The Architects-Engineers-Surveyors Legislative Committee (AESLC) held their annual "Lobby Day" on March 19, 2021. Design professionals from across the state met virtually with their respective Legislators and discussed important issues to the professions including infrastructure funding, QBS, and improvements to PA 132. Lobbying firm Kelley Cawthorne assisted with efforts to make appointments with 99 different members of the House and Senate.
This event included the participation of Architects (AIA), Engineers (ACEC & MSPE) and Surveyors (MSPS). Together, these organizations work to promote and protect design professionals across the state which protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.
|
Michigan Infrastructure Conference |
The Michigan Infrastructure Conference will be held virtually on Wednesday, May 12 and Thursday, May 13 (half day each). This growing event is hosted by ACEC/Michigan and the ASCE Michigan Section.
The Conference will have 12 unique breakout sessions, presentations from ACEC National President & CEO Linda Darr and ASCE National Executive Director Thomas Smith, a panel with representatives from EGLE, GLWA , MDOT and DTMB, along with a general session on Tactics for Building a Dynamic, Cohesive Team by Doug Cartland (CEU's available for all).
ASCE Michigan Section will also present their annual awards during the event. The ACEC/Michigan Annual Meeting will conclude the event on May 13.
Registration to open soon!
|
|
|
Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Virtual Gala |
|
The 56th Annual Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards Gala, an ACEC/Michigan hallmark, was broadcast on Friday, February 26. ACEC member firms were recognized for design achievements of superior skill and ingenuity. Industry leaders received awards a ACEC presented $20,000 in scholarships to the next generation of engineering talent. During this special event, ACEC/Michigan members and their guests saw firsthand the impact engineering and surveying has on our everyday lives. |
|
This year’s most prestigious award – the Engineering Eminent Conceptor Award – went to Quandel Consultants, Inc. for the Michigan Accelerated Rail Project, which enhances mobility in Michigan through rail infrastructure improvements between Dearborn and Kalamazoo. Quandel Consultants served as a program management consultant for MDOT’s Office of Rail. The project team successfully managed a $400 million budget over eight years to enhance state-supported Amtrak by increasing train speeds up to 110mph.
The Surveying Eminent Conceptor Award went to Fishbeck (Grand Rapids) and Tetra Tech (Ann Arbor) for their 8-1/2 Mile Relief Drain In-System Storage Scan project, which included scan and survey of a 4.5-mile municipal pipe to identify its location and elevation, determine invert elevation, and establish the size of taps and leads entering the pipe. The gathered data will be used to place in-system storage devices to store flow in the pipe during large rain events.
ACEC/Michigan awarded the Vernon B. Spalding Leadership Award was presented to Keith M. Swaffar, PE, of NTH Consultants, Ltd. to honor his outstanding leadership roles in ACEC and several community organizations. The ACEC/Michigan Felix A. Anderson Image Award was presented to Kimberly K. Nowack, PE, of the Mackinac Bridge Authority for her actions and contributions to enhance the image of the profession.
The brochure containing all of the award recipients can be viewed on the ACEC/Michigan website. For more information on this event, including a link to the recording, visit the ACEC/M website. |
|
ACEC/M Names 2021 Firm of the Year |
|
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M) recently presented the 2021 member “FIRM OF THE YEAR” award to Abonmarche Consultants, Inc. at the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala held virtually on February 26, 2021.
This is the highest ACEC/M honor bestowed and the only award program instituted to recognize ACEC/M member firms for their leadership in professional practice and community service. Recognition is based on actions taken by a member firm to progressively develop its management practices and for assuming leadership roles in community outreach activities and ACEC/M programs that strengthen the profession for all members.
|
|
MSPE 2021 Annual Conference Goes Virtual |
|
Join us virtually for an educational experience as we present various speakers from the engineer world. We kick off the conference with Keynote Speaker Alan Mallory from New Height Consulting, who will discuss an innovative approach to aspects like risk management and strategic planning. The rest of the three-day conference consists of a presentation on autonomous vehicles, a professional engineer's perspective on the energy industry, diversity in the workplace, various project updates, and much more. Earn up to 9 PDHs live and up to 5 additional hours by watching recorded sessions. Register to join us.
Order of the Engineer
We will also be holding a virtual Order of the Engineer Ceremony at our conference. The Order of the Engineer was initiated in the United States to foster a spirit of pride and responsibility in the engineering profession, to bridge the gap between training and experience, and to present to the public a visible symbol identifying the engineer. The first ceremony was held in 1970. Since then, ceremonies have been held across the United States at which graduate and registered engineers are invited to accept the Obligation of the Engineer and a stainless-steel ring. The Order is not a membership organization; there are never any meetings to attend or dues to pay. Instead, the Order fosters a unity of purpose and the honoring of one’s pledge lifelong. Email mspe@michiganspe.org for details.
Now Accepting Award Submissions
Every year MSPE honors its most esteemed members at the Annual Conference (virtually this year). Nominate a peer or colleague for the Engineer of the Year Award or the Young Engineer of the Year Award. Completed forms must be submitted by April 1, 2021. Learn more and nominate a peer here.
|
|
|
|
The American Society of Civil Engineers unveiled their 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure on Wednesday, March 3. The nation earned a ‘C-’, up from 2017’s cumulative GPA of ‘D+’. This is the first time since ASCE began issuing the report card that the nation’s infrastructure has received a GPA outside of the D range.
Executive Director Ron Brenke provided a presentation to the Michigan Infrastructure Council at their March 11, 2021 meeting.
|
|
MSPE Celebrates 75th Anniversary |
|
|
|
2021 brings a year of celebration for MSPE members. Seventy-five years is a major accomplishment!
|
|
ASCE New Faces of Engineering Award |
|
ASCE National has honored Jayvon Garth, PE, M.ASCE, a structural engineer at Progressive AE in Grand Rapids, as a New Faces of Civil Engineering Professional. This award recognizes young professionals who are admirably ambitious, remarkably accomplished and supremely impressive.
Garth grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, in a single-parent household with low income. A love for rollercoasters put him on the ride toward a career in civil engineering and architecture. Read the rest of Jayvon Garth's impressive story and watch his interview.
|
|
MDOT-ACEC Partnering Award |
|
On February 3, 2021, the 8th Annual MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Award was presented for the partnering efforts on the I-196 and I-96 interchange project. The award was presented by MDOT's Chief Operations Officer Tony Kratofil, PE, to ACEC member firm AECOM and to the MDOT Grand Region. Sean Kelsch (AECOM) and David Kent (MDOT Grand Region) accepted the award during the MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop.
|
|
ASCE Southeastern Michigan Branch News |
|
On January 20, 2021, the ASCE Southeastern Michigan Branch virtually hosted our inaugural Industry Veterans Storytellers Series featuring Kirk Steudle: Senior Vice President of Econolite Systems and, as many of us know him, former MDOT Director.
Kirk discussed encounters and memories of his past which developed his career. Kirk explained his roles of leadership through adversity, technology, the power of partnerships and trust, and understanding how engineers are required to think about larger society issues.
The virtual presentation gathered over 30 ASCE members from the area to engage with Kirk. The rave reviews received from the attendees of Kirk’s presentation will surely help expand the audience for the future keynote speakers of the Industry Veterans Storytellers Series.
Our next presenter in this series will be Mr. Roy Rose, former Chairman of the Board and President/CEO of Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick, Inc. This presentation is scheduled for April 7, 2021.
ASCE Southeastern Michigan Branch looks forward to adding additional presenters to this series. If you are anyone you know may be interested, please reach out to current president, Crystal Kozak at kozakc@macomb-mi.gov for more information.
|
|
ASCE Michigan Section Scholarships |
|
The Michigan Section of the ASCE encourages the advancement of the Civil Engineering profession by qualified and interested students. To that end, the ASCE Michigan Section offers financial support through two scholarships. These scholarships have been endowed through the efforts and generosity of individual Civil Engineers and leading Civil Engineering companies throughout Michigan.
Click here to access more detailed information and the application. Applications are due by Memorial Day (May 31, 2021).
|
|
ACEC National Awards Nominations |
|
Young Professional of the Year Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 ACEC Young Professional of the Year Program. The Young Professional of the Year Award strives to promote the accomplishments of young engineers by highlighting their engineering contributions and the resulting impact on society. The campaign is designed to enhance and improve the image of engineering by recognizing young, diverse and talented engineers, thereby portraying engineering as an exciting profession open to everyone. Each state organization is allowed to submit a maximum of two (2) nominees to ACEC National for award consideration. Guidelines and the nomination form are available on the ACEC National website. Nominations are due to ACEC/Michigan by April 30.
Community Service Award
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. The criteria and application are available on the ACEC National website. Each state organization is allowed to submit a maximum of one (1) nominee to ACEC National for award consideration. Nominations for the Community Service Award are due to ACEC/Michigan by June 4.
|
|
ACEC/M Past President Reappointed to Michigan Infrastructure Council |
|
ACEC/Michigan Past President Dan Fredendall, PE, OHM Advisors, has been reappointed to the Michigan Infrastructure Council by House Speaker Jason Wentworth. The appointment is for a three year term ending December 31, 2023.
Dan will be 1 of 9 voting members of the Council, the mission of which is to define a vision for Michigan's infrastructure that provides the foundation for public and environmental health, economic prosperity, and quality of life.
|
|
|
|
|
ACEC/Michigan Member Firm News |
|
Is your ACEC/M member firm celebrating a significant anniversary this year? Let us know and we will share your good news here. |
|
May 18: Construction Science Expo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
