DeSign of the Times is a monthly newsletter for ACEC/PA members. We welcome articles and announcements. Please submit your industry news to ksherman@acecpa.org by the 15th of each month.
President's Message
No matter how brutal January’s weather (and it has been cold), January seems like a good month to look at the past as we look toward the future. And so…
EVP's Desk
We are expecting to receive a decision from the Federal Highway Administration on Pennsylvania’s joint application to toll I-80 very soon. In anticipation of a positive decision by FHWA, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has advertised for four open end engineering contracts related to tolling the interstate. Firms in the “I-80” corridor are encouraged to submit proposals.
I would also like to remind you of the 2010 Transportation Management Training Workshop, you can view details by clicking here.
In early January, I and other leaders from the transportation industry met with US Senate Candidate Pat Toomey to discuss the funding needs facing infrastructure in the commonwealth and the country.
I have good news on the continuing education front. House Bill 975 has moved out of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. You will recall that this bill will bring Pennsylvania’s continuing education requirements in line with NCEES’ requirements.
On February 9, the governor gives his final budget address - stay tuned for details. Also, on February 10, the Government Affairs Breakfast will host Dan Onorato, Democratic Candidate for Governor.
News & Notices
Visit ACEC/PA for the Latest Project Announcements, Strike-off Letters, PennDOT Notices, Legislative Issues, and More!
Don Gennuso Receives PSPE Distinguished Service Award
Donald V. Gennuso, P.E., chief executive officer, SAI Consulting Engineers, Inc., and president of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania, is the recipient of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers Distinguished Service Award 2010. The award will be presented during the National Engineers’ Week Banquet at the Club at Nevillewood on February 27, 2010. This award recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions toward the improvement of the social, economic, and professional status of the Professional Engineer. To attend the banquet, please fill out this form: PSPE Award Banquet (pdf)
Join us for the February Government Affairs Breakfast with Dan Onorato
Register today for the February Government Affairs Breakfast. Our speaker will be Dan Onorato, Allegheny County Executive and Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate.
Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Time: 8 a.m., buffet breakfast
Location: Hilton Harrisburg
Cost: $25 per person (will be billed to your firm)
If you are unable to login or have other questions, please contact ACEC/PA by e-mail at laurie@acecpa.org or by phone at (717) 540-6811
Mark Your Calendars for 2010 Environmental Committee Meetings
We are teaming with PAEP to co-host/co-sponsor meetings, field view, or other events. We’re always looking for meeting topics and teaming opportunities, so send your ideas to committee chair, Jim Rhoades, Alfred Benesch & Company at jrhoades@benesch.com.
- April 15th - Open
- July 15th - Open
- October 21st – Open
The Environmental Committee is looking for members to serve on a Sustainability Sub-Committee. Steve Deasy, Sustainability Committee Chair, Gannett Fleming, has volunteered to serve as the sub-committee chair. Interested parties should contact Steve via e-mail at sdeasy@gfnet.com.
To make sure you or other members of your firm are on the Environmental Committee e-mail distribution list, please drop an e-mail to chair, Jim Rhoades, Alfred Benesch & Company at jrhoades@benesch.com.
PR Committe Selects Scholarship Winners
Each year, ACEC/PA rewards engineering students whose scholarship applications reflect the most merit. The Public Relations Committee judges qualifying applications based on grade point average, work experience, extracurricular activities, a short essay on a predetermined topic, and a recommendation from an engineering professor or professional engineer or land surveyor. After thoroughly examining each of this year’s 16 applications at their January 21 meeting, committee members elected to award scholarships totaling $8,000 to two deserving students at Pennsylvania universities:
- $5,000 to Chen Li, a Lehigh University student, who expects to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and a second B.S. in integrated business and engineering, both in May 2010.
- $3,000 to Grace Gui, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, who expects to graduate in December 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in engineering, with a system science and engineering major and a mathematics minor.
ACEC/PA member firms make the scholarship fund possible through their generous participation in the annual ACEC/PA golf tournament. Watch for details this spring, and we’ll see you on the links again this year!
SAVE the DATE: April 14-17, 2010
ACEC/PA Annual Meeting at
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Join us for educational courses to help you develop a better dialogue with your clients. In your free time, enjoy the many challenging golf courses along the water, or relax by the ocean. Per night cost is $235 plus taxes and fees. Call Kiawah at 800-654-2924 to reserve your villa and mention that you are with the ACEC/PA group.
ACEC/PA-PennDOT District 8-0 Winter School Begins in February
Register early for the ACEC/PA-PennDOT District 8-0 Winter School. Topics include quality assurance, bituminous follow up, self-compacting concrete, precast concrete, reinforced concrete pipe, structures, driven pile foundations, confined space, project scheduling, construction services, labor compliance, public relations, TMI generator move, DEP, and environmental.
- February 8, 9, 10
- Holiday Inn, New Cumberland, Pa.
- $60 pp/per day, lunch provided
Login to see topic descriptions and to register.
PennDOT Certified Concrete Technician Program 2009-2010 Schedule
PennDOT Certified Concrete Technician Program 2009-2010
Support Full Funding of Act 44: I-80 Tolling
Click Here to support tolling of I-80. Send an e-mail to Senators Casey and Specter and your congressman supporting Pennsylvania's joint application to toll I-80 and meet the funding commitments of Act 44.
Additional I-80 Tolling Information
County populations and Turnpike Revenue
Transportation needs without I-80 6-25-09
ACEC President Dave Raymond sent the following letter to US Secretary of Transportation supporting Pennsylvania's application to toll I-80.
ACEC/PA Staff is Here to Help
Have a question for ACEC/PA, but don’t know whom to contact? Click here to find out which staff members to call for your specific question so we can answer your questions quickly and accurately!
News You Can Use
Bills to Watch
Project Announcements
Event's Calendar
ACEC National
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