Strong Finish By Maryland, Virginia, Illinois Nets All Time Record For ACEC/PAC More than $320,000 was raised for ACEC/PAC in 2005—a new fundraising record that substantially bested the previous record high of $208,000 in 2004. The strong year-end finish was propelled by a record number of Member Organizations—20—that met their 2005 fundraising goals. ACEC/Maryland, ACEC/Virginia and ACEC/Illinois used successful late season fundraising drives to cross the finish line before the end of the year. The other 2005 ACEC/PAC goal achievers were: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Metro Washington, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Washington, and Wyoming. Kunal Gangopadhyay, Maryland ACEC/PAC Trustee "This is a tremendous accomplishment, and sends a clear message that ACEC members are ready to take our political program to a new level to protect our interests in Congress," said ACEC Chairman Ed Mulcahy. The successful effort in Maryland was spearheaded by ACEC/PAC Trustee Kunal Gangopadhyay of EBA Engineering, as well as former Trustee Steve Zentz, of Rummel, Klepper & Kahl and ACEC/Maryland President Daniel T. Cheng of Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson. Gangopadhyay credits a growing awareness on the part of member firm executives of the importance of political engagement. "Our members know firsthand that we won't win in Congress if we don't first win on Election Day. ACEC/PAC is our tool for doing so."

Dan DeYoung, Virginia ACEC/PAC Trustee Former ACEC Chairman and now ACEC/PAC Trustee from Virginia, Dan DeYoung of DJG, Inc. worked with ACEC/Virginia President Sam Kirby of Froehling & Robertson and others to push Virginia over the 2005 finish line. "It's very simple," said DeYoung. "If we don't get engaged politically, others will, and we will have to live with the consequences. It is much preferred for us to create our own environment. We need everybody's help to do that and I encourage all ACEC members to participate and support the PAC in 2006."

David Oates, Illinois ACEC/PAC Trustee Illinois PAC Trustee, David Oates of Oates Associates and ACEC/Illinois Executive Director David Kennedy assembled an all-star team to fuel the final fundraising drive that put the state organization over the top. ACEC/Illinois President Don Rutledge of the Farnsworth Group, President-elect Peter Mesha of Wight & Company, ACEC National Director Tom Jester of Edwards and Kelcey, and Ken Nelson of Clark Dietz joined with Oates and Kennedy in making phone calls in the closing days of 2005 that produced a groundswell of support among Illinois members. "Given all of the important issues pending in Congress, and all of people on both sides of the aisle that support our industry, it's never been more important to build up ACEC/PAC," said Oates. "I'm really proud of the firm principals in Illinois that stepped up and put us over the top."

Rep. Graves Visits ACEC Headquarters To Discuss Transportation Initiatives U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), center, discusses transportation infrastructure issues with ACEC President Dave Raymond (left) and HNTB Vice President Roger Bowers during a recent luncheon at ACEC headquarters. U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-MO) visited ACEC headquarters to discuss transportation infrastructure issues. Graves was a key player in helping ACEC gain repeal of the "opt-out" authority that permitted many state DOTs to place arbitrary caps on overhead and require redundant audits for federally-funded transportation design work.

Sign Up Now For ACEC's 2006-2007 Committees This is the time of year when we encourage ACEC members to sign up for service on ACEC's committees for the new, annual term beginning at ACEC's Annual Convention in April 2006. Participation on an ACEC committee brings vitality to the Council and assures that the issues and interests of member firms are an integral part of all Council initiatives. Most of ACEC's committees are "Open" (i.e., sign up and you're on!); while some require appointment by the incoming ACEC Chair. Open and appointive committees are listed below. To register your interest (even if you currently serve on a committee and wish to continue), click here. Budget Committee Bylaws & Procedures Committee Contract Documents Committee* Engineering Excellence Awards Committee Environmental Business Committee* Federal Agencies & Procurement Advocacy Committee* Institute for Business Management Committee* Certification Sub-Committee * Curriculum Sub-Committee Licensure Sub-Committee * Peer Review Sub-Committee SEI Alumni Committee International Committee* Management Practices Committee Associated Partners Sub-Committee Quality Sub-Committee Membership Committee* Planning Cabinet Public Relations Committee* Risk Management Committee Tax and Regulatory Affairs Committee* Transportation Committee* ACEC/AASHTO Joint Committee *Open Committees in 2006-2007 Committee applications are due by January 20, 2006. To view the rosters and goals of the 2005-2006 committees for reference, click here.

Copyright © 2006 by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). All rights reserved. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced, stored in any form of retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, photographic, or other means without the prior written permission of ACEC.

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