In the face of strong ACEC and allied opposition, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) announced that it is deferring "indefinitely" the implementation of key portions of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 150 (FAS 150). The statement would have required non-public firms to classify stock shares as debt, a move that could immediately harm many engineering firms.

ACEC and its member firms have waged an aggressive grassroots campaign. The Council also submitted testimony to a Senate committee earlier this month.

"Our firms rose up in strong opposition to this flawed policy," said ACEC Chairman Eric Flicker. "And our voices were heard."

For more information see the November 14 edition of Last Word at www.acec.org.

CNN Anchor Carlson, Interior Secretary Norton To Highlight ACEC's "Five-Star" May Convention The Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs Tucker Carlson, considered one the nation's best political analysts and co-host of CNN's Crossfire, will be a keynote speaker at ACEC's Annual Convention, May 9-12, 2004 at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, the first woman to head the 154-year-old department, and former Colorado Attorney General, has also been invited to headline the Convention. Also featured are more than 30 educational business sessions, international meetings and specialty forums. The "five-star," "five-diamond" Broadmoor Resort, known as the "Grand Dame" of the Rockies will be the setting for the 2004 Convention. To reserve a room early, call the Broadmoor at 800-634-7711. Be sure to mention ACEC to receive the discounted group rate. Watch for 2004 Annual Convention updates at www.acec.org.

Progress On TEA-21 Continues

A Senate Committee approved the highway portion of what is expected to become a $311.5 billion reauthorization of TEA-21. A companion measure has been introduced in the House equalling $375 billion over the next six years, setting the stage for a major push toward passage when Congress returns in 2004.

Alaska ACEC/PAC Exceeds Goal By 50 Percent Floyd Damron, (left) ACEC/PAC Alaska trustee, presents checks to President Dave Raymond. Alaska has joined Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Wyoming in meeting or exceeding ACEC/PAC fundraising goals established for 2003. Alaska exceeded its 2003 goal by 50 percent. Earlier this year, ACEC/PAC trustees agreed to individual fundraising goals for each state, targeting an overall goal of $250,000 in 2003. Each state goal was established based on membership strength.

"Invaluable," "Right On The Mark," Say ACEC State Leaders At 2003 Leadership Orientation Alan Crockett, director of Communications, describes ACEC's media strategy to MO leaders in Washington. Forty-two ACEC leaders from 25 state organizations reviewed ACEC's national programs and resources in two intensive Leadership Orientation Meetings, hosted by ACEC Chairman Eric Flicker, and held in Washington in November. "This orientation is invaluable for understanding how ACEC effectively advances the business interests of its members," said Joe S. Jones III, executive director of ACEC/South Carolina. Craig M. Avery, president of ACEC/Kentucky: "Right on the mark and highly recommended, the presentations show how each of the programs directly tie to ACEC's strategic plan." And Philip A. Falcone, president of ACEC/New Jersey noted: "It has been 10 years since I last attended such a briefing in Washington, and I was impressed by the advances we have made."

ACEC Thanks 2003 Leadership Orientation Participants ACEC/Alaska Mark Musial, President-Elect ACEC/Arkansas Dan Brown, President-Elect ACEC/Colorado Mark Hamouz, President Neville "Bud" Gaines, President-Elect ACEC/Connecticut Laura Champion, President ACEC/Florida Robert Miller, National Director R. Bruce Taylor, President-Elect Frank Rudd, Executive Director ACEC/Georgia Gwen Brandon, Asst. Executive Director ACEC/Hawaii Glen Lau, President Ginny Wright, Executive Director ACEC/Kentucky Mark Meade, National Director Craig Avery, President ACEC/Maryland Terry Neimeyer, National Director Kunal Gangopadhyay, President Jim Otradovec, Executive Director ACEC/Massachusetts Jean McCluskey, President Marcy Bouley, Administrative Manager ACEC/Michigan Lee Grant, President-Elect Ron Brenke, Executive Director ACEC/Mississippi Charles Williford, President Slade Exley, President-Elect ACEC/New Hampshire Gary Garfield, President R. Scott Shillaber, President-Elect ACEC/New Jersey Philip Falcone, President ACEC/New York Gary Loesch, President Andrew Ciancia, President-Elect Jay Simson, Executive Director ACEC/North Carolina Willy Stewart, President Barbara Mulkey, President-Elect ACEC/Ohio Jay Shutt, President ACEC/South Carolina Joe Jones III, Executive Director ACEC/Tennessee Stephen Lane, President-Elect ACEC/Utah Michael Brehm, President ACEC/Virginia Gerald Augst, President Kevin Kokal, President-Elect Nancy Israel, Executive Director ACEC/Metro Washington Ian Bricknell, President ACEC/Wisconsin Paul Tarvin, President-Elect CEC/Illinois David Oates, President Christopher Burke, President-Elect Kansas/CE Steve Hileman, President-Elect

DPIC Renewal Rights Acquired By XL America

XL America, Inc., a leading worldwide insurance provider, announced on November 14 that it has acquired the policy renewal rights for DPIC, a major provider of professional liability insurance to ACEC member firms. The new corporate entity will be called XL Design Professional. DPIC President and CEO John Glancy will lead the new unit.

Become An ACEC Committee Member

Members who participate on an ACEC committee help ACEC receive the proper input it needs on key issues. ACEC committees cover a wide variety of subjects such as transportation, government advocacy, and public relations, and each has a dedicated ACEC staff member available to answer questions about a committee's goals or activities.

ACEC's "market-oriented" committees—Transportation, International, Mechanical/Electrical, and Energy and Industrial Market Task Force—are open to any member who applies (meetings and conference calls will be at the participants' expense.) All other committees will continue to have regular appointed membership.

Click here for an online application.
Click here to see the committees' current goals.

For questions contact Patrick Brookover at (202) 347-7474, pbrookover@acec.org. Please submit your application by December 30, 2003.

Click here to review past editions of the Last Word.