Gen. Barry McCaffrey To Keynote ACEC Fall Conference In Orlando Gen. Barry McCaffrey One of our nation's most highly decorated generals—and currently a national security analyst for NBC News and chairman of HNTB Federal Services Corporation—Barry McCaffrey will keynote ACEC's Fall Conference in Walt Disney World®, Florida on September 22. McCaffrey led the 24th Infantry Division in Desert Storm, and served as Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces Southern Command. He twice received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest medal for valor, as well as two Silver Stars and three Purple Hearts for wounds in combat. Upon retirement as the Army's most highly decorated four-star general, he served as director of the White House Office of National Drug Policy. A frequent "expert" commentator in the media, McCaffrey will address ACEC members on leadership challenges in the 21st century and what it takes to face the dangers and opportunities in the world today. For detailed Conference and hotel information go to www.acec.org. Register online for the Conference by August 26 and receive an additional 5 percent off the registration fee (applies to online registrations only).

Congressman McHenry, Key Agency Heads Visit ACEC For Procurement Issues Meeting Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC), center, with David Greenwood, right, chairman of the ACEC Procurement and Federal Agencies Committee, and Al Pond, a committee member. Distinguished public officials were guests of ACEC this week for discussions on major procurement issues. They included: Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Federal Procurement Policy Administrator David Safavian, and senior representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, General Services Administration, and Department of Homeland Security. The meetings hosted by the Federal Agencies and Procurement Committee gave ACEC members an opportunity to preview key agency priorities and discuss issues important to the industry. Congressman McHenry briefed ACEC members on issues pending in Congress. The North Carolina lawmaker is a new member of the House Government Reform Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal procurement policy, as well as the House Budget Committee, which establishes spending targets for major federal programs. David Safavian discussed the Administration's priorities in the procurement arena which includes improved training for the federal acquisition workforce. ACEC is working with federal agencies on an initiative to educate contracting officers on the use of QBS. Safavian also commented that the Administration wants to see continued progress on competitive sourcing for the private sector. The Federal Agencies and Procurement Committee is open to all ACEC members. Contact Camille Fleenor at cfleenor@acec.org if you are interested in joining the committee.

ACEC Business Insurance Trust (BIT) Loss Control Survey In the Mail Soon The ACEC Business Insurance Trust (BIT) is inviting ACEC member firms to take part in a survey focusing on the firms' non-professional liability risk exposures. Designed to be completed in less than 15 minutes, the survey focuses on current loss control measures, identifying why accidents happen, and what measures can be implemented to prevent accidents. By capturing this information, the BIT hopes to raise awareness of safety at the firm level and work with industry experts to build a plan to reduce insurance related losses. The survey package will be mailed to the home office of each ACEC member firm by the end of June 2005. The package contains 15 brief survey questions along with instructions on how to submit the responses from your firm. The ACEC Business Insurance Trust oversees a program that provides business insurance and professional liability insurance (PLI) under the brand name "The Pro Shop." The business insurance underwriter is The Hartford, and the plan administrator is Marsh USA Inc. Various underwriters are available for the PLI coverage.

ACEC/Indiana Establishes National Director Service For Presidents-Elect ACEC/Indiana Executive Director Stephanie Morse says it's "a really good idea." ACEC/Indiana is amending its bylaws to require that its President-elect serve concurrently as ACEC National Director prior to serving as Member Organization (MO) President. The initiative is part of the state's effort to provide its rising leaders with national experience and knowledge of national resources and programs, so that member firms can be better served. Indiana's action comes after ACEC's Board of Directors, at their April meeting in Washington, D.C., voiced support for the principle that MO leaders should be given national experience prior to assuming their highest state office. Various avenues discussed by the Board included a state leadership track with National Director service prior to serving as MO President; opportunities to attend national Board meetings before service as President; service on national committees; and participation in national leadership orientations. "We think the bylaws amendment is a really good idea," said ACEC/Indiana Executive Director Stephanie Morse. "Serving as a National Director provides a President-elect with important and much-need experience to fully understand the national as well as the MO picture. In this way, our MO can work in better concert with the national organization for the good of our member firms." The ACEC/Indiana board agreed to the bylaws amendment this week, and final board approval is expected next week. Effective July 1, ACEC/Indiana President-elect Martin Wessler also will serve as National Director and attend all ACEC/National Board of Directors meetings.

Kentucky Hits ACEC/PAC Goal With Flying Colors ACEC/Kentucky Executive Director George Binder calls ACEC/PAC "essential." Less than six months into the year, ACEC of Kentucky has become the latest State Organization to achieve its 2005 ACEC/PAC fundraising target. The Bluegrass State joins North Dakota as states that have already met aggressive 2005 ACEC/PAC fundraising goals, with several states following close behind. "If the engineering industry expects to win in Congress on issues that affect our bottom line, we first have to win at the ballot box," said George Binder, ACEC/Kentucky executive director. "ACEC/PAC has become an essential tool that enables our industry to elect good people to Congress who understand and support our industry." ACEC/PAC trustees representing each State Organization have set an overall fundraising goal of $500,000 for 2005. Each state has been assigned a specific fundraising target based on membership strength. Trustees work with their states throughout the year to raise funds to meet these targets, typically through large numbers of smaller donations (usually $100 per principle or less). In addition to Kentucky and North Dakota, State Organizations in Michigan and Tennessee are rapidly closing in on their ACEC/PAC fundraising goals for the year. Click here to see the progress of your state in achieving its ACEC/PAC goal for 2005 and the name of the PAC Trustee who is leading the fundraising effort in your state. For more information about ACEC/PAC, contact Corie Simmons at 202-682-4314 or csimmons@acec.org.