See also: Educational Session Descriptions
 Opening General Session
MORTON KONDRACKE, Renowned Political Journalist
FOX News commentator Morton Kondracke, one of the nation's most renowned political columnists, will provide his unique "inside-the beltway" election insights and will provide a balanced, unbiased and articulate perspective on key domestic and foreign policy issues.
Kondracke has covered the ins-and-outs of Washington politics for 37 years, as the former Washington Bureau Chief for Newsweek, and executive editor and senior editor of The New Republic. He currently is a commentator on the FOX News' Special Report with Brit Hume and is a weekly co-host of The Beltway Boys. He is also the executive editor of Roll Call, and writes a twice-weekly political column syndicated to more than 400 newspapers nationwide.
 Fall Conference Luncheon
ROBERT BALLARD, Deep-Sea Explorer
"I grew up wanting to be Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."
Dr. Robert D. Ballard has long been associated with the National Geographic Society and is best known for his discovery of the legendary Titanic and underwater explorations of the Bismarck, Lusitania, and Britannic. He is also one of the world's foremost oceanographers and has for many years used submersibles to explore the hidden features of the deep ocean. His 1997 bestselling book, Lost Liners, told the story of the great transatlantic liners through memorable wrecks he has visited. Robert Ballard has also hosted National Geographic Television's Explorer program and acted as a special adviser on Stephan Spielberg's futuristic Sea Quest television show. Best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic, Dr. Robert D. Ballard has succeeded in tracking down numerous significant shipwrecks, including the German battleship Bismarck, the lost fleet of Guadalcanal, the U.S. aircraft carrier Yorktown (sunk in the World War II Battle of Midway), and John F. Kennedy's boat, PT 109.
In addition to being a National Geographic Society explorer in residence and a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Ballard is the founder and head of the Institute for Exploration at Mystic Marinelife Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut.
Specializing in deep-ocean archaeology, IFE's goal is to establish this new field of research utilizing evolving technology such as advanced mapping and imaging systems, underwater robotics and manned submersibles.
 Awards Luncheon
DAVID P. BILLINGTON, 2008 Award of Merit Recipient
ACEC will present its prestigious Award of Merit—the Council's highest award bestowed to an individual—to one of the world's foremost engineering educators. Engineering News Record named Billington "one of the five top educators in the construction industry over the past 125 years." A professor at Princeton University's School of Engineering and Applied Science since 1961, Billington is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and author of several popular works including, Power, Speed, and Form: Engineers and the Making of the Twentieth Century.
He speaks to world-wide audiences on the scientific, social and artistic aspects of large structures, illuminating "structural art" as an art form parallel to but distinct from architecture.
Since 1952, ACEC's Award of Merit honorees have included leaders from government, education, science and business such as Presidents Herbert Hoover and Dwight D. Eisenhower, Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, Carl Sagan, W. Edwards Deming and Astronaut Neil Armstrong.
2008 Fall Conference
Sustainability in the Built Environment
October 19-22, 2008
Montréal, Canada
MONDAY, OCT. 20, 2008
8:00 - 9:00 am
Opening General Session: Fox News Commentator Mort Kondracke on Current Trends and Issues in U.S. Elections
9:15 - 10:30 am
 Developing Future Leaders: Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Growing 20-35 Year-Olds
Geordie Aitken, Aitken Leadership Group; Michael Baker, David Evans & Associates, Inc
Leaders in many engineering firms are challenged by the apparent difference in values and goals within the 20-35 year-old demographic, and they struggle to employ strategies that will maximize their young talent. This session addresses the causes, symptoms and possible antidotes to the apparent "generation gap" and the challenge of developing leadership in the younger generations. Case studies will illustrate how to slow the 'brain drain' and create a professional environment in which young leaders can thrive.
Lessons Learned in Implementing BIM and IPD in a 900-Person Multidisciplinary Firm
Sean B. Smith, Gresham, Smith and Partners
This session describes the overall implementation strategy employed in the ongoing training and application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) in a large organization with multiple locations, markets and services. At the heart of this technical issue is change, and the willingness and reluctance of people to implement the new procedures, tools and processes necessary for growth. Attendees will look at the correlation between the principles of the Core Team of an IPD team and the steering group for a firm's overall implementation, and hear firsthand the specific challenges, problems, and successes of one firm's experience with this process.
NEW!
Sustainability Market Overview
Brendan Owens, USGBC, Kevin Hydes, Stantec; Andrea Kuhn, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Ron Ewing, Dewberry
This session will examine the green movement — where we have been, where we are going and how we are going to get there. Presenters will also look at various approaches to designing green, including the next generation LEED criteria.
CASE SESSION: Ethics Reform and New Risks to the Business of Engineering
Anne Ellis, Earth Tech, Inc.; Mike Matsumoto, SSFM International, Inc
Ethics reform across the US and Canada has introduced a plethora of new risks to the business of engineering. What are these new risks? Can these risks be mitigated and, if so, how? What obligations, if any, do we have to promote employee ethical acuity? This interactive session will examine the day-to-day encounters with these risks inherent in our business. Business practices to heighten and strengthen ethics awareness will be shared.
CASE SESSION: The Independent Cost Estimator in Dispute Resolution
Joseph W. Wallwork, PE, CCE, PSP, Strategy, LLC; Jeremy Isenberg, Weidlinger Associates, Inc.
This session will provide an overview of the cost estimating process, including the basis for estimates and when they should be performed. The presenter will explore the value of a using an outside cost estimator, including the collateral benefits afforded by the cost estimator as constructability reviewer, and common misunderstandings and misuses of cost estimates. The session will also look at the contractor's response to contingency for risk and suggestions for using timely cost estimates to avoid disappointment at bid opening.
11:00 am - 12:15 pm
 Environmental Management Systems & Compliance Management: From Albatross to Strategic Advantage?
Russell Erbes, Kleinfelder; Geoff Boraston, Granite Construction; Malcolm Weiss, Hunton & Williams
This session will explore how Environmental Management Systems and Environmental Compliance and Management have become a long term Boardroom topic, just as significant as finances, HR, etc. Specifically, this enlightening discussion will center on how environmental management has moved from "clean up our tanks and we can be done with it" to "environmental practice strategically assists our corporation in achieving its business goals."
Is This an Engineering Firm's Office?
Kevin Honomichl, BHC RHODES
Differentiating yourself from your competitors and attracting and retaining staff are two of the most daunting challenges faced by engineering firms. This session looks at the office space itself, and how it can most creatively make a statement about firm culture, provide a productive work environment and reinforce a firm's brand. This case study of urban and suburban workplaces will look at office spaces that make the impression that "this doesn't look like an engineer's office." Ideas will be introduced to help mid-size and small firms "break the mold" of tradition to create places that employees and customers want to be.
Diverging Diamond Interchange: An Innovative Traffic Solution
Lorenzo Rotoli, Fisher Associates
Transportation Planners and Traffic Engineers are facing the challenge of finding ways to mitigate traffic congestion, with alleviating delays and improving safety the primary motive. One way to achieve this is through the use of innovative designs, such as the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). This presentation will discuss benefits of reducing the footprint and cost of the interchange as well as improvements to capacity and safety. It will also show how one firm took SAFETEA-LU's "employee visualization to describe plans" to a new level, as the 3D visuals built credibility, consensus, and facilitated the public involvement process. Virtual 3D simulation allowed interactive navigation within the proposed project to view any perspective with actual traffic operations.
CASE SESSION: Green Ache(rs): Risk Issues Related to Green Design and Green Building Certification
Eric Singer, Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon; Terrence Lindsay, Lindsay & Associates, Inc.
Environmentally responsible design is everywhere, with new chores, new stores, fresh air and standards of care. This session identifies factors within your control to manage "green" design risks, including practical solutions for your contracts, specifications, construction administration activities, client relationships, and how to clean up claims to avoid Green Ache(rs).
Association Management Session: 7 Measures of Success
Paul J. Greeley, Jr., Association Consulting Services
This 3-part program will focus on making your organization truly successful. A historic study focused on getting to the heart of what makes a remarkable nonprofit organization, 7 Measures of Success contains knowledge that will assist association executives in planning the future of their organizations. Based on 15 years of data and original, objective research tailored to the association community's needs, 7 Measures of Success provides empirical data and seven success factors common among visionary nonprofits. (Continued from 2:15 pm. - 5:15 pm.)
12:15 - 2:15 pm
Keynote Luncheon: World-Renowned Explorer and Adventurer Robert Ballard
2:30 - 3:45 pm
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) — A Case Example for the US Engineering Profession
George Zakem and Fred Bettez, Macquarie North America, Ltd.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) bring private sector capital to the delivery of public services, and are attracting increasing interest from governments in Canada. The PPP procurement process requires greater effort than more traditional forms such as design-build, and this session looks at how the engineering profession is positioning to take advantage of this growth market. Attendees will see the diverse and important roles within a PPP process and how to select roles that best fit their firms, the approach to teaming for a PPP procurement — what to look for and what to avoid — and negotiating with greater knowledge of risks.
NEW!
Local Government Programs & Initiatives on Sustainability
Wayne Feiden, FAICP, City of Northampton, MA; Erica Rious Gees, Kuhn Riddle Architects; and Roy Wilson, George Butler Associates, Inc.
This is an overview of sustainability issues at the local level across a broad spectrum. Particularly, the session will explore the AIA Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) program, using Northampton, MA, one of the first sites of the SDAT program, and other localities as case studies.
Offshoring — Good or Bad for Our Industry?
Tim Haener, J-U-B Engineers, Inc.; Engineers, Inc.; Tom Arrison, National Academy of Engineering; Ceazar Aguilar, Global Support Services, Philippines; and Rod Hoffman, S&H Consulting, LLC
Much has been said about offshoring and its impact on the engineering industry. Come hear both sides — the pros and cons — and then join a lively debate on the merits and pitfalls of off-shoring in terms of the long-term viability of our A&E industry in America.
CASE SESSION: A Tool Box You Can Actually Use for Risk Management
Douglas Ashcraft, Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc.; Corey Matsuoka and Mike Matsumoto, SSFM International, Inc.
Learn about one tool to mitigate risk for each of the Foundations of Risk Management (Culture, Prevention/Proactivity, Planning, Communication, Education, Scope, Compensation, Contracts, Contract Documents and Construction) with a special emphasis on the tool for mitigating construction risk.
2:30 - 5:30 pm
Association Management Session: 7 Measures of Success
Paul J. Greeley, Jr., Association Consulting Services
[Continued from morning]
4:00 - 5:15 pm
Big Box Owner Panel Discussion
Paul Bryant and Chandra Weiss, Pivotal Management Consulting, LLC, and Stephanie Gilbert, Gray Construction Co.
Big box retailers, distributors, and manufacturers have been moving towards standardized project formats which limit the creativity of design teams to bring ideas that drive down life cycle costs on projects. Hear what owner firms' attitudes towards sustainability are and what designers and contractors are doing in project situations that either allow or limit their ability to alter project designs to maximize project stakeholder value. Perceptions of sustainability, life cycle costing, and competing project needs will be explored.
The Climate Project: Impact of Global Climate Change on Engineering Practice
Raymond J. Sirois, Wright-Pierce Engineers
Since 95-99% of the research scientist community is telling us that the climate is changing, we engineers are faced with having to engage the issue of climate change in our designs. For example, we probably need to come up with an alternative to the 100 year storm / 50 year storm statistical method for designing sustainable infrastructure, among other things. This session will look at several examples of recent climate impacts on local infrastructure and how it's changing our approach to design.
 How Firm Culture Can Reduce Risk (And Improves Profits!)
Gregg E. Bundschuh and Dave Collings, Ames & Gough; Michael Planer, Pruitt Eberly Stone, Inc.
Structural engineers carry a heavy expense burden when it comes to the cost of risk. The combined cost of claims within the deductible, legal fees, lost time, uncompensated time spent keeping problems from becoming claims, and the cost of insurance, can exceed 10 percent of gross revenue. Yet some structural engineers manage risk more effectively than others and as a result have fewer problems and higher profits. What is their secret? — a well executed risk management plan backed up\by the right firm culture. Project managers that understand what to look for and how to anticipate and solve problems will have happy clients and more successful projects. This presentation will focus on how to combine an effective risk management plan with what really works — the right level of risk awareness and responsiveness within your firm.
TUESDAY, OCT. 21, 2008
8:30 - 9:45 am
The Introvert's Communication Arsenal
Geoff Webb, Graceworks, Inc.
Engineers who can communicate confidently are always in demand, but the majority of engineers consider themselves introverts. This session examines the definition of "introversion" and factors that define one's level of introversion/extroversion; introduces practical tips and techniques for "extroverting" without burning out or selling out; and look at ways engineers can draw on their introverted strengths to engage colleagues and clients, enhance leadership skills, produce more collaborative solutions, and build stronger client relationships.
Managing Environmental Permitting Risks in a PPP Environment — Completion of
A25 in Montreal, Québec
Sandra Sultana, Québec Ministry of Transportation; Régine Beauboeuf, Parsons Corp.
Public/Private Partnership financing can benefit the general public, as this case study on a decision to share the challenges and risks of obtaining environmental permits under an accelerated PPP delivery method demonstrates. The session shows how project participants focused on risk sharing and risk management of critical environmental issues during development and delivery, and the criteria used to determine which conditions could be met by the Public Partner, those to be transferred to the Private Partner, and those that could be effectively shared among the partners. Attendees will see how the Private Partner developed an environmental work plan and a risk management plan designed to avoid the legal and financial pitfalls of a late delivery..
Risk Management Report Card: Would Your Firm Earn 'A,' 'F,' or 'Incomplete' ?
Erin Austin, Esq. and Jack Beemer, David Evans and Associates, Inc.; Stan Austin, Esq., Miller Nash LLP; Lois Roberts, Lois Roberts Consulting Engineers; Robert Fogle, HNTB Companies; and Chuck Kopplin, Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer and Associates, Inc.
A successful risk management program involves more than insurance procurement and saying "no." A panel of risk managers, in-house and outside attorneys from successful firms of all sizes will describe their comprehensive programs. Attendees will determine gaps and exposures that need to be addressed in their own programs and learn how risk issues can be efficiently resolved by implementing some of the panel's best practices while not hurting business.
Integrated Project Delivery and BIM: Structural Steel Delivery Redefined
Scott Ricks, Esq., TRC Worldwide Engineering; Sean Smith, Gresham, Smith & Partners
Engineering companies are increasingly faced with shortened schedules and higher levels of expectations from owners. This session presents an alternate delivery method that results in not only meeting, but exceeding these expectations. The session uses as a case study the delivery of structural steel buildings, where engineering drawings — frequently incomplete — are bid by general contractors who may not fully understand the steel procurement process, and fabricators who often deflate the cost to get a contract signed, resulting in RFIs, change orders, and schedule delays. This case study is a prime working example of Integrated Project Delivery, made extremely efficient and reliable by using Building Information Modeling (BIM).
CAMEE SESSION: Best Practices Toolkit for MEP Professionals
Doug Post, Interstates Engineering; Michael DeSantiago, Primera Engineers, Ltd.
CAMEE is developing new tools to help MEP firms improve their business, increase profitability and reduce risk. These tools deal with the process of the engineering business as well as project management. This session will review the existing CAMEE tools comprised of a planning guide and a fee calculation spreadsheet, in addition to the newest tools for client evaluation and project status reports.
10:15 - 11:30 am
Built to Last: Sustainability and Succession
Robert vanArsdall, XL Design Professional
Sustainability isn't just about energy conservation and resource renewal — it can also describe the construction of a firm that will last 100 years and longer. What can we learn from the succession and management practices of 100-year-old firms? Frequently they have implemented management practices that ensure successful succession as an orderly process than can be replicated over and over rather than as a unique event in time. This session will explore the advice and example gained from a sample survey of century-old US firms.
Solving Congestion with a Marquee Bridge Project—Completion of A25 in Montréal, Québec
Régine Beauboeuf, Parsons Corp.; Sandra Sultana, Québec Ministry of Transportation; George Zakem, Macquarie North America
This case study will focus on how the decision was made to use the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) process, selection, execution, tolling as a means of finance, public involvement, risk sharing, environmental management, and continuous public outreach for the duration of the partnership. Attendees will hear how an unconventional delivery method and technology came together to solve a significant congestion problem, from owner, developer, and contractor perspectives.
Risk Taking Under the 2007 AIA, Consensus and EJCDC Documents
Roger L. Sabo, Schottenstein Zox & Dunn
New 2007 construction documents present new opportunity and new risk. The engineer preparing the contract forms has the opportunity to craft a document from the Standard form and insert or change the contract and/or the conditions and create new opportunity for additional tasks. But what about the possibility of introducing new problems? Has the new document now crossed the line such that in certain states it would fall under the economic loss rule exceptions? Has it spawned liability from one of many government entities, such as the EPA or OSHA? This session identifies specific topics to watch for and their treatment in the variety of new contract forms.
Calculating Carbon Footprints — Potential Business for Engineering Companies
How-Sen Chong, Carbonzero
Come hear an internationally known expert on climate change, discusses "carbon footprinting," defined as a measure of "the impact of human activities on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced and measured in units of carbon dioxide." A project's carbon footprint will be an increasingly important evaluation criteria." He will work with course participants to "establish your organization's carbon footprint and extend that practice to client work."
CAMEE SESSION: Roundtable on Issues Affecting MEPs
Roy Wilson, George Butler Associates, Inc.; Robin Greenleaf, Architectural Engineers, Inc.
As a continuation of the industry roundtable at last fall's Maui meeting, the CAMEE leadership will provide updates and guide discussion related to the most pressing issues facing mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers. These include BIM, sustainable design (LEED), and marketing to the owner.
11:45 am - 1:45 pm
Awards Luncheon
The Awards Luncheon recognizes exemplary achievements of the ACEC Fellows; Community Service Awards recipients; Young Professionals of the Year; 2008 ACEC Scholarship recipients; and Past Chairmen's Awards recipient.
2:00 - 3:15 pm
Sustaining the World's Infrastructure
Richard Humphrey, Autodesk
Sustainable design not only minimizes the environmental footprint of infrastructure development, it also allows firms to design better for less money than their competitors. The ability of A/E/C firms to predict, create, and deliver designs that are not only sustainable, but address the pressures of aging infrastructure, industrialization and urbanization will transform industry professionals into leaders in shaping public and environmental policy. This session outlines and discusses how 3D data capture, sustainable design, integrated practice and construction automation can impact the way firms develop the world's infrastructure systems for future generations.
Teaming and Joint Ventures in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Market—A Case Study
Keith Sabol, Parsons Corporation
In 2002, an alliance of firms was formed to pursue work in an emerging transportation market; seven years later they are delivering A 25, the first Public-Private Partnership tendered by the Ministry of Transportation Quebec. This case study will focus on strategic alliances, the value and challenges of design/construction joint ventures, leveraging strengths to succeed in emerging markets, and mitigating risk. Attendees will gain an inside look at how contractual teaming relationships can successfully propose and deliver large infrastructure projects, understand and meet owners' needs and concerns, and expand geographic markets.
NEW!
Sustainability Market Factors
Andrea Gardner, CH2MHill; Tim Kraft, PSA-Dewberry; Chris Pyke, CTG Energetics, Inc.
The panelists bring engineering, architectural, and consultant/vendor perspectives to a lively discussion of sustainability markets. The session will explore elements of green design in each phase of design and construction, including sustainability issues, performance models, public and private commitment, etc., and presenters will share success stories.
COPS SESSION: Records Management in Professional Service — Constructive Destruction, the Silent Handhold on Information Flow
Gregory A. Helmer, RBF Consulting
The convergence of ultra-fast-paced digital information systems with increased restrictions from litigation and legislation, such as Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, has created records management challenges of daunting proportions. Faced with technical matters of email servers and network file shares, we are prone to turn to our information services experts who are ill equipped to deal with legal holds, security of corporate documents, and the complications of retention schedules. This program presents an overview of the legal issues, together with the advancements in information technology, which are forcing businesses everywhere to understand and modernize records management within their organizations.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
SEI Alumni Workshop: New Hope in a Slowing Economy?
Rod Hoffman, S&H Consulting, LLC; Kyle Davy, Kyle V. Davy Consulting; and Geordie Aitken, Aitken Leadership Group
A sub-prime mortgage crisis, escalating energy costs, failure of market stalwart Bear Stearns, concerns over the rising cost of living. The general tenor of the American public is pessimistic, escalated by the fact that the majority of the workforce under age 40 has never seen an economic "slowdown," let alone a recession. Plus, there is a cohort of workers looking to transition out into retirement just as economic turmoil may be perceived as threatening their ability to fund a comfortable lifestyle. Change creates opportunity — and these cautious times are when firms can see opportunity where others are being over-cautious. Come join SEI alumni and other executives for this brainstorm and scenario planning session to identify counter-trends worth exploring.
3:45 - 5:00 pm
Turning Wastewater into Wanted Water: A Case Study
Chandra Weiss and Paul Bryant, Pivotal Management Consulting and a Panel of Owner/Operators
Clean water is our most valuable resource and unfortunately a limited one. Learn from a panel of the engineers, operators and owners about the creative use of wastewater. This unique project combined a wastewater treatment facility and an ethanol plant that otherwise could not have been built in the area. In goes filthy wastewater, out comes ethanol . . . what will engineers think of next?
What Is the Right Value for Your Firm?
David S. Cohen, Matheson Financial Advisors, Inc.
Attendees will learn about different types of value depending on the purpose for which the engineering firm is being valued. These insights will assist owners and principals readying their firms to sell and providing information for dissemination — in a way that can positively impact firm performance and build shareholder value. Topics include reasons that a firm needs a formal valuation, different ways to value a design firm, financial indicators that drive value, internal transition or external transaction value, how to get your firm ready to sell, stock formulas and creating positive shareholder behavior.
COPS SESSION: Track your Fleet from Your Office Seat
Jonathan Davis, Vehicle Tracking Systems; David Jones, McKim & Creed, PA
This session will demonstrate how to use GPS to track vehicles, from the perspective of an end user and a service provider, through the use of Teluware software, a real time Web-based system accessible from anywhere in the world. Get live demonstrations of the software in use and see how this technology can help save time and money, and keep track of your investments.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22, 2008
8:15 - 9:45 am
NEW!
Tour of the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre
Patrice Godin, The Urban Ecology Center
Take a specially-organized tour of Montréal's landmark Urban Ecology Centre, a learning center and think-tank whose goal is to build and share expertise concerning the most viable approaches to sustainable urban development and how they may best be implemented in local neighborhoods and the city. The Centre is 1.8 kilometers — about a 15 minute walk — from the hotel, or just a few minutes by cab, and the tour will take about an hour. Tour participants will leave the hotel at 8:15.
8:30 - 9:45 am
Listen Your Way to the Shortlist
Joan Freitag, Hanson Professional Services, Inc
Statistically, people working in the A/E/C profession spend at least 55% of their time listening every day. Listening to colleagues, subordinates and superiors can help determine business success, and there is a direct correlation between listening competence and upward mobility in organizations. Workshop attendees will discover what they know and how much they have to learn about effective listening, and they'll practice techniques to boost listening effectiveness as a tool for becoming better managers and business developers.
Killer Contract Clauses: Tips to Identify and Negotiate Deal Breakers
Michelle F. Kantor, McDonald Hopkins
Unless properly negotiated, most owner-generated design agreements expose firms to unacceptable and uninsurable risks. This session identifies 10 top killer contract clauses that design professionals should understand and address when negotiating contracts. Discussion will include indemnification, standard of care, warranties, copyright, and site observation, among other key clauses. Attendees will also gain valuable insights for protecting their companies when transmitting data and drawings over the Internet, and will take home checklists to use for future negotiations.
Retirement Program Trends in the Engineering Industry
David Waters, Prudential Financial; Nancy Barrette, ACEC Retirement Trust
Hiring and retaining quality staff in the engineering industry has become much more challenging, and a firm's retirement program is always a benefit of interest to prospective employees. How much is the company match? Do you offer Roth 401k? Do you know how your retirement program compares to your competitors' plans? This session will provide an overview of retirement plan design and trends within the engineering industry, with data breakdown by firm size. Strategies to lower program expenses and reduce fiduciary risk will be presented, along with ideas for staying competitive with retirement benefits.
Bounty, Beast, or Burden? The New Bachelor's Plus 30
Ron Ewing, Dewberry; Craig Musselman, CMA Engineers, Inc.; Henn Rebane, NCEES; and Patty Mamola, Bowling Mamola Group
Due to pressure from various states, NCEES is taking a step back from its original Bachelor's Plus 30 initiative, which required that engineers have a bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited university, plus 30 additional credit hours of upper level or graduate education before licensing eligibility. Now, they have pushed back implementation to 2020 and are considering accepting a master's degree is lieu of the 30 credits. What does this mean for your firm and the industry?
10:15 - 11:30 am
CLOSING PLENARY SESSION: PBS&J: Lessons Learned from an Internal Audit
John Zumwalt, Post Buckley Schuh & Jernigan
PBS&J recently weathered a "perfect storm" of management, fueled by a long running embezzlement scheme discovered in 2005 by internal auditors. The firm's chief executive will offer lessons learned on conducting independent internal investigations, dealing with employees, clients and government agencies and professionalism during times of crisis.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS
ACEC offers engineering Professional Development Hours (PDHs) during the national meetings. Attendees may earn up to 20.25 PDHs, which may, depending on the jurisdiction, be applied to fulfill each state's requirements. Please check with your state's board of registration for the specifics. A PDH form will be in your on-site registration packet. Upon submission of your PDH form, you will be mailed your certificate. A copy is kept on file at ACEC.
COMPENDIUM
The full Compendium of Materials for this year’s Fall Conference, Sustainability in the Built Environment will be distributed electronically to all registered attendees.
Main Page | Important Passport Information | Registration | Educational Sessions
2008 CASE Convocation | Special Activities | ACEC / PAC Activities
Exhibit & Sponsor Information | Hotel & Travel Information | Schedule at a Glance (PDF)
Conference Brochure (PDF) | Discover Montréal | Québec City Tour |
