2009-2010 Annual Report

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President’s Letter

It’s difficult to know where to begin as I reflect back on the last twelve months. Last summer, I was headed into my final year as National Director, and likely my last year on the ACEC/ Board of Directors. At our very first meeting with the newly elected Board in August, I was asked if I would be willing to step in and serve as President to fill the vacancy created when our recently elected President left the consulting business. I was honored to be asked to serve and I appreciated the confidence in me expressed by the Board of Directors, but knew that the challenges facing our industry were significant.

The past twelve months have been extremely difficult for our member firms and their employees. The recession continued to suppress private development activity, and the decreased sales tax and gasoline tax revenues further strained our local and state governments. For those member firms that provide transportation engineering services, these challenges were compounded by the issues between NDOR and FHWA and the complete overhaul of the way local projects were processed. As a result of the changes, very few projects moved through the system and even fewer new projects were initiated.

ACEC/N was very actively involved in the discussions with NDOR and FHWA, and provided key testimony during the Transportation Summit convened on April 30, 2010 by Senator . Since that time, we have “had a seat at the table” with NDOR and FHWA as they follow up to address the concerns raised at the Summit. While in many cases, progress has been slower than we would like, we have seen some significant shifts in policies and processes that will help to alleviate concerns and expedite project delivery. We still have a long way to go, but progress is being made.

It appears that public sector funding for infrastructure projects will continue to be limited for a number of years due to reduced revenue at the local, state and federal levels. There will likely be a push in the Legislature for a new Transportation Funding program, and ACEC/N will be aggressively supporting a significant increase in overall funding, which may include shifting revenue sources from other programs into the Highway Trust Fund.

As I enter my 10th year of service to the member firms of ACEC/Nebraska, I think of all of the changes that have taken place in our industry and in our Association. Near the end of my first term as ACEC/N President in 2007, I was tasked with the responsibility to hire a new Executive Director and staff. Over the last three years, it has been rewarding to see how quickly Jackie and Bea have adapted to the challenges of our industry and have become such strong advocates for consulting engineering and our Association. Their professionalism and hard work help to make ACEC/N the voice of engineering in Nebraska and a resource for politicians and other community leaders. I would like to publicly thank Jackie and Bea for their service to ACEC/N and for all of the help they have been to me personally over the last three years.

Our industry still has many challenges ahead of us, and the next couple of years will continue to be difficult for many firms. I have great confidence in the elected leadership and staff at ACEC/N to provide the guidance and direction necessary to represent our industry and our member firms and to keep our Association strong.

Kyle Anderson 2009-2010 President, ACEC/Nebraska

2 ACEC/NEBRASKA BOARD 2009-2010

Kyle Anderson Matt Tondl Marty Wiedenman John S. Olsson Jack Baker President & National Past President President Elect Treasurer Secretary Director HDR Engineering Performance Olsson Associates Baker & Associates Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Engineering

Jeff Elliott Phil Schreier Rick Herrick Steve Kathol State Director State Director State Director State Director E & A Consulting Farris Engineering HWS Consulting Schemmer Associates

ACEC/NEBRASKA MEMBERSHIP 2009-2010 Alvine Engineering HWS Consulting Group RVW Baker & Associates Iteris R.W. Engineering & Surveying CH2M Hill JEO Consulting Group Rupprecht Engineering Civil Design Group KPE-Consulting Engineers Schemmer Associates E & A Consulting Group Kirkham Michael Short Elliott Hendrickson EA Engineering, Science & Tech KLEINFELDER Speece Lewis Engineers ESP Consulting Engineers Lamp, Rynearson & Associates Terracon Consultants Ehrhart Griffin & Associates M.C. Schaff & Associates Thiele Geotech Farris Engineering M.E. Group Thompson, Dreessen & Dorner Felsburg Holt & Ullevig MACTEC URS Corporation Geary Engineering Miller & Associates WLA Consulting Gilmore & Associates Morrissey Engineering Wade Trim HDR Engineering Olsson Associates Wilson & Company HGM Associates PB America’s HNTB Corporation Performance Engineering 3 2010 Engineering Excellence Awards

GRAND AWARD

HNTB for the Pedestrian Bridge

Engineering Excellence is our annual design The 2010 Grand Award was presented to competition recognizing engineering HNTB for its role and contributions to the achievements which demonstrate the highest design and construction of the Bob Kerrey degree of merit and ingenuity. Twenty-four Pedestrian Bridge for the City of Omaha. projects ranging from research studies and buildings and water resources to transportation The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, a 2,222 foot entered this year’s state competition. The pedestrian bridge spanning the Missouri River, Engineering Excellence Awards were presented has become a landmark for Omaha and a on Tuesday, February 16 at the Champions symbol of cooperation and good will between Run in Omaha. the cities of Omaha and Council Bluffs. The river span of the structure features a one-of-a- Entries are rated on the basis of innovation and kind 1,012-foot curvilinear cable stayed bridge, originality; technical value to the engineering with a main span length of 506 feet. The profession; social and economic considerations; superstructure is supported by single pylons near complexity; and how successfully the project each bank that rise 200 feet above the water meets the needs, including time and budget surface, and two planes of cables suspend the constraints of the client. Entrants may also superstructure from the pylons. Landings at enter the national competition which is judged each end of the bridge descend to public open in Washington, D.C. green spaces and provide connections to a regional trail system that had been previously inaccessible to pedestrians and cyclists prior to the connectivity provided by the bridge. 4

2010 Honor Awards Four projects received the Honor Award, the next highest honor in the competition:

 Omaha Long Term Control Plan by CH2M Hill with HDR Engineering and Lamp, Rynearson & Associates for the City of Omaha

 4940 Building by Morrissey Engineering for Morrissey Engineering

 Palmer Ridge High School by ME Group for Palmer Ridge School District # 38

 OPPD Nebraska City 2 by HDR Engineering for the Omaha Public Power District Honor Award: Ch2M Hill

Small Firm Award

 Broadwater Water Improvement by Baker & Associates for the Village of Broadwater

2010 Merit Awards

Firms, their projects and their clients receiving 2010 Merit Awards included: Honor Award: Morrissey Engineering  West Haymarket Transportation, Environmental and Utilities Plan by Olsson Associates for the City of Lincoln

 Lower Platte North NRD Groundwater Study by Olsson Associates for the Lower Platte North NRD

 Saddlebrook Joint Use Facility by Alvine Engineering for the Omaha Public Schools

 Appliance and Electronics Store by Alvine Engineering for the Nebraska Furniture Mart

Honor Award: ME Group  Signs and Shapes International by Thompson, Dreessen & Dorner for the No Mans Land, LLC

 Harris Overpass by Schemmer Associates for the City of Lincoln

 Midtown Crossing at Turner Park Implementation of the Concrete Maturity Method by Terracon Consultants for the Weitz Company

 Ashland Wastewater Treatment Plant by Olsson Associates for the City of Ashland Honor Award: HDR Engineering  Torrington Correctional Facility Utility Corridor by Baker &

(Merit Awards continued on next page) 5 (Merit Awards Continued)

 12th & U Street Water Mains by HDR Engineering for the City of Lincoln

 Glen Cunningham Dam, Reservoir and Recreation Area Improvements by Olsson Associates for the Nebraska Game and Parks

 South Sioux City Flood Plain Management by Olsson Associates for the City of South Sioux City

 East Adams Improvements by HWS Consulting for the City of Lincoln

 72nd Street, I-680 to N-36 by Schemmer Associates for Douglas County

 MOPAC Trail Bridge by Schemmer Associates for the City of Lincoln

 Collin Stadium – Omaha South High by Lamp, Rynearson & Associates for Omaha Public Schools

 Zebra Mussel Eradication by URS for the Offutt Air Force Base

2010 Public Relations Awards

Charles Durham Achievement Award

Roger J. Wozny of the Schemmer Associates was selected to receive the 2010 ACEC/Nebraska Charles Durham Achievement Award. The award was established in 2009 to recognize outstanding individuals who have contributed significantly to the engineering profession through their leadership role in ACEC/Nebraska, professional societies, and community service organizations.

Young Professional of the Year Award

The 2010 Young Professionals of the Year award went to Joe Zadina, PE, a Civil Engineer at Lamp, Rynearson & Associates Omaha, Nebraska. This award recognizes the accomplishments of members of the profession who are under the age of 30 and have contributed to the engineering profession and impacted society.

Last year’s ACEC/N winner, Craig Reinsch, PE, Civil Engineer and Office Leader at Olsson Associates in Lincoln, Nebraska, was selected as one of the 5 Young Professionals of the Year in the national competition. Craig’s accomplishments will be recognized at the ACEC National Fall Conference in Puerto Rico in October.

(Public Relations Awards continued on next page) 6 ( Public Relations Awards Continued)

Pride Awards The Public Relations Committee of the American Council of Engineering Companies/Nebraska announced the winners of its 2nd Annual Public Relations, Image Development and Enhancement (PRIDE) Award.

GRAND AWARD

HDR Engineering was named the ACEC/N 2010 PRIDE GRAND Award Winner for its “Drinking Water Operations Treatment & Distribution Wall Chart.” Submitted by Suzanne Putnam and the HDR Engineering Team. The winning entry was also named the ACEC/N 2010 PRIDE GOLD Award Winner in the Marketing/Branding/Image Enhancement/ Campaigns category. Kyle Anderson, Suzanne Putnam and Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy GOLD AWARD

Schemmer Associates was named the ACEC/N 2010 PRIDE GOLD Award Winner in the Events category for its 2009 comprehensive marketing/anniversary initiative, “Schemmer: Proudly Celebrating Our First Fifty Years.” The winning entry was submitted by Julie Gasper and the Schemmer Marketing Team.

Kyle Anderson, Tracy Mumford AWARD OF EXCELLENCE and Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy

Lamp, Rynearson & Associates was named an ACEC/N 2010 PRIDE Award of Excellence Winner in the Marketing/Branding/Image Enhancement /Campaigns category for its 2009 comprehensive marketing/anniversary initiative, “50 Years and Still Cruising.” The winning entry was submitted by Leslie Peterson and the Lamp, Rynearson Marketing Team.

Kyle Anderson, Leslie Peterson and Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy 7 2009-2010 EVENTS LPA PROGRAM CHANGES FOR LINCOLN ENGINEERING PARTNERSHIP CONSULTANTS WORKSHOP WORKSHOP

July 30, 2009 December 15, 2009 Southeast Community College-Lincoln Holiday Inn Downtown -Lincoln Training on the new LPA Guidelines Manual Speakers—Greg MacLean, Director of Public presented by NDOR Staff. Works; Fred Hoke, Development Service Center Manager; Richard Burton, Department of Building ACEC’s PRESIDENT DAVE RAYMOND and Safety; Jereme Montgomery, NE Concrete and VISIT TO NEBRASKA Aggregates Association; Matt Ferguson, HDR; Linda Beacham, Committee Chair for Lincoln August 24-25th 2009 Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure Finance ACEC President Dave Raymond visited Nebraska to Committee and Dan Marvin, Arena Project brief local, state, and federal officials on issues of key Manager. concern. In his meetings, Dave talked about how important our industry is in the state’s economic ACEC/N 2 DAY WORKSHOP ON NEPA & development and encouraged more outsourcing in CATEGORY EXCLUSION DOCUMENTS both stimulus and non-stimulus projects. December 16 & 17th 2009 and OMAHA ENGINEERING PARTNERSHIP February 24 & 25th 2010 Cornhusker Marriott-Lincoln October 21, 2009 Presented by NDOR, FHWA and NESHPO Staff. Holiday Inn Convention Center-Omaha Overview of Environmental Processes for Nebraska Speakers—Mayor of Omaha Jim Suttle; Bob Stubbe, Transportation Projects, submitting successful Director of Public Works; Rick Cunningham, City of NEPA and Category Exclusion Documents. This Omaha Planning Director; Jeff Schovanec, Sr. Design course was one of the requirements to become Engineer Infrastructure Replacement MUD and a NDOR NEPA Certified. panel discussion moderated by Matt McFadden with Kirk Pfeffer and Tim O’Bryan, Omaha Public Works ACEC/N ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE and Jim Wilkinson, NDOR. AWARDS BANQUET

February 16, 2010 AASHTO AUDIT GUIDE SEMINAR Champions Run in Omaha Master of Ceremonies—Dwight “Doc” Wininger November 10, 2009 Cornhusker Marriott-Lincoln This year 24 engineering projects were entered in Presenting this seminar was Lynda Konomos, the competition. ACEC/N President Kyle Anderson External Audit Manager with HNTB. This seminar and Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy presented was an overview of the new AASHTO Uniform Audit the awards. HNTB received the Grand Award for and Accounting Guide. the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

NDOR TRANSPORTATION WORKSHOP CONSULTING CONGRESS DAY

November 10, 2009 April 27-28, 2010 Cornhusker Marriott -Lincoln Washington, D.C. Speakers—Monty Fredrickson, NDOR Director; Joe Werning, FHWA Division Administrator; State Four ACEC/Nebraska representatives carried the Senator Kathy Campbell; Randy Peters, NDOR message of the engineering industry to our elected Deputy Director; Lynda Konomos, External Auditor officials on Capitol Hill. for HNTB; Dawn Knott, NDOR Agreements Engineer; Jim Wilkinson, NDOR Local Projects Engineer; Dave Jesse, Sr., V.P. Harry A. Koch Company and, Allan Abbott, Aide to Senator Ben Nelson.

8 ACEC President Dave Raymond Visits Nebraska

ACEC President Dave Raymond visited Nebraska at the request of the State Organization to brief local, state, and federal officials on issues of key concern. In these meetings, Dave talked about how important our industry is in the state’s economic development and encouraged more outsourcing in both stimulus and non stimulus projects.

Raymond, Jackie McCullough ACEC/N Executive Director and ACEC/N volunteer leaders met with Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy; State Senator Tony Fulton; FHWA Nebraska Division Administrator Joseph Werning: Nebraska

Department of Roads Director Monty Fredrickson; Congressman (R-NE); Sen. Ben Nelson’s (D-NE) Chief of Staff Tim Becker; and Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle.

At member luncheons in Omaha and Lincoln, Raymond briefed members and received feedback on transportation funding, the stimulus package, and the impact of healthcare and other legislation

All of our membership really appreciated Dave’s coming to Nebraska. We had the opportunity to exchange views, share what’s on our members’ minds, and bring a local perspective to ACEC’s national efforts.

E-WEEK PROCLAMATION SIGNINGS

Governor and Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler each signed a proclamation declaring February 14-20, 2010 as Engineers Week.

9 Omaha Engineering Partnership Committee Chair: Terry Atkins The Omaha Engineering Partnership (OEP) Finally, toward the end of the year, we took up had a busy year. We dealt with issues relating to the issue of private plan review. Issues include procurement of professional services and inconsistent review, time it takes to get a review private plan review. and changing requirements. The full committee met and decided it would be During quarterly meetings with the Public appropriate to send a small group to meet with Works Director we discussed a variety of topics a group of managers at the City. The first and worked with the Director on the Small and meeting was very productive and this effort will Emerging Business Ordinance, new contracting continue into next year. limits and private plan review to name a few. Lincoln Engineering Partnership We met individually with the Mayor and all City Committee Chair: Mark Lutjeharms Council members to discuss the proposed Small and Emerging Business ordinance. During our The Lincoln Engineering Partnership (LEP) meetings we also discussed increasing the completed another successful year. We began contract limit requirements. Increasing these the year by meeting with various requirements would mean the need for fewer representatives of the Public Works & Utilities proposals and could save both consultants and departments and also reached out to new the City money. departments including Building & Safety,

Urban Development, Planning, and Parks & The OEP also planned and conducted the Recreation. These meetings were organized to Omaha Engineering Partnership Workshop on make City representatives mindful of our October 21. The workshop was very well organization/committee and to encourage attended by both the public and private sector. them to reach out to us if/when needed. The Director supported this effort and encouraged City staff to attend. We also had a The Lincoln Engineering Partnership Public Works person on the planning Workshop was held on December 15, 2010. committee to make sure the program would be The topics included The Lincoln Haymarket of interest to City participants. Arena, Development Services Center, special

inspections, pervious concrete, Lincoln Jim Wilkinson, Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure NDOR; Kirk Pfeffer, Omaha Financing plans, District Energy and Cap/ Public Works and Trade. The workshop was attended by Public Tim O’Bryan Works & Utilities Director, Greg MacLean, as Omaha Public Works facilitated well as many other City staff. a panel discussion at the OEP Workshop

Mark Lutjeharms, Omaha City LEP Chair, Engineer discusses the Charlie Krajek program with presenters Jereme and Steve Montgomery of Kathol visit NE Concrete & after the workshop Aggregates Assn. and Matt Ferguson, HDR 10 (Lincoln Engineering Partnership continued on next page) (Lincoln Engineering Partnership continued) LEP Committee members met with Council winter conference. The panel included ACEC/N members Jane Snyder, Gene Carroll, Adam members as well as a one of our local agency Hornung and Doug Emery to introduce and partners. The next step is to develop a program remind them of our organization and to offer for the League on how to assist municipalities in our group as a resource to them and the issues implementing a QBS program. they address as City Council members.

Additionally, the LEP Committee drafted a letter for signature by the ACEC/N Board supporting the Fast Forward Fund, aimed at funding infrastructure for economic development projects; provided review comments to Engineering Services’ revisions to their Standard Specifications; and worked with the Mayor’s staff to identify additional work tasks under the primary categories for

which firms submit for pre-qualification. John Olsson, Olsson Associates does a QBS presentation to the League of Municipalities Conference with panelists In the coming months, the LEP committee Thomas Shaffer, City of Lincoln, Rob Brigham, JEO and Marc Rosso, HDR Engineering. will be working with the Mayor’s staff and the Public Works & Utilities Department on Instances of competition with governmental developing processes for electronic document agencies at all levels continue to be reported to submittal and filing. ACEC/N. We have had meetings with public agencies, legislators and public entity officials to Business Practices Committee discuss the cases, always emphasizing the Committee Chair: Jane Jordan benefits to hiring from the private sector. The slogan is: “If you can find it in the yellow pages, The Business Practices Committee worked government shouldn’t provide it!” with many ACEC/N members throughout the year on issues related to QBS, selection Public Relations Committee processes, contracts, government competition Committee Chair: Gretchen Dolson and more. The ACEC/N PR committee engaged in Qualification Based Selection is always at the activities to raise the awareness of the value that forefront of the committee’s attention. We engineers provide to society and encourage encourage our members to report incidents students to pursue engineering as a career. where QBS is not being used. The committee reviews the selection processes and when The committee’s primary focus during E-Week appropriate, contacts the public agency that was to share the passion for engineering with issued the rfp to discuss the QBS process. students and the general public to generate ACEC/N continues to field questions from awareness of our profession through local agencies generated by the implementation publications and public outreach. of NDOR procedures for QBS and the federal legislation that mandates QBS for projects The committee selected award winners again this receiving Federal aid. year to recognize individual engineers’ contribution to the engineering and consulting A QBS presentation was made to the industry and outstanding marketing activities by Nebraska League of Municipalities at their member firms. 11 NDOR Partnership Committee Committee Chair: Karl Fredrickson The ACEC-NDOR Liaison Committee Industry involvement was critical to the (Committee) began the year in the midst of decisions as industry kept the impact of slow significant change at NDOR and considerable and nonresponsive actions at the forefront in turmoil with the Federal Highway Division Office. every meeting. Monty Fredrickson had just begun his new position as Director-State Engineer, July 6, 2010, after serving as Deputy Director of Engineering since 1992. Randy Peters was elevated to Deputy Director of Engineering after he served several years as Planning and Project Development Engineer. FHWA Nebraska Division also saw changes:

Victoria Peters, Assistant D.A. was reassigned to Kyle Anderson and Matt Tondl testify Washington D.C., and was replaced by Doug Atkin. at the Transportation Summit.

FHWA-Nebraska had placed restrictions on our The Committee held the ACEC-NDOR Annual ability to do business with our clients: Meeting in November. The meeting was very PE/CE restriction well attended and we had some special guests Conflict of Interest allegations from the Cities and Counties in attendance to Writing an LPA manual hear what the speakers had to convey. The Responsible Charge issues meeting was preceded by a training session on Retroactive recession of project approvals the Federal Acquisition Rules (FAR) and was Process changes that changed daily also well attended.

The Committee was proactive in quickly setting up By the end of the year headway with NDOR ongoing working meetings with NDOR staff to and FHWA included: a profit worksheet, a task represent our industry and work through process order form, a conflict resolution policy, a changes to assist in developing documentation that consultant evaluation process, discussion of a would satisfy FHWA in an effort to speed projects Pilot PE/CE plan, development of an On-Call through the ever-changing NDOR/FHWA list of construction engineering (CE) firms to environment. Our committee also provided aid LPA’s, and changes to the ICE and SCOPE constructive feedback when changes either hurt the processes used by LPA’s. project development process, our clients, or our business (e.g. liability in agreements). The On-Call CE was initially agreed to by the committee as a way to speed up selections, Senator Ben Nelson conducted a Transportation however, the initial process required the RC’s to Summit with Victor Mendez, FHWA Administrator go through another selection process with the in April 2010. The Summit, held at Lincoln’s City on-call firms. Through the committee’s Council Chambers, was attended by an overflow discussion, modifications have been made to crowd. Included were City, County and State staff, make the process less cumbersome. The on-call City Mayors, and County Board Members, private process will be further reviewed over the section engineers, and the press. Up to the Nelson summer for further efficiencies. Summit in April, FHWA-Nebraska did not see it in their interest to attend the working meetings stating As the committee enters into the new year, it was their role to interact only with the state continued work on solidifying NDOR/FHWA highway agency. After the Summit, FHWA began processes so that work done for NDOR and attending the meetings and constructive face-to-face LPA’s, and work for engineering firms can dialogue took place, making progress possible to become predictable. revise previous processes and policy decisions.

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Legislative Committee Committee Co-Chairs: Dan Park and Mark Pohlmann

Legislative Forum The second session of the 101st Legislature was a typical busy March 3, 2010 session for both the members of the Legislature and organizations like ACEC/N who closely monitor legislation that affects their industry.

When the session started, there was little money to spend and little anticipation of any major law changes. The session ended on the same note with the exception that the financial concerns increased as tax receipts continued to dwindle.

Governor Dave Heineman’s talk

Several initiatives affecting our industry were carried over from the during Legislative Day. first legislative session along with the introduction of several new pieces of legislation in 2010. However, we are pleased to report that all major initiatives that we monitored closely were either defeated or failed to come out of committee. What that means is a clean slate when the Legislature reconvenes on January 5, 2011.

Several members of ACEC/N participated in the annual Legislative Forum and Luncheon, hosted by the Nebraska Design & Construction Industry Council, held in Lincoln on March 3, 2010. Our members had the opportunity to spend time at the capitol Loren Steenson with his Senator meeting with Senators and watching the Legislature in action. Pete Pirsch. Governor Heineman and Senator Kathy Campbell were the featured speakers during the morning forum. During lunch, our members enjoyed conversation with 22 Senators seated throughout the room. The Senators were thanked for their service and the three organizations comprising the council – ACEC/Nebraska,

AIA Nebraska, and AGC Building Chapter - reminded the Senators of the wealth of resources available to them and their staff through our members.

During the summer months, meetings were held with Rich Herrick, Tom Kellogg and Transportation Chair Senator Deb Fisher, and several Senator Scott Price. Transportation Committee Members. Meetings also took place with the chair of the Natural Resources Committee and the Speaker of the Legislature to discuss resources available to the Senators through ACEC/N and issues of importance to our members.

Senator Fisher has indicated she will be introducing major highway funding legislation in the upcoming legislative session. While details of the proposal are not being released by Senator Fisher, she has indicated it will be a major proposal. Senator Fisher has told us she is working closely with other Senators and Governor Heineman to develop a passable piece of legislation. This will be a key piece Senator Mark Christensen visits of legislation in the upcoming session. with Larry Lewis and Karl Fredrickson 2010 was another very busy legislative year as it always is, and 2011 looks no different. 13 Environmental Affairs Committee Alternative Delivery Methods Committee Committee Chair: Eric Obert Committee Chair: Matt Kronaizl Eric Obert with JEO Consulting Group Much of the committee’s activities have been chaired our newest committee – the conducted through our partnership in the Environmental Affairs Committee. Eric Nebraska Design and Construction Industry recruited and organized the committee, and Council. The Council was started by members together, they crafted the committee’s mission of our committee, as well as, members from statement. AIA/N and AGC/N and has been very busy.

The council has redesigned its website (www.ne.dcicouncil.com) and created an extensive manual on Delivery Methods. The manual provides a laymen’s overview of D/B/ B, D/B, and CM@Risk as it applies to Nebraska entities, and also provides a second section on how to effectively and properly carry out a project under each method.

The Council has made presentations on delivery The Environmental Affairs Committee (EAC) methods to various groups and associations provides a discussion forum for the broadly over the past 12 months, most recently at the defined fields of environmental engineering to Nebraska Health Care Association and exchange ideas and information regarding Nebraska Assisted Living Association environmental issues that can affect ACEC/N conference in Kearney. member businesses, and to develop Corps of Engineers relationships, make contacts, educate members, and influence business practices to Partnering Committee help improve relationships and assist in Committee Chair: Joel Carson promoting environmental policies that benefit In August 2009, the ACEC/N Board of both member firms and their clients. The EAC Directors approved the formation of a USACE functions as an information source for its Partnering Committee. The committee was members involved in environmental activities proposed in support of a national partnering as well as for the related public agencies. agreement between the two entities and to provide for improved communication and a The Committee’s first task was to assist higher level of collaboration to benefit the NDOR with training for environmental Nebraska public. professionals on the NEPA processes. The training also included representatives from the A group of ACEC/N members met to prepare Federal Highway Administration and the a vision, mission, and committee charter for Nebraska State Historical Society’s the new committee. The group identified Preservation Division. The popular class was objectives for the first year and emphasized the held twice to accommodate those interested. importance of a partnering agreement between ACEC/N and the USACE Omaha District. The Committee also wanted to reach out to the various agencies our members interact with Joel Carson, Committee Chair, and Jackie and introduce ACEC/N and the resources we McCullough met with Col. Ruch at the USACE have available to assist our public partners. offices to discuss the committee and the Good initial discussions took place and a more partnering agreement. formal schedule of meetings are planned for next year. (Corps of Engineers continued on next page) 14

(Corps of Engineers continued) Consulting Congress Day Col. Ruch wanted to formalize the Nebraska Representatives from ACEC/N joined more agreement after the national agreement was re- than 1,000 business and policy leaders at signed. On April 26, 2010 ACEC and the the ACEC Annual Convention in Washington, USACE signed a national partnering D.C. in April. In addition to the many agreement. The Colonel’s travel schedule has educational seminars and keynote speakers made it difficult to meet to execute the state from the political arena, members also took the agreement. The Committee feels it is industry’s message to Capitol Hill. Our important that a partnering agreement be lobbying focused on infrastructure initiatives, executed locally providing the foundation for a defense of contracting out, and repeal of the successful partnering committee and they will three percent withholding mandate. address the partnering agreement in the coming year. Our ACEC/Nebraska delegation spent a full day on Capitol Hill meeting with both Senators and two Representatives talking about those Membership Committee subjects, the impact on our industry and the ramifications to Nebraska engineering Committee Chair: Loren Steenson firms. Each member was asked to co-sponsor the 3% withholding mandate legislation and The Membership Committee successfully Congressman Terry signed on the spot! The recruited five new member firms in 2009-10! bill was reintroduced this year (H.R. 275 and The committee identified firms to approach S292) and requires legislators to co-sign the and made contact with each of those firms to new bill even if they were co-signers of the discuss the benefits ACEC/N membership previous bill. We also discussed our concerns brings to their firm’s bottom line and their about the continuing stalled transportation employees. delivery system in our state and the effect on our firms and the citizens of the state. For 2009-10, the ACEC/N Board of Directors approved a membership incentive program which proved successful. The membership Kyle Anderson, Loren committee submitted the applications for Steenson, Senator and Rob Brigham membership and all were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors throughout the year. Mike McMeekin, Kyle ACEC/N welcomed Black and Veatch, ESP, Anderson and Congressman Lee Terry Miller and Associates, RDG Geoscience and Engineering and Veenstra & Kimm as our newest members during the year. Rob Brigham, Senator Ben Nelson, Mike McMeekin At the end of the fiscal year, ACEC/N counted and Loren Steenson 42 firms in its membership with over 2,059 employees. Continuing to define and strengthen our value proposition will be crucial Loren Steenson, Congressman to both recruitment and retention of our Adrian Smith, Kyle Anderson member firms. and Rob Brigham

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ACEC/Nebraska PAC ACEC/PAC Committee Chair: Dan Thiele Champion: Mike McMeekin The ACEC/N Political Action Committee Health care reform, proposed changes in tax (PAC) continued to be actively engaged structure for S Corporations, transportation despite the year falling in the middle of the funding to state DOTs, funding for major election cycle. infrastructure projects (including water and aviation), opposed union attempts to derail The ACEC/N member firms continue strong competitive sourcing, card check legislation, support for the PAC. A total of 19 member including the expansion of QBS & uniform firms and one officer contributed $13,100 to contracting rules in FAA reauthorization the PAC in calendar 2010, matching last year’s legislation are just a few of the issues that total numbers. This includes 11 Platinum Congress debated this year that could contributors at the $1,000 annual level. dramatically affect the profitability of engineering firms. These federal issues have The PAC trustees, consisting of a firm far-reaching consequences for us here in representative from each of the Platinum Nebraska, as well as throughout the entire contributors, established a list of 16“ACEC/N industry. Friends” within the Legislature as a preliminary guide to candidates that will ACEC members have a strong voice on Capitol receive future financial support. Hill: the ACEC Political Action Committee. ACEC/PAC is the primary The PAC provided direct financial support for weapon in our industry's political arsenal to 13 candidates over the past 12 months, help elect candidates that support pro-business, including candidates for the Nebraska pro-engineering positions. Legislature as well as some local races of interest. The PAC held one lunch meeting this Our bipartisan ACEC PAC has generously year with a Legislative candidate, and has 3 supported our Nebraska delegation. Our additional lunches scheduled. These candidate accessibility to Nebraska’s federal delegation meetings provide member firms with an both here in Nebraska and on Capitol Hill is opportunity to interact face to face with the envy of 49 other states. Senators and engage in detailed policy discussions on issues of interest to the business Thank you to the firms who made the of engineering. commitment to educate their staff on the importance of the PAC and for their Dan Thiele, Jane Jordan, Jim contributions to the PAC. Federal election Linderholm, laws mandate that only individuals from firms Senator Amanda may donate to the National PAC. My thanks to McGill, Roger each of you who made contributions, making it Helgoth, Jackie possible for us to exceed our $9,822 goal by McCullough,and Karl Fredrickson $1,398 in 2009.

The fall elections are before us, and the PAC will continue to be engaged in the electoral process. We have a solid financial footing that will allow us to play an increasingly powerful role for the member firms of ACEC/N. By pooling our political capital, we can have a greater impact than the sum of the individual parts. Jackie McCullough and Roger Helgoth present a PAC check to Congressman Adrian Smith 16 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S LETTER

Neil Armstrong, John Sununu, Herbert Hoover, Lee Iacocca...each one an engineer. Each one a designer, a problem solver - just like the engineers employed by the firms of ACEC/N.

Those same engineers serve as members of the Board of Directors for ACEC/N and as our Committee Chairs – representing the industry, engaged with legislators, agencies and government entities to strengthen and protect the business interests of our members. The Board of Directors, with varied experiences representing multiple disciplines, are keen to respond to the industry’s issues and concerns. Jackie McCullough Executive Director As you’ll read in the annual report, the Committee Chairs have taken their ACEC/Nebraska charge from the Board and advanced the issues and concerns of our industry - creating and fostering strong partnerships with public agencies and advocating best business practices throughout the state enhancing the business climate for our members.

We also proudly announced the most creative and innovative design projects in the state during the Engineering Excellence Awards. Congratulations to all of our firms that submitted projects and to the 2010 Grand Award Winner “The Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge” designed by HNTB.

I would like to thank Jeff Elliot for his service to ACEC/N on the Board of Directors as his term on the board comes to a close. And a BIG thank you to Kyle Anderson who reprised his role as President this year to assist the organization through a leadership transition. Kyle’s commitment and service to ACEC/N is unrivaled and deeply appreciated.

It has again been my honor to advocate for Nebraska’s engineering community and I look forward to representing ACEC/N and the many noteworthy engineers employed by our members.

Jackie McCullough Executive Director, ACEC/Nebraska

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OUR MISSION:

“Improving the quality of life in Nebraska by strengthening the business environment for and image of

the engineering profession.”

Cornhusker Plaza 301 S. 13th Street, Suite 101 Lincoln, NE 68508 P:402.476.2572 F.402.476.9850 18 www.acecnebraska.org