October 31, 2022
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2022 PLATINUM ANNUAL SPONSORS!
ACECL BOARD OF GOVERNORS
The ACECL Board of Governors will meet on November 4, 2022
PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE
ACEC (National) PAC is Making an Impact

When is comes to advocating for the business interests of engineering firms on Capitol Hill, there is no association more impactful and influential than the ACEC Government Advocacy team. As deserved, Steve Hall and his GA team get most of the spotlight when it comes to policy wins on The Hill, but what sometimes goes unnoticed is the behind the scenes work David Bender and his ACEC PAC team do to insure pro-business and pro-industry candidates fill the seats of Congress.

An old coach of mine once told me that people ask how he has sustained consistent success during his long tenured career. He said his answer is simple, "Good players make good coaches." Now look, I'm not saying coaches don't make teams better, I mean, just look at what the Saints have been without Sean Payton. But, how many Super Bowls has Belichick won since Brady left?? And, would Nick Saban be the greatest college football coach of all time if he didn't recruit top 5 classes year in and year out? Doubt it and Geaux Tigers!

I say all this to make the point that the success ACEC's Government Advocacy team aka "good coaches" has on Capitol Hill begins with making sure the right people aka "good players" are elected and re-elected to Congress. This all starts with the ACEC PAC. Like any good coach and recruiting coordinator, Steve and Dave work collaboratively to develop a political strategy that most effectively supports this issues and policies that will impact business of engineering.

From the push to get IIJA across the goal line to the ongoing ground-and-pound effort to pass an emergency exemption for PPP loans and the FAR credits clause, ACEC National is leading the pack when it comes to advocating for these issues. That is why your support for the ACEC PAC is so important. Your contribution to the PAC is an investment into the future of your firm and your profession.

I highly encourage you to contribute to the ACEC (National) PAC by participating in our Pinewood Rally PAC fundraiser for which the details can be found below. If you will not be able to attend the Fall Conference this Thursday, you can still support the PAC and possibly win a prize by picking the winning car through the "Pick a Car" donation.

Thanks for the support!
We are excited to announce the first annual ACECL Pinewood Rally taking place on November 3rd, 5:00 - 6:30 pm at the Baton Rouge Marriott during the Cocktail Reception that follows the ACECL Fall Conference!

The rally will be a fun and interactive way to network and enjoy some friendly competition with your fellow ACECL members and will also serve as a fundraiser for the ACEC (National) PAC. All contributions made to the rally will go directly to the PAC and will count towards Louisiana's annual contribution goal.

In addition to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place rally winners, we will also present a People's Choice Award to the car presenting the most original and creative design concept. Get creative with your designs and how you build your cars. Encourage interoffice competition amongst your co-workers or partner with a school STEM lab, physics class or BETA Club to build the fastest pinewood car. 

While we certainly encourage those members and firms attending the Fall Conference to participate in the rally, you DO NOT need to be a conference registrant to enter a car or attend the rally as a spectator.

Listed below are the three different ways you can participate in the rally and contribute to the ACEC PAC. Contributions can only be made by individuals as Federal PAC rules prohibit direct contributions from firms/businesses.

Car Entry - $200 (Firms can have multiple entries)
    Includes – One pinewood rally car entry, two "Pick a Car" donations, one separate admission into rally/cocktail reception.*

Rally/Social Registration - $50
   Includes – One admission into the rally/conference reception*, one "Pick a Car" donation. 

"Pick a Car" Donation - $25
Includes – One donation for your favorite pinewood rally car.

* Pinewood Rally reception included in Fall Conference registration
**Pick a Car Donation Explained: Those placing donations on the 1st 2nd and 3rd placing cars will be entered into drawings for the appropriate door prize. Ex. If you placed single donations on the 1st and 3rd placing cars, you would have a single ticket in the drawings for both the 1st place and 3rd place door prizes.

If you have any questions concerning the rally rules or PAC contributions, please email me at [email protected]

New Orleans Chapter Luncheon

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Metairie Country Club
580 Woodvine Avenue
Metairie, LA 70005

Speaker:
Mr. Joe Threat
City of New Orleans
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Infrastructure

Topic:
Update on City of New Orleans Infrastructure

Lake Charles Chapter Luncheon

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

The Pioneer Club
One Lakeside Plaza
127 Broad Street, 9th Floor
Lake Charles, LA 70601

Speakers:
Terry Frelot, SR. Engineer
Calcasieu Parish Assistant Director of Public Works
&
Jeanne Hornsby, P.E. Engineering Director
C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates, LLC


Topic:
Let's Talk Drainage - Update on the Calcasieu Parish Watershed Master Plan

ACEC OF LOUISINA COMMITTEES SPOTLIGHT
Facilities Committee

The Facilities Liaison Committee works through roundtable forums with the State Fire Marshal and staff and the Office of Facility Planning & Control, providing liaison relationships and business initiatives.

Under the leadership of Committee Chair, Craig Campbell (ADG) and Board Liaison, Brett Bayard (Mader Engineering) the committee's greatest success to date was leading ACECL's efforts to pass the incidental practice of engineering legislation. With that major milestone accomplished, the committee will soon be reconvening to updated its goals and objectives.

The Lafayette Chapter last week had Mark Joiner, Administrator LA State Uniform Construction Code Council, as their luncheon speaker. Mark share with the group insight into the process to change the code and answered questions on the adoptions and amendments that will go into effect January 1, 2023. To see a listing of these adoptions and amendments click on the button below.

If you would like to join the Facilities Committee, or any other ACECL committee, you can do so by accessing and completing the Committee Sign-Up Form buttoned below.
EARN UP TO 5.5 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS INCLUDING 1.0 HOUR OF ETHICS
CONFERENCE AGENDA
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
CONFERENCE SPONSOR
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

  • November 1 - ACECL Membership Committee Meeting
  • November 3 - ACECL Fall Conference
  • November 3 - PAC Pinewood Rally Fundraiser & Cocktail Reception
  • November 4 - Board of Governors Meeting
  • November 10 - New Orleans Chapter Luncheon
  • November 11 - HR Forum Committee
  • November 16 - Lake Charles Chapter Luncheon
  • November 24-25 - Thanksgiving Holidays (Office Closed)
AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

Industrial Fabrics, Inc. is a primary manufacturer and distributor of geotechnical products, including geotextile fabrics, geogrids, liner material, silt fence, erosion control, pipeline protection and paving products for the construction industry.

As a full-service company, with a dedicated team of trained engineers and professionals across the South, Industrial Fabrics offers services including design assistance, fabrication, installation, training and technical support. We understand what it takes to provide superior service. No project is too big or small. We take care of everything.

Contact: Tanisha Pena
225-273-9600
Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn located in New Orleans provides legal counsel to engineers in transactional and litigation matters. In addition, the firm represents design, management, and other construction industry professionals in professional liability matters. Our professional liability practice includes the assessment and procurement of insurance coverage, lien and bond issues related to construction projects, insurance coverage disputes, and professional liability litigation.


For more information, please contact Dan Caruso at [email protected].

Daniel Caruso, Partner
1100 Poydras Street, 30th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70163
Tel: 504-569-2926
ACEC Affiliate Members

ACEC Business Insurance Trust
ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
Alexander & Sanders, a division of BXS Insurance
Barriere Construction Group, LLC
Benefits One, LLC
BFM Corporation, LLC
BRAYN Consulting, LLC
Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP
Brown & Brown of Louisiana
CxA Services, LLC
Cycle Construction, LLC
Durable Piling Restoration, LLC
ecko360
ELOS Environmental, LLC
Environmental Technical Sales, Inc.
Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.
Foley & Judell, LLP
Foley Products
Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith, LLP
Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP
Headlight
HUB International
Industrial Fabrics
Keogh, Cox & Wilson
Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn
Quality Sitework Materials, Inc.
2022 ANNUAL SPONSORS!
Barker Dirmann
President & CEO
ACEC of Louisiana
ACEC of Louisiana | 225.927.7704 | [email protected] www.acecl.org