A Note From NACE Executive Director

Kevan Stone

What a whirlwind we have seen here in DC the past couple weeks. I’m not only talking about the unusual sub-zero temperatures the region has experienced, but the fast and furious storm of activity emanating from the White House in the days since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. I’ll attempt to break down the developments later in this letter.

NACE has been running full-speed ahead to begin 2025. Between President Stephen McCall’s and my recent travels, we have attended and addressed state association meetings in Wisconsin (Wisconsin County Highway Association), New York (New York State County Highway Superintendents Association), Minnesota (Minnesota County Engineers Association) and North Dakota (North Dakota Association of County Engineers) in the past 3 weeks alone. On behalf of President McCall and myself, we are deeply appreciative for the hospitality and opportunity to inform you and your colleagues about NACE, and as always are excited to attend any meeting where our contributions can benefit your state conference program. I personally, however, effective immediately will be instituting what I call the “Minnesota rule”, which alleviates me from any conference with ground temperatures below -20 degrees. I’m sorry Brainerd, but for this South Florida raised Executive Director, there ought to be a law...

Believe it or not, we are now less than three months away from our annual conference in Schaumburg, IL. Special thanks to the Illinois Association of County Engineers for all of their hard work in preparation for what promises to be our best conference yet (and with our past few events in Alabama and California, the bar is quite high!). As of this writing, we are on pace for record attendance for a NACE show, and look forward to seeing you all this April. Our host hotel block is almost sold out, don’t wait another second to book your arrangements.

READ ON HERE!

NACE OFFICER ELECTION NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

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

DON'T FORGET!

NOW ACCEPTING 2024 AWARD NOMINATIONS

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 Call to Service for Committee Members will open on Thursday, January 30!

Keep an eye on your email to learn more about the volunteer opportunities available for 2025 - 2026

or visit Commitment to Serve to apply.

2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE UPDATE

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 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. 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

Our 1st Connect for 2025 will be hosted by our newest Platinum Member, ACROW

Bridging Tomorrow’s Challenges Today: Exploring the Benefits of Innovative Modular Steel Solutions for Accelerated Bridge Construction

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

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

ACROW will explore the key features and benefits of modern modular steel bridging solutions. Drawing on a broad range of recent County and Interstate Acrow bridge projects, they will illustrate how the use of innovative steel solutions can accelerate bridge construction in permanent, temporary and emergency applications and help deliver bridging infrastructure projects more quickly, safely and efficiently than traditional methods.

All NACE Connect Sessions are worth one PDH Hour.

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.

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