2009 Outstanding Women in Engineering

Minal Parkeh, P.E., of Lyman Henn, Inc., and Stephanie Sangaline, P.E. CPESC, of Felsburg Holt & Ullevig have been named the ACEC/CO 2009 Outstanding Women in Engineering. The two were among seven engineers who were nominated by ACEC/CO members. The prestigious award recognizes women who demonstrate exceptional technical, educational, community involvement and leadership competence in the engineering industry. 

“It is important that we, as an organization and as an industry, continue to support and evolve women within our industry and attract women who have the aptitude and passion for engineering the world around us, now and in the future,” said Marilen Reimer, ACEC/CO executive director.

Minal is on Lyman Henn’s executive committee and is part of the leadership team responsible for strategic planning, marketing, operations, internal training, and personnel issues. She provides expertise in a full range of geological and geotechnical consulting and design services  

Minal has been project manager for many high profile projects. She led the geotechnical team to meet the challenging conditions and dynamic design process for a complicated urban corridor, and evaluated tunneled alternatives for the light rail to cross under an interstate highway and a complicated intersection for the RTD West Corridor Light Rail Project.. She is active in industry-related organizations and committees, is a published professional and an active parent volunteer at a science- and technology-focused charter school.

Stephanie is a Senior Project Engineer with Felsburg, Holt & Ullevig. Her pioneering work in using engineering to resolve train-horn disruption problems led to the development Railroad Quiet Zones in Colorado. She worked with municipalities to negotiate the process of obtaining Quiet Zones in their communities, obtained the first three Quiet Zones in Colorado, and now works for multiple agencies for this purpose. Her Commerce City BNSF South Quiet Zone Project received a Merit Award in the 2009 Engineering Excellence Awards competition. She is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control and is involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Association of State Floodplain Managers and the International Erosion Control Association.

Nominees

Each nominee is outstanding on her own merits, each at a very different level in her career, and each worthy of recognition for her achievements. 

Ann Bowers, P.E., PTOE. Ann graduated as the only female in her civil engineering class. She established her own successful consulting firm before becoming the Transportation Department Head and Regional Manager for Drexel, Barrell & Co.’s Denver office. She served as volunteer officer for her ASCE Student chapter in college, and for two sections of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). She served on the School Advisory Council for her children’s school and helped develop a Transportation plan for them. She has mentored many interns and new graduates.

As a Project Manager at The RMH Group, Kirsten Cremona, P.E., LEED AP, established a framework enabling young engineers and designers to take ownership of a project’s full design while maintaining oversight to achieve project goals. She developed mechanical and electrical design standards for the Bureau of Indian Affair’s schools nationwide, written to LEED-New Construction Silver specifications and customized for eight climatic regions. Her projects have garnered awards including an ACEC/CO Engineering Excellence Merit Award and a City of Lakewood Sustainability Award.

Jessica Lorentz is a Staff Engineer with EMC Engineers. She designed protocol for energy-efficient and daylit schools in Brazil and created a campus sustainable design/energy-efficiency checklist patterned after the LEED rating system. She managed sustainable design assistance, retro-commissioning and energy analysis projects for a wide variety of building types, and analyzed energy efficiency measures to improve building performance. She specializes in energy-efficient schools including daylighting and solar/wind system design. She is involved in several associations focused on green energy engineering, and taught night seminars at CU Boulder on Retro-commissioning.

Valerie Walker is a Senior Project Manager for Merrick & Company. She has successfully managed many challenging projects, including a $10.8 million design-build project for a glovebox suite of integrated machine tools—a one-of-a-kind enclosed manufacturing system which received an ACEC/CO 2009 Engineering Excellence Award. Valerie volunteers for local schools, a youth soccer team, and runs races for charitable causes. She helps coordinate Merrick’s participation in seminars, and is currently working on an international baccalaureate summit on Alternative Energy for middle school students.

Nancy White, PE, LEED AP, is a Senior Electrical Engineer for Shaffer Baucom Engineering and Consulting. She designs electrical distribution systems, pathways, lighting and lighting controls, communications and fire alarm systems. She received the IS Lighting Design Award for the Littleton Adventist Hospital’s entry atrium. She designed the lighting for CSU’s Lake Street Mixed Use Parking Structure, projected to be the first U.S. parking structure to achieve LEED Gold certification. She mentors young staff members, volunteers for professional and community organizations, and is a member of US Green Building Council and other groups.

2009 New Faces in Engineering

Twelve young engineers were recognized at the February General Meeting as nominees in the ACEC/CO New Faces in Engineering competition. ACEC-Colorado participates in Engineers’ Week New Faces in Engineering and the ACEC Young Professional of the Year programs. These awards promote the accomplishments of young engineers by highlighting their engineering contributions and the resulting impact on society. 

Jared Dains is a Water Resource Engineer with Applegate Group, where he has demonstrated an ability to grasp difficult concepts very quickly and apply his knowledge to real world operations. Jared is also working toward a Master’s degree, serves in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves as Platoon Sergeant for the intelligence unit, and is a brown-belt Marine Corps martial arts instructor and an expert marksman.

James Halgren works in Programming, Modeling and Design in Civil and Environmental Engineering for EDAW/AECOM, and is working toward his PhD in 3D/4D Visualization, Hydraulic Engineering and Sedimentation and Rainfall-Runoff Modeling. Last year he co-authored and presented a paper at the American Geophysical Union Hydrology Days.  He is an Eagle Scout and serves as a Scout Master, and volunteers as an emergency communications HAM radio operator.

Steve Lind is a Drainage Engineer with DMJM Harris/AECOM, working on utility planning and design for a major local transit project and dam break inundation mapping using GIS.  He is a marathon runner, and serves on the Leadership Council for his church as the senior Facilities Coordinator. Steve was also nominated to the ACEC Young Professionals in Engineering program.

Sam Lowe, P.E., is a Water Resources Engineer for Ayres Associates. Using complicated 2-dimensional models for analyzing river flow, he developed the hydraulic model of a new bridge crossing for New Jersey's largest public works project ever. He applied his extensive Microstation skills to levee improvement projects in Sacramento critical to the safety of residents, and results he obtained with a state-of-the-art unsteady flow model saved several Colorado cities hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary capital improvement projects.

Steve Maxson, P.E. is Project Manager and Mechanical Engineer for Shaffer Baucom Engineering & Consulting. He has designed facilities supporting technologies from life changing medical advances to NASA’s manned mission to Mars.  He uses cutting-edge computational fluid dynamic modeling technology to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency. He is a Senior Design Project Judge for the Colorado School of Mines, and received the 2001 and 2002 ACEC/CO William Russell Stoneman Scholarship. Steve was also nominated to the ACEC Young Professional of the Year program.

Carrie McCall, CCT is a Cost Engineer with Earth Tech/AECOM. She is a leader of the grassroots Green Team at the firm and co-author of the internal Sustainable Office Guide. She volunteers to create a sustainable office environment, and is a volunteer for Conscious Alliance, a food-drive organization that educates people about hunger, sustainability, and the issues facing American Indian communities, and mobilizes resources for first-response disaster relief.

Michael Pompliano is an Environmental Engineer with Earth Tech/AECOM. He spent five months as a political canvasser, raising awareness and financial support for a lobbying campaign to protect Michigan’s water and Great Lakes. Prior to that project, he was a student at the University of New South Wales, with Australia’s Renewable Energy program. He is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers.

Nikki Randall, P.E. is a Water Resources Engineer for Ayres Associates. She handled FEMA floodplain mapping for a section of the Big Thompson River, and was lead engineer on a hydraulic feasibility analysis for a Mississippi River bridge. Her 3-D Microstation design skills helped meet extremely tight time schedules on plans she completed for critical erosion sites along the Sacramento River levee system. She is a Certified Floodplain Manager and recently presented a paper at a Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers conference.

Derek Rapp, P.E. is a Water Resources engineer with Wright Water Engineers. As a member of a multidisciplinary research team, he rappelled over a cliff at Mesa Verde National Park to study the hydraulic characteristics of ancient water supply channels. He invented and installed innovative devices for monitoring water levels in a gravel pit. He makes frequent trips to ski resorts where he designs and oversees performance of water pollution control measures. Derek was also nominated to the ACEC Young Professionals in Engineering program.

Sonya Reiser is a Mechanical Engineer with TCB AECOM. She has experience in engineering and management in hydro-mechanical and dam engineering, and has been published twice. She led the recruitment efforts for obtaining RTD Eco Passes for the firm, and serves as EcoPass coordinator.  She volunteers for several charitable organizations, and coaches a youth soccer team. She served as the Rocky Mountain SWE Section’s Vice President and volunteers for SWE-RMS programs. Sonya was also nominated to the ACEC Young Professionals in Engineering program.

Joseph Tamburini, P.E. is a Senior Engineer for Tetra Tech RTW. He led the design of five arsenic-removal treatment plants utilizing different technologies, and designed and constructed a novel antimony-removal process. He develops computer modeling and process simulation tools for water, wastewater and air emissions, and maintains several AWWA-licensed software packages providing affordable access to modeling critical water chemistry parameters. Joe is a U.S. Patent co-author for “Solar Thermal Aerosol Flow Reaction Process” and teaches at the CU Activated Sludge Operators Training School and the Grand Junction Operators School. Joe was also nominated to the ACEC Young Professionals in Engineering program, and was one of ACEC national’s nominees for the Engineers Week New Faces in Engineering award. His profile is on the Eweek website for recognition as an ACEC New Faces in Engineering nominee.

Bryon Wood, EIT, is a Project Engineer with HDR and an expert in water and wastewater system modeling. He is currently working on a model for a wastewater collection system in a GIS platform to provide a prioritized, implementable series of Capital Improvement Projects for Boulder. His work includes water system design and flood control structures at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Bryon has been a leader of the Total Service Organization team and developed the HDR/Denver Intranet website, benefitting over 8,000 colleagues nationwide.

ACEC/CO Scholarship Awarded to Bridge Building Winner

The annual Bridge Building Competition was held last month during Engineers Week. A $1000 scholarship was awarded to each of the regional winners, funded by ACEC/CO and Professional Engineers of Colorado (PEC), who also hosts the competition with the US Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. The American Public Works Association (APWA) Colorado Chapter sponsors two $250 scholarships for both second-place winners.

Max Vanatta, a sophomore at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, posted the best scores for Region 2, and will receive $1000 from ACEC/CO when he attends an engineering school. John Spainhower, Denver School of Science and Technology, won the Region 1 contest. Kyle Tivnan, also from Cheyenne Mountain, posted the 2nd place score for Region 2, and Rebecca Travers, from "Center Academy" in Lakewood, received the 2nd place award for Region 1. This is Rebecca's second award in the competition; in 2007, she received a $500 scholarship from ACEC/CO for her first-place showing.

Engineer Tops List as Future Career for Kids

According to the results of the ninth annual Junior Achievement "Kids and Careers" poll, teen interest in a career as a "business person" has declined. "Engineering or science occupation" and "doctor" tied for first place, each selected by 16 percent of 12-17 year-olds as their ideal career. "Business person" came in fifth place, after "entertainer," "professional athlete" and "teacher." For five consecutive years in which Junior Achievement conducted the poll, "business person" was teens' top career choice.

The 2009 poll was funded by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and surveyed 750 teens nationwide. The decline in teens' interest in business careers could be attributed to the current state of the economy, and teens' desire to pursue careers with greater perceived job security and income potential.  Commenting on the survey results, Jack E. Kosakowski, president of Junior Achievement USA, noted, "With all that has happened lately in the financial sector, it is possible that teens are unsure about careers in the business." The 2009 Junior Achievement Kids and Careers Poll was conducted by Opinion Research.

Not So Fast... Engineering Image Problem Could Fuel Shortage

Career Not on Radar for Kids or Parents

An overwhelming 85% of kids say that they are not interested in a future engineering career for a variety of reasons, according to recent surveys of youth and adults conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of ASQ (American Society for Quality).

Survey results indicate the top reasons why kids may not be interested in pursuing engineering:

• Kids don’t know much about engineering (44%).
• Kids prefer a more exciting career than engineering (30%).
• They don’t feel confident enough in their math or science skills (21%) to be good at it— despite the fact that the largest number of kids ranked math (22%) and science (17%) as their favorite subjects.  

Findings from the adult survey on this topic show:

• Only 20% of parents have encouraged/will encourage their child/children to consider an engineering career. 
• The vast majority of parents (97%) said they believe that knowledge of math and science will help their children have a successful career.

The ASQ survey among youth ages 8-17 as well as among parents aimed to provide a better understanding about the perceptions of selecting an engineering career in light of a troubling shortage of U.S. engineers, which will reach 70,000 by 2010 based on an estimate by the National Science Foundation. Read the full article.

S*M*A*R*T Goals Move your Good Intentions into Written Plans   

By Nancy Whitsel of Performance Resources Consulting, and ACEC/CO Future Leaders Instructor

Goals are essential for achieving progress toward desired results.  Written goals are visible and not forgotten.  By putting your goals on paper, you move from wishful thinking to a concrete promise that you can explain, track and monitor.

To write your own  S * M * A * R *T  Goal  use this outline: 

Specific – Write a paragraph to a page to describe precisely what will be done.

Measurable – You must use numbers to show how you will monitor and determine progress.

Approach – Make a list of action steps necessary to accomplish the goal. This is your blueprint to success.

Results – What will be changed when the goal is accomplished?  This is your motivation. 

Time – By establishing a timeline and deadline, you ensure that the goal will be completed.

During the first Future Leader workshop, we will further explain the concept and practice the writing of SMART Goals.  To learn how you can develop a variety of supervision skills critical to good project management, read more about Future Leader workshops. The brochure will show how your project managers can benefit by attending. To register please call Jennifer Shaw at 303-832-2200 or e-mail jennifer@acec-co.org.

© 2009 Nancy Whitsel, Performance Resources Consulting

Engineers in the News

Congratulations to Ken Wright of Wright Water Engineers in celebration of his 80th birthday!

LONCO, Inc., has recently hired Jason Reed, LEED AP to its Construction Inspection Services staff.

Kennedy/Jenks Consultants congratulates Chris Douglass, PE (pictured at left), and Angela Howard, PE (pictured top right), for earning their LEED® Accreditation.

Kennedy/Jenks Consultants has also promoted Kristine Thorpe (pictured bottom right) to the position of Southwest Regional Marketing Manager. Ms. Thorpe is based in the Denver office. She will assume responsibility for working with the Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Austin offices.

CTL/Thompson has announced that R.B. "Chip" Leadbetter III P.E. has been named division manager for the Fort Collins branch. Robin Dornfest, P.G. will be replacing Leadbetter as engineering department manager also of the Fort Collins branch. Melissa Chalona has earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional designation.

Congratulations to CH2M Hill and Arcadis, firms that were “included on the latest ‘top 100 employers’ list from Black Collegian magazine of companies planning to hire 2009 college graduates, according to a February 16 article in the Denver Business Journal

Congratulations to Celeste Davis, TCB AECOM; Kristi James, Parsons; and Jennifer Whitton, Camp, Dresser and McKee Inc. (CDM), who earned the designation of Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) in January 2009 from the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS).

Marketing and Business Development

2009 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting

Colorado companies export thousands of products and services each year, contributing to, and benefiting from financial and cultural linkages worldwide. This award honors Colorado's exporters and  important companies in the development of  the state's economy. If you or any of your employers work abroad, you may qualify for this award.

The 2009 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting is open to businesses of all sizes and industries that are located in Colorado. To be considered for the award, please complete the application and return it to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade by Thursday, March 19th, 2009. Awards will be formally presented to the winning companies at World Trade Day on April 30, 2009. To apply and for more information click here.

Buckley Air Force Base: Energy Solutions RFI

Buckley Air Force Base is soliciting industry input on energy savings solutions for incorporation into future work requirements to be funded over the next few years. Ideas should cover how to "green-up" older buildings as well as how to start off green in new developments.

1. The U.S. Department of Energy has a goal to create the technology and knowledge base for cost-effective zero-energy buildings by 2025. A zero energy building produces as much energy on-site as it consumes on an annual basis, primarily through energy efficiency with any small remaining loads met by photovoltaics and other solar energy technologies.

2. Department of Defense energy goals are much more stringent than the goals identified under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Executive Order 13423, and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Department of Defense Goals: 3% energy reduction per year for a total of 30% (gas & electric) by 2015, water reduction of 2% per year for a total of 16% by 2015, and a 25% renewable goal by 2025.

3. Whole-building integration - A systems integration approach that enables advanced technologies to function more efficiently. This process meets the challenge of reliability and projected cost requirements for buildings. Used in retrofit application, these types of technologies provide one of the best opportunities to increase energy efficiency in existing buildings.

4. Building Controls are important for the energy efficiency of buildings, enabling building equipment to operate at peak energy efficiency. The current generations of building controls are outdated when compared to controls in other industries. With low-energy buildings, the importance of controls and fault diagnostics becomes more important.

5. Focus on the creation of highly flexible "technology option sets" that can be combined in various ways to reach anywhere from 50% to 70% energy savings. This could entail an integrated group of building envelope, equipment, and control system technologies that each influence the energy performance of the other that when combined act as one system.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Respond in the form of a White Paper, not to exceed ten (10) pages, and if desired also supported by a Microsoft Power Point briefing, including notes, not to exceed eight (8) slides. Submit responses, via e-mail, to Lt. Shawn Curro at shawn.curro@buckley.af.mil.

This information was provided by the Small Business Administration.

Urban Rail/Transit Projects Needed For Engineering Inc. Spotlight Feature

       ›  Project name and location;

       ›  Brief project overview, including any unique aspects; and

       ›  Name, title and phone number of the Member Firm executive who will be interviewed for the project profile.

If your project is selected, you will be contacted by an Engineering Inc. representative.

Giving Back: News and Opportunities

2009 Engineering and Construction Camp

The Society of American Military Engineers and the United States Air Force Academy are sponsoring the tenth annual Engineering and Construction Camp for select high school sophomores June 26 to July 2.

Sixty students will learn hands-on engineering skills at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Deadline for applications and related paperwork/checks is April 1st. If you know students who would be interested in this outstanding program, please have them check out www.samecoloradocamp.org.

Send applications to John Coats, Pacific Western Technologies, 11049 W.44th Ave., Ste. 200, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, jcoats@pwt.com, (303) 274-5400 Ext 26.

Additional Professional Development Opportunities and Events

ACEC 2009 Annual Convention and Legislative Summit

ACEC will be celebrating its centennial anniversary at the 2009 Annual Convention and Legislative Summit, April 26-29, 2009 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. This is the education and advocacy event of the year! Learn about the new administration's programs and policies, lobby your senators and congressman,  network with fellow principals nationwide and join the celebration of ACEC's 100 years of service to the engineering industry. Register by April 3 to save $100. For registration and more information click here.

AGC of Colorado Programs

Accelerating the Better Denver Bond Program & DIA--Speeding infrastructure projects to stimulate the area economy. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper speaks on efforts to create jobs and opportunities for Colorado contractors. Thursday, March 12, 11:30am - 1pm. $50/person after March 6. Call 303-388-0936 to register.

The following courses are held at AGC Education Center, 686 Mariposa Street, Denver. ACEC/CO members attend AGC programs at member prices. For more information or to register, visit www.agccolorado.org/education/training_courses.htm.

• CDOT Erosion Control Supervisor, March 17, 2009, 8:00 - 5:00 pm. This course is the certification course for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Erosion Control Supervisor (ECS). 

• Developing & Implementing Stormwater Management Plans, March 18, 2009, 8:00 - 5:00 pm. This program is designed and intended to provide supporting training and information for the Erosion Control Supervisor or others that may design and execute SWMPs.

• Sustainability In Roofing Seminar, March 27, 2009, 8:30 - 1:30 pm. AGC and AIA present a seminar on sustainable single-ply green building design in roofing.

• Blueprint Reading for Commercial Applications, April 2 & 3, 2009, 8:00 - 5:00 pm. A two-day course concentrating on commercial building drawings and the application of blueprints for the field.

Webcast—Green Energy eForum April 8

Nine experts keep you on top of the latest solutions. Hosted by the Green Energy Economy Center at Challenge International. April 8, 10 am Mountain time. $49 per connection. Visit www.GreenEnergyEconomyCtr.com for more information or to register.

Involving Industry in Project-Based Learning Conference at CU Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder's Aerospace Engineering Sciences department is hosting the CDIO Region of the Americas Conference at the Engineering Center, Boulder campus, March 17-19. Engineers who are interested in project-based learning, student assessment, and industry participation in education are encouraged to attend. Click here for Registration and more information.

SWE-RMS South Denver Networking Night

Tuesday, March 17, 6-8 pm, CB & Potts Restaurant & Brewery, 6575 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Englewood (just West of I-25 on the North side of Arapahoe Road). RSVP by Friday, March 13th, to anikaaheimer@gmail.com.

SDA March Meeting on AIA Contract Documents

Four key innovations that will be released in the next version of AIA Contract Documents software, and will be discussed March 18, 5:45 pm, at  the offices of Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, 3457 Ringsby Court, Unit 200, Denver. Cost is $15 for SDA and associated organization members and $20 for non-members. RSVP by March 16, at noon by contacting Janice Curley at 303-607-0977 or jcurley@slaterpaull.com.

SWEP Rocky Mountain Chapter Events

• Luncheon in Boulder, Monday, March 9, 12:00pm - 1:00pm. Tisha Schuller, a Principal and Vice President with TetraTech, will be speaking about on assembling successful project teams.

• Happy Hour co-hosted with RMAEP, Thursday, April 16, 5:30 to 8:00pm,  at Uptown Tavern on 17th Ave in downtown Denver; contact dmcneill@ecc.net for more information

SMPS Monthly Meeting

The Colorado chapter of Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) will hold a luncheon on the "Stimulus Bill: Impact to AEC Industry in Colorado,” with Scott Prestige, Deputy State Director for Senator Udall’s office.Wednesday, March 11, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Oxford Hotel. For more information, visit www.smpscolorado.org.