ACEC/PAC Achieves Record Fundraising Year; Seven More States Cross The Goal Line ACEC members raised over $440,000 for ACEC/PAC in 2006, and over $760,000 during the 2005-2006 election cycle—more than doubling the $330,000 previous election cycle total, and representing a major expansion of ACEC's political program. The jump in fundraising was propelled by the 27 Member Organizations that achieved ACEC/PAC fundraising goals for 2006, an all-time record eclipsing the 20 states that reached their goal in 2005. "This is incredible growth, and a testament to the hard work of the ACEC/PAC champions, the state presidents and executive directors, and most of all the ACEC/PAC donors who recognize the vital importance of political engagement to the well-being of our industry," said ACEC Chairman Jeff Daggett. The closing days of 2006 saw a surge in fundraising activity as seven new Member Organizations crossed the ACEC/PAC goal line before the end of the year—Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Mississippi, Alabama, and Metro Washington. They join a record-breaking lineup that also includes Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, South Carolina, Utah, North Carolina, Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Arizona, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.

Ohio, Massachusetts Earn First-Time Honors ACEC/Ohio's Tom Mosure The Buckeye State and Massachusetts achieved their PAC goals for the first time in 2006. "Making our ACEC/PAC goal was a priority for Ohio this year," said ACEC/PAC Champion Tom Mosure of ms consultants. "“The stakes in Congress are too important, and we knew that by working together with all the firms in Ohio and everyone kicking in, we could do it." ACEC/Massachusetts' Mike Hanlon "ACEC members in the Bay State truly stepped up in 2006," said ACEC/Massachusetts Executive Director Abbie Goodman. She credited ACEC/Massachusetts President Mike Hanlon and past presidents Frank Leathers, Beth Larkin and PAC Champion Frank Tramontozzi, as well as the entire ACEC/MA Board of Directors, for pushing Massachusetts over the goal.

Strong Leadership For Illinois, Hawaii and Metro Washington ACEC/Mississippi's Charles Williford ACEC/Hawaii's Barry Jim On ACEC/Hawaii and ACEC/Metro Washington both held year-end events, as well as member-to-member outreach, to hit their respective PAC goals. "Because our members live and operate in the Washington, D.C. area, they fully appreciate the impact that federal policies have on their bottom lines," said ACEC/Metro Washington President. Philios Angelides. ACEC/Illinois' successful fundraising drive, which raised the most PAC money of any state again this year, was led by ACEC/PAC Champion David Oates, Executive Director David Kennedy, President Peter Mesha, and National Director Tom Jester. "Doing our part to build ACEC/PAC just makes good business sense," ACEC/Metro Washington's Philios Angelides ACEC/Illinois' Tom Jester

said Jester. "If we as an industry don't engage politically, you can bet that others will and we will have to live with the consequences." Added ACEC/PAC Champion Barry Jim On of Hawaii: "The actions of Congress impact us all, which is why we all have a stake in the success of ACEC's political program." New ACEC/PAC Champion of Mississippi Charles Williford credits ACEC/Mississippi President Bill Burle, Executive Director Judy Adams, and their executive committee for the state's success in 2006. "Mississippi's leadership was committed to making this happen," said Williford.   ACEC/Alabama's Alain Gallet Strong leadership support was the theme in Alabama as well. "ACEC/Alabama President Forrest Wilson and Executive Director Renee Casillas worked hard to put us over the top once again," said ACEC/PAC Champion Alain Gallet.

It Pays To Be In The Know; Respond by January 31 To Find Out How For just a little time and effort, the latest A/E/C industry market information can be at your fingertips free of charge. Simply complete the 2007-2008 Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey questionnaire that was recently mailed to all Member Firms. Click here to take the survey electronically or click here to download a PDF of the survey. Do so by January 31 and receive a FREE electronic copy of the survey results—a $400 value. ACEC's Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey provides current statistics on Member Firm business practices, finances, profitability, and emerging trends. The survey not only presents basic financial and employment data, but also important facts on current management concerns, project delivery, and key legislative trends. If you did not obtain the results of last year's ACEC Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey, here's a sample of what you missed: Leadership transition is one of the most pressing concerns for participating firms—but 36 percent of firms do not have a written transition plan. QBS, liability and standard of care, diversification, IT and computer modeling, and alternative delivery systems are the five most important practice issues for Member Firms. More than 50 percent of respondents cited the lack of qualified engineers and employee retention as critical concerns for their firms in the next five years. For further information, please contact Jill Holcomb, Manager, Education Technical Support, jholcomb@acec.org.

New Committee Registration Ends Soon—Sign Up Now ACEC members are encouraged to sign up for service on ACEC National committees for the annual term beginning at ACEC's Spring Convention in May 2007. Committee applications are due January 19, 2007. Participation on ACEC committees brings vitality to the Council and ensures that the issues and interests of members are brought into Council operations. Most of ACEC's committees are "open" (i.e., sign up and you're on!). A few require appointment by the incoming ACEC chairman, so register to request an appointment. Open and appointive committees are listed below. Click here to view Committee goals or to apply (even if you currently serve on a committee and wish to continue). Open Committees Contract Documents Committee Environment & Energy Committee Federal Agencies & Procurement Advocacy Committee Institute for Business Management Committee Accreditation & Student Records Sub-Committee Licensure Sub-Committee Peer Review Sub-Committee* SEI Alumni Committee International Committee Management Practices Committee Association Partners Sub-Committee Quality Sub-Committee Membership Committee Public Relations Committee Risk Management Committee Tax and Regulatory Affairs Committee Transportation Committee Appointive Committees Engineering Excellence Awards Committee Planning Cabinet Conference Curriculum Sub-Committee Professional Conduct Committee Bylaws & Procedures Committee ACEC/AASHTO Joint Committee Tellers Committee * Must be employees of Peer Reviewed firms.

Copyright © 2007 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.

Click here to review past editions of the Last Word.

Click here to subscribe to the Last Word.