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ACEC National

Upcoming Events

Election Update Webinar
August 12
Webinar

Principals Roundtable Breakfast
September 10
Wausau

Future Leaders Institute Session #1
September 10-11
Wausau

ACEC Fall Conference
October 17-20
Puerto Rico

Engineering Excellence Awards Entry Deadline
October 18; 4:00 pm

DSF Consultants Conference
November 9
Madison

Committee Meetings
 
Board of Directors
August 3
Madison

Transportation Task Force
August 5
Madison

Government Affairs
August 5
Conference Call

DOT Liaison
August 10
Madison

Membership
August 19
Madison

Transportation Improvement Conference Planning Subcommittee
August 20
Waukesha

Public Relations
August 26
Madison
 

For more information, visit our calendar.

2010-11 Board of Directors

President
Tom Pulse, PE
Ayres Associates
Eau Claire

President-Elect
Kevin Hagen, PE
GRAEF
Madison

Secretary-Treasurer
Greg Jewell, PE
Jewell Associates Engineers
Spring Green

ACEC Director
Jeff Hanson, PE
AECOM
Madison

PEPP Director
Rick Schmidt, PE
Bonestroo
Mequon

PEPP Alternate Director
Matt Richards, PE
Strand Associates
Madison

Director at Large
Dave Brose, PE
EMCS
Milwaukee

Past President
Stan Sugden, PE
Ruekert/Mielke
Waukesha

Executive Director
Carol Godiksen, MgtPro
ACEC WI
Madison

ACEC WI Affiliate
Gold Sponsors

Johnson Insurance Services

SilverEdge Systems Software

ACEC WI Affiliate Silver Sponsors
Holmes Murphy & Associates

MasterGraphics

August 2, 2010

Table of Contents
Election Update Webinar – Member Only Benefit
Thank You for Investing in ACEC WI
Engineering Excellence Awards Call for Entries
      Intent to Enter Survey
Education Programs
      DSF Consultants Conference
      Principals Roundtable Breakfast – Wausau
      Training Opportunities - Lorman Education Services
New Wisconsin Employment Law
Bylaws Amendments Proposed
Godiksen Receives ACEC Management Professional Designation
Member News
Affiliate News
Committee News
State Agency News
ACEC National News
      Fall Conference
      President’s Monthly Update
Conduit Fund & WisPAC
Midwest Construction Best of 2010 Awards
Mid-Continent Transportation Research Forum
Business News Wire
Newsmaker of the Year

This year’s election is an opportunity for our industry. A new governor will usher in many changes. The state legislature will also see change with more candidates (314) running for office this year than in decades. How is the election shaping up and what is ACEC WI’s strategy to support candidates that support our industry?

To answer these questions, ACEC WI will be holding a members only webinar on Thursday, August 12, from noon – 1 pm. Our contract lobbyists, Peter Kammer and Susie Schooff, will provide a presentation on legislative races and how our ACEC WI Conduit and PAC will be utilized to support candidates running for election. Participants will be able to submit questions to our presenters.

To register for this free ACEC WI Members Only Election Update Webinar, contact ACEC WI via email at acecwi@acecwi.org or call the office at 608-257-9223.

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Thank You for Investing in ACEC WI
Thank you to the following firms for your membership renewal and continued investment in ACEC WI for the 2010-11 year. We thank you for your support. Working together as a unified voice has elevated our industry in the eyes of the public and our state legislators and truly makes ACEC WI the business voice of the consulting engineering industry.

Renewing Firms (as of July 28)

Renewing Affiliate Member Firms (as of July 28)
ACEC Business Insurance Trust (new member)
Ames & Gough, Inc
Holmes Murphy (silver sponsor)
Johnson Insurance (gold sponsor)
MasterGraphics, Inc (silver sponsor)
O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing, SC
SilverEdge Systems Software, Inc (gold sponsor)

Voluntary Contributions
Continued government affairs involvement keeps our message on point and in front of the decision makers. Our efforts have been effective, but continued support is needed. As part of the membership renewal process, member firms are given the opportunity to check-off additional funds for our government affairs initiatives.

This year we are moving forward to again introduce QBS legislation and, with your help, secure passage of this important legislation. In addition, we are making great strides in our initiative to keep an open dialogue with WisDOT.

Thank you to the following firms that have selected the voluntary check off to help ensure the continued success of our government affairs initiatives.

Government Advocacy Fund Participants (as of July 28)
Alfred Benesch & Company
Ayres Associates
Bonestroo, Inc
Clark Dietz, Inc
Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC
GRAEF
KL Engineering, Inc
MSA Professional Services, Inc
Strand Associates, Inc

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Engineering Excellence Awards – Call for Entries
Special Engineering Accomplishments Deserve Recognition
ACEC WI is seeking entries for our 40th annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition. This competition gives firms the opportunity to showcase its best project(s) to a statewide audience of clients, industry leaders, legislators and other decision makers.

Projects large and small and of every expertise area are eligible for awards. Download the Call for Entries for eligibility and entry requirements. Entry categories include:

Resources are available to help you prepare a winning entry:

• Use the Easy Entry Workbook
  This booklet outlines eligibility requirements, lists criteria and provides step-by-step instruction on how to submit your entry. Click here to download the workbook.
• Review Previous Winning Entries
  See firsthand what works. Past winning entry binders are available for review at ACEC WI’s office. Contact us to set up an appointment to review the binders.
• Contact ACEC WI
  Advice and answers to your entry questions are just a phone call away. Contact us at 608-257-9223.

The entry deadline is October 18, 4:00 pm.

Engineering Excellence Awards Intent to Enter
Is your firm planning to enter the 2011 Engineering Excellence Awards competition? Let us know by completing a brief intent to enter survey. Information collected in the survey will help us assemble a judging panel of an appropriate size and expertise. The survey is for planning purposes only; it does not commit your firm to enter.

Please help us make it another great competition by completing the survey by August 12.

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 Education Programs

Save the date and plan to attend the 19th annual Division of State Facilities Consultants Conference. This is a must attend event for design professionals working with the DSF. The conference features:

• Mastering the Storm, a keynote address to help you and your firm stay up, stay positive and thrive.
• Learn the latest information and updates for working effectively with the DSF.
• Networking with DSF staff and other consultants.

The conference agenda and registration materials will be available in early September. Watch for details in our September e-newsletter edition.

Thank You Conference Sponsors

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Principals Roundtable Breakfast
September 10; 7:30 – 9:00 am
Jefferson Street Inn, Wausau
ACEC WI is sponsoring a principals roundtable breakfast for principals within our member firms. This forum is an excellent opportunity for senior level staff to share ideas relating to consulting engineering business practice issues in today’s economy. Join us in Wausau for an interactive, small group discussion. The cost to attend is $40 when registering by September 6.

Click here to register.

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Training Opportunities – Lorman Education Services
ACEC WI is dedicated to providing cost-effective training opportunities that meet the needs of our members and enhance their skills, knowledge, and competencies. We have partnered with Lorman Education Services to provide continuing education in a variety of topic areas. ACEC WI members receive a 10% discount on all registrations and orders. Visit http://www.lorman.com/training/acecwi for available teleconferences, seminars, and products.

You may register online or call Lorman at 866-352-9539. Please use Priority Code 16276 and Discount Code L9829914 when registering to receive your discount.

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New Wisconsin Employment Law
Article provided complements of Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP

On May 12, Governor Doyle signed into law 2009 SB 585, which amends the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (WFEA). The bill adds provisions to the WFEA that prohibit an employer from discriminating against an employee because the employee declines “to attend a meeting or to participate in any communication about religious or political matters.”

Click here to read the complete article.

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Bylaws Amendments Proposed
The ACEC WI Board of Directors is scheduled to meet August 3 to review proposed changes to the ACEC WI Bylaws, the document that governs the operations of the organization. Amendments being proposed include:

• Changes in term and titles for directors
• Changes titles of the chief elected and staff officer
• Creates additional staffing responsibilities
• Aligns document with current association practices

Assuming approval by the board, the amended bylaws must be approved by a majority of the membership. Primary contacts should expect to receive a package of proposed changes later this month. Voting is scheduled to close at the end of the month.

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Godiksen Receives ACEC Management Professional Designation
Executive Director Carol Godiksen has been granted the professional designation of Management Professional (MgtPro) by the American Council of Engineering Companies. This is one of 3 new professional designations intended to recognize business achievement and leadership excellence in the engineering industry. She will be recognized at the ACEC Fall Conference in Puerto Rico.

The MgtPro designation requires at least 150 professional development hours (PDH) in at least 4 of ACEC‘s 12 Knowledge Domains as well as a minimum of 7-10 years of program or project management experience. The MgtPro designation is intended for non-PE professionals.

The other 2 new designations, Management Engineer (MgtEng) and Executive Engineer (ExecEng), require a PE license and each have a different set of criteria. The MgtEng requires at least 7-10 years of experience and a minimum of 150 PDHs. The ExecEng requires at least 15-20 years experience, a minimum of 300 PDHs, and a capstone leadership course, such as the ACEC Senior Executive Institute.

There are many technical designations in this industry; however, these 3 designations recognize business management expertise and leadership for engineering firms. To learn more about these professional designations, watch for additional information in the ACEC Last Word or click here.

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Member News

Snyder & Associates – is welcomed to the ACEC WI membership. The firm’s key contact is Michael Calkins, PE; 5010 Voges Rd; Madison, WI 53718; 608-838-0444; www.snyder-associates.com.

Clark Dietz – welcomes Tom Foley to the Kenosha office’s civil-environmental group.

American Engineering Testing – welcomes William Anderson, EIT, CWI to the Schofield office as a staff engineer. The firm has opened a new office at 3194 Market Street, Suite C; Green Bay 54304; (920) 347-1286; www.amengtest.com.

Ruekert/Mielke – is pleased to announce Stanley R Sugden, PE, has been named vice president of the firm.

RA Smith National - welcomes Heather Patti to its Brookfield office as an ecologist and project manager.

Vierbicher – is pleased to announce Matthew Schreiner, PE, LEED-AP has received his professional engineer license.

Bonestroo - welcomes Dave Boyle to the Waupun office as a senior civil engineer.

Ayres Associates – welcomes Beth Klemann, PE to the Waukesha office as a transportation project manager.

KL Engineering – is pleased to announce that Kyle Thompson has joined the firm’s Madison office as a design engineer.

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Affiliate News
The board of directors has broadened the definition of firms eligible for affiliate membership. The membership committee will begin promoting affiliate membership and recruiting industry partners to join. Please consider asking industry partners you work with to join ACEC WI as an affiliate member. Click here for the affiliate member application.

A number of sponsorship opportunities are available to enhance the value of affiliate membership. Click here for a list of opportunities. A great opportunity is an article right here in this widely read newsletter.

ACEC Business Insurance Trust – is welcomed to the affiliate membership. The key contact is Kevin Woolley; 701 Market St, Ste 1100; St Louis, MO 63101; www.acecbit.com.

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Committee News
Business Practices - The committee is scheduled to meet on September 8 to discuss restructuring the committee and its subgroups to meet the committee’s charge and member expectations. ACEC WI members who are not currently serving on the committee, but have an interest in business practice issues are encouraged to attend.

DNR - The committee met on July 13. It raised $50 for WisPAC during the session. Its next scheduled meeting is October 14.

DOT - The full committee will be meeting on August 10 at the Edgewater Hotel. The committee will be joined by WisDOT senior level staff during the afternoon session.

DSF - The DSF Consultants Conference program is being finalized, with a formal conference agenda available by early September. The full committee is scheduled to meet in September following a partnering meeting with the agency and AIA in early September.

Government Affairs - A conference call is scheduled for August 5 to discuss legislative breakfasts, the election update webinar set for August 12, and upcoming fundraising events.

Membership - The committee will meet on August 19 to plan its recruitment strategy for this year.

Public Relations – The committee is scheduled to meet on August 26 to continue to develop social media implementation goals and strategies as well as continue to develop a comprehensive style and standards guidelines document for ACEC WI.

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State Agency News

Department of Natural Resources
The Remediation and Redevelopment Program’s newsletter, the RR Report, is available at the following links:
http://www.wiparks.net/org/aw/rr/news/10/07-15-10.pdf
http://www.wiparks.net/org/aw/rr/news/10/07-27-10.pdf

As a part of the Air & Waste Division's regulatory improvement effort, Smart Regulation, managers and staff are accountable for assuring that the following attributes are reflected in programs: responsiveness, efficiency, timeliness, effectiveness and consistency. One measure of success in implementing Smart Regulation is feedback received from customers, which is available at http://dnr.wi.gov/environmentprotect/success.pdf.

Department of Transportation
The Wisconsin Highway Research Program has recently completed the following reports:

• Are OGFCs Ready to Perform in Wisconsin Weather?
• Reducing Corrosion on Fiberglass Wrapped Concrete Bridge Columns
• Identifying Effective Lower Compaction Temperatures for HMA
• Testing Less Expensive Steel for Bridge Bearings

The WisDOT Policy Research Program has recently completed the following research projects:

• New Tools Track Environmental Mitigation Projects
• Containerized Loads and Increased Truck Weights: Identifying Issues
• Low Cost Strategies to Increase Truck Parking in Wisconsin
• 21st Century Workforce Development Summit

The WisDOT Research Program has approved 39 transportation pooled fund (TPF) projects for FFY 2011 funding. All of these projects are funded with 100% federal State Planning & Research (SPR) funds. Click here for list of the approved projects that include 7 projects for first-time WisDOT participation and 32 projects that continue WisDOT's existing participation. If you have interest in monitoring these or other TPF projects, please visit www.pooledfund.org.

The July 2010 WisDOT Research & Library E-News available at http://on.dot.wi.gov/wisdotresearch/news.htm.

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ACEC News

The ACEC 2010 Fall Conference is scheduled for October 17-20 in Puerto Rico. Join your engineering colleagues in a beautiful resort destination for hard-hitting business sessions, cutting-edge keynote speakers, valuable networking and the latest in products and services from exhibitor partners. Highlights include:

Visit the conference website for details and registration materials.

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President’s Monthly Update

• ACEC, APWA, and ASCE's collaborative effort on an Infrastructure Sustainability Project Rating System has received input from government agencies toward pilot testing by October. A special session will be held at ACEC's Fall Conference to introduce the rating system.
• Hosted the head of the Federal Government’s Procurement Policy Office, Dan Gordon, for an important discussion on strengthening the acquisition workforce and the importance of qualifications in procurement of engineering services.
• Promoted adoption of FAR-based procurement and audit rules at AASHTO Audit Subcommittee Conference in Montgomery, Alabama.
• Opposed the DISCLOSE legislation in Congress which is slanted toward union and anti-business interests.

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Midwest Construction Best of 2010 Awards
Midwest Construction invites you to enter the Best of 2010 Awards competition. Outstanding construction projects built in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin will be highlighted in the December issue. Click here for information on eligibility, judging criteria, categories and instructions on how to enter. There is no entry fee. The deadline to enter is August 11.

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2010 Mid-Continent Transportation Research Forum
August 19-20, Madison
The 9th Annual Mid-Continent Transportation Research Forum, Meeting Tomorrow's Transportation Challenges, will bring together leaders in transportation research and practice to examine current developments and issues. The conference program has been updated to include session topics, presentation titles and speakers. Click here for details and registration information.

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UW Business News Wire
Check out the latest edition of UW Business News Wire at http://buswire.ocr.wisc.edu/. The monthly online publication is intended to build and strengthen awareness of and appreciation for university resources and programs that assist the Wisconsin business community.
 

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Newsmaker of the Year
Nominate a colleague today to be honored by Wisconsin Builder & The Daily Reporter as a Newsmaker of the Year – a person or organization that led Wisconsin’s construction industry in a positive direction in 2010. Leaders from across the state, from every level of construction, will be honored in the November issue of Wisconsin Builder magazine and at an awards event. Nominees must be based in Wisconsin. The deadline for submitting your 2010 Newsmaker nominations is August 18.

Click here for more information.

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© 2010 American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin