ACEC OKLAHOMA members, we are entering an exciting time of year-the legislature is rapidly moving toward the end of their session, we have changes to the board, a contentious election cycle and of course it is tornado season so never a dull moment.

Legislative update: Our request bill, HB3484 by Representative Martinez and Senator Coleman has passed and was signed into law by Governor Stitt. This legislation was the compromise reached by our members and it provides transparency in the contracting space. We are closely monitoring and lobbying in opposition to SB1610 which would trigger unnecessary bureaucracy to OTA and stop some projects of the ACCESS OKLAHOMA Plan. If you would like to reach out to your legislator(s) and let them know SB 1610 should not advance, please click here. ALWAYS REMEMBER to be polite and respectful. Simply calling or emailing and letting them know the OTA has a rigorous decision-making process and the projects are best for safety, time travel reliability, economic development, and vision for our state. For more talking points click here.

The June Primary Election is fast approaching and everything from Governor to County Commissioner will be on the ballot. At the state level, there are 31 Republican incumbents receiving a primary challenge and two Democrats. Fifty-four state legislators are running unopposed. You can learn more about the candidates here.

ACEC OKLAHOMA is happy to report that our Nominating Committee has produced our slate of candidates for ACEC OKLAHOMA's board of directors. The nominated slate includes:

  • Chairman-Elect: Adam West, Benham Design, LLC, Tulsa
  • Vice Chair Membership: David Neuhauser, CP&Y, Inc., Oklahoma City
  • Treasurer: Doug Glenn, CEC Corporation, Tulsa
  • Vice Chair Business Practice: David Streb, Poe & Associates, Inc., Oklahoma City
  • Vice Chair Education/P.R.: Jenny Sallee, Garver LLC, Tulsa

By virtue of election as Chairman-Elect last year Mike Vahabzadegan, EST, Inc., Oklahoma City will automatically become Chairman of the Board. Current Chairman Hollis Allen, Cornerstone Civil Engineering PLLC, Norman, will remain on the Board as Immediate Past Chairman. Keith Angier, MacArthur Associated Consultants LLC, Oklahoma City, will remain as National Director, serving the second year of a three-year term. We will vote at our annual meeting on the incoming officers.

Additionally, appointments were made to the ACEC/ODOT Partnering Committee Working Groups. The administration working group will consist of Kathy Hurst, Amber Steele and Brian Schmidt. The training working group will consist of Scott Barrett, Don Steele and Marcus Geist. Congratulations to our nominees and newly appointed working group members!

SAVE THE DATE: ACEC OKLAHOMA/ODOT Partnering Conference will be September 8-9 in Oklahoma City. Location: TBD.

-Mike Thompson- President & CEO