Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 ACEC/Michigan Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)! We have a great group of speakers lined up again this year.

ELP is for individuals committed to developing their leadership abilities. This program imparts specific skills and competencies identified by top ACEC of Michigan principals as critical for leadership success. These highly interactive sessions are taught by experts in the field of business administration and people management in professional services firms.

This program is designed for and will be most beneficial to those participants with approximately 8-15 years of industry experience. The ELP is open to ACEC member firms only. 

Complete details are available in the 2021 Schedule & Application. The deadline to apply is June 25. Don't delay - there will only be 20 spaces available and we anticipate the class will fill quickly.

The 10th Annual Construction Science Expo was held on May 18. Detroit middle and high school students experienced one of the best school field trips of the year - even though it was virtual. Working alongside skilled labor apprentices and trainers and using their problem-solving strategies in construction design, they could visually and physically see why these types of occupations in this industry are growing faster than all others at a rate that is expected to continue through 2026.

For a link to the professional video created for the 2021 CSE, Click Here.

MSPE held its virtual conference on May 5-7, 2021. We were able to provide 9 PDHs live and will offer all but 2 of the sessions on demand soon. Attendees will be able to earn up to 14 total PDHs by watching recorded concurrent sessions. Anyone who missed the event will also be able to purchase access to the 12 of the 14 sessions at an affordable rate here.

MSPE recently recognized our Engineer of the Year, Thomas Wheat, PE. Tom has demonstrated an extraordinary level of integrity, dedication, and commitment to not only MSPE, but the engineering field.

As an active member of MSPE for 25 years, he has consistently been involved and served at the Chapter, Regional, and State level. He has been instrumental in ensuring MSPE remains a solid institution for our members and future engineers.

Graduating from University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1988, Tom took his degree and headed back to California, where he grew up. He began his career working for the City of Los Angeles in the engineering department. By 1992, he found himself back in Michigan and accepted a position as a project engineer for Wilkins & Wheaton Engineering Company of Kalamazoo.

In 1997, Prein&Newhof purchased Wilkins & Wheaton. Tom and the other staff members of Wilkins & Wheaton stayed on and became Prein&Newhof’s new Kalamazoo office. In the transition from one firm to another, Tom was given the opportunity to grow into the role of managing the new Prein&Newhof office and also that of team leader.

For the past 25 years, Tom has continued to be a main stay and stablizing force for Prein&Newhof. In his role as team leader and office manager for the Kalamazoo team, Tom has been faced with and was directly involved in managing some of the painful downfalls we have all experienced in our industry. The message was to stay the course, stay focused, be kind and patient, and to continue to provide excellent client service. While there are new faces on his team, they are young Tom Wheat’s in the making.

As a Senior Project Engineer, Tom has been involved in many aspects of municipal engineering, including water and wastewater systems, roadways, stormwater systems, and construction management. His duties include acting as township or village engineer for several Kalamazoo area municipalities.

Quality of Life Award:

Quality of Life Certificate of Merit:

Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award:

Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Certificate of Merit:

Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Certificate of Merit:

For additional information, visit the ASCE Michigan Section website.

On April 7, 2021, the ASCE Southeastern Michigan Branch virtually presented our second edition of the Industry Veterans Storytellers Series featuring Roy Rose, former Chairman of the Board and President/CEO of Anderson, Eckstein, and Westrick, Inc. 

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.

Young Civil Engineer of the Year Award: Bryce Burkett, PE

The Franklin D. Meyers, P.E. Outstanding Civil Engineer of the Year Award: Zachary Carr, PE

Click here to access more detailed information and the application. Applications are due by Memorial Day (May 31, 2021). 

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.

To learn more, you can access the details and read testimonials from PCIA’s insureds at https://pciaonline.com/acec/.

ACEC/M is excited to welcome the following new member firm:

June 17: ACEC National Virtual EEA Awards Gala

September 9-10: ACEC/M Emerging Leaders Program

October 27 - 30: ACEC National Fall Conference