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Issue: 5

November 2014  
Transportation Funding #1 Priority for Governor Snyder after Winning Re-Election
Governor Snyder has made it clear that Michigan needs to find additional revenue to fix Michigan's roads and bridges and he wants to get it done this year. Governor Snyder has suggested that the legislature revisit the plan that nearly passed in the spring. The plan would shift to a percentage tax at the wholesale level, eliminate step downs in registration fees, and address overweight trucks.

Meetings took place last week with leadership to develop a plan for passage. It is expected that the Senate will take up transportation funding bills this week.

Governor Snyder has emphasized the importance of a long-term, fully funded package that will generate the necessary additional revenue to repair our transportation system that is absolutely vital in Michigan's economic recovery.

 

 

ASCE Michigan Section Announces 2014-2015 Board of Directors
2014-2015 Term to Run October 1, 2014-September 30, 2015

 

The ASCE Michigan Section is pleased to announce the following individuals who will be serving on the Board of Directors for the 2014-2015 term.

 

Carey Suhan, PE (President)

Mr. Suhan graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS Degree in Civil Engineering in 1985 and from Wayne State University with an MS Degree in Civil Engineering in 1995. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan with 25 years of industry experience. Mr. Suhan is currently the Vice President and Principal of Testing Engineers & Consultants, Inc., and has been with TEC for 23 years overseeing Geotechnical and Environmental Services with additional firm management responsibilities.  

 

Mr. Suhan is active in several professional societies along with serving in the following ASCE leadership roles: ASCE Southeastern Branch (President 2003 - 2004; Director through President Elect 1998 - 2003; Annual Meeting Chair 1996, 1997).  He has been married to his wife Anne for 22 years and has two girls ages 13 and 10. He enjoys outdoor activities, golf, travel and spending time with family.

 

Therese R. Kline, PE (President-Elect)

Ms. Kline graduated from Michigan State University with a BS Degree in Civil Engineering in 2001.She has been employed by the Michigan Department of Transportation as a Bridge Design, Specialty Structures and Flexible Pipe Specialist since 2002.  

 

Ms. Kline has been active in ASCE since 1999, including serving as the current Director and Past President for the Lansing-Jackson Branch of the ASCE Michigan Section and as an ASCE Steel Bridge competition judge for 4 years. Her husband David is a retired Iron Worker. Ms. Kline enjoys horseback trail riding across the state of Michigan, camping, reading history, visiting historic sites, gardening, and outdoor adventures.

 

Steven Waalkes, PE (Vice President)

Mr. Waalkes graduated from Calvin College in 1998 with a BS Degree in Engineering and from the University of Texas (Austin) with an MS Degree in Civil Engineering in 2000. He has worked for the concrete industry since 2000 and in Michigan since 2006. His primary role with the Michigan Concrete Association is to assist owners, engineers, inspectors, and contractors with the design, specification, and construction of concrete pavements and other concrete-related products. 

 

Mr. Waalkes is active with the Western Michigan Branch of ASCE, having served as the 2011-12 President. He has been married to his wife Rebekah for 14 years and has four boys, ages 8, 6, 4, and 2. He enjoys camping, home-brewing, and remodeling.

 

Melinda (Myndi) L. Bacon, PE (Treasurer)

Ms. Bacon obtained her BS Degree in Geological - Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1996, and her MS Degree in Civil Engineering from Wayne State University in 1999. She is a project engineer at Soil and Materials Engineers Inc. (SME) and has been with SME since 1996 (17 years).    

 

Ms. Bacon has been the Past President of the Southwest (SW) Michigan (MI) Branch of ASCE for the last 3 years, served as the 2008 through 2010 SW MI Branch President and filled the board positions of Vice President and Treasurer prior to being the branch President. She was named ASCE Michigan's Franklin D. Meyers 2012 Outstanding Civil Engineer of the Year, as well as the ASCE SW MI 2012 Branch Engineer of the Year, and the 2006 ASCE SW MI Branch Young Engineer of the Year. She has been married to her husband Keith (also an engineer) for 16 years, and her family includes 2 children, ages 11 and 8. They enjoy downhill skiing, golfing, camping, hiking and spending time with their golden retriever.

 

Christopher Owen, PE (Secretary)   

Mr. Owen graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Civil Engineering. He is employed by Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. as the Engineered Products Manager in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ontario.

Currently, Mr. Owen serves on the APWA Downriver Branch Board and the MDOT Joint Pipe Operations Committee. He is a past member of the MITA Future Leaders Program. He is looking forward to seeing on the ASCE Michigan Section Board.  

ACEC Receives Entries for Engineering & Surveying Excellence Competition
 
ACEC Celebrating 50th Anniversary of the Competition

ACEC/Michigan received 31 engineering & surveying entries in the widely recognized Engineering & Surveying Excellence Competition. Projects from across the state compete each year for the coveted "Eminent Conceptor" Award. A panel of judges recently evaluated the projects based on innovation, complexity, client satisfaction and future value to the profession.

 

Award recipients will be recognized on February 28, 2015 during the gala held at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. It will be the 50th Anniversary of the competition.



ACEC Scholarships Available

ACEC/Michigan is planning to award $10,000+ to engineering and surveying students enrolled in an ABET accredited College or University. Applications are available from the ACEC office or online at www.acecmi.org by clicking on Awards, then Scholarship Program.

 

Applicants will be judged on a written essay, their work experience, employer and faculty recommendations, community involvement and their GPA.

 

Applications are due to ACEC by December 19, 2014

 

ASCE seeking to update Speakers Bureau Directory
The ASCE Michigan Section is looking to update its Speakers Bureau Directory, a resource offering various topics/speakers for educational sessions.  The resource is available to program chairpersons, educators, or community leaders.

If you would like to be included in this directory, please contact Daniel Lewis, PE, MASCE at [email protected]

Click here to see the current directory.

ACEC Michigan Member Firm of the Year Award
Applications Available

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

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 and Surveying Excellence Awards program in February (2015 date - February 28 at the Henry Ford in Dearborn). The deadline for submissions is Friday, December 19, 2014. Click here for more information and the entry form.   

 

 

 

MSPE 2015 Annual Conference
Save the Date

MSPE will be returning to the Garland Lodge and Resort for the 2015 Annual Conference. The event will be held May 28 - 30, 2015 and will once again feature continuing education opportunities for many engineering disciplines as well as a golf outing, vendor night and networking events. The Annual Conference Committee welcomes your input in planning the conference. Please contact Doug Thompson ([email protected]) or the MSPE office ([email protected]) with ideas or suggestions. Volunteers for the committee are also being sought.  

 

 

ASCE Saginaw Valley Branch Reception
Save the Date

On Wednesday evening, December 10, 2014, Mr. John Frauenhoffer will be hosting an after hours reception in either Bay City or Flint for the newly revived Saginaw Valley Branch of ASCE. Contact John at [email protected] for further information.  

 

 

MSPE Scholarship Applications Available

Applications and instructions may be downloaded from the MSPE website (http://www.michiganspe.org/?page=Education). Deadline for submittal is the first Friday in February.   Scholarships are for Michigan residents starting their first year of college at a Michigan ABET accredited school,  majoring in engineering.   For additional information contact Scholarship Chair Rich Cottrell ([email protected]) or the MSPE Office ([email protected])  

 

 

7th Annual Michigan Utility Coordination Conference
Save the Date

Be sure to mark your calendar for the 7th Annual Michigan Utility Coordination Conference which will be held on January 21, 2015 at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant. Click here for save the date: http://www.mi-ita.com/Portals/0/pdf%20Files/Engineering/MIUCC/MUCC15.pdf

 

 

2014-15 SAVE THE DATES!

January 29-30, 2015: PSMJ Project Managers Bootcamp - Lansing   

February 5, 2015:  MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop - Lansing  

February 28, 2015: Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards - Dearborn 

March 18, 2015:  AESLC Legislative Day - Lansing

June 4 & 5, 2015:  Michigan Infrastructure Conference - Plymouth 


  
  
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In This Issue
Legislative Update
ASCE MI Section Board of Directors
Engineering Excellence
ACEC Scholarships
ASCE Speakers Bureau Directory
ACEC Member Firm of the Year Award
MSPE 2015 Annual Conference
ASCE Saginaw Valley Branch
MSPE Scholarship Applications
MUCC Save the Date
2014-15 Save the Dates!
Engineering Center

 


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Michigan
 Engineering Center
Questions about engineering?
Please contact:

 

Ron Brenke, PE 

Executive Director

ACEC & ASCE

 517-332-2066

Nancy McClain, PE
Executive Director  
MSPE
517-487-9388