ACEC New York
6 Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12205 acecny@acecny.org T 518.452.8611
F 518.452.1710
60 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10165
T 212.682.6336
F 212.818.0286
Governor asks ACEC New York for Transportation Input. Governor David Paterson personally reached out to ACEC New York for input on how ARRA funding has been spent as well as how the overall transportation program was being run. In a one-on-one discussion with ACEC New York President, Jay Simson, the Governor wanted to know how the additional funding was affecting private design firms and if New York should be doing anything differently. Simson provided input on procedures that could help New York spend the funds to have a broader impact on infrastructure. They also discussed design-build and using public-private partnerships to attract private funding to the table. Simson suggested that the Governor consider an advisory board that included private sector input from engineers and contractors.
ASHTO Audit Seminar adds webinar component to March 11 Seminar. The new Audit Guide affects every A/E firm with DOT clients and will change how you do business. Speakers from accounting firms, engineering firms, New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will give an overview on the new guidelines and how it will impact your firm. A new exciting component is being added to the agenda: a 1.5 hour webinar. The webinar will be conducted by CFO Dave Bruce, FHWA and Jerry Jones, Chair of Internal/External Audit Subcommittee. They will present information and issues raised in the OIG audit report, review content in the newly revised Guide and address current plans for national implementation of the Guide. Click here to download a registration form for the AASHTO Seminar. The Webinar is included in the Seminar cost.
Congressman Tim Bishop to MC 2010 EEA Gala. ACEC New York is pleased to announce that Congressman Tim Bishop, will host the 43rd Engineering Excellence Dinner Dance on March 27, at the Waldorf=Astoria, NYC. Tickets are still available; please click here for the reservation form.
A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Waldorf=Astoria. For reservations, please call the hotel at (877) 476-8792 and reference the “2010 Engineering Awards.” The ACEC New York rate is $239+taxes for a single/double room. (note: ACEC New York recently renegotiated this rate from $319 to $239, applicable to all reservations)
Ads Available for EEA Program Booklet. Support the Engineering Community and congratulate your design teams on their award by taking an ad in the Program Booklet. Full page color advertisements are $2,200 and half page color advertisements are $1,500. Click here for spec sheet.
First Online Banner Ad. Starting March 1, ACEC New York, will have its first online banner ad for New York Construction magazine. The ad will promote the 2010 Engineering Excellence and it will link the reader to our homepage where they can access information on the awards program.
NYCDOB Presentation on the Greater Greener Buildings Package. On February 23, the NYCDOB made a presentation on new laws governing energy and water use in buildings. For a full copy of the 36 page PowerPoint presentation, click here. It is anticipated that in a month or two, ACEC New York will issue a NYCDOB “Call for Volunteers” for those who would like to assist the city in developing the rules for local law implementation and enforcement.
Leadership Awards - Call for Nominations. The Awards and Recognition Committee is soliciting applications for New Principal of the Year (nominee must be a principal at a member firm less than 5 years) and Engineer of the Year (nominee must be a current or retired ACEC New York member). The awards will be presented at the Spring Meeting at the Roosevelt Hotel, NYC on June 16, 2010. Click here to download the applications. Applications are due by April 2, 2010 to ACEC New York, 6 Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12205 or fax to 518 452-1710 or e-mail to gina@acecny.org.
ACEC New York Advocates for Design Investment to help New York Economy. After witnessing the economic downturn and the lack of design projects in the pipelines of NYS Agencies, we have created a design investment piece that outlines the benefits of designing now, to reap benefits in the future. We will be distributing this piece to all state-wide elected officials, state transportation and infrastructure agencies, industry partners, community and advocacy groups, and media outlets. The piece will be available on our website as well.
Paterson Vetoes Ethics Reform Bill. The bill that would provide certain reforms to ethics in Albany was vetoed by Governor Paterson this month just as he promised he would do. Paterson believes the legislation does not go far enough and will not accept a bill that does not address legislators policing themselves, term limits for public officials, and campaign finance reform. An override of the veto is expected in the Assembly, with an overwhelming Democratic majority and Republican support of the legislation. However, the Senate GOP has stated they will not override the bill.
Senate votes to expel Senator Monserrate. After nearly five hours in a closed door conference, Senate Democrats joined with Republicans in voting to immediately expel Hiram Monserrate from the Senate for his conviction of misdemeanor assault on his girlfriend. The Senate voted 53-8 for a resolution introduced by Senator Brian Foley to immediately expel Monserrate. Another resolution introduced by Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson would have expelled Monserrate at the end of this year’s session if an appeals judge refused to overturn Monserrate’s conviction.
In an impassioned sixteen minute speech, Monserrate vowed to fight the expulsion and claimed there is no legal basis for removing him from office. Monserrate filed a complaint in federal court in Brooklyn. Judge William Pauley had set a February 18th date for a hearing on a preliminary injunction that would prohibit the enforcement of his expulsion. Pauley denied Monserrate’s request for a temporary restraining order as the Senate is not in session next week. Pauley stated that expulsion is “infrequent and the power of a body to determine the fitness of its members is embedded in American democracy." Pauley also noted that the decision to expel Monserrate came after a special committee had been appointed to examine the issue and that a majority of both Republicans and Democrats has voted in favor of immediately expelling him. Pauley stated that the issue of Monserrate’s role as a state senator will best be addressed March 16th, the date set by Governor Paterson for a special election in the former Queens Senator’s district.
ACEC New York Legislative Priorities. Meetings continue on our Permissible Forms of Practice bill. After a minimal amendments suggested by the State Education Department in order to remove their opposition, we have been pushing Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah Glick to pass the bill through her committee. We are optimistic that since the State Education Department is no longer opposing this bill, it will pass through committee and go to the floor for a vote. In the Senate, this bill sits in the Corporations Committee and is awaiting movement in the Assembly. Our QBS bill is currently on the calendar to be voted on in the Assembly and sits in the Finance Committee of the Senate.
Leonard N. Ball, has been promoted to Construction Supervisor for AECOM’s transportation business line in their Albany office. Mr. Ball joined AECOM in 2003 after a 35 year career with the New York State Department of Transportation, serving as Engineer in Charge of some of the largest and most complicated infrastructure improvement projects in the Capital District.
Barry A. Anctil, P.E. has been promoted to Staff Professional IV in AECOM’s transportation business line in their local Albany office. He recently passed his Professional Engineer exam.
Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C., announced today the licensing of Jeffrey T. Hodgson in New York State. The license signifies that Hodgson is qualified to be a practicing engineer in New York State.
Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C., a consulting firm specializing in structural engineering in Clifton Park, NY, announced today the certification of Paul A. Rouis III, P.E., as Slab Moisture Testing Technician Grade I by the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI).
Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. is pleased to announce that Mr. Frederick H. Buck has joined the firm as Marketing Coordinator for the Albany, New York office. Mr. Buck previously served as the Highway Superintendent for Essex County for over 15 years. Mr. Buck has over 30 years of experience with respect to public works projects that includes bridges, highways, water, sewer and buildings. He served as past President of the New York State County Highway Superintendent Association and is currently serving on the Champlain Bridge Public Advisory Committee. He and his wife Lynn reside at Crown Point.
Dennis M. Kelleher, P.E., Senior Vice President, Director of Water Resources Division from H2M was recently elected by members of the New York Section of the American Water Works Association. Section Director is a three-year position beginning in June 2010, which entails serving as a liaison between the New York Section and the AWWA international organization located in Denver, Colorado. AWWA is an organization of Water Supply professional with over 57,000 members worldwide. Mr. Kelleher has been an active member of the American Water Works Association, New York Section since 1986, was Chairman of the organization in 2006.
Robert G. Holzmacher, 82 died February 1, 2010 at Beaufort Memorial Hospital following a stroke and battle with colon and prostate cancer. Mr. Holzmacher was a prominent civil engineer born in Bethpage, New York and was the founder of Holzmacher, McLendon & Murrell, P.C. the largest water supply consulting engineering firm on Long Island, as well as H2M Labs, which is the largest environmental laboratory in the northeastern United States. Robert was active in many professional societies including serving as president of the Long Island branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Consulting Engineers Council and past Chairman of the Long Island Water Conference, and was an active member of the American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation. He had also served as a Commissioner of the Beaufort Jasper Water Authority. Robert had served as a volunteer firefighter in Bethpage, New York. A graduate of the New York Maritime Academy at Fort Schyler, he was an avid pilot and sailor and was a past Commodore of the Dataw Island Yacht Club and had served as Fleet Captain of the South Bay Cruising Club. After moving to Dataw Island in 1994 he became active in politics and served a term as Chairman of the Beaufort County Republican Party. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ardith Hammons Holzmacher.
H2M, a multi-disciplined Architectural, Engineering, Planning, Environmental service and Laboratory Analysis firm, is pleased to announce the promotion to Vice President of two key professionals, Elizabeth C. Uzzo, SPHR, Human Resources and Charles V. Pittman, Sales and Business Development. These promotions recognize the importance of the contributions made by professionals outside our core disciplines that enable H2M to succeed. “As the firm continues to grow and prosper, it is essential to appreciate the vital role played by these individuals and their departments. H2M would like to congratulate Elizabeth C. Uzzo and Charles V. Pittman,” said John J. Molloy, P.E., President and CEO of H2M.
Membership Meeting. Caswell Holloway, the new Commissioner of NYC Department of Environmental Protection, is the guest speaker at our upcoming meeting on Thursday, March 4, 8:00am-9:15am. To register click here.
Halcrow has announced that William R. Mooney (Bill) has joined them as a senior manager of Halcrow’s rail practice in the United States. As vice president, rail, Bill, will work to expand our current rail capabilities, with particular emphasis on expansion into the high speed rail market.
Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers is pleased to announce that Alice Arana, PE has been promoted to Senior Associate and Sitotaw Y. Fantaye, PE and Ira A. Beer, PE have been promoted to Associates.
Pennoni Associates is pleased to welcome Jeffrey P. Arch, P.E., as Senior Engineer in its Transportation Technology division.
Sam Schwartz, President and CEO of SSE, today announced that Howard H. Roberts Jr., former President of New York City Transit, will join SSE as Senior Vice President, Transit and Rail Services. Roberts will also serve as General Manager of the company’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office when it opens later this year.
Syska Hennessy Group, Inc. has moved its offices to 1515 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Telephone remains the same.
TranSystems is pleased to announce that Michael J. Sweeney, P.E. has joined the firm’s New York City office as National Transit Market Sector Leader/Vice President. Mr. Sweeney has extensive experience working on the largest and most complex rail/transportation projects in the United States.
On February 1, Erdman Anthony’s Hudson Valley region staff moved from its former office in Rhinebeck to larger space in Kingston. The company is now located at 530 Enterprise Drive in Kingston’s TechCity complex. “Our new location provides nearly double the work space, coupled with easier access to the New York State Thruway,” says Katherine Dewkett, manager of Erdman Anthony’s Kingston office. “We moved from roughly 3,000 square feet of space to nearly 5,000 square feet in the new building, which gives us room to expand our staff to 17 people in the future.” Erdman Anthony’s strategic plan calls for the office to double its staff in the next two to three years as it expands to match the growing demand for its services in the Hudson Valley region.
New York Construction magazine recently announced its list of the top 100 engineering design firms doing business in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Rochester’s Erdman Anthony was the only firm in the area to be included on the annual list, earning the number 79 spot on regional design revenues. “Our continued presence on New York’s list of top engineering design firms is a source of pride for our whole team,” says Russell Bullock, PE, CEO of Erdman Anthony.
Michael Venturo, LS of Popli Design Group recently earned his Land Surveyor License in the State of Pennsylvania in addition to the license he holds in New York State. His achievement adds significant value to the firm, augmenting its Land Surveying services.
Hunt Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors, PC, is pleased to announce the addition of two new staff members to its professional team. James Loonan, P.E. hasjoined HUNT’s Horseheads office as a civil engineer. Benjamin Gustafson is also a civil engineer in the HUNT Horseheads office. Gustafson previously worked in Philadelphia, where he prepared site designs for commercial and residential developments.
HUNT Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors, PC was recently honored with an Award of Excellence at the 16th annual awards program for the Upstate New York chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), held in Buffalo.
The Award of Excellence was presented to HUNT on behalf of Plain Sight Collateral the project developer for its restoration and renovation work at 208 Mill Street in the High Falls district of Rochester. The project is one of six winning entries cited by NAIOP for improving the economic climate of their cities.
Save the Dates! The ACEC New York Spring Meeting is on June 16 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. The Fall Conference will be held at the beautiful Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs, NY from Sunday, September 12 to Tuesday, September 14, 2010.
ACEC New York Sponsored Webinars ACEC New York Webinar Series Webinar # 23: “Rebuilding America’s Roadways” (1.5 PDH), March 18, 2010, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm (EST) Location: Online, Presented by: Pete Hanrahan, CPESC, E.J. Prescott, Inc.
ACEC New York Webinar Series Webinar # 24: “BIM for Bosses” (1.0 PDH), April 15, 2010, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (EST) Location: Online, Presented by: Eric Wing, BIM Services Manager, C&S Engineers, Inc.
ACEC New York Webinar Series Webinar # 25: “Overview of Geothermal Systems – Ground Couple Side of Things” (1.5 PDH), May 20, 2010, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm (EST) Location: Online, Presented by: Paul K. Boyce, P.E., Vice President, P.W. Grosser Consulting Engineer & Hydrogeologist, PC
Other Courses throughout New York State
SEAoNY and ASCE Met Section Younger Member Forum are offering a PE Structural I Exam Review Course, March 8 – April 5, 2010 at PB, One Penn Plaza. Please click here for more information.
Zetlin and De Chiara, “Navigating the Public Sector: Understanding the Public Design Review Process”, Thursday, March 18, 8:00am - 10:00am, Harvard Club, NYC. Please click here for more information.
Stormwater Training Course by The New York State Stormwater Regional Training Centers, sessions from January through May, 2010. Please click here for more information.
Approved Sponsor
ACEC New York is an authorized provider of continuing education for registered architects, professional engineers and land surveyors in New York State. Courses approved by ACEC New York are now acceptable for both engineering and architectural credits in New York State.
As an approved sponsor organization for continuing education, ACEC New York may approve courses for certification. Members need to submit a course application and related materials.
Call for Web Seminars!
ACEC New York is seeking two-hour courses to be offered throughout the year as web seminars. Courses are sought for all engineering disciplines. ACEC New York, with our partner Contract Solutions Group, will review the course material for free and provide training on how to present via the web. If you need information or have a course to offer, contact gina@acecny.org
Self-Study Courses Self-Study Courses. ACEC New York and Contract Solutions Group (CSG) have teamed up to offer our web seminars as self-study courses. Currently, ACEC New York has twenty courses in our library, each worth between 1 and 2 professional development hours. The courses may be ordered from CSG. Each course package contains: instructions, the power point presentation - printed and electronic, audio from the program (embedded in the PowerPoint), and a 10-question quiz. For each successfully completed program determined by a score of 70% or greater on the required quiz a certificate of credit hours will be issued. If you participated in the LIVE webinar, you will not earn credits for the self-study course. Engineers may earn 18 self-study credits during each three-year registration period. To order your courses click on the order form. If you have any questions you can contact gina@acecny.org or jjennings@contractsolutionsgroup.com.
Crumbling Bridges Program Includes ACEC New York. Thomas Cascino, PE, Eastern Regional President, was a panelist on WMHT-TV’s Crumbling Bridges program that aired February 9. Cascino was asked about the safety and maintenance of bridges in New York. The program, which focused on two upstate bridges, included a studio audience, many of whom travel these bridges regularly.
Women in Construction Conference in NYC. ACEC New York has signed on as a supporting sponsor of the upcoming conference titled, Groundbreaking Women in Construction: Take the Lead. The conference will be held at McGraw Hill Conference Centeron Thursday and Friday,April 15-16, 2010; a number of our members are featured speakers. To view the Program and to register, please click here. Note: Early registration ends on March 15. The cost is $395.00 and this includes the pre-conference workshops.
Full Membership
M & J Engineering, P.C., www.mjnet.us
