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What a year 2020 has been! COVID19 certainly changed the course of our work, but as an industry we persevered and overcame one uncertainty after another. Through it all ACECL has been here as a source of up-to-date information and business-related resources to help our member firms successfully navigate the HR, client and financial challenges created during these unprecedented times. We will continue to advocate, engage and serve our firms throughout this pandemic and whatever 2021 has in store for us, just as we’ve done for over 60 years. Thank you for your membership and for staying engaged. |
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In this edition:
- Amicus Brief update
- Transportation News
- Critical Issues Save the Date
- Meeting and Webinar Recordings
- ACECL Affiliate Spotlights
- Fall Conference Registration
- LCFOR Annual Meeting
- Virtual Business Forum
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ACECL BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING |
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The next ACEC of Louisiana Board meeting will be held on November 6, 2020. |
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NEW ACECL RISK MANAGMENT COMMITTEE |
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Join the new Risk Management Committee. The purpose of the Risk Management Committee will be to assist member companies and others in understanding and managing risk and, on their behalf, to advocate changes in legislation and regulation to properly control or allocate risk. The financial and business development aspects are the main things that are commonly left out of the risk management discussion. Do we expand our territory or stay put? Venture into new areas of expertise or stick to what we know? Do we need a full-time marketing director? If so, why? Pay big bonuses and higher salaries or reinvest in the company and spread ownership around? Effect of tax loopholes and liabilities. These and other issues will be explored. Tripp McCormick of Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith will serve as inaugural chair.
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FIRST CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF UPDATE |
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Unfortunately, the First Circuit denied the Writs in the City of Walker vs. DOTD, etal. This was a request for the Appellate court to review the lower court’s denial of summary judgement in which ACECL filed an Amicus Brief. The result is that a trial on the merits at the district level will proceed. However, upon the lower court's decision, one can expect there to be an appeal.
Not the outcome we wanted but it doesn’t mean the Court's refusal to hear the matter at this point suggests they are siding with the plaintiff's on the merits of the case or that our Amicus did not have compelling arguments for the limits of engineering liability, only that the appellate court is not reviewing the defendant's request that the lower court's summary judgment decision be overturned.
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UPCOMING VIRTUAL BUSINESS FORUM |
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December 3
11:00 – 12:00 CST
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The Contrarian’s Guide to Writing Standout Proposals
Presenter: Mel Lester, BizEdge
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December 10
11:00 – 12:00 CST
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The Emerging Business Development Model for 2021 and Beyond
Presenter: Mel Lester, BizEdge
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December 7
11:00 – 12:00 CST
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Balancing Financial Risk
Presenters: Tripp McCormick, Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith Wyatt S. Sanders, Alexander & Sanders Insurance, a BXSI Company Michael Plaisance, Ampirical
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December 9
12:00 – 1:00 CST
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Recruiting and Onboarding in Today’s Environment
Presenters: Katy Young & David Schmidt, Matteson Partner
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COST: $69 per session or a discounted rate of $225 for the Four-Series Package
This is a great opportunity to include not only your principals but your professional support staff in ACEC programming. A firm may register different individuals if buying the package.
Registration to open on November 12, 2020!
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITES
$500 Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Your Firm will be highlighted in registration material & during the webinars!
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WHEN
November 11, 2020
1:00 to 3:00 PM
WHERE
LABI Center for Free Enterprise
Baton Rouge
The Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads Board of Directors is excited to call its annual membership meeting for 2020! We have been working diligently to develop a strategy for success in 2021 that we are eager to unveil on November 11, 2020. Please join us to meet our legislative champion, get engaged in the plan, and to help us tell our story.
LCFOR formed a few years ago with the simple goal of FINALLY fixing Louisiana roads and bridges. We developed guiding principles for solutions, and together grew to over 100-member businesses and organizations across Louisiana. This is something to be proud of and it is also the reason we will be successful in 2021.
Our membership meeting will begin at 1pm at LABI's new office in downtown Baton Rouge.
Please click here to RSVP and sign up.
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DOTD has issued revisions to the 24-102 form in response to questions and comments from both consultants and PET members. Through the DOTD Consultant Outreach Group, ACECL continues monthly dialogue with DOTD on issues such as contracts, selection, policies, etc. We continue to solicit from membership, particularly through the Transportation Committee, feedback on the 24-102 form as firms begin to respond to advertisements as well as compensation methodologies and traffic policies. Please feel free to contact myself or John Basilica, Transportation Committee.
Click here to access new form
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O. R. Colan Associates, LLC (ORC) was founded on vision and innovation in 1969 by Owen Richard Colan to serve the emerging real estate needs of public agencies. Our group of companies today continues with this strong culture of innovation, as we continually expand our reach to meet the national needs of increasingly specialized and diverse real estate markets and services.
ORC maintains a large full-time staff of qualified professionals with diverse experience in appraisal, land acquisition, and relocation assistance, ensuring the quality and cost-effective implementation of each project. Our staff are experts in the Uniform Relocation Act and deliver these services with empathy and professionalism to each affected property owner we encounter.
O.R. Colan Associates, LLC
Donna Roche, Sr. Project Manager
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Josh Loeske
Quality Sitework Materials, Inc.
855-469-2015
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Quality Sitework Materials (QSM) is a supplier of cost effective and innovative solutions for all your drainage, geosynthetic, storm water management, and process equipment needs.
QSM serves Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle with a comprehensive range of products; we have strategic relationships with national, regional, and local manufacturers to ensure you get high-quality solutions at cost-effective prices.
QSM offers a complete line of water, sewer, and storm drain products, which includes RCP(A), PVC pipe and fittings, HDPE pipe, HP pipe, erosion control materials, storm water detention systems, permeable paving, manhole covers, frames and grates, valves, and gates. And do not forget our complete line of water and wastewater process and treatment equipment.
Take advantage of our complete estimating and take-off services, and place trust in our project coordination. The QSM team is made up of professionals with years of industry and local field experience, and we are ready to put that to work for you. Whether during the design phase or at the point of construction, QSM has the solution.
The companies and products we represent are integral to building, repairing, and maintaining drain, water, wastewater, paving, and soil stabilization systems, and are used widely in commercial and residential construction. For innovative and cost-effective solutions …
Call QSM - 855-469-2015
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The tax code can be complicated and minimizing your tax payments is a need for every business, especially in times like these. As an affiliated partner with ACEC Louisiana chapter, BRAYN Consulting works directly with your CPA to assist in claiming tax incentives specifically geared towards engineering companies.
BRAYN service offering for engineering companies includes the R&D tax credit, the 179D energy efficiency deduction and cost segregation studies.
BRAYN offers a FREE Phase 1 to assess and estimate the potential of these specific tax programs. If you want to maximize your firm value by creating significant cash flow through claiming tax incentives for engineers, reach out to Jason Villere , jason@brayn.com (225) 337-0053, at BRAYN Consulting (www.brayn.com) for a FREE Phase 1 Consultation.
Jason Villere
Director, BRAYN Consulting LLC
Mobile: 225.337.0053
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SAVE THE DATE
February 4 and 5, 2020
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
Cosponsored by ACEC of Louisiana
Contact Janet Tomeny for Sponsorship Opportunities!
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NEW APPOINTEES TO LAPELS BOARD |
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Byron Racca and Linda Bergeron are the latest appointees to the LaPELS Board. Click here to see the full board.
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VIRTUAL MEETING AND WEBINAR ARCHIVES |
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Tax credits and business incentives available to engineering companies
Presented by Brayn Consulting on October 15, 2020.
Click here to view webinar
Click here for ppt presentation
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The Baton Rouge chapter hosted Dan Layzell and Tony Lombardo with LSU who discussed upcoming projects.
Click here to view virtual meeting.
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- November 5 ACECL Fall Conference, Baton Rouge Marriott
- November 6 Board of Governors Meeting
- November 12 New Orleans Chapter Meeting, Metairie Country Club
- November 12 Transportation Committee Meeting
- November 13 & 27 HR Council Meeting
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Thank You to our 2020 Sponsors! |
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Doreen Brasseaux
President & CEO
ACEC of Louisiana
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