Michigan Infrastructure Conference
May 9, MSU Kellogg Center, East Lansing
ACEC and ASCE have teamed up once again to offer the 2018 Michigan Infrastructure Conference on Wednesday, May 9 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing. This informative conference will focus on how infrastructure can drive economic development through emerging or expanding markets, creative leadership, new technologies and unique solutions developed by practitioners, facility/infrastructure developers and owners. These groups represent Michigan engineers and other professionals who have a focus and passion to create thriving Michigan communities.
The conference is designed to bring engineers, government officials and industry experts together to share information and showcase unique and creative ways to finance and build Michigan's infrastructure. Six (6) educational breakout sessions will be offered in the morning covering various topics. The 2018 ASCE Michigan Infrastructure Report Card will be presented an infrastructure panel of professionals will discuss state infrastructure investment, and new policy and initiatives.
Exhibitors are invited to share products and services throughout the day. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
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ASCE Michigan Infrastructure Report Card
2018 Report Card Released March 6
During a press conference in the State Capitol on March 6, the ASCE MI Section released the 2018 Michigan Infrastructure Report Card that gave the state an overall GPA of D+. 13 categories of infrastructure were studied, of which nine were in mediocre condition and four were in poor condition. ASCE encourages elected leaders and all Michiganders to get the full story behind the Report Card (Click Here), and to start the conversation about how to improve the condition of our infrastructure.
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ASCE MI Report Card Co-Chair Steve Waalkes
March 6, 2018 Press Conference
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ACEC/M Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala
US-23 Flex Route Project takes Top Honors
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On March 10, ACEC/M honored firms for engineering and surveying excellence during the awards gala held at DeVos Place, Grand Rapids. Outstanding Michigan engineering and surveying projects from the past year were announced.
The statewide competition recognizes engineering achievements that demonstrate a high degree of client satisfaction through innovative, cost-effective solutions.
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HNTB Michigan, Inc. - Engineering Eminent Conceptor Award Winner
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This year's most prestigious award - the Engineering Eminent Conceptor Award - went to HNTB Michigan, Inc. (Okemos) for the US-23 Flex Route, M-14 to M-36 project in Ann Arbor. Being Michigan's first active traffic management (ATM) project, it will provide additional capacity during peak periods, improve incident response, speed harmonization, and provide advance notice to drivers of roadway conditions.
Six firms were honored with an Engineering Honorable Conceptor Award:
- HDR (Ann Arbor) - Holland Energy Park, Holland
- Harley Ellis Devereaux (Southfield) - Children's Hospital of Michigan, Troy
- Wade Trim (Detroit) f- Great Lakes Water Authority Biosolids Dryer Facility in Detroit
- Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (Grand Rapids) - St. Louis Water Supply Replacement
- OHM Advisors (Midland) - Midland County Road Commission's GRS-IBS Program
- Alfred Benesch & Company (East Lansing) - I-96 & Cascade Road Diverging Diamond Interchange in Grand Rapids
Engineering Merit Awards were presented to the following:
- Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick, Inc. (Shelby Township) - 15 Mile Road Interceptor Recovery Shaft in Fraser
- Progressive AE (Grand Rapids) - The Rapid CNG Fueling Station in Grand Rapids
- Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. (Bloomfield Hills) - Engineering Our Environment project for Clinton and Harrison Townships
- Wade Trim (Flint) - Karegnondi Water Authority on their Water Supply Program Management in Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair and Sanilac Counties
- Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (Grand Rapids) - Marquette Municipal Service Center.
- SmithGroupJJR (Detroit) - Michigan State University Grand Rapids Research Center
- NTH Consultants, Ltd. (Northville) - NESPS Discharge Chamber and NI-EA Emergency Rehabilitation in Detroit
- Tetra Tech (Ann Arbor) - Sewer Overflow Control Program in the Village of Dundee
- AECOM (Grand Rapids) - St. Mary's River Little Rapids Habitat Restoration Design-Build project in Sault Ste. Marie
- NTH Consultants, Ltd. (Northville) - Successfully Re-Purposing a Former Urban Industrial Site in Pontiac
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OHM Advisors - Surveying Eminent Conceptor Award Winner
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This year's Surveying Eminent Conceptor Award went to OHM Advisors (Livonia), for the Emergency UAS/GIS Assessment of the Midland Flood. After close to seven inches of rain fell in a 12-hour period in late June of 2017, OHM Advisors used unmanned aircraft system technology (UAS) and advanced GIS software to document the impact of subsequent flooding on Midland County's roads and bridges.
A Surveying Honorable Conceptor Award was presented to Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (Grand Rapids) for its work on the City of Wyoming Second Intake Survey.
Surveying Merit Awards were presented to:
- Abonmarche Consultants, Inc. (Benton Harbor) - Portage Local Streets Drone Survey project
- Spalding DeDecker (Detroit) - Little Caesars Arena in Detroit
- ROWE Professional Services Company (Flint) - Murchie Science Building Expansion Survey in Flint
The Board Design Award was given to Spicer Group, Inc. (Manistee) for the board designed to 'tell the story' of the 6th Avenue Pump Station and Riverbank Sewer Project in Manistee.
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ACEC/M Announces 2018 Firm of the Year
Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc.
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The American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M) recently presented the 2018 member "FIRM OF THE YEAR" award to Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (FTCH) headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The award was presented at the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala held on March 10, 2018 at DeVos Place, Grand Rapids. This is the highest honor bestowed and the only award program instituted to recognize ACEC/M member firms for their leadership in professional practice and community service. Recognition is based on actions taken by a member firm to progressively develop its management practices and for assuming leadership roles in community outreach activities and ACEC/M programs that strengthen the profession for all ACEC/M members.
FTCH stands out as a company that helps to advance the consulting design profession, is actively involved in the success and growth of ACEC/M, and constantly gives back to the community.
FTCH employees are heavily involved in the community through the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, YMCA, and Salvation Army, among others. Staff serve in multiple leadership roles for local organizations. FTCH promotes the engineering profession
by committing mentors, volunteers, and speakers to several area high school STEM programs, vocational training, and specialty design/construction schools, along with creating job shadow opportunities, industry days, robotic competitions, and project tours.
The firm also engages in a variety of activities to positively impact the engineering profession and ACEC/M. Stephen C. Nichols, PE, currently serves as President of the ACEC/M Board of Directors. Kamran Qadeer, PE, has served on both the ACEC/M Transportation Committee and MDOT/ACEC Procedures and Practices Committee. Other FTCH staff are also involved with ACEC/M committees and support the Engineering & Surveying Excellence and scholarship programs, along with meeting its annual state and federal PAC goals.
Sixty years after its founding, more than 400 staff members in 10 regional offices have made FTCH one of the premier professional consulting firms in the nation. Engineering, environmental sciences, architecture, and construction management are the cornerstones of FTCH's services and integrated project approach. With the technical capabilities and understanding to take even the largest projects from initial concept to completion, FTCH is a hands-on, design-oriented practice at heart.
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ACEC/M Honors Individuals at Awards Gala
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This year's ACEC/M Vernon B. Spalding Leadership Award and Felix A. Anderson Image Award were presented on March 10, 2018 at the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala.
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John Matonich, PS
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The Vernon B. Spalding Leadership Award was presented to John Matonich, PS, of ROWE Professional Services Company,
to honor his outstanding leadership roles in ACEC and several community organizations.
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Thomas M. Doran, PE, FESD
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The ACEC/M Felix A. Anderson Image Award was presented to Thomas M. Doran, PE, FESD,
Former Vice President & Principal of Hubbell, Roth & Clark
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or his actions and contributions to enhance the image of the profession.
During Tom Doran's more than 40 years in consulting engineering, he was a Principal with Hubbell, Roth & Clark and McNamee Porter & Seeley; President of McNamee Industrial Services and Tetra Tech/MPS; and a designer, project manager, and "mystery solver" (as are many technical professionals), working on projects in the industrial, public, and private sectors. Over the years, he's been fortunate and privileged to work on fascinating projects like a treatment plant in Mexico City that purified water going to a canal where the poor collected their water, the new Ave Maria University and Town in Florida, and the District Detroit that's helping to revitalize the City. He's worked at over 100 industrial sites on wastewater/water projects ranging from cereal to cars to pharmaceuticals to rendering.
Visit the ACEC/M website for Tom's complete bio.
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2018 MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop
Held February 1 at the Lansing Center
The MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop continues to grow every year! We had another record setting event with almost 600 attendees!
Kirk T. Steudle, P.E., State Transportation Director, spoke during the opening session. The afternoon general session included a presentation on replacing the New York Tappan Zee Bridge as well as an update from the leaders of the Governor's Asset Management pilot. The workshop also featured 20 concurrent breakouts, an Innovative Technology room, afternoon roundtable discussions, and the ever popular ice cream social.
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MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award
Presented to HNTB, Bergmann Associates and MDOT Brighton TSC
On February 1, 2018, the 5th Annual MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Award was presented for the partnering efforts on the I-75 Reconstruction Project. The award was presented by MDOT's Chief Operations Officer Mark Van Port Fleet to ACEC member firms HNTB and Bergmann Associates and to the
MDOT University Region/Brighton TSC
.
This award recognizes project teams 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.
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L to R: Mark Van Port Fleet (MDOT), Peter Kinney (HNTB), Jeremy Hedden (Bergmann), Lynne Kirby (MDOT), Ron Brenke (ACEC)
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Engineering Michigan's Future Conference
May 3-4, Grand Rapids
The MSPE Annual Conference, Engineering Michigan's Future 2018, is sure to be one you don't want to miss! The conference will be packed full of education and networking opportunities.
You can join a tour and find out about the biodigestor and sustainable brewing, the Northern Concrete Pipe facility or the Grand Rapids Whitewater project. There will also be educational seminars on the MSU Solar Carport project, Battery Storage Systems and the Gordie Howe International Bridge, to name a few. And you won't want to miss the fun networking event at New Holland Brewing or the golf outing.
Mark your calendar for May 3-4, and plan to be in Grand Rapids for Engineering Michigan's Future 2018! Registration information will be available in the next few weeks. Watch your email or check the MSPE website for details.
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ASCE MI Accepting Scholarship Applications
Due Memorial Day
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The Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers will again be awarding two scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year. The Mackinac Scholarship in the amount of $10,000 is awarded to a Civil Engineering student entering their junior year ($5,000 for 2 years). The Zuidema Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, is awarded to a junior or senior student member of ASCE.
Click here for more detailed info and the application form
. The deadline to submit is Memorial Day.
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ASCE National Legislative Fly-In
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Several ASCE members from Michigan participated in the annual ASCE Fly-In to Washington DC this year. Meetings were held with the Michigan members of Congress to share the Society's views on infrastructure investment, including FAA reauthorization, the 2018 WRDA bill, and the SRF WIN Act.
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L to R: Steve Matheny,
Theresa Harrison,
Congressman Fred Upton,
Bill Moylan,
Steve Waalkes, Chris Owens, C
huck Hookham
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ACEC MI Awards Engineering Scholarships
$15,000 Awarded to Five Students
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L to R: Jacob Moyer, Leah Bectel, Janelle Bellamy, Mina Kukuk
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Each year, the ACEC/Michigan Scholarship Committee awards scholarships in order to promote the profession and to provide financial support to students pursuing careers in engineering and surveying. The scholarships are awarded to deserving college students who have completed their freshman year and are enrolled in an ABET accredited engineering or surveying program. They are evaluated in the following areas: work experience, extra-curricular and community activities, references, grade point average, and a written essay. Applicants must also have worked for a private engineering, architectural or surveying firm in the past 24 months.
Congratulations to the 2018 ACEC/M Scholarship winners:
- Leah Bectel, Michigan Technological University
- Janelle Bellamy, Calvin College
- Benjamin Burger, Grand Valley State University
- Mina Kukuk, Michigan Technological University
- Jacob Moyer, Ferris State University
These recipients were honored during the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala on March 10, 2018 in Grand Rapids.
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ASCE Western MI Branch Engineering Week Activities
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The Western branch of ASCE organized several activities for Engineering Week at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Included were: a bridge demonstration on how trusses work with models built from drinking straws; students could 'design' their own bridge on a laptop using the West Point bridge design program; the City of Wyoming demonstrated how the city water system works and how the waste water plant treats waste water; the local SWE chapter hosted a McDonald's Happy Meal assembly line process; and Grand Valley State University had handheld air propelled launches hit balloon targets. Some 300 students participated in the event.
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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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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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