As a collective voice, ACEC/CO board, committees, members and staff have worked hard to promote consulting engineers and their contributions to their communities, and to make valuable connections to improve the business climate for engineers. The following are recent actions and activities for the last two months:

Our annual Legislative Day brought 35 engineers to the Capitol to discuss our issues with 23 legislators. ACEC/CO and the Legislative Committee are monitoring legislation that impacts our members’ businesses such as the repeal of business tax exemptions, Change Order bill SB10-116, repeal of portions of FASTER SB09-108, Architects’ bill HB10-1148 to repeal the continued competency portion, and Colorado Open Records Act SB10-114.
The ACEC/CO Board of Directors agreed to support the Protect Colorado Communities coalition and to oppose the 2010 Ballot Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 that will greatly impact the state and its local communities ability to provide services for economic development.

The Board approved waiving $100 application fee for affiliate members To help strengthen the organization and encourage participation by our member firms’ “up and comers."
Business Practices Committee/Senior Advisory Group has developed an extensive strategy to work with agencies such as the City of Denver concerning the troublesome indemnification language in their contracts.
As a result of the Sustainability Summit that ACEC/CO hosted with several state agencies: 1) ACEC/CO will be giving a presentation before CDPHE’s Pollution Prevention Advisory Board on innovative technologies developed by engineers, the risks involved and partnership that must be developed with regulatory agencies regarding these new technologies; 2) Our TERC representative Lauren Evans attended the TERC sub-committee on sustainability as the only public sector member and discussed innovation and risk.
ACEC/CO’s recent TV program, “Colorado Engineers 2010”, is being shown on Comcast stations throughout the state through March and on many local cable stations. This TV show highlights our Engineering Excellence Awards winners’ technical expertise and sustainability features of their projects. Read More..

Committee Spotlight

ACEC/CO committees are the driving force behind the Council and we are always looking for new members to join that force. Committee involvement is important, therefore we will be highlighting one our committees each month in “The Voice” Newsletter. Be watching for these articles and keep in mind who in your firm would be good on a committee:

Education Committee: “Be a Hero, Tell a Kid About Engineering”
ACEC/CO’s Education Committee is continuously busy reaching out to students. After all, the future of engineering lies in the hands of young people. The committee’s focus is to make students aware of consulting engineering as a career option and to provide internship and scholarship opportunities that will help them become a professional consulting engineer. The committee works to develop relationships with schools, student chapters of engineering organizations, and career service departments. Read More..

Celebrate Engineer's Week

EEA Panels to be Displayed at the State Capitol
Panels from the Colorado Engineering Excellence Awards competition will be displayed at the State Capitol during Engineers Week, February 14th - 20th. Legislators will receive letters highlighting the projects that have a connection to their district. To view the panels, visit the east hallway on the first floor of the Capitol, near the elevators.

Engineer's Week 2010
Engineer's Week is February 14th - 20th. The NSPE/CO Engineer's Week Workshop and Dinner will be held on Friday, February 19, at the Double Tree Hotel, South of I-70 at 32nd and Quebec. The theme this year is "Opportunities for Engineering During Economic Recovery."Read More..

Future Leaders: Celebrating 11 Years of Leadership Excellence for Engineering Professionals

Coaching for Results Part II - How to Correct a Performance Problem (and Motivate an Employee toward Improvement)
(Part two of three installments)
by Nancy Whitsel, of Performance Resources Consulting and ACEC Future Leader Instructor

The term coaching encompasses a variety of communication skills from informing, teaching, and encouraging to advising, correcting and mentoring. Last month we discussed five steps to complement and strengthen staff performance. This month, I offer six steps you can use to correct poor performance quickly and in a way that motivates your employee to improve. Read More..

Click Here to watch a video on the benefits of participating in the Future Leaders Program from the perspective of a past participant.

In the News

ACEC/CO Awards $35,000 in Scholarships

ACEC/CO will be giving a total of $35,000 in scholarships this year: $33,000 will go to college students and $2000 to high school students. We received 37 complete scholarship applications which are being reviewed by the scholarship committee. The top finalists will be interviewed and the scholarship recipients will be announced in April at our annual scholarship reception. Scholarship voluntary check-off on members’ dues statements is a simple way to make a reasonable contribution that will make in impact on a student.

We are pleased to announce that a donation has been made by an ACEC/CO member to the scholarship fund in appreciation of the professionalism of Bates Engineering and their fine staff.

2010 Scholarships:

Leonard Rice Memorial Scholarship $6,000
William Russell Stoneman $5,000
Fu Hua Chen $3,000
ACEC/CO - 4 to 5 scholarships $10,000
Jack Bruce Memorial/APWA $2,000
Urban Watershed/APWA $2,500
Urban Watershed/CASFM $2,500 (new)
Bates Engineering $2,000 (new one-time donation)

PAC Contributions Make a Difference

Thanks to CEPAC Contributors
CEPAC – Consulting Engineers Political Action Committee – Allows ACEC/CO to contribute to state candidates that support ACEC/CO’s positions. By state law we are only allowed to contribute a maximum of $400 to a legislator for each two-year election cycle. Next summer, the CEPAC Committee headed by Mark Hamouz will work with our lobbyists, Bill and Lacee Artist, to determine the amount of contribution to each candidate. Each candidate is evaluated for a CEPAC contribution based on their position on business issues important to ACEC/CO, not on their party affiliation. If there is a candidate that you feel we should support, please contact Marilen Reimer at the ACEC/CO office at 303-832-2200 or at mar@acec-co.org.

We would like to thank member firms who have made contributions this year through the voluntary dues check-off last July. The dues check-off is a simple and convenient way to make contributions to CEPAC. For 2009-10, we raised $5,964.80. If you haven't made a contribution yet this year, and wish to, please contact the ACEC/CO office at 303-832-2200. Firms can contribute up to $250/year or $500/election cycle.

ACEC PAC
The American Council of Engineering Companies Political Action Committee (ACEC/PAC) was established in 1975 to allow ACEC members the opportunity to support and keep federal candidates in office who support a pro-business legislative agenda. ACEC/PAC is bipartisan and operates out in the open in full compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act and applicable state laws. Each state is represented by a PAC Champion to help meet its state's annual PAC goal. Rob Refvem is Colorado ACEC PAC Champion.

The Federal Election Commission requires ACEC/PAC to seek your approval before soliciting you to contribute to the consulting engineers industry's primary political action committee. Click here for Prior Approval Frequently Asked Questions, List of firms with Prior Approval, Talking Points of why you should sign Prior Approval Form and for Prior Approval Form.

Unlike CEPAC – the state PAC which takes corporate contributions, ACEC PAC must be personal funds either by personal check or credit card.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Marilen Reimer at the ACEC/CO office, 303-832-2200, mar@acec-co.org or Rob Refvem at 303-721-1440, rob.refvem@fhueng.com.

Deadline Approaching for Awards Nominations

We are now accepting nominations for the annual George Washington Award and General Palmer Award. The deadline to submit nominations for both awards is February 12. The George Washington and General Palmer award recipients are recognized at the ACEC/CO Annual Meeting on April 16, 2010 at Lakewood Country Club. Read More..

News from National

President's Report
From ACEC's President Dave Raymond on the latest developments of ACEC's government affairs on your behalf. Read more..

Membership Notices and Engineers in the News

Membership Notices for new and prospective members and other membership changes.

Engineers in the News from our members and member firms.

ACEC/CO Events and Professional Development

Register online, by calling 303-832-2200, or by e-mail for ACEC/CO programs.

The Human Resource Guide to Employee Financial Wellness
Friday, Feb. 12, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. This class is approved for one credit through the HR Certification Institute. Read More..
February General Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m. at the Lakewood Country Club. Come celebration National Engineer's Week with us! Read More..
Wake-up Call Breakfast
Wednesday, March 3, 7:30 a.m. at Sunrise Sunset Restaurant. Topic: "BIM to Construction" Read More..
Future Leaders Program
A new Future Leaders series will begin March 2, 2010. Sign up now. Read More..

Marketing and Business Development

USDA Rural Development Engineers Training Seminar
USDA Rural Development invites you to attend the Engineers Training Seminar Water and Environmental Program Projects on Thursday, March 18, 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Read More..

Call for Speakers for WTE/ ITE/ ACEC/CO Spring Transportation Symposium
Do you have a project experience you would like to share with your peers? Is there a topic you would like to learn more about? The Symposium committee is seeking presenters for this event scheduled for April 9, 2010. Read More..

Sponsorship Opportunities for E-Week Workshop and Dinner
Sponsorship and advertisement opportunities are available for the annual NSPE/CO Engineer's Week dinner, scheduled for Friday, February 19. You might want to consider sponsoring a legislator for the E-Week dinner. Click here for more information.

ACEC/CO Sponsorship Opportunities
ACEC/CO would like to encourage our members to consider sponsoring a meeting and/or event as a marketing strategy to get your name out there and in front of other member firms. Read more..

Additional Professional Development Opportunities and Events

Green Jobs: What Women Need to Know
This forum is designed to give women straight answers about green jobs, the
different jobs that are available and how to obtain one.Read More..
NHI Advanced Work Zone Management and Design Course
All CONSULTANT designers who design traffic control plans for federal-aid projects must obtain a Certificate of Completion for the NHI course Advanced Work Zone Management and Design.The course is scheduled for March 2-5, 2010 in Denver. If anyone from your firm is interested in attending this course, please email Ronnie Roybal their information at Ronnie.Roybal@dot.state.co.us, The cost is $450/participant.
Spring WTS/ITE/ACEC Transportation Symposium
Save the date: April 9, 2010. Net proceeds will go to fund scholarships including ACEC/CO. Read More..
Tailings and Mine Waste 2010 Conference and Call for Papers
The conference will be held October 17-20, 2010 at Vail Cascade Resort Hotel in Vail.
Read More..

What Has ACEC/CO Done For You?

Our annual Legislative Day brought 35 engineers to the Capitol to discuss our issues with 23 legislators. ACEC/CO and the Legislative Committee are monitoring legislation that impacts our members’ businesses such as the repeal of business tax exemptions, Change Order bill SB10-116, repeal of portions of FASTER SB09-108, Architects’ bill HB10-1148 to repeal the continued competency portion, and Colorado Open Records Act SB10-114.
The ACEC/CO Board of Directors agreed to support the Protect Colorado Communities coalition and to oppose the 2010 Ballot Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 that will greatly impact the state and its local communities ability to provide services for economic development.

The Board approved waiving $100 application fee for affiliate members to help strengthen the organization and encourage participation by our member firms’ “up and comers."
Business Practices Committee/Senior Advisory Group has developed an extensive strategy to work with agencies such as the City of Denver concerning the troublesome indemnification language in their contracts.
As a result of the Sustainability Summit that ACEC/CO hosted with several state agencies: 1) ACEC/CO will be giving a presentation before CDPHE’s Pollution Prevention Advisory Board on innovative technologies developed by engineers, the risks involved and partnership that must be developed with regulatory agencies regarding these innovative technologies; 2) Our TERC representative Lauren Evans attended the TERC sub-committee on sustainability as the only public sector member and discussed innovation and risk.
ACEC/CO’s recent TV program, “Colorado Engineers 2010”, is being shown on Comcast stations throughout the state through March and on many local cable stations. This TV show highlights our Engineering Excellence Awards winners’ technical expertise and sustainability features of their projects.
ACEC/CO’s annual magazine, “Engineering Colorado”, was published and distributed with McGraw Hills’ January Issue of Mountain States Construction Magazine in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming Idaho and Montana.
During Engineers Week, February 15-19th, our Engineering Excellence Awards’ panels will be on display at state Capitol on the 1st floor.
ACEC/CO joined other organizations to form WIN Colorado (Water Infrastructure Network) that will promote awareness of water and wastewater infrastructure needs and funding to decision makers, the public and regulatory agencies. Over 150 people attended WIN Colorado’s first forum on Feb. 4th.
ACEC/CO has joined WTS and ITE to host their annual transportation symposium on April 9th at the Pepsi Center.
New members spotlighted in the membership section in the newsletter continue to join ACEC/CO and get involved with the committees.
ACEC/CO board approved a letter to Colorado Springs Mayor Rivera, City Council Members and City Manager Dr. Culbreth-Graft voicing concern for eliminating the city’s roadway engineering department from their 2010 budget, and the resulting impacts on infrastructure projects.
Giving back to the community: For 2010, ACEC/CO will be awarding $35,000 in scholarship money for college and high school students. See accompanying article.
Future Leaders Supervisory Series begins March 2nd for our 11th year. Hear from a past participant on the value of attending this series.

For additional information on any of these items, please contact Marilen Reimer at 303-832-2200, mar@acec-co.org.

Committee Spotlight

Education Committee: “Be a Hero, Tell a Kid about Engineering”

ACEC/CO’s Education Committee is continuously busy reaching out to students. After all, the future of engineering lies in the hands of young people. The committee’s focus is to make students aware of consulting engineering as a career option and to provide internship and scholarship opportunities to help them become a professional consulting engineer. They work to develop relationships with schools, student chapters of engineering organizations, and career service departments.

Committee Chair Jim Fletcher said that the committee always has a full plate of ongoing projects. Annual projects include attending Career Fairs at CU Boulder, Colorado State, Colorado School of Mines and CU Denver. Volunteering at the ACEC/CO booth at these career fairs gives the Council and its members a great opportunity to get in front of students.

The committee also provides judges for the MESA (Mathematics-Engineering-Science Achievement) student competition; volunteers for Construction Career Days; and judges for CU Denver senior design class projects. The committee supports STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), GESET (Girls Exploring Science, Engineering and Technology), and MESA activities.

“The most valuable part for me being a member of the Education Committee has been my interaction with students at the high school level during Construction Career Days and with teachers at the Westminster HS Career Academy Workshop,” Fletcher said. “These events provided me the opportunity to understand the desires of both students and teachers and to offer my experience as a professional engineer.”

Fletcher said that one of the committee’s goals this year is to increase its ability to get the message out via web-based tools such as Facebook, YouTube and enhancements on the ACEC/CO web page. He said that they are continuing this focus for next year and are looking for new ideas in this area.

Fletcher said because of the recurring programs and projects, the committee sometimes lacks for new ideas and fresh enthusiasm, therefore he would like to see more people getting involved. The Education Committee not only provides a vital piece to ACEC/CO’s efforts, but is also an asset to the community as well.

“The Education Committee members are ambassadors to the community who provide background, perspectives and experience in how engineering is pervasive in everyone's life and who communicate how engineering supports the health, well being, mobility and general welfare of our citizenry," Fletcher said.

If you are interested in joining the Education Committee, would like some more information or just want to sit-in on a meeting, don’t hesitate to contact us at 303-832-2200 or at kimbrezall@acec-co.org. Fresh minds and new ideas are always welcome!

The following are some additional opportunities to interact with students:

We still need volunteers to answer student's questions and run the ACEC/CO booth at the UCD career fair on Tuesday, February 16 and for the CSU career fair on Wednesday, February 25. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Kim at 303-832-2200 or at kimbrezall@acec-co.org. Click here to view sign up sheet.
CU Boulder Career Services provides intern supervisor training and networking opportunities for employers. CU Boulder is hosting an annual networking night for students on March 3, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. and need 40-45 business representatives to participate in the event. Click on the link above for more information.

Future Leaders ~ Celebrating 11 Years of Leadership Excellence for Engineering Professionals

Coaching for Results Part II - How to Correct a Performance Problem (and Motivate an Employee toward Improvement)
(Part two of three installments)
By Nancy Whitsel of Performance Resources Consulting, and ACEC/CO Future Leaders Instructor

Future Leader Participant Quotes:

"Workshops are ideal for engineers with 3-5 years experience. We need to send upcoming key people next year. These methods are essential to the management style we promote."

"FL is a valuable tool in developing project management and leadership skills of employees (especially mid-level managers)."

"Positive experience that provided great tools for the long-term improvement of our company. I plan to send others from my firm."

Six Step Coaching Techniques

If the employee is usually a high achiever, making a correction can be difficult. It is helpful to have a predetermined outline of action steps to follow especially when there is a performance dip.

BE FIRM--NOT MEAN. Focus on the problem & its consequences.
ASK & LISTEN. What is the person willing to do to make it better?
DEVELOP A MUTUAL STRATEGY & write down the agreement, because this:
- Makes the plan concrete
- Demonstrates listening and emphasizes importance
- Insures no misunderstanding of what should happen
- Creates documentation if necessary for discipline or legal action
EXPRESS CONFIDENCE. Believe that the person can and will solve the problem. Tell him/her that you still like the person, but NOT their behavior.
FOLLOW-UP. Set a specific date to review the issue. Underscore the importance of meeting. Don’t put off this meeting and be sure to reinforce good behavior.
PRAISE IMMEDIATELY. Notice the first time there is a behavior correction and positively comment on the improvement.

Key elements of the above steps emphasizes maintaining employee self-esteem and focusing on improving behavior. Reducing defensiveness, allows the employee to focus his/her attention on solving the problem, rather than protecting their self-esteem.

See the ACEC/CO Newsletter next month for the part three of COACHING-- How to use compliments to improve morale and motivate your staff.

Your project managers can learn more about ‘people-management’ by attending the 8 months of Future Leader workshops. The next Level I series will start March 2, 2010. Log on to acec-co.org to hear a video or to read more about specific topics and how your project managers can gain by attending. To register please call Jennifer Shaw at 303-832-2200 or email jennifer@acec-co.org. We look forward to welcoming your engineering supervisors to these practical and award winning workshops next year. On behalf of the ACEC Future Leader program, thank you for supporting these popular professional development workshops in 2010!

Click Here to watch a video on the benefits of participating in the Future Leaders Program from the perspective of a past participant.

In The News

Deadline Approaching for Awards Nominations

We are now accepting nominations for the following awards:

George Washington Award
Deadline February 12
The Washington Award is given to an ACEC/CO member for outstanding service to the community, the progress of Colorado and the advancement of the public image of consulting engineering as a profession. It is presented to someone who has exhibited leadership and has had an impact on public policy making and general societal issues. This award recognizes this individual’s unselfish contributions and encourages others to become involved in “big picture” decision making activities.

General Palmer Award
Deadline February 12
The General Palmer Award is given to an engineer in the industry who has made a significant contribution to the State of Colorado, is recognized in the community, whose accomplishments have advanced the engineering community, and whose contributions have made an impact on future generations. Please consider Colorado engineers outside of the consulting industry worthy of this award and submit your nomination.

The George Washington and General Palmer award recipients are recognized at the ACEC/CO Annual Meeting on April 16, 2010 at Lakewood Country Club. Submit your nominations to jennifer@acec-co.org, or mail to 800 Grant St. Suite 100, Denver, CO 80203.

Engineer's Week 2010

Engineer's Week is February 14th - 20th. The annual engineer's week workshop and dinner, sponsored by NSPE Colorado, will be held on Friday, February 19, at the Double Tree Hotel, South of I-70 at 32nd and Quebec. The theme this year is "Opportunities for Engineering During Economic Recovery." Confirmed speakers include: NREL; EPA, Governor’s Energy Office; DRCOG; CO Springs Utilities; The AV Conduit Project; InterBasin Roundtable; Colorado Water Congress; Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District; Ft. Carson

The workshop will be 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and the All Engineers Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. Click here to view flyer for more information and registration. Advertising opportunities for the program are also available.

News From National

President's Report

General

ACEC has been highly focused on lobbying Congress and the Administration for beefed up infrastructure spending in the new Jobs bill and other legislative instruments.
For Haiti recovery – in response to requests from USAID and other federal agencies – ACEC is developing a database of member firms desiring to volunteer services in various technical sectors.

Five new Executive Committee members have been elected by the Board of Directors for terms beginning April, 2010: Terry Neimeyer (MD) to serve as chairman-elect; Sergio Pecori (IL) to serve as treasurer; Paul Grosser (NY), Miller Love (SC), and Robert Paulsen (FL) – each to serve as vice chairmen. (See Last Word January 14, 2010.)
Final year-end total for ACEC/PAC in 2009 was $573,000 – a new fundraising record for an off-election year; 29 state organizations achieved their PAC goals; and for the third straight year ACEC/PAC has been the leading PAC in the design industry, also exceeding AGC, ARTBA, AIA and other industry PACs.

Government Affairs

Provided a Minuteman Fund grant to ACEC/West Virginia to help defray the cost of their fight against the state administration’s efforts to roll back West Virginia’s QBS statutes.
Spearheaded multi-association lobbying effort with Senate leaders on pending jobs legislation, urging them to include substantial investments for transportation, water, energy and other infrastructure, and to move beyond “shovel ready” and allow states to pursue major projects.

Sent letters to the House and Senate leaders on industry concerns with several issues in the health care reform bill, as well as specific ideas endorsed by the Council to control rising costs.
Hosted a meeting of FHWA, AASHTO and DCAA to discuss open issues relative to the newly revised Uniform Audit and Accounting Guide, Audit Guide training efforts, and FHWA’s cost recovery effort.
Participated in Capitol Hill press conference, sponsored by the Building America’s Future coalition, to promote creation of a national infrastructure bank to facilitate investments in major water, energy, transportation and other infrastructure.
Hosted officials of the General Services Administration, DOD, Veterans Administration, and EPA for discussions with ACEC’s Federal Agencies and Procurement Advocacy Committee on the requirements for “sustainability” in federal buildings and infrastructure.

Initiated grassroots campaign to oppose legislation (HR 4115 and S 1504) that would overturn recent Supreme Court decisions that protect against frivolous lawsuits.
Met with Darrell Darnell of the White House Office of Infrastructure Protection and Resiliency to discuss recent resiliency initiatives important to member firms.
Conveyed engineering industry concerns over restraint of trade issues to the U.S. International Trade Commission.

Institute for Business Management

Published the new Industry Trends Survey Report, a 200-page compilation of trends in A/E finance, strategy, human resources, and other areas, including a new chapter looking at issues related to sustainable design – now on sale at www.ACEC.org/bookstore. A copy is in the ACEC/CO library for your review.

Membership Notices

Prospective Individual Members :
Mary Beth Sepper- URS Corporation
Bryan Camphouse, Anderson & Hastings Consultants, Inc.
Robert Leberer, Anderson & Hastings Consultants, Inc.

Prospective Affiliate Members:
John Guenther, HNTB Corporation
Brian Partington, Pinyon Environmental Engineering Resources
Melissa Chalona, CTL/Thompson, Inc.
Hunter Gardner, Pinyon Environmental Engineering Resources

Welcome Affiliate Members:
Jared Lambrecht, Neujahr and Gorman, Inc: 88 Steele St., Suite 200, Denver CO 80206. 303-377-2732, jaredlambrecht@neujahrgorman.com. Jared is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a BS degree in Architectural Engineering and a Masters degree in Civil Engineering. Recommendations came from Stan Neujahr, Mike Gorman, and Gordon Meurer.

Robert “Chip” Leadbetter, CTL/Thompson, Inc.: 351 Linden Street, Suite 140, Fort Collins, CO 80524. 970-206-9455, cleadbetter@ctlthompson.com Robert is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a Masters degree in Civil Engineering. Recommendations came from Bill Hoffmann, Frank Holliday, and Ron McOmber

Welcome Individual Members:
Bruce Lewis, Boundaries Unlimited, Inc.: 823 Blake Ave., Ste. 102, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. 970-945-5252, bruce@bu-inc.com. Bruce is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. Boundaries Unlimited, Inc. provides civil engineering, land surveying, and planning services. Recommendations came from Bob Felsburg, Thomas Zancanella, and Steve Pawlak.

Thomas Jansen, Jansen Strawn Consulting Engineers: 1165 S. Pennsylvania Street, Ste. 120, Denver, CO 80210. 303-561-3333, tjansen@jansenstrawn.com. Tom is a graduate of Colorado State University with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. Jansen Strawn Consulting Engineers provides complete civil engineering services for public and private land development projects. Recommendations came from Duane Jansen, Rick Weed, and Kurt Lang.

Transfer:
Murray McBride from Nolte Associates to McBride Engineering, LLC.
Paul Duncan from Professional Investigative Engineers to Pie Forensic Consultants.

Reinstatement:
Michael Griffeth, Griffeth Structural, LLC

Engineers in the News

Congratulations to HCDA Engineering Inc. for having its River Point at Sheridan project highlighted as the Best of Best Winner for the environmental category in the January 4th issue of Engineering News Record.

Jirsa Hedrick & Associates, Inc. announced that Brenda Yockstick became LEED GA accredited as of December 2009. She is a Colorado registered professional engineer and joined Jirsa Hedrick & Associates in September 1993

The RMH Group established a $25,000 endowed scholarship fund at the University of Colorado at Boulder's College of Engineering and Applied Science. This is the first scholarship RMH has ever created.

In Memoriam

John L. Haley, who was on a team that designed the I-70 Glenwood Canyon project, died in Greeley on Dec. 22 at the age of 85. During his career Haley helped design buildings, bridges and water-treatment plants, but was best known for the Glenwood project and later wrote a book about it. The highway project replaced the two-lane road that had been used for decades to connect Denver to western Colorado and was completed in 1992. Haley was a partner in the engineering consulting firm Nelson, Haley, Patterson & Quirk.

ACEC/CO Events

The Human Resource Guide to Employee Financial Wellness Class

This class helps Human Resource professionals understand their fiduciary liabilities and responsibilities and gives them the knowledge to help employees better understand the company benefits, budgeting, and basic financial management. The class will be held Friday, February 12, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., (complimentary breakfast to follow), at the ACEC/CO office at 800 Grant St., Suite 100.

February General Meeting

Come celebrate National Engineer's Week with us at our February General Meeting Tuesday, February 23, 11:30 a.m. at the Lakewood Country Club, 6800 West 10th Ave. We will recognize our New Faces in Engineering and Outstanding Women Engineers. Rob Refvem, ACEC/CO President, will present the awards to these outstanding engineers. Click the link above to view list of awardees and for registration.

Wake-Up Call Breakfast Series

Join us on Wednesday, March 3, 7:30 a.m. for another exceptional Wake-up Call Breakfast! Cameron Donegan, Assistant Project Manager/Virtual Construction Manager of Adolfson & Peterson Construction, will be presenting "BIM to Construction." This presentation will discuss how contractors are taking BIM from a design tool to a construction tool used to coordinate everything from systems to schedule.

The program will be held at Sunrise Sunset Restaurant, 1424 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. Cost is $25 per member, ($35 for non-members), and now includes breakfast.

Breakfast Series Podcasts For Sale

Missed a Wake-up Call Breakfast Series? Not to worry! Now you can catch up by purchasing our breakfast series presentations podcasts. Available to members for $20 each or three for $45. To purchase, contact jennifer@acec-co.org or call 303-832-2200. The following are now available:

December 2, 2009: The Reality of Bank Lending, by Jody McNerney, Compass Bank
September 2, 2009: Fastracks & RTD Update, by Phil Washington, RTD GM
May 6, 2009: The Current Economic Meltdown & Its Implications for Infrastructure Planning, by Edward F. Harvey, Harvey Economics
April 1, 2009, Colorado Economy, by Richard Wobbekind, of the Business Research Division and Associate Dean for External Relations at the University of Colorado at Boulder
March 4, 2009: Renewable Energy Sources and Costs by Lee Boughey, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association
January 7, 2009: It's Not As Bad As You Think: An Economic Review by Brian Coggon, Engineered Finance, LLC
December 3, 2008: Important Emerging Trends & Issues by Bill Wallace of Wallace Futures Group, LLC,
November 5, 2008: Demographics and the World of Predicting Your Market by Rod Hoffman, CEO and co-founder of S&H Consulting.

Marketing and Business Development

USDA Rural Development Engineers Training Seminar

USDA Rural Development invites you to attend the Engineers Training Seminar - Water and Environmental Program Projects - on Thursday, March 18, 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. If you are currently working on or planning a water/wastewater project and are considering applying to USDA Rural Development you should attend this event. The seminar will focus on: Preliminary Engineering Reports, Environmental Reports, and Contract Documents. Space is limited so please RSVP to Allison no later than March 12, 2010 @ allison.trujillo@co.usda.gov or (720) 544-2920. View preliminary agenda here.

Call for Speakers for Spring Transportation Symposium

Do you have a project experience you would like to share with your peers? Is there a topic you would like to learn more about? The Symposium committee is seeking presenters for this event. The Eighth Annual Spring Transportation Symposium, jointly hosted by the Colorado/Wyoming Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the Colorado Chapter of Women’s Transportation Symposium, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Intelligent Transportation Society, and this year in association with American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado, will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010. If interested, please contact Jamie Archambeau or John LaSala at john.lasala@denvergov.org or 720-913-4534.

New ACEC/CO Sponsorship Packages Available

ACEC/CO is pleased to present sponsorship packages for you. Being a sponsor of a meeting or event will give you the opportunity to get your name and company before our membership. Sponsorships allow ACEC/CO to continue to provide quality programs and activities at a reasonable price. Click here to view sponsorship packets and more information.

Additional Professional Development Opportunities and Events

Green Jobs: What Women Need to Know

This forum is is designed to give women straight answers about green jobs, the different jobs that are available and how to obtain one, and will be held on Wednesday, February 24 at 10:00 a.m. to noon. This event is free to anyone who wishes to attend. Please register online at www.MiCasaResourceCenter.org or by calling the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado at (303) 405-6795.

Save the Date for Spring Transportation Symposium

Save the date for the Spring Transportation Symposium on Friday, April 9, 2010 at the Denver Pepsi Center. This event brings together the region's transportation planners, engineers and decision makers to share information and lessons from innovative and successful transportation projects. All net proceeds will go to fund scholarships for ACEC/CO, ITE, WTS, and ITS RM. Speakers are also needed for this event! For more information, or if you're interested in presenting at the event, contact Jamie Archambeau, jlarchambeau@pbsj.com.

Tailings and Mine Waste 2010 Conference Announcement and Call for Papers

Tailings and Mine Waste '10 is the next of a series of symposia on mill tailings management started at Colorado State University in 1978. The primary purpose of the Conference is to provide a forum for members of the mining community, engineers and scientists serving the mining industry, regulatory groups, and other interest groups concerned with environmental issues related to tailings and mine waste management. The conference will be October 17-20, 2010 at Vail Cascade Resort Hotel in Vail. There is also a call for papers for the conference. Click here for more information.

800 Grant St Suite 100

Denver CO 80203

303-832-2200; Fax 303-832-0400

www.acec-co.org

acec@acec-co.org