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Volume XXIII,
Number 38
November 8, 2002
1015 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-7474
Fax
202-898-0068
www.acec.org
E-mail acec@acec.org
Ellen
Mullally, Editor
Ann Brandstadter, Designer
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Business
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Nov. 14 Market Forecast Series Event Features GSA’s Eakin
David Eakin, chief engineer for the General Services Administration (GSA), will be the featured speaker at the Nov. 14 Market Forecast Series event. Reserve your place now for the networking luncheon at ACEC headquarters or participate “virtually” via teleconference and the Internet as Eakin discusses the agency’s building program, funding outlook, and other new initiatives impacting ACEC members who work with GSA—or want to. For details and to register, click here.ACEC’s CEO Retreat Will Help Chart Your Firm’s Future Course
There is still time to register for ACEC’s CEO Retreat Nov. 14-15 at the Sedona Hilton Resort in Sedona, Ariz. This event will offer valuable insights on how to handle the accelerating changes in the workforce and economy that are having a significant impact on the leadership of consulting engineering firms. Sessions include “Gauging the Pulse of the Industry,” “Financial Aspects of Ownership Transition,” and “Leading the Next Generation of Engineering Leaders” from speakers James Thomas Jr., Lowell Getz, and Jim Krug.Don’t miss this opportunity to chart your firm’s future course. To register, click here or contact Sandrine Mailli (smailli@acec.org or 202-682-4338).
Design/Build Desktop Seminars
ACEC’s new Desktop Seminars feature “live” interactive presentations on today’s hottest business topics. At only $179 per site, it’s a wonderful opportunity for your firm to learn as a team. Sign up today for these upcoming sessions:
Effective Design/Build Teams
Dec. 4, 12:30 p.m. EST
Designer-Led Design/Build Contracting
Dec. 12, 12:30 p.m. EST
To register, call Sandrine Mailli at 202-682-4338.
Register for SEI VIII To “Transform” Your Company
Boost your firm’s success, build business acumen and self-awareness, and enrich your professional relationships by registering for ACEC’s Senior Executives Institute (SEI) VIII, which begins April 26, 2003. The program is limited to 26 executives who participate in five information-packed sessions over a two-year period. Topics covered include: “Your Vision and the World,” “Strategic and Systems Thinking,” “Personal Leadership Skills,” “Organizational Leadership Issues,” and “Putting it All Together.” To register, contact Roger Doucette (202-682-4330 or rdoucette@acec.org).ACEC Members Can Now Save Even More With Airborne Express
ACEC has expanded its member benefit program with Airborne Express, allowing you to save even more money by pre-purchasing Flight-ReadySM overnight letters and packs. Flight-Ready advantages include:- No weight limits or invoices
- Guaranteed delivery
- Exclusive volume rates
ACEC/PAC Candidates Win On Nov. 5ACEC’s political efforts paid off handsomely on Election Day—94 percent of the House and Senate candidates backed by ACEC/PAC (see complete list below) will be coming to Washington in 2003.
The Republican majority in the House expanded by four seats, but the shift was most dramatic in the Senate, where Republicans re-took control (51 to 47, with 1 Independent and one race still undecided at press time) after losing it 17 months ago. The changeover in the Senate is expected to bring greater opportunities to enact a pro-business agenda in 2003, although the tight margin will continue to demand a consensus approach to most issues. “More Friends To Push Our Agenda”“The support given to ACEC/PAC by our members over the past two years paid dividends on Election Day,” said ACEC President Dave Raymond. “Thanks to ACEC/PAC and the commitment of so many of our members, we will have more friends in the House and Senate in 2003 to help us push our agenda.”The shift in power in the Senate also means favorable changes at the committee level. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) is expected take over as chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, which will play a lead role in drafting legislation to reauthorize TEA-21 next year. The Oklahoma senator received strong backing from ACEC/PAC during his successful re-election effort this year.
Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), who has consistently supported the industry’s efforts to protect outsourcing, is expected to once again chair the Armed Services Committee. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who understands and supports key procurement issues such as QBS, is in line to chair the Governmental Affairs Committee. All were up for re-election this year, and all received strong backing from ACEC/PAC. “This has been a great year for ACEC/PAC,” said ACEC Chairman Dan DeYoung. “We accomplished our main objective this year, electing people from both parties who share ACEC’s vision of the role the private sector should play in a free market society.”
ACEC/PAC Sets New Record At Fall ConferenceACEC/PAC was also a big winner during the recent Fall Conference in Puerto Rico, raising more than $59,000 in so-called “hard dollars,” a new record.“Puerto Rico set a new standard in fundraising,” said ACEC/PAC Chairman Joe Paoluccio. “This strong support is a testament to the commitment our members are making to strengthening ACEC’s voice in Washington.” Thanks to ACEC/PAC event sponsors HDR, Pennoni Associates, Strand Associates, HNTB Corporation, D.J. Parrone & Associates, and PWNA. And a special thank you to Steve Anderson of Anderson Consulting Services, who graciously offered his vacation condo in Idaho; that item alone netted $3,200 for the PAC during the live auction. Congratulations to our ACEC/PAC Golf Tournament Winners:1st Place Foursome — Richard Bub, Brian Hanson, TheodoreRichards, Ben Faulkner 2nd Place — Ralph Palmer, Randy Palmer, R.J. Palmer, Richard Nunan 3rd Place — James Klug, David Oates, Richard Stulgis, Craig Avery Longest Drive (Men) — Bill Garrity Longest Drive (Women) — Cady Purcell Closest to the Pin (Men) — Craig Avery Closest to the Pin (Women) — Gerry Ann Flicker For more information on ACEC/PAC, contact Lorna O’Hara (lohara@acec.org or 202-347-7474). Member Alert! Read Carefully Before Signing New AOD ContractSome ACEC members have expressed concerns about a proposed new standard contract between owners and design professionals written for the Associated Owners and Developers (AOD), an organization “dedicated to the needs of owners and developers involved in the construction process.”The authors contend that the contract was written to reflect the “owner’s vision,” but the Council believes that it assigns responsibility to design professionals for items over which they may have no control or for which they have no insurance coverage. ACEC’s structural coalition, CASE, has submitted comments to AOD expressing some of its concerns about the document. For more information on the contract or about CASE’s comments, contact Ed Bajer (ebajer@acec.org or 202-347-7474).
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