Michigan Engineering Newsletter

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Issue: 7

June 2011

Michigan Engineering Conference a Success!

On June 9 - 10, 2011, ACEC, ASCE Michigan Section, and MSPE came together to present the first annual joint Michigan Engineering Conference. The event took place at the Amway Grand Plaza hotel in Grand Rapids. Over 175 participants took part in the educational breakout sessions (PDH's were available) which included topics on everything from innovative contracting to BIM to protecting project profits. Attendees also had the oppotunity to learn the latest on funding Michigan's transportation system from State Representative Rick Olson, co-chair of a special funding task force. After lunch, Charlie Adams motivated attendees with his keynote 'How to Stoke the Fire Within'.

Some 25 vendors exhibited and networked while attendees enjoyed a casual casino night where they could 'earn' chips by visiting the individual exhibitor booths. Chips could then be turned in at the end of the evening in order to win a variety of prizes.

The event wrapped up with a well-attended Friday golf outing followed by MSPE's Annual Reception and Awards dinner.

Other highlights included:

Incoming ACEC President Kirk Branson, PE (r), and ACEC Executive Director Ron Brenke, PE, present outgoing President Andy McCune, PE, with a plaque and gift.

Outgoing MSPE President Don Heck, PE, (r) hands off incoming President Fernando Arze-Peredo a congratulatory plaque.

ASCE Michigan President Michael Thelen, PE (r) presents Past President Gerrad Godley, PE with a plaque of appreciation.

ACEC State and National Scholarship Award recipient Marie Ternes* with ACEC Scholarship Chair Jeff Chenault, PE.

ASCE awards presented included:

2011 Franklin D. Meyers Outstanding Civil Engineer of the Year

Joseph B. Alberts, PE

2011 Young Civil Engineer of the Year

Andrew S. Rossell, PE

2011 Quality of Life Award

Lakes Area Sewer Authority Wastewater Collection & Treatment System

Owner: Cass County Board of Public Works

Engineer: Wightman & Associates, Inc.

2011 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award

Fred Meijer Flat River Trail M-57 Pedestrian Tunnel

Owner: City of Greenville

Engineer: Prein&Newhof

MSPE Awards:

PEG: Patrick Lewis, PE

PEHE: Chuck Drake, PE

PEI: Aziz Khandker, PE

PEPP: Nancy McClain, PE

Student Engineer of the Year: Ligang LI

Young Engineer of the Year: Nathan Vreesemen, PE

Engineer of the Year: Keith Swaffar, PE

Corporate Firm of the Year: Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber

President's Citation: John Condie, PE

*ACEC State and National Scholarship winner Marie Ternes was presented with her $10,000 (national) check during the luncheon awards ceremony.

ASCE Michigan Section Member Wins Prestigious Fellowship

ASCE Southwestern branch member, Helen Davis, PE, LEED AP, has been chosen for the highly coveted ASCE Congressional Fellowship Program. The program provides an opportunity for an ASCE member to spend one year working in the U.S. Congress. ASCE National describes the opportunity:

"The Federal Legislature deals with a multitude of technical issues, many of which directly impact how Civil Engineers conduct their practice. Congress will make decisions with, or without, input from the civil engineering community. ASCE's Congressional Fellows Program places a Civil Engineer in the middle of these important policy debates. The Fellow works on Capitol Hill as a staff member of either a Committee or an individual member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives."

Helen is currently employed at Prein&Newhof and anticipates returning to P&N when her fellowship ends September 2012. Congratulations to Helen on this terrific opportunity!

Younger Member Employer Recognition Award Nominations

ASCE National's Committee on Younger Members is seeking nominations for the 2011 Younger Member Employer Recognition Award. This award was created to recognize employers who support young engineers and assist with their personal development.

The CYM also awards two Superior Employer Recognition Awards (one public, one private) to the nominees who best display exemplary support of young engineers in their organizations. A list of winning organizations will be submitted for inclusion in an ASCE publication and in the Younger Member Newsletter.

Nominations must be postmarked by August 1, 2011. For the nomination form, which describes the award in detail, click here.

ACEC/ASCE Member wins National Award

Chris Cook Christopher J. Cook, PE, has been awarded one of only three 2011 Community Service Awards, from the ACEC National Committee of Fellows, for outstanding contributions to his community.

Member organizations nominate candidates who have at least five years experience as a principal or manager in an ACEC member firm and display the necessary qualities to fit award criteria:

Demonstrated Sustained Commitment to the Community
Demonstrated Public Leadership
Active in Local, County and/or State Government
Evidence of Influence on Decision-Making on other than Professional Issues
Contributions to Quality of LIfe Enhancement in Community

Chris will be recognized at ACEC's Fall Conference in Las Vegas during the Awards Luncheon on October 21, 2011. Congratulations to Chris on this accomplishment!

ACEC Announces Leadership

ACEC has announced its Board of Directors for 2011-2012:

Officers:

President: Kirk Branson, PE, PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF, Lansing

President-Elect: Keith Swaffar, PE of NTH CONSULTANTS, LTD, Detroit

Treasurer: Amy Trahey, PE of GREAT LAKES ENGINEERING GROUP, LLC, Lansing

National Director: James Escamilla, PE of BYCE & ASSOCIATES, INC., Kalamazoo

Past-President: Andrew McCune, PE of WADE TRIM, Taylor

Directors:

Wally Alix, PE, HUBBELL, ROTH & CLARK, Bloomfield Hills

Jim Cook, PE, PREIN&NEWHOF, Grand Rapids

Michael Cooper, PE, HARLEY ELLIS DEVEREAUX, Southfield