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Still Time For 9% A/E Tax Online Seminar The New 9% A/E Tax Deduction: How Engineering Firms Can Implement and Benefit from This New Tax Law March 14 1:30–3:30pm EST, Online Members $199/non-members $249 Recent changes to federal tax regulations prompted by ACEC may have a positive impact on your firm. In this online session, tax experts from the renowned financial consulting firm Ernst & Young will explain how to get the most from these modifications. "I just found out I saved over $3,000 in federal taxes. I'm estimating that our principals will save close to $5,000 in federal tax payments thanks to ACEC."—Christopher Borton, Principal/President Borton-Lawson, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Click here to register and for more information. Upcoming Seminar: Building Information Modeling—An Introduction For Practicing Structural Engineers Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology is becoming an increasingly effective tool for built environment professionals. Design teams have already been using 3D modeling extensively in the industrial market. Structural engineers can learn more about BIM and emerging technologies at a half-day seminar in Chicago on June 22 entitled, "Building Information Modeling—An Introduction for Practicing Structural Engineers." Get on the list for more information by emailing ebajer@acec.org. Still Time To Save 25% On ACEC Job Board In recognition of the new resume posting feature on ACEC's online Job Board, all employers who purchase a job posting package by March 15 will receive a 25 percent discount. When filling out the online form, enter promotional code TNXFEB2006. All employers advertising positions on the Job Board have access to the resumes, and resume posting is a free service to job seekers. The ACEC Job Board can be found at www.acec.org/jobbank/. For questions about your posting, contact the Job Board Help Desk at 888-491-8833 or click here. Free Shipping For Changing Our World The ACEC Online Bookstore is proud to announce a new publication: Changing Our World: True Stories of Women Engineers. This full-color, 256-page resource celebrates the contributions of women engineers to every aspect of modern life. It explores the lives and careers of hundreds of women engineers of all ages and backgrounds—extraordinary women who serve as role models to tell the untold story of engineering. Through March 31 receive free ground shipping when you order this book. Enter coupon code WE331 when checking out at the ACEC Online bookstore to receive this discount. Click here to place your order now. Next Week's Online Seminar: Trusted Advisors: Born or Developed? Charles Fleetham Project Innovations, Inc. March 15         1:30–3:00pm EST Becoming a trusted advisor is The Holy Grail for consultants. A powerful connection with a trusted advisor allows both client and consultant to leap over the impersonal, and sometimes degrading owner-vendor relationship. Are trusted advisors born or made? Get answers in this seminar. Click here to register and for more information. March Market Forecast Series Event: USACE On Hurricane Relief Efforts March 16     12:30–1:30pm EST ACEC HQ or Your desktop Members $109/non-members $129 David Pezza from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will present the latest information on the Corps' reconstruction and rebuilding efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Click here to register.

Montana First To Hit ACEC/PAC Goal for 2006 Montana ACEC/PAC Trustee and National Director Vaughn Anderson ACEC/Montana has the distinction of being the first Member Organization to hit its 2006 ACEC/PAC fundraising goal. This is the second year in a row that the Big Sky State has met the PAC goal recommended by the ACEC/PAC Trustees committee. Montana ACEC/PAC Trustee and National Director Vaughn Anderson of DJ & A in Missoula led the fundraising effort, with assistance from MO President David L. Zahller of Thomas, Dean & Hoskins, Inc. and Executive Director Jay Skoog. ACEC/Montana President David L. Zahller The ACEC/PAC Trustees committee has set a nationwide target of raising $600,000 this year. Each state is allocated an individual target based on membership strength. ACEC's Strategic Plan has established a $1 million goal for ACEC/PAC by 2010. "2006 is an election year, and it has never been more important for ACEC members to step up and do something to protect their business interests in Congress," said Anderson. "Making a contribution to ACEC/PAC is the perfect way to do just that." Added Zahller: "We can't leave it to others to decide our fate. ACEC/PAC is our tool to elect good people to Congress that support us on our issues." Click here for more information on each state's progress to date in meeting their 2006 ACEC/PAC goals. Former White House Chef To Share Cuisine Secrets At Annual Convention Walter Scheib, former White House Chef Walter Scheib, who served Presidents Clinton and Bush as head White House Chef until last year, will discuss First Family culinary challenges at the upcoming Annual Convention and Legislative Summit, April 30–May 3 in Washington D.C. Scheib will speak at the Spouse Breakfast, beginning 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 2. As Executive Chef, Scheib managed and prepared all menus and meals for the First Family and their private entertaining, as well as all official and state functions of the presidency. Other social events that spouses will enjoy include a private tour and dinner at George Washington's Mount Vernon home; and the "whodunit" comedy "Shear Madness" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, following dinner at one of Washington's top restaurants. If any Convention attendee prefers to embark on their own personal discovery journey of the Nation's capital, attractions such as the Smithsonian Institution—the world's largest museum complex—along with spectacular art galleries and world-class restaurants are just minutes away. Another great social event is the 40th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala, which also will be held on Tuesday May 2. Known industry-wide as the "Academy Awards" of engineering, the annual black-tie affair will recognize 163 major engineering achievements from across the nation. Make your reservations today! Click here to view Convention registration information. Register online by March 31 and receive an additional 5 percent off the registration fee. Senate Committee Takes Up ACEC-Backed Healthcare Reform Legislation Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY), driving healthcare reform through the Senate. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee began consideration this week of ACEC-backed legislation to make it easier for engineering firms and other business to access affordable health insurance through national associations. The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act (S. 1955) introduced by committee Chairman Michael Enzi (R-WY), seeks to provide businesses a mechanism to stem the rapid growth in health care costs. The measure will allow businesses to band together across state lines through national trade associations to achieve greater bargaining power and economies of scale when purchasing insurance. "This is an important, landmark step, bringing us closer than we've ever been to securing passage of this major health care reform initiative," said ACEC Life/Health Trust President Derrell Johnson. ACEC is one of the few associations that currently offer its members the benefits of an association-sponsored health plan—the ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust which provides affordable, high-quality health insurance services to nearly 2,000 member firms across the country. The effectiveness of the Life/Health Trust is hampered, however, in having to comply with multiple state regulations and mandates, which result in higher administrative costs and, in some cases, actually prevent ACEC members from accessing the plan. The Enzi bill preserves traditional oversight and consumer protection roles of the states, but streamlines benefit mandates and other regulations to improve the ability of national organizations to give their members access to affordable health insurance. Even ACEC members that do not participate in the Trust will likely benefit, as more competition in the health insurance market will help to control costs. The House has already passed similar legislation, but for many years Association Health Plan legislation has languished in the Senate. Enzi, who took over as chairman of the HELP Committee last year, has vowed to make this legislation a priority. He plans to convene the committee again next week to complete work on his legislation.

QBS Award Nominations Due March 15 The 2006 National QBS Awards Program nominations to recognize public and private entities that make exemplary use of the QBS selection process at the state and local levels are due on Wednesday, March 15. The awards highlight the success of QBS across the nation and provide ACEC with real-life examples that help to promote QBS to policymakers. ACEC has partnered with the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) to administer the program over the last eight years, with the two associations alternating the hosting of the annual awards program. NSPE will present this year's awards at its annual convention in Boston in July. For more information and to obtain a nomination form click here, or call Roger Jordan at 202-347-7474.

ACEC Small Firms Focus on Strategic Planning, Other Key Issues At Winter Meeting Effective strategic business planning was a major theme at the recent ACEC Small Firm Council (SFC) Winter Meeting and Principals Seminar held last week in Atlanta. More than 40 attended the meeting, which has become increasingly popular among small firm owners who look forward to programs specifically geared to their needs. This year, SFC teamed with ZweigWhite to kick-off the meeting with a one-day seminar on Strategic Business Planning for Growing Firms. Zwieg White's Giles Jacknain emphasized how coordinating business strategies and business functions, such as organization structure, financial management and leadership development, can be powerful tools CEO's can use to effectively steer growing firms towards success. The popular CEO roundtable discussion and other open discussions with professional liability, business, and health insurance providers also were valuable for attendees. "The SFC meeting provided a great forum for owners to discuss topics and receive feedback regarding the day-to-day challenges faced specifically by small firm owners," said SFC member Gregg Ten Eyck of Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc. in Denver, CO. "I began attending the SFC Winter Meeting several years ago, just as I was starting my own business," said Karen Friese of K Friese & Associates, Austin, TX. "The seminars and roundtable discussions have consistently provided new insights and practical techniques that have helped me grow my business."

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