PEP TALK - Quarterly Community Newsletter | July 2024

Dear Jennifer,


There have been many exciting updates since our first quarterly community newsletter!


PEP is working with our partners to expand The Eagle Reef Project to 1,000 reefs this year, which will filter up to 7.3 billion gallons of water annually. The best news? YOU can become involved as an individual or business. Read the updates below about this nationally-recognized project.


Our members learned more about sustainable business practices, with practical tips for implementation, at our June Lunch & Learn. We are looking forward to honoring our members’ innovative projects and initiatives with our Environmental Stewardship Awards in September.


Along with member updates, we've included information about our 24th Industrial Reverse Trade Show and the annual PEP Educational Seminar. These events are both happening on Thursday, October 17 at Fort Whiting and we'd be honored to have you there. We've included all the details on these events in this update.


Please read on for the latest news and information!


Jennifer Denson, Executive Director

THE EAGLE REEF UPDATE

THE EAGLE REEF PROJECT RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT OF THE YEAR


We're proud to share more great news about The Eagle Reef Project! The project founder, John B. Shell, was recently recognized at The Boy Scouts of America National Annual Meeting as the recipient of the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award (ESSPY). The award recognizes valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout candidate to a religious institution, school, community or other entity through completion of an Eagle Scout project. 


Congratulations to John! We're excited to continue this project through our partnership.

GET INVOLVED WITH THE EAGLE REEF PROJECT!


Homeowners and businesses can actively improve the quality of our waters and fisheries by purchasing or adopting an Eagle Reef! PEP is working with partners to expand the Eagle Reef Project to 1,000 reefs, which will filter up to about 7.3 billion gallons of water annually and facilitate thousands of fish and crabs each year. 


Reefs will be installed in your neighborhood soon! Our installation of Eagle Reefs are taking place every few weeks, so there is plenty of time to get an order in to have one installed at your pier for the summer. Fill out the interest link below and our Eagle Reef Project Coordinator will contact you with details.

READ HOW MANY GALLONS OF WATER ARE BEING FILTERED
YES! I'M INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF THE EAGLE REEF! 

SUSTAINABILITY + SMALL BUSINESS

JUNE LUNCH & LEARN: SMALL BUSINESS, BIG IMPACT


PEP Members received great information on sustainable business practices during our June Lunch and Learn. Speaker Joy F. Stephens, Senior Project Professional at SCS Engineers, discussed how these practices can be challenging, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She presented relevant case studies showing sustainable business practices’ benefits and possible missed opportunities. Finally, she reviewed practical ways to collect baseline data to meet customer needs and expectations.


We're sharing our written article and video with you on our website so you can apply these tips to your organization! Check it out at the link below.

READ & VIEW THE FULL RECAP

PEP UPDATES

PEP 24TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT A SUCCESS!


More than 250 business leaders joined us for a course games & prizes, great food and networking, all while supporting PEP’s mission and core beliefs!


Congratulations to the overall winning team this year, Core Industries!


Follow the link below to view photos from the day, as well as a listing of all the teams and their scores.

VIEW THE PHOTOS AND SCORES

PEP MEMBER NEWS

TWO GULF STATES ENGINEERING ENGINEERS BECOME PEs 


Gulf States Engineering, Inc. has announced that Timothy G. Morris, Jr. and Dylan Wade, two of its young engineers, recently passed the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to become licensed Professional Engineers (PEs). The exam, administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, is a rigorous test that not only certifies an engineer’s competence, but also marks a significant step in their professional growth. By passing this exam, Morris and Wade have demonstrated their technical knowledge and commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.

READ MORE

AIRBUS NAMED TO TIME100 MOST INFLUENTIAL COMPANIES 2024


As the aviation industry finally put pandemic-era restrictions behind it, Airbus emerged as the clear king of the skies in 2023, breaking the record for the single largest aircraft order ever. At the Paris Air Show 2023, IndiGo, India’s largest airline, put in an order for 500 of Airbus’ narrow-bodied A320 family aircraft. And 2024 is expected to bring a record number of aircraft deliveries. With demand soaring, Airbus has expanded its worldwide production capabilities while pushing the boundaries on sustainable aviation: it has set an ambitious target of bringing the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial plane to market by 2035.

READ MORE

ALABAMA PORT AUTHORITY COMPETING FOR EPA GRANT


The Alabama Port Authority recently announced its application for a federal grant to launch a major emissions reduction effort at Port facilities. The Port Operations With Emissions Reduction Project, or POWER Project, would be funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports initiative. The Alabama Port Authority is applying for $69M of funding to deploy new technologies, all of which will add to the growing number of electric and clean fuel vehicles already in use at the Port.

READ MORE

GMC NAMED ENR SOUTHEAST DESIGN FIRM OF THE YEAR


Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) was recently named the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Southeast 2024 Design Firm of the Year. This recognition follows a year marked by growth through revenue, acquisitions, procurement of some of the firm’s largest contracts to date and expanding its footprint. In 2023, GMC grew in revenue by more than 30% from the previous year. The firm acquired two design firms, Walker Concepts Architecture of Charleston, South Carolina, and Commercial Site Solutions of Greenville, South Carolina, and Lutz, Florida. GMC has 25 offices in seven states throughout the Southeast and offers many services. Major projects underway for the company include the Mobile Civic Center and the new Gulf Shores High School. Design Firm of the Year is released in tandem with ENR Southeast’s Top Design Firms list, an annual ranking of firms by revenue. GMC rose two spots to No. 14. In addition, it was ranked on market sector-specific lists, including No. 1 in Top Alabama Design Firms, No. 21 in Top Georgia Design Firms and No. 4 in Top Education Design Firms.



ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

BRING YOUR ELECTRONICS TO THE CYCLING & SHREDDING EVENT!


Keep Mobile Beautiful, in partnership with Ransom Recycling and Shred America, is hosting an Electronic Recycling, Shredding, & Cleanup event on Saturday, June 29 from 9 a.m. until Noon in the Little Flower School Parking Lot.


Bring your papers and electronics to recycle - including flat screen TVs, with a $10 donation to cover processing expenses. For more information, contact Keep Mobile Beautiful at (251) 444-7144.

JOIN US AT A PEP EVENT!

JOIN US FOR THE 24TH INDUSTRIAL REVERSE TRADE SHOW!


WHAT IS A REVERSE TRADE SHOW?

The Industrial Reverse Trade Show brings decision-makers from industry together in one location. Ticket holders from the supplier, vendor and service sectors are the visitors who walk through the show “calling on” plant managers, purchasing managers, engineers and maintenance managers from industry, shipbuilding, multi-disciplined engineering firms, major medical centers and more.


WHEN IS IT?

Join us on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Fort Whiting Auditorium, Mobile, AL. The schedule for the day is as follows:


9 - 11:30 a.m

Free Educational Seminar with CEU credits


Noon - 1 p.m

VIP Admission for a limited number of attendees


1 - 4:30 p.m.

General Admission


HOW DO I GET TICKETS?

Advanced General Admission Ticket is $149 each for non-members. This ticket will increase to $174 for non-members at noon on October 14, 2024. The cost for non-members at the door will be $174.


Tickets will go on sale starting Thursday, August 1, 2024. 


Follow the event page for registration and sponsorship updates

24TH INDUSTRIAL REVERSE TRADE SHOW

9TH ANNUAL PEP EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR


The Environmental Seminar is a crowd favorite and is FREE to the public! Last year's seminar featured speakers who discussed reducing waste and saving money. Attendees will also receive CEUs. The 2024 seminar will be based on a topic every business is interested in - artificial intelligence! Stay tuned for more information on the topic and speakers.


The seminar is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register by emailing Lindsey at lindsey@pepmobile.org.

VIEW SEMINAR PAGE
HELPFUL LINKS