Vice President Monthly Update

Andrew McGuire, PE South Central VP

Embracing Collaboration for a Stronger Future

“Good enough isn’t good enough if you want to be the best” is a quote that was shared during the keynote address at the Minnesota County Engineers Association Annual Conference. I had the good fortune of attending this event in balmy Brainerd near the end of January where the hospitality was much warmer than the minus 20 degree reading on Fahrenheit’s scale when I arrived. This quote led me to reflect on the challenges we’re facing as a community of professionals dedicated to building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports our counties, cities, and ultimately, our nation.

As I wrap up my inaugural year as the South-Central Region Vice President it has become apparent to me that one of the most defining characteristics of our Association is our ability to unite diverse counties facing unique challenges. From rural areas with limited resources to urban centers grappling with aging infrastructure, we all benefit from one another’s knowledge and experience. The power of networking within NACE allows us to learn from our counterparts, exchange solutions, and implement best practices tailored to our specific needs.

READ ON HERE!

NACE OFFICER ELECTION NOMINATIONS SUBMISSION DEADELINE March 3!

The Nominating Committee for 2025 NACE elections consists of NACE Former Leaders Chris Champion (AL), Todd Kinney (IA) and me, along with Jen Voshell (NACE Membership and Marketing).

NACE is looking for candidates for the following positions:

President-Elect

Secretary-Treasurer

Southeast Region Vice-President

North Central Region Vice-President

Western Region Vice-President

Article IV of the NACE Constitution, as shown below, states that the candidates for these positions shall be nominated from the Voting Membership, reviewed by the Nominating Committee and Elected by the Voting Members. For Secretary-Treasurer, as it is a nationally elected office, all Voting Members shall cast votes. For Regional Vice Presidents, it is only the Voting Members in that region that cast a vote. Yu may review the By-laws in more detail by visiting the NACE Constitution & Bylaws - National Association of County Engineers

If you are interested in filling one of these positions, you may submit your interest form HERE. The Nominating Committee will be accepting nominations until March 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM Central Time.

If you have any questions regarding the positions and their duties, feel free to contact me at jblue@champaigncountyil.gov or go to the NACE website and view the options under "ABOUT NACE".

Sincerely,

Jeff Blue, P.E.

Champaign County, IL Engineer

NACE Immediate Past President

Nominating Committee Chair

LAST CALL!!!

2024 AWARD NOMINATIONS SUBMISSION DEADLINE TODAY!

NACE presents 3 awards annually. Criteria for each award is outlined on the NACE website, NACE Annual Award Nominations - National Association of County Engineers.

To submit your nomination, please click on the applicable award below:

2024 Project/Program Manager Award

2024 Urban Engineer of the Year

2024 Rural Engineer of the Year Award

These highest awards are bestowed to deserving NACE members, recognizing county road officials for their applications or management of efficient engineering management principles for the economic design, construction, maintenance and operation of public works facilities, roads, bridges or related projects.

David P. Brand Safety Award

This award recognizes an individual who has followed in Dave Brand's footsteps, having a positive influence on improving safety on the local, regional, state and national levels.

David P. Brand Safety Award Nomination Form

Accordingly, since it considers life-time achievements, the Safety Award may not be awarded every year.

Nominations for all awards close on February 28, 2024.

The 2025 - 2026 Committee Call to Service is open!

Please submit your interest TODAY!

Visit Commitment to Serve to apply.

Titanium Member,

Dynamic Infrastructure will be hosting March's NACE Connect

AI in Jeans: Making Advanced Technology Accessible for County Engineers

Thursday, March 6, 2025

2pm EST | 1pm CST | Noon MT | 11am PT

All NACE Connect Sessions are worth one PDH Hour

Artificial Intelligence doesn’t have to be complicated or out of reach—it can be as approachable and practical as a trusted pair of jeans. This session focuses on how AI can seamlessly integrate into everyday infrastructure management, simplifying workflows and empowering engineers with user-friendly tools tailored to their needs.

From tracking structural defects to optimizing maintenance plans and budgets, AI delivers actionable insights without requiring a technical background or extensive training.

Join us to discover how AI can support county engineers in tackling infrastructure maintenance challenges with confidence and efficiency.

2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE UPDATE

ONLY 6 WEEKS UNTIL NACE 2025!

Delegate Registration Early-bird deadline ends March 6th.

Please make sure you register by March 6^th to get the early-bird rate.

For more details on what is included in the two delegate registration types and for pricing, please click here.

Stay up to date with the latest schedule changes by visiting the NACE Conference site. The NACE Technical Program is completely filled so make your plans now to plot your schedule for the show! Login to the conference site and choose your sessions! Exciting keynote speakers will be announced soon!

Our room block at the Renaissance is 98% sold out, but the Schaumburg Convention Center is located near many hotel properties so make sure you book your room as soon as possible at one of the neighboring properties. There is also a room block at the Springhill Suites by Marriott with free shuttle to the convention center. While there isn't an official room block at any of the other hotels, there is plenty of availability. These hotels are linked on our hotel page here.

We are expanding the exhibit hall!! Due to high demand, we are adding a row of booths to our show floor! It's not too late to sign up to exhibit or sponsor in Schaumburg! To get your corporate member discount code, see pricing information, and other exhibitor or sponsorship information, visit here.

General Information:

The annual conference will be held April 14 - 17, 2025 at the Schaumburg Convention Center and the adjoining Renaissance Hotel.

For additional conference details, please contact:

Staci Morgan Gunderson

National Association of County Engineers

NACE Conference Director

(202) 255-4379 | staci@countyengineers.org