ACEC WI

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ACEC national

Upcoming Events

Principals Roundtable Breakfast
September 18
Wausau

Engineering Future Leaders Session 1
September 18-19
Wausau

Green Recovery: 
How Green Initiatives Will Keep Your Company on Top
September 22
Virtual seminar

Principals Roundtable Breakfast
September 23
Madison

ACEC Fall Conference
October 7-10
Palm Springs, CA

Global Tectonics:  What Every Business Needs to Know
October 13
Virtual seminar

Engineering Future Leaders Alumni Program
October 20
Madison

Principals Roundtable Breakfast
October 27
Green Bay

Principals Roundtable Breakfast
October 28
Eau Claire

DSF Consultants Conference
October 29
Madison

Engineering Excellence Awards Submission Deadline
October 30, 4:00 pm
Madison

3rd Party Contracts Program
November 11
Videoconference
Madison, Green Bay, Eau Claire, & Waukesha

Committee Meetings

Membership Recruitment Subcommittee
September 4
Conference call

Board of Directors
September 9
Madison

Human Resources
September 10
Waukesha

DNR Liaison
September 24
Madison

Business Practices Future Leaders Task Force
September 29
Madison

DSF Liaison
October 1
Madison

2009-10 Board of Directors

President
Stan Sugden, PE
Ruekert/Mielke, Waukesha

President-Elect
Tom Pulse, PE
Ayres Associates, Eau Claire

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

ACEC Director
Kevin Hagen, PE
GRAEF, Madison

ACEC Alternate Director
Jeff Hanson, PE
AECOM, Madison

PEPP Director
Rick Schmidt, PE
Bonestroo, Mequon

Director at Large
Dave Brose, PE
EMCS, Milwaukee

Past President
Jim Owen, PE
MSA Professional Services, Baraboo

Executive Director
Carol Godiksen,
ACEC WI, Madison

ACEC WI Affiliates
Gold Sponsors

Johnson Insurance

SilverEdge Systems Software

ACEC WI Affiliate
Silver Sponsor
MasterGraphics

Click here for a print friendly version

September 1, 2009

Table of Contents
Government Affairs Updates
Thank You for Investing in ACEC WI
Meeting Member Needs
Engineering Excellence Awards
Education Programs
     DSF Consultants Conference
     Third Party Claims Seminar
     Principals Roundtable Breakfasts
     Future Leaders Alumni Program
     Virtual Seminars
Serve the Profession – Join a Committee
Marketing Tools for Members
Member News & Updates
Committee News & Updates
State Agency News & Updates
ACEC National News & Updates
Conduit & WisPAC
City of Madison Lobbyist Training
Business News Wire
TDA Annual Meeting – Building Wisconsin’s New Economy
 

Government Affairs Update
With the end of the summer comes renewed activity in the state legislature. Governor Doyle’s decision not to run for a third term of office is expected to add a new dynamic to the legislative process. The following is a summary of current legislative activities:

QBS – Legislation is expected to be introduced in September. Prior to introduction, a “dear colleague letter” will be circulated in both the Assembly and Senate requesting co-sponsorship by the bill’s authors, Senator Jeff Plale (D/S Milwaukee) and Representative Louis Molepske, Jr (D/Stevens Point). Members will be encouraged to contact their legislators asking for support of this legislation. Please watch your email for this government affairs alert.

The Wisconsin QBS Program, a joint effort between ACEC WI and AIA Wisconsin, has been awarded a 2009 QBS Facilitator Grant. Grant dollars will supplement 2 key activities: passage of QBS legislation in Wisconsin and providing a QBS education tool for owners. The QBS Facilitator Grant Program is nationally sponsored by ACEC, AIA, APWA, ASCE, and NSPE. Wisconsin's grant proposal also had the support of WSPE and APWA WI.

PE Licensure (AB288) – This proposal, requested by the state licensure board, would amend examination requirements for professional engineer credentials. Introduced by Representative Louis Molepske, it has not yet been scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly.

Alternative Delivery – Introduced to the State Building Commission by Commission Secretary David Helbach, the document includes recommendations for moving from multiple prime contracts to single prime contracts. There are recommendations for the state’s use of CM and CM at risk as well as design-build. ACEC WI’s DSF Committee has been reviewing the document and will be preparing comments as the proposal moves through the legislative process.

State Transportation Contracts – The Department of Transportation has communicated that it is still planning to implement a plan to amend transportation contracts by 3%. ACEC WI’s position has been that this industry is already sharing in the pain of this economic recession, with firms instituting staff reductions and wage cuts. The organization continues to meet with the department to seek an equitable solution for both the state and the industry. The membership will be kept abreast of progress.

Legislator Meet and Greet Sessions – To continue to build our grass roots program, a series of meet and greet sessions are planned for this fall. The meetings will be held in member firm offices with the focus on educating legislators on the value consulting engineering firms bring to the state including jobs, ability to capture much needed stimulus dollars, and special expertise. Meetings will be highlighted in upcoming newsletters. If you have an interest in having your area legislator meet with you and your employees, please contact the ACEC WI office.

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Thank You for Investing in ACEC WI
Thank you to the following firms for membership renewal and continued investment in ACEC WI for the 2009-10 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 (July 28 – August 26)
AECOM
Arnold & O’Sheridan, Inc
Baudhuin Incorporated
Black & Veatch
Collins Engineers, Inc
Crispell-Snyder, Inc
Donald F Roecker, PE
EMCS, Inc
Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC
HDR Engineering, Inc
HNTB Coporation
Michael Doran Techknowledge, LLC
QUEST Civil Engineers, LLC
Vierbicher Associates, Inc
Westbrook Associated Engineers, Inc
Yaggy Colby Associates
 

Renewing Affiliate Member Firms (July 28 – August 31)
Axley Brynelson, LLP

Voluntary Contributions
Continued government affairs involvement keeps our message on point and in front of the decision makers. 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.

Contributing firms (July 28 – August 31)
AECOM
EMCS, Inc

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Meeting Member Needs
During these difficult times, ACEC WI wants to know how it can support your firm. A survey is being developed to help ACEC WI determine where how it can provide additional support. The survey will be sent via email. Please take a few moments to provide feedback when you receive it.

Another way ACEC WI is helping to meet member needs is through the popular Principals Roundtable Breakfasts. These breakfasts are an opportunity to have a small group discussion with peers. Four breakfasts are being offered across the state this fall. To learn more click here.
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Engineering Excellence Awards Entry deadline October 30, 4:00 pm ACEC WI is seeking entries into its 39th annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition. This awards competition provides the opportunity to recognize exceptional ideas and innovations in engineering.  Every firm has projects it is proud of and firms are encouraged to submit a project or projects to the Engineering Excellence Awards competition. Review your firm's exceptional projects today. Projects of all sizes are eligible for awards. The 2010 Call for Entries and Easy Entry Workbook are available online. Contact ACEC WI with questions or to set up an appointment to view last year's winning entries. Those who have reviewed the entry notebooks have found it to be a valuable tool in learning what makes a winning entry.

"Entering ACEC WI's Engineering Excellence Awards competition is an opportunity to showcase distinctive projects that deliver high client satisfaction through quality work, on time and on budget." Matt Hintze, PE, Vice President, HNTB Corporation “Entering the Engineering Excellence Awards program allows us to spotlight both our clients and our staff – our two most important stakeholders. The program also an opportunity for ACEC WI and its member firms to increase public awareness of the work engineering does to improve public health and safety and to enhance the environment.” Pat Quinn, President, Ayres Associates

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Education Programs

DSF Consultants Conference October 29, Madison Conference agenda and registration are now available. Visit https://m360.acecwi.org/event.aspx?eventID=10373.

Discover New Opportunities – The Division of State Facilities (DSF) Consultants Conference is the must attend event of the year for engineers, architects, design professionals, and business development managers working with the state. Attendees will learn the latest information relating to consultants and the DSF. The combination of educational programming, networking opportunities, and question and answer time make this conference invaluable to design firms working with or planning to work with the state.

Same Great Registration Rates as 2008!
Register by September 30 to take advantage of the reduced, early registration rate.

Continuing Education
Up to 6.5 PDH (professional development hour) credits or AIA/CES learning unit hours will be awarded to conference attendees.

Thank You Sponsors
 

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Third Party Claims Seminar
November 11; 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Videoconference:  Madison, Green Bay, Waukesha, Eau Claire
With the help of affiliate member firm Axley Brynelson and Hugh N Anderson Attorney at Law, ACEC WI is offering a seminar to address potential liabilities and risk management for design professionals. The seminar will focus on key risk management provisions to consider in developing construction contracts and practical issues relating to contract administration.

To keep this program cost low for members, this seminar is intended to be a lunch and learn opportunity. Beverages will be provided and participants are welcome to bring a lunch. The cost of the program will be $65 for the first firm registrant and $45 for each additional registration from your firm. Registrants need not attend the same location to receive the multiple registration discount.

The program will be presented via videoconference from Madison (live location) to Eau Claire, Green Bay, and Waukesha. A special thanks to Ayres Associates for hosting this seminar.

Watch for details later this fall.
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Principals Roundtable Breakfasts
ACEC WI is sponsoring 4 roundtable breakfasts this fall for principals within our member firms. Breakfasts will be held in Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, and Wausau.

This forum is an excellent opportunity for senior level staff to share ideas in a small group setting relating to consulting engineering business practice issues in today’s economy. ACEC WI is also interested in learning from you how the organization can support your firm during these difficult times.

The cost of each breakfast is $40. Each breakfast will run 7:30 – 9:30 am.

Click here to download the registration form or use the links below to register online.
 

Wausau September 18 Jefferson Street Inn – City Grill Registration deadline September 15	Madison September 23 Holiday Inn at the American Center Registration deadline September 18
Green Bay October 27 Radisson Hotel Registration deadline October 23	Eau Claire October 28 Holiday Inn Campus Registration deadline October 23

Scheduling Note – A roundtable breakfast was in held in Milwaukee in May as part of the ACEC WI Annual Meeting. If there is an interest in holding a Milwaukee breakfast, one can be scheduled this fall. 

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Engineering Future Leaders Alumni Program
October 20, Madison
At the request of future leaders alumni, a special, alumni-only program is being planned for October 20 for our future leaders. The alumni event will kick off with a roundtable breakfast to discuss issues that matter to you, the future leaders of the design industry. It will continue with a 2.5-hour program on work/life balance. Complete the day by participating in an optional afternoon golf outing. The Future Leaders Classic Golf Outing is an opportunity to catch up with classmates and network with the other classes of future leaders.

Work/Life Balance
In this fast-paced world, many professionals struggle with work/life balance. Some ask the question, “Is achieving it even possible?” You may be surprised by Jason Kotecki's answer in this thought-provoking and entertaining program. He will share no-fluff, real-world strategies to deal with adultitis, a dreaded condition that leaves its victims jaded and overwhelmed, with super high stress levels. By masterfully combining hilarious anecdotes, uplifting stories and powerful imagery.

Participants are asked to read The Last Lecture. The book will be discussed as part of the program.

Click here for the day’s agenda, guest room rates, and registration form. The registration deadline is October 13. Please note this program is only for graduates of ACEC WI’s Engineering Future Leaders program. 

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Virtual Seminars
Virtual seminars are the prefect solution for training on a budget. For one low registration fee, any number of employees can participate in the program at your firm’s office. Avoid additional expenses of multiple registrations and travel costs by participating in virtual seminars. Recognizing these difficult economic times, ACEC WI will be focusing on offering these cost-effective solutions for training rather than face-to-face meetings.

ACEC WI is proud to offer the following virtual seminars. These 90-minute programs are perfect lunch and learn opportunities and offer the opportunity to earn PDH (professional development hour) credits. In many cases, a program CD may be purchased if the program date and time are not convenient. Click here for seminar details and registration information for each program.

Green Recovery: How Green Initiatives Will Keep Your Company on Top
Tuesday, September 22
11:00 am – 12:00 pm, virtual seminar
Green initiatives ratchet up your company’s resource efficiency, creativity, and employee motivation. They save energy, waste, preserve precious capital, and give precise focus to your innovation efforts and strategic priorities. In this webinar, you’ll gain a road map for using green initiatives to deliver short-term gains and position your company for long-term strategic growth. You’ll discover how to:
 

• Get lean: Amp up your energy and resource efficiency to survive tough times.
• Get smart: Use environmental data about products and supply chains for a competitive advantage.
• Get creative: Rejuvenate your innovation efforts by asking heretical questions, such as “How might we operate with no fossil fuels?”
• Get going: Engage and excite your employees to solve the company’s, the customer’s, and the world’s environmental challenges.

Global Tectonics: What Every Business Needs to Know
Tuesday, October 13
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
There’s a tendency in every economic crisis to focus only on short-term emergencies and ignore the big picture. But the crisis we are experiencing now is a sign of the major shifts that are taking place in our organizations, industries and markets, technology, and the world.

Global tectonics is the process by which the developing trends in technology, nature, and society revolutionize the business environment of the future. Much like the Earth’s tectonic plates, global trends shift unnoticed until they transform industries and societies. Dr Fariborz Ghadar, a world authority on future business trends, global economic assessment, and strategy, and his team have identified 12 global trends that present the most formidable challenges to business leaders in the next 30 years.

Anyone tasked with leading an organization, division or team, or with developing and planning for the leadership and human capital needs of the future will be invigorated by the trends, ideas, and approaches discussed in this webinar. You’ll learn:
 

• The 12 global trends that will challenge business leaders for the next 30 years.
• How the 12 trends can converge into sets to create fantastic new markets or diminish established ones.
• How the 12 trends have already changed many industries, markets, and organizations.
• How product lifecycles have changed and why that has threatened many organizations and made leadership and strategy implementation more complicated and demanding.
• What needs to happen in terms of people, team, message, and leadership to make business strategy implementation successful.
• What diversity brings to an organization’s ability to evolve and respond to developing trends.
• How leaders and managers can be coached on the need to business differently.

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Serve Your Profession - Join A Committee
One of the most important benefits of ACEC WI membership is the opportunity to serve on one of the committees that guide the association. While many individuals are currently serving, ACEC WI is looking for additional volunteers. Committee involvement provides unique opportunities to get an "insider's view" of the industry. In addition to serving your profession, you'll be giving your own career a boost. Through committee service, you will meet and work with other dynamic individuals and take an active role in making the ACEC WI vision a reality.

Typically, a committee has a single representative from a firm, but the firm decides how many representatives it wishes to have. Is your firm involved? Talk internally about representing your firm at the committee level. You will find a list of the ACEC WI committees and a roster of its members on our web site. Most committees have no prerequisite for participation, just your interest and willingness to serve.

Contact ACEC WI if you would like to change your volunteer member on a committee or for more information. Get involved today! Contact ACEC WI at 608-257-9223 to learn more.

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Marketing Tools for Members
Now that summer is winding down, tradeshow season is starting for many ACEC WI member firms. September and October is the time to showcase your firm's affiliation with ACEC WI and we have the tools you need to do it:

• Member insignia - The 8.5 x 11 laminated signs read "A member of ACEC WI" with the recognizable ACEC WI logo. Sign has a Velcro backing for positioning directly on your exhibit or can be placed on an easel for a tabletop display.
• ACEC member seal - Because the ACEC logo is nationally associated with excellence, integrity, and quality, members use it on their business literature. Many ACEC members report that, in their clients' eyes, membership in ACEC offers an advantage over nonmembers. If you haven't done so already, affix the seal to the brochures you are taking to the tradeshows. 

Contact ACEC WI at 608-257-9223 to receive these marketing tools for members.

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Member News & Updates
Bonestroo – is pleased to announce JoEllen Donovan, water resources engineer in the firm’s Mequon office, has successfully passed the Wisconsin Professional Engineering exam. Following the firm’s recent merger with Northern Environmental, Dave Rautmann, PE, Mequon, has been appointed to manage the firm’s energy/industrial division. 

GRAEF – welcomes 3 new employees to the firm’s Milwaukee office. Gary Bazan to the firm as an on-call construction inspector and Scott Luckiesh, PE, SE as a structural engineer and business development professional. Also joining the firm is Richard Koenig, PE as a plumbing project engineer.

Clark Dietz – welcomes Joseph Calliari to its Kenosha office as a transportation engineer.

Vierbicher Associates - announces the addition of Sarah Church, PE to the Madison office as a stormwater engineer. Tom Veith, project engineer has received his professional engineer license and Neil Pfaff recently became a certified engineer in training.

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Committee News & Updates
Business Practices – The committee has focused on educational programs and revisions to the content for this year’s Future Leaders program. The MMSD subcommittee will be preparing for a meeting with the district later in the month and the QBS subcommittee is focusing on educational programs on the value of QBS.

DNR – The committee's September 24 will include a presentation by DNR Executive Assistant Mary Ellen Vollbrecht.

DOT – WisDOT’s request to amend state transportation contracts continues to be a key focus of the committee and transportation task force. The contracts and negotiations task force continues its work, with the next meeting scheduled for September 9.

DSF – Final arrangements have been completed for the October 29 DSF Consultant Conference. The committee is currently reviewing the alternative delivery recommendations presented by the State Building Commission Secretary in August. The fee guidelines task force is scheduled to meet on September 1.

Human Resources – The September committee meeting will be held at MSA Professional Services, Madison.

Government Affairs – The committee has planned its grass roots effort for co-sponsorship of a QBS bill once it is introduced, hopefully this month.

Membership – The committee’s subcommittees are meeting monthly via conference call. A key focus is retention of the membership in this current economic climate.

Public Relations – The committee met in August to set goals for the year. At the October 8 meeting, the committee will identify action steps and champions to reach each goal. Watch for news on the committee goals and a call for additional committee members.

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State Agency News & Updates

Department of Natural Resources
The August editions of the RR Report from DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment Program are available at the following links:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/news/09/08-04-09.pdf
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/news/09/08-25-09.pdf

The Floodplain and Shoreland Management Notes will now be distributed by email. Click here to view the summer edition. If you’d like to be added to the email distribution list, contact Gary Heinrichs. 

The Wisconsin Association of Floodplain, Stormwater, and Coastal Management Association’s August newsletter is available here. The association is holding a seminar titled, Latest Developments in Stormwater Treatment. The seminar will be held 12:00 – 4:30 pm at RA Smith National’s Brookfield office. Space is limited, please register by September 4. Click here for program agenda and registration information.

Department of Transportation
WisDOT's research efforts continue to produce valuable results for transportation practitioners. The projects below were recently completed through the WisDOT Policy Research Program.

92-00-03 - Effectiveness of a Hydrodynamic Settling Device and a Stormwater Filtration Device in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

92-04-04 - Pollutant Loading to Storm Water Run-Off from Highways: Impact of a Highway Sweeping Program - Phase II

92-05-17 - Use of a Stormwater Filtration Device for Reducing Contaminants in Runoff from a Parking Lot

92-08-23 - Wisconsin Department of Transportation Communication with Local Government: Focus Group Report

To access the full reports of these and other WisDOT research projects, visit the completed research projects page. If you have questions or suggestions for future research, please contact us at research@dot.wi.gov.

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ACEC National News & Updates

2009 Fall Conference
October 7-10, Palm Springs, California
Don’t miss ACEC’s fall conference, Engineering America’s Recovery, featuring keynote speaker Vicente Fox, former President of Mexico. The conference will address the critical role of engineering firms in transitioning our nation's economic recovery. Faced with a changed social and economic landscape, conference attendees will gain invaluable information and resources on opportunities for infrastructure spending and ideas for new projects and markets to stimulate growth. The conference features world class educational sessions, a trade show, networking, and local color/entertainment events.

Information is available at http://www.acec.org/conferences/fall-09/index.cfm. The early bird registration deadline, Sept 4, is being extended for an additional 2 weeks, to September 18. Don’t miss this outstanding conference, register early for the additional savings!

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ACEC WI Conduit Fund & WisPAC
The ACEC WI Conduit Fund and WisPAC advance and protect interests of the consulting engineering industry and enhance your firm's bottom line. It is important that the industry's voice be heard. Members are encouraged to participate the ACEC WI Conduit Fund, WisPAC, and ACEC PAC to develop relationships and increase the likelihood our industry’s interests are considered. Join the growing list of members who support these important initiatives.
 

Conduit & WisPAC Contributors (as of Aug 26)

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City of Madison Lobbyist Training Session
In accordance with City of Madison Ordinance 2.40: Lobbying Regulated, a lobbyist training session will be available on September 9. Training will be held in Room 260 of the City County Building (210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Madison) from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm and is open to all who may be affected by the ordinance.

This training is not required, but is recommended. If this time is not available for attendance, a previously recorded video of the training can be viewed on www.cityofmadison.com/mcc12/archive/mayor/lobbyord.ram.

Questions should be directed to Adam Gallagher in the Madison City Clerk's Office by phone at 266-4601 or by email at tgallagher@cityofmadison.com.

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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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TDA Annual Meeting – Building Wisconsin’s New Economy
October 1, Madison
It has been hard to escape the deluge of news over the last year about the tremendous challenges that Wisconsin and the country face. During these unsettling times, it can be easy to dwell on the negative. Despite all of the challenges, however, Wisconsin has significant opportunities to expand and grow in the emerging new economy. The decisions we make in the immediate future will determine whether Wisconsin seizes these opportunities for growth. The 2009 TDA Annual Meeting will provide a forum for participants to hear from state and national experts regarding the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Wisconsin and the important role transportation plays.

Click here for an agenda/registration form for this year’s event. 

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© American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin 2009