Engineering Influence from ACEC

Update from the DEI&B Committee

In this episode from the 2024 Spring Convention and Legislative Summit, we discuss the initiatives of ACEC's DEI&B Committee, how it functions, and the importance of its roles. The conversation revolves around the ongoing efforts to provide reliable tools and resources, fostering diversity and inclusivity within the engineering community.
Guest speakers include Eric Madden, the CMO from JMT, and Michael Cooper, president of HED. Together, they explore the creation of infographics aimed at simplifying the understanding of ACEC's organization, charting leadership paths for members, and how leaders could truly benefit from the organization. The infographics serve as a tangible tool, inviting broader participation at both national and MO levels.
The dialogue moves towards discussing effective strategies for increasing organizational involvement, highlighting the necessity of diversity. They discuss how crucial it is to educate individuals about ACEC, cultivate comfort within the organization, and promote efficient networking. 
Whether you're an employer, industry professional, or an aspiring engineer, this podcast episode provides thoughtful conversation and insights into the world of engineering, leadership, and the core values that guide ACEC.

A Conversation With Halff's CEO, Jessica Baker-Daily

In this episode of the Engineering Influencer Podcast from the American Council of Engineering Companies, we feature a candid conversation with Jessica Baker-Daily, the present CEO of Halff. Jessica shared her journey from being an intern to the CEO of the firm, reflecting on the challenges, opportunities, and experiences that shaped her growth. Throughout the discussion, she emphasized the importance of fostering a flexible work environment to boost employee productivity and satisfaction.
Jessica's focus on people, culture, and empathetic leadership was a key aspect of the conversation. She emphasized the impact of investing time in communication and feedback, dubbing it as the backbone of understanding employee needs and optimizing decision-making. Interacting with employees, understanding their daily challenges and triumphs, and being open to critical feedback were points she stressed.
 

The Power of ACEC/PAC

ACEC's VP of Political Affairs, Dave Bender sat down with Lee Lennard, President and CEO of BGE Engineering to discuss the importance of political involvement as part of ACEC's larger advocacy program.

Beyond the Stage with Broadway’s Hamilton Star, Miguel Cervantes

In this episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast brought to you by the American Council of Engineering Companies, we engage in a fascinating conversation with Broadway performer, Miguel Cervantes.
Noted for playing the main role of Alexander Hamilton in Lin-Manuel Miranda's iconic 'Hamilton', Miguel not only shares captivating insights on performances, venue designs, and the elemental human aspects but also his moving personal journey. 
We also discuss Miguel's life dealing with his daughter's epilepsy, leading him to become a staunch advocate for people dealing with seizure disorders. His wife's touching book on grief and their foundation's initiatives towards epilepsy research underscore their dedication. Understand how personal tragedies can propel actions for societal change.
Watch the music video for his song 'Till the Calm Comes. All proceeds go to CURE, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqESJUipg98.
 
 

Managing Small Projects Successfully

In this engaging episode, we host Jared Jamison, Senior Consultant with PSMJ where we spotlight an upcoming ACEC/PSMJ course, "Managing Small Projects Successfully." Jamison, a former structural engineer who transitioned into business consulting, shares his insights into the course creation. He elaborates on the course's value, especially for those stepping into the realm of project management.
Jamison explores the unique challenges of managing small projects, such as limited time and budget, juggling multiple assignments, and receiving less focus from upper management. He gives invaluable advice on maintaining consistency in project management aspects regardless of the project size and effectively scaling strategies for small projects.
Towards the end, we delve into the complexities of transitioning engineers from the technical side to the business side, highlighting the importance of resources that bridge this significant gap. If you are a project manager dealing with constant attention demands and tight deadlines, this episode is a must-listen!
Tune in to gain insights from experts on mastering the art of managing small projects. Listen as we discuss helpful strategies, practical tools, and firm-level big-picture strategies—all aimed at helping you navigate the world of project management with confidence!

A Looming Crisis as Cities Sink and Seas Rise

In a concerning discovery, cities across the US are steadily sinking due to practices such as groundwater extraction, oil extraction, and fracking, exacerbating the impacts of sea-level rise. This article, which originally ran in Engineering, Inc., delves into the severity of the situation, highlighting how a considerable number of American and global cities, housing 10s of millions of people, are dropping at an alarming rate every year. Land subsidence – the sinking of ground level – is largely irreversible and carries serious repercussions, including increased flood risk and potential relocation of affected communities.
As experts emphasize, the primary culprit is the over-extraction of groundwater, which is responsible for more than 80% of U.S. land subsidence occurrences. Despite elemental damages like floods, earthquakes, or landslides being resolvable over time, loss of elevation due to land subsidence is permanent and difficult to notice until it's too late. Therefore, it's vital to comprehend that land subsidence amplifies all other environmental impacts, including relative sea level rise, essentially characterizing the intersections of sinking land and rising seas.
Though land subsidence can't be reversed, stabilization is possible through processes like managed aquifer recharge. Some cities are already testing such solutions with the hope to slow down and stabilize ground subsidence. Nonetheless, considering the increased storm surges and rainfall, the real challenge is to rethink how cities use stormwater to naturally replenish groundwater resources, which currently is not the case in most urban areas. Plans to effectively manage stormwater and allow it to seep back into the ground to recharge groundwater reserves are discussed.
However, the graveness of the issue also extends to climate gentrification. With the rising sea levels and decreasing land, neighborhoods sitting above sea levels are becoming prime real estate, forcing locals out. Experts advocate for infrastructure with multiple functional benefits and a balanced approach that takes into account all members of the community. As cities sink and sea levels rise, engineers are called to action to ensure sustainable futures and reevaluate the relationship between the built environment and nature.

Previewing the Upcoming Business Development and Marketing Forum

Contact Diana Alexander at dalexander@acec.org to join the BDM community.
Registration for the BDM Forum will open on 3-20-24:  https://www.acec.org/member-center/get-involved/forums/business-development-marketing-forum/
Register for the 5/1 Market Briefing:  https://education.acec.org/diweb/catalog/item?id=14439812
Register for the 2024 Annual Convention and Legislative Summit:  https://netforum.acec.org/eWeb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=DVLXRegProcEvent&evtKey=B3616C5E-FB9A-411D-ACC0-1B5C791E5573
Join Diana Alexander, the Director of Private Market Resources for the American Council of Engineering Companies, in this episode of the 'Engineering Influence' podcast, as she provides an anticipatory glance at the upcoming third annual Business Development and Marketing Forum. Learn why the forum serves as the perfect platform for networking and understanding the latest trends that are shaking up the business and marketing industries.
Listen about what's new for this year, including the shift of the annual meeting to fall, an increase in available seats to up to 100, and a three-day format that includes a series of insightful sessions featuring industry experts. Gain knowledge about the exciting array of attendees and the invaluable experience they bring to the forum, from CEOs and Vice Presidents to Marketing Directors and Client Service Managers.
Delve into a detailed schedule of the daily event, including keynote talks about the current state of AI in the AEC, proposal creation, go-no-go processes and more. Get a sneak peek into the ‘Thought Leadership’ panel and meet the eminent personalities that will share their esteemed perspectives on key topics such as AI integration, digital marketing, and talent retention. The forum promises a packed agenda with enlightening speaker sessions and interactive panels, all with a view to helping you and your firm grow.
This podcast episode also highlights two upcoming events, capturing the themes of Adaptive Reuse in the office sector and a local D.C. Developer panel at Land Development Coalition Roundtable. As listeners eagerly anticipate these occasions, this podcast provides both the practical information and exciting teaser of what's in store.
Press play and get all the details you need about ACEC Business Development and Marketing Forum in this comprehensive preview. To always stay updated, be sure to like and subscribe. Prepare to be inspired and empowered!
 

Optimistic Economic Outlook and Challenges for Q1 2024

The latest episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast, produced by the American Council of Engineering Companies, highlights the Q1 2024 Engineering Business Sentiment Study from the ACEC Research Institute. Download the new report here: https://programs.acec.org/impact-report-21/.
The report indicates an upbeat start to 2024 with a significant positive US economic sentiment. Recession fears have eased, and robust macroeconomic indicators, such as high GDP and low unemployment rates, reinforce the optimistic industry outlook. However, political uncertainty around election year remains a significant worry for future expectations.
The episode delves into the appetite for infrastructure work and the recovery signs in the Commercial Real Estate sector. It also highlights hiring challenges currently dampening industry expansion but indicates increased hiring anticipation amongst firms. A lack of sufficient workers, however, is driving firms to reject business offers and calls for immediate solutions.
The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a potential solution to labor shortage also gets spotlighted in this episode. With a significant number of firms using or developing AI strategies, the overall sentiment is positive about the impact of AI in the year ahead.
Lastly, the episode discusses the importance of effective forecasting and modeling, using a decade’s worth of data. Despite workforce concerns, other indicators suggest a shift towards positivity in the economy, providing a promising glimpse into what lies ahead in the engineering industry.