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2020-2021 ACEC/Michigan President and Board of Directors
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The American Council of Engineering Companies/Michigan (ACEC/M) has announced Jack Wheatley, PE, from ROWE Professional Services Company as its 2020-2021 President.
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| Jack Wheatley, PE |
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Jack is Vice President and Director of Corporate Marketing at ROWE Professional Services Company, a firm specializing in professional engineering, surveying, planning, landscape architecture and aerial photogrammetry from offices in Michigan and South Carolina. Jack has two B.S. Degrees from Michigan State University (Horticulture and Civil Engineering). Jack joined ROWE in 1989 and has served as project manager on many public infrastructure projects. He became a licensed professional engineer in Michigan in 1994 and is also a licensed residential builder. Jack was named Vice President and Principal in 2010.
Jack was born in Michigan and although he's lived most of his life in the Lower Peninsula has always been a UP wanna-be. He grew up around construction, has worked outdoors his entire life and loves working in the civil engineering industry. Jack resides in Flushing with his wonderful wife Mindy and has four children (three Spartans and one black sheep Wolverine according to Jack).
Jack and the Board of Directors will set the direction for the association.
2020-2021 ACEC/Michigan Officers:
President:
Jack Wheatley, PE, ROWE PSC, Flint
President-Elect:
Christopher Cook, PE, Abonmarche, Benton Harbor
Treasurer:
Jon Kramer, PE, OHM Advisors, Livonia
National Director:
Amy Trahey, PE, Great Lakes Engineering Group, Lansing
Past-President:
Steve Gravlin, PE, PS, Michael Baker International, Detroit
2020-2021 ACEC/Michigan Directors:
Barb Arens, PE, WSP Michigan, Detroit
Rick Chelotti, PE, Bergmann Associates, Inc., Lansing
Chuck Gemayel, PE, SME, Plymouth
Connie Houk, PE, Prein&Newhof, Cadillac
Eric Morris, PE, HNTB Michigan, Inc., East Lansing
Jayson Nault, PE, Tetra Tech, Brighton
G. Ramanujam (Ram), PE, Somat Engineering, Inc., Detroit
Jeffrey Schumaker, PE, Fishbeck, Grand Rapids
Oge Udegbunam, Tyme Consulting Engineers, Inc., Livonia
Michael Weingartz, PE, SmithGroup, Detroit
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ASCE Michigan Section Awards Scholarships
Mackinac and Zuidema scholarship winners announced
The ASCE Michigan Section has awarded two scholarships to deserving engineering students. Rachel May of Marine City attends Michigan Technological University and is the recipient of the Mackinac Scholarship. Dirk Smith of Kalamazoo received the Zuidema Scholarship Award. He attends Western Michigan University.
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| Rachel May |
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The
Mackinac Scholarship,
named in honor of Michigan's #1 Civil Engineering Project of the 20th Century by the ASCE Michigan Section, is intended to recognize a premier civil engineering student from Michigan. The award consists of a two-year grant of $5,000 each year to a student entering his or her junior year at an ABET-accredited civil engineering program. The award considers merit, personal initiative, and financial need and rewards students for participation in a student chapter of ASCE and contributions to the advancement of student engineering.
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Dirk Smith |
The Zuidema Scholarship, named in honor of Marvin L. Zuidema, an outstanding Past-President of the Michigan Section and Western Michigan Branch of ASCE is presented annually to a student member of ASCE who has made a contribution to the advancement of student engineering activities. This award is a one-time grant of $1,500 and considers academic performance as an indication of preparation for a future career in civil engineering. The Zuidema Scholarship is available to either a junior or senior in an ABET-accredited civil engineering program.
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Legislative Update
Transportation bills on the move
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SB 517 Tolling Study
Senate Bill 517 would amend 1951 PA 51 ("Act 51") to require the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to engage an outside consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study and strategic implementation plan on tolling highways of this state. SB 517 moved through the House Committees and is awaiting the Governor's Signature. ACEC/Michigan testified in support of this bill.
SB 520 Warranties
SB 520 would increase the threshold for pavement warranties from $2 million to $5 million for MDOT projects. The bill also allows the contractor to warranty the construction work by voluntarily placing its prequalification status as security for replacement or repairs (in lieu of providing a surety bond). The bill has passed the full Senate and was before the House Transportation Committee on June 16. ACEC/Michigan is neutral on the bill.
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ACEC/M Recognizes Individuals for Leadership
Outgoing Board Members
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Thank you to the following individuals for their leadership and commitment to ACEC/Michigan:
Sean Kelley, PE, Mannik & Smith Group: 2019-2020 Board President
Paul Galdes, PE, Fleis & VandenBrink: 2017-2020 Board Director
Jeffrey Bagdade, PE, Atkins: Chair - Transportation Committee
Larry Fleis, PE, Fleis & Vandenbrink: Chair - QBS Coalition
Matt Wendling, PE, WSP Michigan: Chair - Contracts Subteam
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MiPlus System to be in Place July 2020 for Licensed Engineers & Surveyors
LARA's New Online Licensing Platform
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The Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS) is the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing's new online licensing and regulatory database application for health and occupational professionals in Michigan.
After July 28, 2020, engineers and surveyors will be able to apply for, renew, and edit licensing data through LARA's new website MiPlus. The website will provide all the information a licensed professional should need to maintain license status.
Also included on the website are instructional videos as to how to use the system along with FAQs. LARA urges users to register their information (after the July 28 date) prior to actually having to use the site.
Call: 517.241.0199
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Jacob Rushlow, P.E.
President - ASCE MI Section
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ASCE Michigan Weighs in on Dam Failures
ASCE Michigan Section President Jacob Rushlow, PE, was interviewed on WXYZ and WDIV television stations regarding Michigan's failing dams and infrastructure as a whole. James Hegarty, another ASCE member, was also interviewed by the Detroit Free Press and NPR. Congratulations to the ASCE Michigan Section for being the go-to source in the w
ake
of the mid-Michigan dam failures.
For Jacob's interview, click
here.
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Michigan Student Awarded ACEC National Kleinfelder Scholarship
To be presented at ACEC Fall Conference in October
The Fellows Committee of the American Council of Engineering Companies selected Alisha Stidam as the recipient of the 2020
Jim Kleinfelder Scholarship. The scholarship award of $10,000 will be presented at the ACEC National Fall Conference in San Diego, California.
Alisha is pursuing a Master of Science degree in civil engineering at Lawrence Technological University. She has worked as an intern at OHM Advisors since May of 2018 and recently won the ACEC Michigan top scholarship for her academic achievements, community service and internships.
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ASCE Awards Wellington Prize
Recipient Wins Prestigious Award for Second Time
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| Professor Sherif El-Tawil, Ph.D. |
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The paper entitled "Heavy Truck Collision with Bridge Piers: Computational Simulation Study," Journal of Bridge Engineering, June 2019 has been awarded the Arthur M. Wellington Prize from ASCE National. Professor Sherif El-Tawil, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE, (and the writing team of Ran Cao, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE; Anil K. Agrawal, P.E., F.SEI, M.ASCE; Xiaochen Xu; and Waider Wong) accepted the award. Dr. El-Tawil is a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan. He previously won the award in 2006.
This prize was instituted in 1921 by the Board of Direction in response to a proposal by the Engineering News-Record, which endowed the award in honor of Arthur M. Wellington, former editor of Engineering News and author of a well-known and widely respected treatise on railway location, "The Economic Theory of Railway Location."
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ACEC/Michigan Past President Michael Cooper Elected to ACEC National Position
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The American Council of Engineering Companies has announced Michael Cooper, PE,
from Harley Ellis Devereaux, as its 2020-2022 Executive Committee Vice Chair.
Mike is President and Managing Principal of Harley Ellis Devereaux, a national architecture, engineering, and planning firm. He has been involved in complex building projects for more than 30 years in both a design and management capacity. Mike is responsible for all aspects of business operations for the firm's Detroit office, in addition to his leadership role on the national level. He is a licensed professional engineer in nineteen states, has authored numerous articles and frequently speaks on both management and design issues. Mike is a member of several business and technical organizations, helping to set guidelines for improved business practices and high performance building design. He is deeply committed to southeast Michigan and the revitalization of the metropolitan Detroit area, and supports several community organizations that share this mission.
Mike is active on ACEC's Planning Cabinet, ENR 500 Executive Steering Committee and the ACEC Life Health Trust, in addition to serving as a National Vice Chair. Mike was the 2016-2017 President of ACEC/Michigan.
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2021 Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards
Entry Information Available Now
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ACEC/Michigan celebrates and promotes achievements by engineering companies through its annual Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards. This statewide competition recognizes engineering achievements that demonstrate a high degree of client satisfaction through quality, innovation, cost-effective solutions.
Entering the competition assists your firm's marketing efforts and augments your firm's business development program in many ways, including increasing the public's knowledge and enhancing the image of consulting engineers, offering invaluable public relations and marketing opportunities, and recognizing employees for their achievements.
"Intents to Enter" are now being accepted for the 2021 ACEC/Michigan Engineering and Surveying Excellence competition. Intents are due to the ACEC/M office by Friday, August 21, 2020. Completed project submittals are due by 12:00 noon on Friday, September 25, 2020.
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ACEC Community Service Award
Nominations due August 3, 2020
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This prestigious award recognizes Council members throughout the nation for their community service accomplishments. The award honors those who effectively impact the quality of life in their communities, and who are perceived in their communities as true leaders.
ACEC/Michigan nominations must be sent electronically to the ACEC/Michigan office by August 3, 2020. The National winners will be recognized during the Fall Conference in San Diego.
You can review the criteria and application by using the link below.
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ACEC Welcomes New Member Firm
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ACEC is excited to welcome the following new member firm:
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ACEC/Michigan Member Firm News
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Congratulations to the following firms who are celebrating significant anniversaries this year!
- Michael Baker Associates - 80 years
- Beam, Longest & Neff - 50 years
Do you have news you would like to share? Email kvanzee@acecmi.org.
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ACEC/Michigan Member Benefit
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Did you know the ACEC/M website has a job board? 
JOB SEEKERS: Looking for a new job? A better job? Join the workforce in the area!
The
ACEC/M Job Board is the right place for what you need to know about available jobs, our fantastic local employers, and our great community!
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Michigan
Engineering Center |
Questions about engineering?
Please contact: Ron Brenke, PE Executive Director ACEC & ASCE
517-332-2066
Katy Winnett
Executive Director
MSPE
517-487-9388
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