May/June 2023
ASCE Michigan Section Releases
2023 Infrastructure Report Card
The Michigan section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) held a press conference on May 8 to announce the release of the 2023 Report Card for Michigan's Infrastructure. Fourteen categories of infrastructure were graded and Michigan received an overall average grade of ‘C-’. This is an improvement over the ‘D+’ grade issued in the state’s 2018 report card. These results indicate Michigan’s infrastructure systems are improving but are still in average condition and require attention.

Michigan’s grade is on par with the national average of ‘C-’ given in the 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. Four of the 14 category grades improved from the 2018 report, while two (bridges, energy) decreased, reflecting the increased priority of improving infrastructure with recent one-time infusions in parks, dams, and roads.
ACEC/Michigan 2023-2024 Board of Directors
The American Council of Engineering Companies/Michigan (ACEC/Michigan) has announced Jon Kramer, PE, from OHM Advisors as its 2023-2024 President.
 
Jon Kramer, PE, joined architecture, engineering and planning firm OHM Advisors as a 19-year-old intern and has held numerous leadership positions—including VP of Engineering, OHM’s first-ever COO and now as president—in which he has applied a big-picture, forward-thinking philosophy across the firm’s growing regional footprint of 18 offices. Those leadership efforts resulted in OHM Advisors being named ACEC/Michigan 2020 and 2013 Firm of the Year.
 
Jon’s extensive commitment to council members grew alongside his corporate responsibilities, having served ACEC/Michigan’s board of directors in several governance roles before taking the reins as 2023/2024 president. He is most excited to apply his deep-rooted passion in a greater capacity to support ACEC/Michigan’s efforts that allow Michigan residents to drink clean water, travel safely and efficiently, visit state and local parks, and carry out business in safe public and private buildings.
 
Jon and his astounding wife Jennifer are residents of Brighton, Michigan, where they are community pillars and parents of two teenagers – a high-school aged daughter, and a son who is following his father’s footprints by studying engineering at the University of Michigan. Jon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from U of M and became a licensed engineer in 1999.
 
2023-2024 ACEC/Michigan Officers:
President: Jon Kramer, PE, OHM Advisors, Livonia 
President-Elect: Rick Chelotti, PE, Bergmann, Lansing
Treasurer:  Eric Morris, PE, HNTB, Lansing
National Director: G. Ramanujam (Ram), PE, Somat Engineering, Detroit
Past-President: Jayson Nault, PE, Tetra Tech, Brighton
 
2023-2024 ACEC/Michigan Directors:
Barbara Arens, PE, Cincar Consulting Group, Detroit
Eric Barden, PS, Spicer Group, Saginaw
Steve Carlisle, PE, Wightman, Benton Harbor
Chuck Gemayel, PE, SME, Plymouth
Cheryl Gregory, PE, ROWE PSC, Flint
Brenda Longman, Byce & Associates, Kalamazoo
Jeff Schumaker, PE, Fishbeck, Grand Rapids
Scott Shogan, PE, WSP, Detroit
Matt Stacey, PE, Wade Trim, Taylor
Oge Udegbunam, PE, Tyme Consulting Engineers, Livonia
Legislative Update
ACEC is tracking several bills within the busy legislature. The QBS legislation that passed the legislature last session will be reintroduced by Rep. Amos O’Neal in the House. ACEC also recently met with Senator Jeremy Moss to seek his support in introducing a companion bill in the Senate.

Michigan remains the only state without a statewide septic code and legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate to create one. House Bills 4479 & 4480 were introduced in late April by Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) and Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) respectively. Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) has introduced identical legislation (SB 299 & 300) in the Senate. The bills would require septic tank inspections every five years and establish a database on inspections and an inspector certification system.

Hearings were held this past week in the House Transportation Committee on House Bills 4152 & 4153, introduced by Rep. Jaime Churches (D-Wyandotte) that would require the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to create and operate a local grade separation grant program for the creation of overpasses and underpasses to separate motor vehicle traffic and railroad traffic. ACEC supported the bills during the hearing. Similar legislation (Senate Bills 124 & 125), introduced by Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), recently passed the full Senate.

House Bills 4352 and 4353, introduced by Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) and Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) respectively, would amend P.A. 51 to allow High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, specifically as part of the I-75 modernization project. These bills were voted out of the House Transportation committee this past week. ACEC supported the bills during the hearing.
ACEC/Michigan
2023 Emerging Leaders Program
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 ACEC/Michigan Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)!
 
ELP is for individuals committed to developing their leadership abilities. This program imparts specific skills and competencies identified by top ACEC/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 and the application are available on the ACEC/M website. The deadline to apply is June 23. Don't delay - there will only be 25 spaces available and we anticipate the class will fill quickly.
The 12th Annual Construction Science Expo was held on May 9 at Durfee Innovation Society. More than 750 middle and high school students from Detroit Public Schools experienced one of the best school field trips of the year while learning about a career in the engineering and construction industry.
 
Over 11,500 students have been invited to this annual hands-on expo through the Detroit schools “Navigation to Success” Program run by the Black Caucus Foundation, with more than 50 activities presented by over 25 industry professionals.

The strong partnership between the engineering industry, contractors, and organized labor has resulted in an amazing event for the past 12 years and a fantastic opportunity for Detroit kids to experience the engineering and construction industry.
We are excited to announce ACEC/Michigan and ASCE Michigan Section will also be partnering with construction associations and labor organizations to offer the 1st ever Lansing Construction Science Expo at the Impression 5 Science Center on October 3, 2023. Stay tuned for more details.
These are just two of the workforce development initiatives that ACEC/Michigan is undertaking to help attract students to our profession.
ACEC/Michigan Recognizes
Individuals for Leadership
Thank you to the following for their leadership and commitment to ACEC/Michigan.
Jayson Nault, PE
Tetra Tech
2022 - 2023
Board President
Connie Houk, PE
Prein&Newhof
2020 - 2023
Board Director
Brandon Mieras, PE
Williams & Works
2019 - 2023 USDA Rural Development/EGLE/MEDC Committee Chair
Lauren Roller, PE
Harley Ellis Devereaux
2021 - 2023 Engineering & Surveying Excellence
Committee Chair
Jonathan Zaremski, PE
Somat Engineering
2022 - 2023
Transportation Committee
Chair
MSPE News

The Michigan Society of Professional Engineers held their 76th Annual Conference at the Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire, Mi. May 4-5. First off we would like to thank our sponsors and exhibitors who made our conference such a success: Advanced Drainage Systems, Commonwealth Associates, CT Consultants, Fishbeck, Concrete Pipe Association of Michigan, EJ, ETNA Supply Company, Kennedy Solutions, EGLE, Power Engineers, Prein and Newhof, Rowe PSC, and Wheeler T&D.

Attendees who participated in our May 3rd conference golf outing braved water hazards and sand traps, as well as the occasional snow drift. Following the regular MSPE board meeting Wednesday, many attendees enjoyed an evening reception held by ADS. Thursday morning was all business as everyone picked up their conference materials and made their way to their sessions, including an optional tour of the EJ foundry in East Jordan. Throughout the day Thursday, exhibitors had multiple opportunities to interact with conference attendees; most notably during the exhibitor reception Thursday evening which was followed by a networking event at Short’s Brewery where guests enjoyed pizza, craft beer and took brewery tours.

Friday had a feel of formality to it as James Kirkwood and Justin Fudge received the Order of the Engineer, the MSPE board conducted its Annual Business meeting, and NSPE President Britt Smith swore in the 2023-2024 board officers and gave an update on NSPE activities. President Smith then provided an ethics presentation to all attendees. Our Friday Awards lunch wrapped up the conference as Martha Thompson received the 2023 Engineer of the Year Award and Danielle Yoon received the 2023 Young Engineer of the Year Award.

The 2023-2024 Board is as follows:
President: Kurt LaFrance
President-Elect: Brian Hannon
Secretary: Mick Vargas
Treasurer: Martha Thompson
NSPE Delegate: John Condie
Past President: Jim Kirkwood
Eastern Region Vice-President: Kate Hennicken
Mid Michigan Region Vice-President: Garrett Day
Northern Region Vice President: Bob Nelesen
Thumb Region Vice-President: Tanner Kragenbrink
Western Region Vice-President: Debbie Dawson
Sixth Vice-President: Mike Schwartz

Thank you again to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, and guests, we will see you all again next year.

Ryan Roth
Executive Director, MSPE
Transportation Diversity Recruitment Program (TDRP) Welcome Event
ACEC Deputy Director Mark McRobie and several ACEC members attended the TDRP Welcome Event in Detroit on May 15th.

This event welcomed 2023 TDRP interns to Michigan and provided opportunities for interns to network with industry and MDOT leadership. This year 10 ACEC firms are participating, hosting 22 interns across Michigan.

The following awards were presented during the Michigan Infrastructure Conference on May 11 by
Brad Ewart, President, and Lucas Porath, President-Elect.


Distinguished Service Award
2021 - 2022 Michigan Section President

Andrew Rossell, PE
L to R: Lucas Porath, PE, Andrew Rossell, PE and
Bradford Ewart, PE
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Franklin D. Meyers Outstanding Civil Engineer Award:
Kimberly Webb, PE

Edmund Friedman Young Engineer Award for Professional Achievement:
Alice Roache, PE

PROJECT AWARDS

Quality of Life Award:
Lansing Rotary Park
Owner: City of Lansing
Engineer: Matrix Engineering & Consulting
 
Quality of Life Award Certificate of Merit:
State Street Renovation
Owner: City of Howell
Engineer: Hubbell, Roth & Clark

Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award:
Vicksburg Major Downtown Infrastructure Project
Owner: Village of Vicksburg
Engineer: Prein&Newhof

Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Award:
Grand Army of the Republic Island Park
Owner: City of Eaton Rapids
Engineer: C2AE

For additional information, visit the ASCE Michigan Section website.
ACEC/Michigan will be holding an Ethics Webinar on September 25, 2023. The Michigan Professional Engineers Board has implemented changes to the General Rules for Continuing Education requirements for all licensed Professional Engineers. The new Rules require 2 CEUs in Ethics under Rule 339.16040: “Of the 30 hours, at least 2 hours of continuing education must be earned in ethics, as it relates to professional engineering.”
 
Experienced presenters from AXA XL and PCIA will lead the discussion. Complete details and registration information are on the ACEC/Michigan website
ASCE Michigan Section Scholarships
school-pics-sm.jpg
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. Applications are due by Memorial Day, May 29.
 
Mackinac Scholarship
Named in honor of Michigan's #1 Civil Engineering Project of the 20th Century by the ASCE Michigan Section membership in December 1999, the Mackinac Scholarship is intended to recognize a premier Civil Engineering student from Michigan. The award will be presented annually, and will consist of a two-year grant of $5,000 each year (totaling $10,000 over a two-year period) 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 encourages both participation in a student chapter of ASCE and contributions to the advancement of student engineering.
 
Zuidema Scholarship
Named in honor of an outstanding Past-President of the Michigan Section and the Western Michigan Branch of ASCE, the Marvin L. Zuidema Scholarship Award is presented annually to a student member of ASCE who has made a contribution to the advancement of student engineering activities. This award will consist of 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.
 
Click the link below to access more detailed information and the application itself.
ACEC National Award Nominations
trophy_isolated_gold.jpg
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 16
Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Webinar on New Study Results
On June 28, ACEC/Michigan will host Paul S. Chinowsky of the University of Colorado Boulder and one of the authors of the 2022 study, to present the results of the study which examined the benefits of QBS in the procurement of engineering and design services.

Please consider joining us to hear about the study methodology and results surrounding the use of this important procurement method.

Register for this free webinar on the ACEC website.
US-Canada EV Corridor
Federal, state and local officials from the U.S. were on-hand last week in Detroit to announce a new electric vehicle charging corridor partnership with Canada. ACEC/Michigan Board members Barb Arens (Cincar Consulting Group), Matt Stacey (Wade Trim), Cheryl Gregory (ROWE PSC), and G. Ramanujam (Somat), were in attendance.

ACEC received an invitation from U.S Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg’s office. Governor Whitmer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Canadian Minister of Transportation Omar Alghabra were all part of the announcement. Officials explained the corridor will run from Kalamazoo to Quebec City and have charging charging options every 50 miles of the stretch.
ACEC/Michigan - New Member Firms


ACEC/Michigan is excited to welcome the following new member firms:

2023 - 2024 Events Calendar


June 28: QBS Webinar

September 7-8: Emerging Leaders Program Begins

September 25: Ethics for the Design Professional Webinar

October 3: Lansing Construction Science Expo

February 16: MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop

March 9: Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala
Michigan Engineering News
SPONSORS
Thank you!