Engineering Influence from ACEC

Unlocking Digital Transformation in AEC with Ronen Vengosh

Welcome to another episode of the Engineering Influence podcast, where we delve into the world of digital transformation and AI within the AEC industry. Join Thomas Grogan and Ronen Vengosh as they explore how organizations can navigate the complexities of change management and the importance of data governance.
Ronan shares invaluable insights into best practices for firms embarking on a digital transformation journey, regardless of their size. Discover strategies to enhance security and automate data governance, enabling firms to fully harness the potential of AI and technology.
Hear about the success stories of adaptable firms embracing new business models and rethinking processes to thrive in the modern digital landscape. Conclude the episode with Ronan's tech optimism, highlighting the opportunities for increased productivity and efficiency as the AEC industry embraces the future.

Navigating the Future: Insights into Higher Education and Engineering

Welcome to another episode of the Engineering Influence podcast from the American Council of Engineering Companies. Join Diana O' Lare, Director of Market Intelligence at ACEC National, as she engages in a compelling conversation with Mike Moss, President of the Society of College and University Planning. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of higher education, diving into topics such as enrollment trends, the impact of administration changes, and the future of campus planning.
Discover how institutions are adapting to demographic shifts, with insights into the concept of the "enrollment cliff" and its implications. Learn about the role of international students, the influence of artificial intelligence on campus planning, and potential financial challenges faced by educational institutions. Diana and Mike discuss workforce shortages and the importance of STEM programs.
This episode offers valuable perspectives for engineering firms, shedding light on opportunities that arise from trends in education and their impact on the engineering sector. Whether you're interested in integrated planning, multidisciplinary spaces, or innovative learning environments, there's something here for everyone.
Don't miss this engaging discussion that weaves together the future of education with engineering excellence.
 
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Empowering Engineers: HDR's Unique Approach to Talent Development

Welcome to the Engineering Influence podcast by the American Council of Engineering Companies. In this episode, we delve into HDR's distinctive approach to employee experience and talent development. Discover how HDR fosters a culture of employee ownership and collaboration, offering diverse development paths tailored to individual needs and aspirations.
 
Learn about HDR's holistic talent ecosystem, where technical and soft skills training intertwine, and mentoring takes both structured and organic forms. Explore how HDR prepares young talents for real-world challenges, emphasizing the importance of communication and interpersonal skills alongside technical expertise.
 
The discussion underscores HDR's commitment to staying ahead in the ever-evolving engineering landscape, highlighting their innovative strategies to integrate technology and future-proof their workforce. Tune in to gain insights into HDR's efforts to expand the engineering field's reach, emphasizing problem-solving and the positive impact of engineering on communities.

Insights from the ACEC Research Institute's Economic Forecast

Welcome to the latest episode of Engineering Influence, a podcast by the American Council of Engineering Companies. In this episode, we are joined by Jon Gray, Principal at Rockport Analytics, to discuss the recently published economic forecast for the engineering industry, specifically tailored for 2024.
John provides insightful analysis into the macroeconomic impact of the engineering design services industry on the U.S. economy, presenting a comprehensive overview of growth, employment trends, and wage projections. With data collected over five years, this report offers valuable trend indicators that are shaping the industry’s present and future.
The discussion also delves into the effects of federal spending, notably from acts like the IIJA and the Inflation Reduction Act, which continue to drive notable growth in infrastructure and other key sectors. Additionally, John and Jeff examine the geographic shifts in industry growth, highlighting states like North Carolina and Florida, and explore the market sectors that are thriving versus those facing challenges.
Addressing the workforce and skills gap, Jon explains how labor shortages are impacting project delivery and industry profitability. As firms navigate these challenges, strategic insights provided in this episode are indispensable for industry leaders and policymakers alike.
Don’t miss this engaging episode that combines economic theory with real-world application, guiding the engineering sector through uncertain times towards a promising future.

Insights and Challenges: ACEC Research Institute's 2024 Q4 Engineering Business Sentiment Survey

Welcome to the Engineering Influence podcast from the American Council of Engineering Companies, where we delve into the newly released ACEC Research Institute 2024 Quarter 4 Engineering Business Sentiment Survey. This quarterly survey offers a comprehensive look at current and future business conditions within the engineering industry by interviewing and surveying CEOs across the sector.In this episode, host Jeff is joined by Joe Bates, the researcher behind the survey, as they explore the positive sentiments surrounding the U.S. economy, the industry, and firm finances. Despite a slight moderation, the overall sentiment remains strong, buoyed by the bipartisan infrastructure law and ongoing projects reaching the construction phase.A major challenge discussed is the workforce shortage, with many firms turning down profitable work due to staffing issues. Joe and Jeff address the significant impact of this shortage and economic and political uncertainties on the industry's future outlook.The episode also highlights sectoral winners and losers, with government-supported areas like infrastructure and manufacturing thriving, while commercial real estate struggles. The booming data center market is also discussed, showcasing its continuous growth.Listeners are encouraged to explore the full report for deeper insights and historical trends and stay tuned for upcoming analyses on economic indicators and future forecasts. The episode concludes with a nod to the ongoing work of the ACEC Research Institute in providing valuable data and insights for the engineering community.

Unlocking Success: HDR's Journey to Employee Ownership

In this episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast from the American Council of Engineering Companies, we delve into the transformative journey of HDR, an employee-owned engineering firm. From its founding in 1917, HDR has evolved through various stages of ownership, culminating in a buyback in 1996 that established its current employee-owned model.
Join host Jeff as he engages with a panel of esteemed guests, including Eric Keene, former CEO and current chair of HDR, Tom Sanders, senior vice president, and Aaron Slayton, Transportation Program Management Director and ESOP board member. Together, they explore the impact of employee ownership on HDR's culture, growth, and operational success.
The discussion highlights the unique benefits of HDR's ESOP structure, fostering a culture of connection, collaboration, and resilience. Discover how this ownership model has influenced HDR's recruitment and retention strategies, enhanced financial literacy among employees, and guided the firm's growth and acquisition decisions.
Tune in to learn how HDR's commitment to broad-based employee ownership has created a thriving environment for innovation and excellence in the engineering industry.

Connecting Communities: The Mountain to Sea Trail Project in Oak Ridge

Join us on the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow as we explore the innovative Mountain to Sea Trail Connector project in Oak Ridge, North Carolina. This episode, recorded at the inaugural Great Trail State Conference in Winston-Salem, highlights the collaborative efforts of local engineers and city planners to connect two key natural trails, enhancing public safety and accessibility.
Our guests, Mike Slusher from Davis Martin Powell and Bill Bruce from the City of Oak Ridge, share insights into the project's inception and execution. They discuss the challenges of designing a trail that complements the rural landscape while maintaining community harmony and addressing public concerns.
Discover how this connector contributes to the larger 1,200-mile Mountain to Sea Trail, fostering tourism, economic growth, and community engagement. This episode showcases the transformative impact of thoughtful engineering and public investment in enhancing quality of life and community identity.

Harnessing AI for Engineering Success: Insights from Deltek's Bret Tushaus

In this episode of Engineering Influenced by the American Council of Engineering Companies, Shreya, the Marketing & Communications Coordinator at ACEC, welcomes Bret Tushaus, VP of Product Management from Deltek. Together, they explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the engineering industry and discuss how Deltek is leveraging AI to enhance project management and decision-making.
Bret delves into the importance of using AI to turn rich project data into actionable insights, emphasizing the significance of data privacy and security. He shares how Deltek's solutions are designed to empower project managers with the tools they need to drive successful project outcomes.
As the conversation progresses, Bret offers advice on how firms can capitalize on existing tools and technologies, making digital transformation an accessible journey rather than an overwhelming challenge. He also envisions the future of AI with the rise of "agents" that can automate tasks and workflows, further enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Listeners are encouraged to explore Deltek's offerings and resources, including their website, blog, and town halls, to stay informed about the latest advancements in AI-driven solutions.