Legislative Update
Roads Innovation Fund
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Before breaking to campaign for the general election, both the House and Senate passed Continuing Resolution 19 which releases transportation dollars from the Roads Innovation Fund.
Although there is currently no money in the Fund, legislation passed back in November 2015 required the first $100 million in revenue collected from the gasoline and diesel tax be deposited into the fund (starting Oct. 1, 2016) until the legislature passes a Continuing Resolution releasing the money. Because CR 19 was passed prior to the start of the fiscal year (October 1, 2016), income from the fuel taxes will be deposited into the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) as in past years.
The Michigan Department of Transportation has completed a report that focuses on "materials and processes that may cost more in initial up-front spending but that still produced life-cycle construction and maintenance savings", and will be completing demonstration projects in 2017 and 2018 that use a 30 and 50-year design life.
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ACEC Emerging Leaders Program Kicks Off
First Session Held in Lansing September 8 & 9
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The 2016 ACEC/Michigan Emerging Leaders Program kicked off its first session in Lansing this month. The Emerging Leaders Program is for individuals committed to developing their leadership abilities. This program imparts specific skills and competencies identified by top
ACEC/Michigan principals as critical for leadership success. These highly interactive sessions are taught by experts in the field of business administration and people management in professional services firms.
The 2016 class of emerging leaders wil
l enjoy a dynamic schedule of topics including: Strategic Planning, Governmental Affairs, Risk Management, HR - Recruiting, Retaining and Owning, Leadership, Business Development, Economics of Private Practice, and the Senior Leaders Roundtable: From Management to Leadership - Secrets of Success. Sessions take place this fall in Lansing, Detroit and Grand Rapids.
Congratulations to the following members of the 2016 Emerging Leaders Program:
Jeffrey Bagdade Atkins |
Todd Munger Materials Testing Consultants, Inc. |
Jill Bauer ROWE Professional Services Company |
Tim Day WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff |
James Carter Carter & Associates Engineers, LLC |
Patrick Phelan BMJ Engineers & Surveyors, Inc. |
Arif Cekic Professional Service Industries, Inc. |
Brian Rowley Fleis & VandenBrink |
Adam Falkowski C2AE |
Joshua Salazar HDR Michigan, Inc. |
Brian Fiander Harley Ellis Devereaux |
Paul Schram Wightman & Associates, Inc. |
Jennifer Hodges GFA |
Drew Twarek Ruby + Associates, Inc. |
Jason Longhurst Nowak & Fraus |
Andrew Varilone SmithGroupJJR |
Ken Mazurek Tetra Tech |
Bryan Webster Byce & Associates, Inc. |
John Michalski Applied Science, Inc. |
Jonathan Yonkers FTCH |
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MDOT-ACEC Partnering Award Nominations Now Being Accepted
Application Deadline is October 28
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HNTB, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Great Lakes Engineering - 2015 Partnership Charter Award Winners
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The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the American Council of Engineering C
ompanies of Michigan (ACEC/M) are excited to announce the fourth annual "MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award."
This award recognizes project managers and
consultants for their commitment to excellence and promoting an enhanced business partnership based on the ideals set forth in the MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Agreement. These ideals include mutual trust, effective communication, continuous improvement, embracing innovation, and timely issues resolution. The award will be judged equally on five important principles:
- Providing Cost-Effective, High-Quality Services
- Partnering in Streamlining Business Practices
- Engaging in Effective Communication
- Commitment to Transparency & Accountability
- Promoting Innovation and Sustainability
Projects accomplished by team effort between MDOT project managers and ACEC consultants are eligible to receive this award. Entries for the 2016 award will be received by the MDOT Performance Excellence Section through October 28, 2016. Projects must be substantially complete and ready for use between November 1, 2014 and October 31, 2016 to be eligible for the 2016 award year.
The 2016 award will be announced at the MDOT/ACEC Partnering Workshop on February 2, 2017 in Lansing.
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ACEC Michigan Member Firm of the Year Award
Applications Now Available
ACEC/Michigan's "Member Firm of the Year" award program is now open for entry! (Deadline for submissions is November 23, 2016). This prestigious and coveted award recognizes ACEC/M member firms for their demonstrated leadership in promoting engineering through their activities with ACEC and in their communities. Winning this competition will greatly enhance your firm's image and your marketing efforts to both current and potential clients.
Firms are judged on three important factors:
- Contributions to the Success of ACEC/Michigan
- Advancement of the Consulting Design Profession
- Community Involvement
A small firm (1-30 employees) and a large firm (>30 employees) are eligible to receive this award. The winning firm(s) will be announced at the ACEC/Michigan Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards program on March 11, 2017 at The Fillmore Detroit.
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2016 Firm of the Year - Wightman & Associates, Inc. |
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ACEC Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards
Competition Update
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ACEC/Michigan has received Intents to Enter for 41 engineering & 4 surveying projects for the 2017 Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Competition.
Projects from across
the state compete each year for the coveted "Eminent Conceptor" Award. In early November, a panel of judges will evaluate the projects based on innova
tio
n, complexity, client satisfaction and future value to the profession.
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ASCE Michigan Section Announces 2016-2017 Board of Directors
2016-2017 Term to Run October 1, 2016-September 30, 2017
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The ASCE Michigan Section is pleased to announce the following individuals who will be serving on the Board of Directors for the 2016-2017 term:
President: Steven Waalkes, PE (Western Branch)
President-Elect: Melinda Bacon, PE (Southwestern Branch)
Vice President: Christopher Owen, PE (Lansing/Jackson Branch)
Treasurer: Jacob Rushlow, PE (Southeastern Branch)
Secretary: Tim Bradshaw, PE (Western Branch) Past President: Therese Kline, PE (Lansing/Jackson)
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MSPE Fall Education Seminar
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6 Professional Development Hours
When: October 6, 2016,
8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
Topics: Drone Technology and
Autonomous Vehicles
Where: The View at Cooley Law School Stadium,
505 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing
Cost: $120 MSPE Members
$140 Non-Members
Lunch included
Get the latest information on Autonomous Vehicles (AV)! This session will begin by discussing the technology behind AV and continuing with related infrastructure issues. From there, we will turn to current research and testing of autonomous vehicles and how the MCity project is being used to further development. Also a look at how Professional Engineers are part of this process.
The Drone Technology session will include information on the many applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), including hyper-spectral remote sensing, work in the utility sector and infrastructure inspection. Additionally, this session will discuss current rules and regulations pertaining to the commercial use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and liabilities for, and penalties against companies that operate UAS improperly. We will also take a look at drone use from the aviation community perspective.
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ASCE Michigan Section Awards Scholarships
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ASCE Michigan Section is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2016 Zuidema and Mackinac Scholarships.
Zuidema Scholarship:
Named in honor of an outstanding past president of the Michigan Section and the Western Michigan Branch of ASCE, the Marvin L. Zuidema Scholarship Award is presented annually to a student member of ASCE who has made a contribution to the advancement of student engineering activities.
The 2016 Zuidema Scholarship ($1,500) was awarded to
Shelbie Prater and to
Micah Doorn. Shelbie is a Civil Engineering major at the University of Michigan. She serves on the Regional Executive Board of the University's chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. Micah is a Civil Engineering major at Calvin College. He is currently the ASCE Calvin College Student Chapter President.
Mackinac Scholarship:
Named in honor of Michigan's #1 Civil Engineering Project of the 20th Century by the ASCE Michigan membership in December 1999, this scholarship is intended to recognize a premier Civil Engineering student from Michigan.
This year's Mackinac Scholarship ($5,000 - 2 year award) was awarded to
Nicholas DeSimpelare and
Brock Hoffman. Nicholas is a Civil Engineering student at Michigan State University, where he is active in the ASCE Michigan State University Student Chapter. Brock is a Civil Engineering student at Michigan Technological University. He is an ASCE student chapter member and participates heavily in Concrete Canoe.
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ACEC Hosting PSMJ Project Management Bootcamp
January 19-20, 2017 in Lansing
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ACEC/Michigan will host the popular PSMJ Project Management Bootcamp at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West on January 19 and 20, 2017.
Attendees will walk away with effective, actionable techniques from today's most successful PMs. Every bootcamp is designed to compress a wealth of knowledge and insight gained from decades of real-world PM experience into two information-packed days. These are the must-have techniques of today's most successful project managers - highly practical advice you'll find plenty of opportunities to apply immediately upon your return to the office.
Another bonus: Discounted registration fees for ACEC/Michigan members and for multiple attendees.
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ACEC Welcomes New Members!
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ACEC is excited to welcome these new member firms:
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ACEC Scholarships Available
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ACEC/Michigan is planning to award $10,000+ to engineering and surveying students enrolled in an ABET accredited College or University.
Applications are now available on the ACEC/M website, and are due to ACEC by January 6, 2017. Applicants will be judged on a written essay, their work experience, employer/faculty recommendations, community involvement and their GPA.
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QBS News
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The Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) Coalition is pleased to announce the following:
1. We have contracted with Famous in Your Field to develop a branding and marketing campaign to accelerate the awareness and adoption of the QBS process in Michigan.
2. A webinar explaining and discussing the QBS process has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 26. Watch for more information!
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ACEC Social Media
Follow Us!
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Did you know that ACEC is active on social media sites? Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on LinkedIn to stay informed! |
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2016-2017 SAVE THE DATES
Mark Your Calendar!
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Michigan Engineering Center |
Questions about engineering? Please contact:
Ron Brenke, PE Executive Director ACEC & ASCE
517-332-2066
Shada Biabani-Kanine
Executive Director
MSPE
517-487-9388
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