February 16, 2024

President's Message

Tom Hayden, PE

Our mission is to serve you.


I want to update you on some important issues and initiatives that our Staff and Executive Committee have worked on throughout the year. I would like to thank every member of our Board, especially our Executive Committee, as this year has been filled with challenges that have required a tremendous time commitment on each of their part to resolve. I also want to thank our friends who serve on the Board of the Florida Engineering Society (FES), as they have been working hand in hand with us on several of these critical issues.

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ACEC Florida News

Ticket Sales End Feb 16 for Engineering Excellence Banquet

The last day to purchase your tickets for the 2024 Engineering Excellence Banquet is February 16, 2024.


Celebrate engineering excellence and the 2024 recipients! The coveted Grand Conceptor Award will be revealed at the banquet.


Friday, February 23, 2024

Loews Royal Pacific Resort

6:00 - 9:00 pm

Register

FDOTConnect Virtual Training Lab: Drainage & Pond Design

This course was developed to introduce the Drainage and Utilities Workflow and OpenRoads Designer CONNECT Edition tools for drainage design and modeling on Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) projects. The curriculum was developed within the FDOTCONNECT Workspace to provide sample exercises for many of the Drainage Tools on a sample project data set.

 

February 28-29, 2024

8:00 am - 5:00 pm each day

Register

Preview the 2024 Course Guide!

Florida MATHCOUNTS® State Competition Needs Your Help

MATHCOUNTS Chapter competitions are winding down, and winners are on their way to the state competition in Orlando on March 29, 2024.


Please help these winners by sponsoring the State Competition! Your sponsorship will help cover various expenses such as venue rental, Mathletes' meals, and awards, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all participants.


The deadline to sponsor is March 1, 2024.

Sponsor

Advertise in Engineering Florida

Engineering Florida is the new statewide magazine for Florida's engineering industry. Its mission is to provide engaging, non-technical content that interests engineers, legislators, and industry officials alike.


All ads in the digital edition of Engineering Florida are interactive and clickable to take prospects right where you want them to be - on your website.


Digital marketing is the best way to reach current and prospective customers and clients. Most of us spend significant time on digital platforms, and you want to reach your customers in the right place, at the right time - online!


Ad contracts for our next issue, Sustainability & Energy, which comes out soon, are due March 1. Artwork is due March 15.

Reserve Ad Space

Recognize Your Firm and Staff with the ACEC Awards

Take advantage of the opportunity to gain recognition for your firm and other individuals important to your business. ACEC Florida encourages your nominations for the following awards programs:


A.W. Gilchrist Award


Professional Development Award


Young Professional of the Year Award

Recipients of this award will be submitted to the national ACEC Young Professional of the Year Award.


Nominations are due March 22, 2024.

Learn More

Register for 2024 GMEC Conference

Taking place April 3-5, 2024, at the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown, this year’s conference presentations will explore the latest advancements and developments in the Geotechnical and Materials Engineering Industry.


Join us to hear from our valued speakers as they discuss new partnerships, technical applications, and project solutions in Florida.


Sponsorship are also available.

Register

Participate in Our Friday Legislative Update Calls

If you don't already, you should participate in the FES and ACEC Florida weekly Legislative Update calls via Microsoft Teams. They are held each Friday morning during the 2024 Legislative Session. The environmental bills update is at 9:00 am, and the general bills update is at 10:00 am. You do not need to register ahead of time, and the links are the same throughout the series.


Stay informed on what's happening in Tallahassee!

No camera or microphone is required.

More Details

Most recent general bills Legislative Update Call from January 26, 2024

January 2024 BOD Meeting Highlights

The ACEC Florida Board of Directors met last month in Tallahassee in conjunction with PE Legislative Days.


Highlights from this meeting include:


  • Approval of the 2025 ACEC Florida Directory to be digital only with a hardcopy purchase option.
  • Approval of the At Large members for the Nominating Committee.


The next ACEC Florida Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for May 2, 2024, in Fort Myers.


Calendar of Events

Events


2024 ACEC Florida Engineering Excellence Banquet

February 23, 2024


MATHCOUNTS

March 29, 2024


GMEC Conference

April 3-5, 2024

Meetings


Legislative Session Environmental Bills Update

Fridays during the Legislative Session


Legislative Session General Bills Update

Fridays during the Legislative Session


ACEC/FDOT D-4-D6 Regional Meeting

March 14, 2024

FDOTConnect Virtual Trainings


Drainage & Pond Design

February 28-29, 2024


Traffic Plans

March 20-21, 2024


Advanced Roadway Template Design

April 24, 2024

For Complete Event Details, Visit Our Community Calendar

ACEC National News

Contact Your Senators Now on R&D Amortization

Now that the House has passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024), legislation that would provide relief for engineering firms hurt by the new R&D amortization mandate, ACEC needs your help to build momentum in the Senate.

 

H.R. 7024, a business and family tax package that would delay the R&D amortization requirement until 2026, was approved by the House of Representatives by a large bipartisan vote of 357-70. Although some Senators have publicly expressed support for the bill, others want the opportunity to consider changes to the package. The Senate has a full legislative agenda when they return to D.C. at the end of February, and they need to hear from ACEC members in their state in order to make H.R. 7024 a top priority.

Learn More

Join ACEC in Washington, DC

ACEC’s 2024 Annual Convention & Legislative Summit will take place May 13–16, 2024, in Washington, DC, downtown at the Grand Hyatt, steps from Capitol Hill.


Join your peers for this three-day event and leave armed with the political intelligence and added insight you need to make informed decisions about your strategic priorities in a changing economy.

Register

In Memoriam

Fermin A. Diaz, PE

February 13, 1954 - February 6, 2024


We are deeply saddened by the passing of Fermin A. Diaz, PE, past President of the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) and FES Fellow. Fermin was a founding member and alumni of the first class of the Florida Engineering Leadership Institute (FELI) program and a recipient of the prestigious Governor A.W. Gilchrist Award. His contributions to the engineering field were immense, leaving an indelible mark on projects and communities alike. Fermin's dedication, expertise, and passion will be greatly missed, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of engineers.

Roger Jeffery, PE, LEED AP

January 14, 1953 - January 9, 2024


With a heavy heart, we inform you of the passing of Roger Jeffery, PE, former Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) Structural Engineering Committee Chair and a respected member of our engineering community. Roger dedicated his career to advancing the field of engineering and left a lasting impact on the Board of Directors of both ACEC Florida and FES. With his profound expertise and unwavering commitment, Roger contributed significantly to numerous projects and was the 2019 recipient of FES' Outstanding Service to the Engineering Profession award. Roger also served three years on the Governor’s Building Codes Study Commission, demonstrating exemplary leadership and innovation. 

Hires, Promotions & Other Firm News

CHA Consulting Announces Sale from First Reserve to H.I.G. Capital


CHA Consulting, Inc. (CHA), an innovative, full-service engineering, design, consulting, and program management firm, today announced that it has been acquired by H.I.G. Capital (H.I.G.), a leading global alternative investment firm with $60 billion of capital under management, from First Reserve. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.


CHA provides a wide range of technology-enabled design, engineering, project management, and consulting services to public, private, and institutional clients spanning numerous end markets, including government, manufacturing, transportation, utility, water resources, commercial, and education. The transaction, which closed on January 19, 2024, will enable the company to further capitalize on opportunities to accelerate growth and deliver industry-leading solutions.

Would you like to see your firm's hires, promotions, or news in the next edition of the ACEC Florida Update? Email Stacey Butler for more information.

acecfl.org
850.224.7121

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