ACECL April 2023 ENewsletter

April 30, 2023

2023 PLATINUM ANNUAL SPONSORS!

ACECL BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Board of Governors will meet on May 19, 2023.

PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE

Federal Policy Impacting You

On the flight home from the ACEC Leadership Orientation in DC which I attended earlier this week, I was reflecting on the federal issues national staff is working on for member firms across the nation. From their continued pursuit of a waiver for PPP loans and FAR Credit Clause to a repeal of the R&D amortization, the Advocacy Team at ACEC is working hard to pass legislation that could have a big impact on your business.

Engineering firms being unfairly penalized for PPP loan forgiveness may seem like old news, but I wanted to let you know that ACEC (National) staff remain steadfast in their efforts to pass an emergency waiver. Though it appears the waiver will continue to meet roadblocks in the Senate, a legislative fix has not been taken off the table. That said, ACEC has redirected some of its efforts on the issue to see that state DOTs are enforcing the credit clause in a manner most advantageous for consulting firms. In our roundtable discussions last week, some stories were shared where DOT audit departments are applying reduced rates for the total PPP loan that was forgiven and not the total amount of federal work completed. If you think this may be happening with your firm, please email me immediately so we can get involved.

Another issue just as important to our members and that is seeing more success on Capitol Hill is the repeal of the R&D amortization. The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act (H.R. 2673) now has 77 cosponsors evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, with several more Republicans ready to cosponsor once additional Democrats sign on. The Senate bill – the American Innovation and Jobs Act – has 23 cosponsors, also evenly divided

between Democrats and Republicans.

ACEC Advocacy staff recently met with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) as the speaker and he is putting together an economic package for the committee to consider. He continues to indicate that some type of fix for R&D amortization is in play. Although this package may not gain traction in the Senate it would be a step forward in the process of addressing R&D amortization.

We still need ACEC member voices to continue building support for H.R. 2673 and S. 866. You can email our Congressional delegation by clicking the bottom below.

Email Congress on R&D Amortization

Click Here for Fillable Form

2023-2024 ACECL Chapter Election Results

Baton Rouge Chapter

Kimberly McDaniel, P.E., Intelligent Transportation Systems (President)

Lynne Roussel, P.E., Terracon Consultants (Vice-President)

New Orleans Chapter

Brian Moldaner, P.E., T. Baker Smith (President)

Lafayette Chapter

David Stelly, P.E., Associated Design Group (President)

Lake Charles Chapter

Butch Babineaux, P.E., C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates (President)

Shreveport Chapter

Jordan Pearson, P.E., Forte & Tablada (President)

2023 EMERGING LEADERS INSTITUTE

Presented by AIA Louisiana & ACEC of Louisiana

ACEC of Louisiana and AIA Louisiana welcomed the 2023 Emerging Leaders Class to Session I on April 25-26. The two day Session included personal personality profiles and necessary tools to work with clients and colleagues with different personalities; business development skills; 2023 Legislative update in the A/E Industry and spending a day advocating with our state legislative leaders for the "business of engineering."

2023 Emerging Leaders Class

Mustafa Afaneh, E.I., C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates

Randal Bonura, P.E., HNTB Corporation

William Bane, P.E., T. Baker Smith, LLC

Stephen Darré, AIA, LACHIN Architects, apc

Ivy A. Harmon, P.E., GeoEngineers, Inc.

Bliss Kelley Bernard, P.E., GEC, Inc.

Laura Carnes, Senior V.P. Environmental, GEC, Inc.

Joe Cobena, P.E., ECS Southeast, LLP

Calvin Gallion, III, AIA, studio^RISE

Rene J. Hebert, P.L.S., T. Baker Smith, LLC

John Jackson, P.E., Linfield, Hunter & Junius

Chuck LeJeune, Project Manager, iARCHiTECTURE

Josh Porter, P.E., HNTB Corporation

Matthew Strickland, P.E., C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates

Ashley Webre, AIA, Duplantis Design Group, PC

Arthur Ledet, P.E., Richard C Lambert Consultants, LLC

Taylor Marino, P.E., Digital Engineering & Imaging, Inc.

Alec Shortess, P.E., Duplantis Design Group, PC

Jesse Tisdale, P.E., Stanley Consultants

Paul Whittington, Duplantis Design Group, PC

THANK YOU TO OUR LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON SPONSORS!

Codes Training – Registration is Open!

Lake Charles and New Orleans codes session registration are open! Seating is limited.

AIA Louisiana and ACEC-L are proud to bring this series of codes related training to an area near you!

We thank both the local chapters of each area, as well as LA Department of Natural Resources for helping make these sessions a success as well as including discounted rates for attendance!

Both IBC and IRC have upgrades/updates/changes that took effect January 1^st of this year. Are

you prepared? Do you know what those changes are? July 1^st of this year, Louisiana is on track

for their first ever actual Energy Code (IECC). Never having had this before, and with great impacts to the built environment, join colleagues to learn and discuss the changes that will not only impact your projects and business, but your clients and communities as well!

May 16 New Orleans (AIA NO Center for Design)

May 17 Lake Charles (Lake Charles Country Club)

Click Here to Register!

Book Your Room Today!

Group Code: 24Q7G5

Book Online: http://www.Sandestin.com/24Q7G5

Sandestin Group Reservations

1-800-320-8115

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

GIRAU & ASSOCIATES

BAR ENVIRONMENTAL (Affiliate Member)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

May 11 - New Orleans Chapter Luncheon
May 12 - HR Forum (ZOOM)
May 16 - NO/Metairie Code Training
May 17 - Lafayette Metairie Code Training
May 19 - Board of Governors Meeting

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

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We’re a small, yet vibrant and growing employee benefits consulting firm. But our focus is big and bold: We deliver best-in-class products, customized for our clients’ unique needs and industries and delivered with exceptional service and personal attention.

Our knowledge of employee benefits runs deep, with nearly 100 years of industry experience collectively across our benefitsone team. We’re committed to the industry and are certified by respected organizations. This credentialing keeps us sharp and current on the benefits industry’s demands and ensures our ability to meet your business’ needs.

When we’re not helping our valued clients, we actively advocate for the benefits industry. We do this in the work we do in our community and by our involvement in leading associations. As a locally focused firm that works in our community and throughout Louisiana, we have a vested interest in meeting your needs because our reputation is at stake.

Jack Duvernay, RHU

President

985.800.2800 main

504.512.5252 cell

www.benefits.one

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Contact: Ralph P. Fontcuberta, Jr., PLS

ralph@bfmcorporation.com

Hannis T. Bourgeois CPAs and Business Advisors delivers an unparalleled level of experience serving the Louisiana construction industry. We work with construction companies and contractors addressing traditional tax, audit and accounting needs, while providing guidance on more complex issues. For multiple decades we have partnered with these companies to illuminate the growth path and ensure key goals are met. This has led us to earn the respect of many banks, surety firms and insurance companies that serve the industry.

Our full slate of assurance, tax and consulting services are available to your company, depending on your needs.