Michigan Engineering Newsletter

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Issue: 5

October/November 2012

ACEC/ASCE/MSPE Introduce Kids to Engineering Careers at MI YES! Expo

ACEC/ASCE Executive Director Ron Brenke and ACEC Board Member Steve Pangori (3rd and 4th left); MSPE Executive Director Nancy McClain (3rd from right) and ASCE Board Member Carey Suhan (2nd from right)

After a 2-year break, the Michigan Youth Engineering & Science (YES!) Expo returned to Ford Field on November 1, 2012. It was estimated that 19,500 high school and middle school students from across the state attended this year's event which highlighted careers in science and engineering.

ACEC co-chairs the Michigan Design & Construction Coalition* which sponsored an exhibit during the Expo. The exhibit allowed students to understand the role engineers play during the design and construction of infrastructure projects. Design simulation videos, a hands-on bridge design program, and surveying equipment were available for students to "test drive" and experience the tools of the trade. ACEC displayed project boards from past Engineering & Surveying Excellence competitions and LTU brought their steel bridge and a section of their concrete canoe.

Many thanks to our individual firm sponsors: Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, Fishbeck Thompson, Carr & Huber, Great Lakes Engineering, HNTB, and NTH Consultants.

*The Michigan Design and Construction Coalition includes: APAM, ASCE, LECET (Laborers), MCA, MITA, MSPE and Operating Engineers Local 324.

ACEC Scholarship Applications now Available

ACEC /Michigan scholarship applications are now available for students pursuing engineering or surveying degrees. Each year, the ACEC/Michigan awards over $10,000 in scholarship grants to deserving students.

To qualify for consideration for an Education Grant, an applicant must be a full or part-time student (sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate) pursuing an engineering or surveying degree and enrolled in an ABET accredited engineering or surveying program. The applicant, in the past 24 months, must have worked for a consulting engineering, surveying, or architectural/engineering firm. Applicants are eligible to win an Education Grant twice.

Criteria used in selecting grant recipients are: GPA, school & work references, work experience, extra-curricular & community activities, and quality of a written essay.

Scholarship Submittal Deadline: Friday, December 21, 2012.

Click here for 2013 ACEC Scholarship App.

ACEC Firm of the Year Awards

Each year, ACEC/M accepts nominations for "ACEC Firm of the Year". The program was established to recognize member firms for their leadership in Professional and Community service. Firms are judged on three important factors:

Contributions to the Success of ACEC/M
Advancement of the Consulting Design Profession
Community Involvement

Each year a small firm (1-30 employees) and a large firm (>30 employees) are eligible to receive this award. The winning firm(s) are announced at the ACEC/Michigan Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards program in February.

Enter your firm at: ACEC Firm of the Year submittal form

ASCE Michigan Section Elects New President and Officers

Lansing, Michigan - The ASCE Michigan Section has selected Daniel G. Lewis, PE, as its 2012-2013 President and has elected new officers for the coming year.

Dan received his BS degree in Civil Engineering from Calvin College in 2001. Since 2001, he has worked for Prein&Newhof (Kalamazoo office) as a project manager and designer on private development and municipal utility projects. One of the most notable projects Dan has been involved with - which is ongoing - is the redevelopment of the former GM stamping plant on Sprinkle Road (Kalamazoo) into a thriving industrial/commercial business park known as 'Midlink Business Park'. This project won the 2005 ASCE Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award.

Lewis has been active with the Southwest Michigan Branch of ASCE since 2004. He and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters: Audrey (5) and Brooke (1), and Dan is active in his church, enjoys soccer, basketball, softball, running, gardening and family activities.

2012-2013 ASCE Michigan Section Officers:

President:Daniel Lewis, PE, Kalamazoo

President-Elect: Ronald Goldie, PE, Detroit

Vice President:Carey Suhan, PE, Troy

Treasurer: Therese Kline, PE, Lansing

Secretary: Steven Waalkes, PE, Grand Rapids

Past President: Michael Guter, PE, Grand Rapids

Tim Juidici Accepts Award at the 2012 ACEC National Fall Conference

Pictured L to R: ACEC National Chairman Ted Williams, Tim Juidici, and Dave Raymond, ACEC National President.

Earlier this year, the National Engineers Week Foundation* named Tim Juidici, PE, (Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment) the 2012 ACEC National Young Professional of the Year. Tim accepted his award at the ACEC 2012 Fall Conference in Boca Raton, Florida. Juidici is a graduate of Michigan Technological University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He currently serves as municipal engineer for Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment based in Livonia where he has completed several award winning municipal projects.

He is active in a variety of societies, including ACEC, APWA, and ASCE, having served in many leadership positions. Tim also volunteers his time for the Boys/Girls Club of SE Michigan, judges the steel bridge competition, and is a community cleanup volunteer.

Congratulations to Tim on this prestigious recognition!

*The National Engineers Week Foundation is a coalition of engineering societies, major corporations and government agencies that seek to increase the understanding of and interest in engineering and technological careers among young students. Engineers Week raises public awareness and appreciation of engineers' contributions to society.

PSMJ Project Management Bootcamp
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The result is a seminar brimming with practical information you can act on immediately.

The Project Management Bootcamp takes place in Lansing on January 24-25, 2013. Members will enjoy deep discounts in pricing...and you don't have to travel out of state! Sign up 2 and the 3rd person is 1/2 price. Sign up 3 and the 4th person is free!

For registration and class details, click Here.

Transportation Industry Seeks to Speed up Project Delivery through Every Day Counts Initiative

ACEC Michigan participated in the Federal Highway Administration Every Day Counts Summit on October 22-23. Every Day Counts strives to establish innovative, efficient initiatives that accelerate projects completion, advance and endorse roadway safety, and preserve the environment. At the Every Day Counts Summit, the following EDC 2012 Initiatives were covered: