Hussam Alkhatib, P.E., is a transportation engineering leader with nearly two decades of experience managing complex highway, bridge, and transportation infrastructure projects throughout Illinois. He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His experience includes leading Phase I, II, and III transportation projects, bridge inspection programs, construction engineering, consultant program management, business development, and multidisciplinary teams for IDOT, the Illinois Tollway, CDOT, counties, and municipalities.

Since 2008, Hussam has been actively involved with AAAEA, serving in numerous leadership roles at both the Illinois Chapter and National organization. He has served as Secretary, Vice President, President, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Past President of the AAAEA Illinois Chapter. Nationally, he has served as Illinois Delegate, Chair of the Elections and Nominations Committee, National Treasurer, National Vice President, and currently as National President of AAAEA.

In addition to his service with AAAEA, Hussam has contributed to several professional organizations through leadership, mentoring, and educational initiatives, including serving as a Professional Engineer (PE) Review Course instructor for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Younger Members Group.

Naser Abusaad is Senior Vice President of Bartlett & West. Naser offers over 30 years of experience in transportation planning in Texas. His experience includes major investment studies, complex alternatives analyses, route feasibility studies, preliminary design, environmental analyses, and public engagement. He has completed numerous projects for the Texas Department of Transportation, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, North Texas Tollway Authority, and local governments.

Naser earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Applied Science from Southern Methodist University. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. His professional affiliations include the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Planning Association, Institute of Transportation Engineers, Women’s Transportation Seminar, American Council of Engineering Companies, American Society of Highway Engineers, Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects, and North Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

My education includes a BS in Chemical Engineering and a MS in Mechanical Engineering. I currently work for DunAn, a manufacturer of HVAC/R components. My career has been focused on Application Engineering and Heat Transfer products.

I have been part of the AAAEA-Houston chapter since 2019. Originally, my purpose for joining was to get support in the Texas PE licensing process. There was support but it was limited to Civil Engineering PEs and it had been a long time since they went through the process. Throughout the years that purpose has changed from wanting support to wanting to create a strong, supportive community of Arab-American professionals to help navigate career decisions effectively. I have held the position of Secretary and am currently the President of the AAAEA-Houston chapter. I hope to be more active in National AAAEA board activities.

Dr. Hassan Qandil, PhD, PE (TX), CEM®, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of North Texas and a Project Manager with NV5 Clean Energy. With 16 years of expertise spanning energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure, he has focused his career on advancing both the practice and education of energy engineering.

A prominent leader within the Arab American professional community, Dr. Qandil served on the AAAEA Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Board for five years, culminating in his leadership as the DFW AAAEA Chapter President for the 2024 and 2025 terms. Currently, he also serves as the chair of the board of trustees at the DFW chapter of AAAEA.

At UNT, he develops advanced energy curricula and serves as a faculty advisor for professional student organizations, mentoring students toward national and regional honors. In his role at NV5 Clean Energy, he leads complex energy infrastructure and performance contracting projects across the United States. Dr. Qandil’s extensive research and peer-reviewed publications span renewable systems, microgrids, and EV infrastructure. Recognized with engineering industry awards for his contributions, he remains committed to strengthening the profession through workforce development, applied research, and community service.

Assistant Director of Public Works | Civil Engineering & Infrastructure Development | Public Servant

As the Assistant Director of Public Works for the City of Duncanville, Texas, I oversee Engineering, Transportation, Building Permits, Code Enforcement, and Capital Development divisions, leading infrastructure development and municipal operations to enhance community growth.

Previously, I served with the City of Dallas Public Works Department as the Program Administrator over Paving and Asset Management, where I led the planning efforts for Dallas 2024 Bond Program Proposition A, overseeing over $500 million in capital improvement projects.

Rami Asfahani is the founder and CEO of Cercle Designs, LLC which is a Technology Consulting firm creating businesses online through developing mobile applications and designing websites. Rami was born in Kokomo, IN but lived his life in Beirut, Lebanon where he studied Civil Engineering at AUB. Upon graduating, he moved to Chicago, IL to finish up his Masters in Structural Engineering at IIT. However, just like his background, he still didn’t feel at home. His passion for entrepreneurship and giving back to society guided him to teach underprivileged people Math for the GED in Southside Chicago, join “Chicago Summer Mentors” who help kids from Westside and Southside Chicago, join the boards of 3 different Non-Government Organizations (AAAEA-IIT, AAAEA-IL and SEAOI) while managing his own firm and plenty other NGO committees. Rami’s commitment to AAAEA started from his Master’s degree at IIT where he helps revive the forgotten IIT-Chapter.