Annual Convention Hill Visits To Fight Payment Withholding Mandate, Urge Infrastructure Funding A large turnout from the Council's "citizen lobbyists" is imperative at the upcoming Annual Convention, May 6-9 in Washington D.C., to help turn the congressional tide on a number of critical industry issues. The Convention will provide several special programs to assist members in advocating essential industry concerns during their Capitol Hill visits. "Mock Congress" exercises, in which members play the role of lawmakers, will be held on Monday, May 7th and Tuesday, May 8th. Also on Tuesday, a thorough legislative briefing will further prepare members for their Hill visits. Click here for more Convention and registration information. In a letter this week to Member Organization executive directors, the Council emphasized the importance of member participation in the Convention's legislative program, and identified the primary issues that need to be addressed: Defeat 3 Percent Witholding Mandate—ACEC is leading a broad coalition to overturn a new 3 percent withholding mandate on government contracts which is scheduled to take effect in 2011. This provision, which would apply to all contracts of federal, state or local governments that spend $100 million or more annually, "is patently unfair and another layer of tax on us which we intend to repeal," says ACEC President Dave Raymond. Pass New Water Legislation—ACEC is supporting two major water bills in Congress: the Water Resources Development Act, which would authorize more than $10 billion for future Corps of Engineers projects; and the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007, which authorizes $20 billion over five years for wastewater projects funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program, and includes an ACEC-backed Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) provision. Promote Expansion of H-1B Visa Program—To ameliorate the growing shortage of engineers, the Council is advocating expansion of the H-1B visa program to acquire more engineering talent from abroad, along with education measures such as increased scholarship opportunities to encourage more young Americans to pursue engineering careers. Promote Changes To Transportation Funding—ACEC is urging Congress to address a funding crisis in the Transportation Trust Fund; that without new action is expected to go bankrupt by 2009, the final year of SAFETEA LU. Among the options Congress needs to consider are increasing and indexing for inflation the motor fuels tax, and innovative financing options to raise private capital and dedicated user fees. "We need to hammer home the message to Congress that the looming transportation funding crisis needs to be addressed now," says ACEC Transportation Committee Chairman Charlie Geer of Kimley-Horn, Inc. "These are all bottom-line issues, and we need a large turnout from our members to go with us to Capitol Hill to help make the case on behalf of our industry," said ACEC Chairman Jeff Daggett.

PBS&J's Andrea Martinez Featured As A "New Face Of Engineering" In USA Today ACEC-nominated Andrea Martinez, was featured in USA Today's New Faces of Engineering Ad. Andrea Martinez, project manager for PBS&J in Tampa, Fla., is one of 15 young engineers from across the nation featured this week in the "New Faces of Engineering" full page advertisement in USA Today, sponsored by National Engineer's Week. Martinez also is one of five young engineers chosen by the ACEC Committee of Fellows to receive ACEC's "Young Professional of the Year" award, to be presented at the Fall Conference in Hawaii. Other honorees for the Fellows award are: Laurel Passantino, of Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., in Phoenix; Danielle Fason, of WilsonMiller, Inc., in Tallahassee, Fla.; Brian Craig, of United Consulting Engineers & Architects, in Indianapolis and Lyndsey Alm, of Leggette, Brashers & Graham, Inc., in St. Paul, Minn. Martinez joined PBS&J as a junior engineer in 1999 after graduating from the University of South Florida. As project manager, Martinez focuses on stormwater and large watershed projects throughout the state, and has led the firm's hydraulic/hydrologic modeling team in assessing existing flooding and water quality analysis.

ACEC Hosts Industry Reception For NY Congressman ACEC Government Affairs Vice President Steve Hall, left, Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY), and Cathy Connor of Parsons Brinckerhoff, at the reception event held last week in Washington. ACEC hosted a reception for Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY) last week to introduce him to several national infrastructure organizations. The reception gave the Council and other industry organizations the chance to brief the New York lawmaker and new member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on important industry priorities, including transportation and water funding issues. Bishop represents the 1st District of New York. Elected to Congress in 2002, he served previously for 29 years in various capacities at Southampton College on Long Island. Bishop's committee assignment and strong support for greater federal investment will be of vital importance to the Council and its industry allies as Congress takes up a variety of funding bills in the coming months.

Who Knew Engineers Were So Romantic? Engineering chocolates were the popular choice by members for Valentine's Day. The ACEC Bookstore was a popular choice for many members seeking gifts for Valentine's Day. Customers purchased more than 100 boxes of engineering-shaped chocolate, by far the hottest-selling Bookstore gift item. Other popular gifts last week included the "Engineers are Hot" mug and the Dilbert mints. In addition to being the industry leader for business management resources and publications, the ACEC Bookstore offers creative engineer-themed products that will add a unique flair to any baby shower, birthday, holiday or office celebration. To visit the ACEC Bookstore Click here.

Oregon State Senator Offers Lobbying Tips For ACEC/Oregon Members ACEC/Oregon Vice President Troy Bowers, of Murray, Smith & Associates, Inc., engages in a role-playing exercise with Oregon State Senator Ginny Burdick, (D-Portland), during the ACEC/Oregon-sponsored legislative issues briefing breakfast held last week. The event provided members with insights on how best to discuss pertinent issues with their legislators during ACEC/Oregon's "Day at the Capitol" held this Tuesday in Salem.

Business Development Success: Understand The Psychology Of The Buyer Winning Conversations: The Psychology of Why People Buy Engineering Services February 27, 1:30–3pm Presented online by Bill Scheesselem, this seminar will examine ways to "master the art of business development." Click here for details and to register. Online Course To Examine DOT Rules On A/E Contracts, Unallowable And Indirect Costs Unallowable Costs: Government Contract Law for Non-Lawyers March 6, 1:30–3pm Since November 2005, A/E services contracts funded in whole or in part with federal highway dollars have several important requirements that firms must understand. David Dempsey, a partner in the law firm of Holland & Knight, will provide insights into how to effectively contract with the government. Click here for details on topics to be covered and to register. Online Seminar Looks at New Paradigm for Satisfying Clients Value Management: A New Paradigm for Measuring Project Management March 7, 1:30–3pm This seminar discusses today's client expectations and reviews new methods for project managers to meet that demand. Moderated by Glenn Bell, of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc., the program will emphasize how added value can be applied to maximize client satisfaction for bottom line results. Click here for details and to register. Is Your Firm Maximizing The Potential Of Design-Build? Two-Day Course Examines Trend Leveraging the Design-Build Trend: How Engineering Firms Can Profit from Integrated Delivery March 29–30, ACEC Headquarters ACEC will present this intensive new two-day course on March 29-30 at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Designed by engineering professionals, this course is a must for project leaders of companies interested in increasing profitability and expanding their design-build work, and for firms new to this delivery system and seeking to avoid the pitfalls while realizing its potential. Click here for details and to register.

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