Arup as a civil and geotechnical engineer. His work spans small- to mega-scale building and infrastructure projects, specializing in geotechnical design, temporary works, construction sequencing, and multidisciplinary coordination.
Eric earned both his B.S. and M.S. in Engineering from The Cooper Union in New York City. His leadership background includes having previously served as President and Director of the Golden Gate Branch, bringing continuity and experience to his current role.
As President-Elect, Eric is committed to fostering collaboration and mentorship within the profession. He is a passionate advocate for the civil engineering industry, dedicated to inspiring young engineers and strengthening open dialogue among contractors, owners, and consultants to ensure efficient, impactful project delivery. Through active and honest community engagement, Eric looks forward to supporting the Golden Gate Branch in advancing its mission and strengthening the local civil engineering community.
TREASURER
Mr. Mohammad Dastmalchian is a Registered Professional Engineer and an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) with over 29 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. His career spans a wide range of civil engineering projects including transportation, building structures, bridges, water, education, hospitality, parks and recreation, and claims management.
Currently, Mohammad serves as Branch Chief of the Office of Encroachment Permits in Caltrans District 4, where he leads collaborative efforts with stakeholders, builds consensus, and mentors the next generation of engineers. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing public safety and infrastructure improvements across the Bay Area and beyond.
Mohammad holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from CUNY–CCNY, an M.S. in Civil Engineering from NYU, and a Master’s in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution from Creighton University. He has also earned Project Management Certificates from UC Berkeley and Caltrans/CSUS, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence.
A dedicated member of ASCE since 1992, Mohammad has also been active with the Construction Institute, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, and Project Management Institute. In his role as Treasurer, he is focused on strengthening financial practices, ensuring compliance, and supporting the long-term sustainability of the Branch’s operations.
Mohammad brings to the position a combination of strategic vision, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to public service, making him a valuable leader for the Golden Gate Branch.
SECRETARY
Ms. Lily Baldwin is a Registered Civil Engineer (California #54570) with over three decades of professional experience spanning water resources management and compliance, environmental risk management, and technical safety engineering. She currently serves as the Environmental Management System Program Manager and Division Safety Coordinator at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Lily holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley and an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University. Her career includes leadership roles at Chevron and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, as well as consulting in municipal and industrial stormwater and wastewater permitting.
An ASCE member since 1986, Lily has made significant contributions at the national and international levels, including serving as President of ASCE’s Environmental & Water Resources Institute (FY2026), Chair of the Member Services Executive Committee (FY2023), and Technical Chair/Co-Chair for domestic and international conferences. She is passionate about advancing the profession through mentorship, student outreach, and building technical and networking opportunities for new professionals.
As Secretary, Lily is committed to supporting the Golden Gate Branch by strengthening connections between professionals, students, and pre-college communities—helping inspire and prepare the next generation of civil engineers while furthering ASCE’s mission to advance the health, safety, and welfare of society.