president’s messageazsce.org/nl-archive/nl_1511.pdf · 2015. 11. 2. · the 15th of the month...
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Volume 91, Issue 2 November 2015
The Arizona Civil Engineer �1
Inside This Issue:
Calendar of Events 2
Phoenix Branch Honors Past President Aderson Vieira 2
Southern Arizona Branch and YMF First Annual Retreat 3
Southern Arizona Branch Government Relations University Update 3
Southern Arizona Branch November Luncheon 6
Phoenix Branch News 7
AZBTR 2015 Proposed Omnibus Bill 8
Editor Meghan Bowen
Webmaster Sherry Martin, PE [email protected]
Submit articles and other information to [email protected] by
the 15th of the month preceding the publication month.
Information published in the newsletter must be consistent with
ASCE Arizona Board Policy.
The Arizona Civil Engineer
President’s Message ASCE Convention 2015 Mark Fountain, PE, CFM, ENV, SP, President, M.ASCE
I had the great privilege of attending the ASCE Convention in New York, NY as the representative of the Arizona Section this year. To say the event was amazing is a bold understatement. I found inspiration from
the first session of the first day, to the last conversation before the end of the program.
I was particularly inspired by the words of Luke Williams in the Plenary Session as he talked about the need for “disruptive change” in order to break the expectations and generate new solutions. His
talk warned of the dangers of complacency, the challenges of traditional innovation, and the need for deliberate provocation. Simply stated, provocation is the re-arrangement of the typical ingredients to make the items more valuable as something new. We should strive as professionals to think about our own procedures and practices to answer the questions: Can we do something better? Is the way that it’s always been done still good enough? I think you will agree that as professionals we strive to improve the functions, process, procedures, and outcomes to the best of our abilities.
Let’s look for that “rebellious instinct” to create a potential for positive change and apply it to today’s infrastructure challenges.
Continued on Page 4…
The Arizona Civil Engineer is a publication of the Arizona Section
Volume 91, Issue 2 November 2015
The Arizona Civil Engineer �2
Phoenix Branch President Melanie Sikes, PE, and Past President Aderson Viera, Ph.D, PE
Phoenix Branch President Melanie Sikes honored Past President Aderson Vieira for his dedication to service in his 2014/2015 term. Aderson spent long hours during his term making sure the Phoenix Branch thrived with informative Luncheon topics, networking opportunities, and supporting the greater ASCE State Section and National organization. Thank you, Aderson!
See page 7 to read more about the Phoenix Branch’s past and upcoming activities.
If you’re looking for a civil engineering-related job, visit
http://www.azsce.org/classifieds.php
As a service to our membership, ASCE Arizona Section will publish civil engineering job postings in our Classifieds section free of charge.
If you would like to post a civil engineering-related job in our Classifieds section on the website, please http://www.azsce.org/
jobs.php.
If you are interested in a annual Corporate Sponsorship to be placed in the newsletter and highlighted on the ASCE Arizona Section website, please contact [email protected] for more information.
Phoenix Branch Honors Past President
Rob Lyons, PE, CFM
Calendar of Events November
4
Yuma Branch Luncheon
11
Phoenix Branch Luncheon
Southern Arizona Branch Luncheon
12
Northern Arizona Branch Luncheon
18
Section Branch Meeting
Phoenix Branch Joint Luncheon with APWA AZ:
City of Phoenix
Volume 91, Issue 2 November 2015
The Arizona Civil Engineer �3
Southern Arizona Branch and YMF First Annual Retreat and Government Relations University Update
Marlo Abramowitz, EIT
The Southern Arizona Branch and YMF held their First Annual Board Retreat in September at Mt. Lemmon. Eleven board members came
together for an afternoon of team-building, strategizing and fun. The group thought of many new ideas for the upcoming year in
various categories including E-Week, luncheons, community outreach,
membership, technical tours and younger member activities. After the hard work
strategizing was complete, everyone headed to Oktoberfest at Ski Valley. The SAB plans to
continue this tradition to kick off each new year.
The Southern Arizona Branch hosted Maria Matthews and Beth Ann Ray for a Government Relations University training on October 16th. Thirteen members attended the four-hour free
training to learn more about ASCE’s government relations activities and resources. Maria and Beth
Ann discussed what ASCE is doing nationally and what other sections have been working on
locally. The group participated in a few exercises to help in preparation for more involvement in local government relations. Everyone actively
participated and hopefully this will be the start of more government relations activities in Southern
Arizona. For more information on the training, please visit http://www.asce.org/
pr_and_gr_universities/.
Volume 91, Issue 2 November 2015
The Arizona Civil Engineer �4
Continued from Page 1… While in attendance of the conference, I had the distinct pleasure of participating in numerous sessions such as the Creating Green Infrastructure Design Efficiency Using as Area-Wide Approach, the ASCE 2013 Report Card – Have we Raised Grades, New York Bridge Replacement Tappan Zee, Framework Disaster Resilience of Communities, When cars talk to each other, Throw Away Box: Inspire Genius Innovation Organization. Each and every session was well attended (some with standing room only if you arrived late) and participation from the audience was both plentiful and impactful with carefully crafted questions!
President’s Message ASCE Convention 2015
With great honor and privilege, I was able to witness our very own Mark Woodson from Flagstaff, Arizona become ASCE 2016 President!
Congratulations Mark Woodson! We look forward to the great support you will provide for Region 8 and our little piece of paradise here in the desert southwest.
Lastly, if you weren’t aware, our own Kristina Swallow (previous Region 8 Director) was on the Today Show while in New York for the Convention! Check out the amazing throwback as she met up with her Sorority Sister Savana on the plaza!
See the video here: https://www.facebook.com/today/videos/10153738190421350/ or check out her post on Twitter: http://t.co/Y6BIXlctaZ
Congratulations Kristina! Continued on Page 5…
One of my favorite sessions was the Leaders Forum! Panelists from Google, Walt Disney, and Odeh Engineers who showed us how technology and civil engineering are going beyond the traditional concepts of innovation to leverage creative thinking and solutions. I realized innovation was knocking loudly on the door of civil engineering, but I had no idea how Disney was utilizing BIM and Revit to design the next Castle in Shanghai, China. The synergy between the familiar science and the ability to recognize and incorporate change into projects is increasingly important as our profession continues to advance.
Volume 91, Issue 2 November 2015
The Arizona Civil Engineer �5
President’s Message ASCE Conference 2015
Continued from Page 4…
LEGISLATIVE FLY-IN
Are you an ASCE member interested in walking the halls of Capitol Hill and learning firsthand how policy is crafted? Every spring, ASCE holds its Legislative Fly-In Program in Washington, DC, an intensive two-day program that provides participants with an inside look at the political process.
For those wanting to attend the 2016 Legislative Fly-In March 15-16, check online for more information at the following link: http://www.asce.org/legislative_fly-in/. Information on how to attend the 2016 Legislative Fly-In will be available in late-October/early-November 2015. Application deadline is typically set for December; however we encourage you to apply anyway if you miss that date. It might be accepted. At least a few Arizona ASCE members have attended and indicated it was added value to their understanding of the process.
STATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS GRANT (SPAG) PROGRAM (2016)
As you may be aware, the Arizona Section previously participated in the 2014 SPAG grant in support of AZ Infrastructure Report Card and partnership media development. Through the use of SPAG funds, along with other donations and funding sources, the Section was successful in developing infographics, FAQ sheets, and a promotional video. If you haven’t seen this material, I encourage you to visit our website. For 2016, ASCE national is currently accepting applications for Small Grants (up to $1500) and Large Grants (between $1500 and $5000). More information about the program can be found here: http://www.asce.org/state_public_affairs_grant_program/.
The Section is planning to submit an application with the focus of continued outreach efforts related to the results of the 2015 Report Card. Stay tuned for additional information for future actions in the second phase or outreach services. And remember, you can download a copy of the 2015 Arizona Infrastructure Report Card here: www.infrastructurereportcard.org/arizona.
Call for nominations – R8 Governors
The ASCE Region 8 Board of Governors' Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for the office of Region 8 Governor to serve a 3-year term beginning October 2016 and ending September 2019. There are two positions to be filled. The Region 8 Bylaws state that there cannot be more than two governors from a single section, so Alaska Section members are not eligible to apply since there will be two governors on the board in October 2016. Nominees must meet the following requirements per the ASCE Bylaws:
• Be a Society member in good standing; • Have an Address of Record within Region 8; • Have served as one of the following: Section officer, Branch officer, or member of an ASCE Standing
Committee; and • Will not exceed the two-term limit for Region Governor.
Duties of a Region 8 Governor include, but are not limited to: • Attending the 2016 Region 8 Fall Assembly in Boise, ID, in August; • Attending the Governor Orientation the third week of September 2016 in Reston, VA; • Attending Region 8 Assemblies held twice a year; Participating in the Western Region Multi-Regional
Leadership Conference each year (typically January/February); • Participating in monthly conference calls; and • Visiting assigned Sections and Branches (typically two to three visits a year).
Continued on Page 6…
Volume 91, Issue 2 November 2015
The Arizona Civil Engineer �6
President’s Message ASCE Conference 2015
Continued from Page 5… Geographic Governors do not receive compensation, but may receive reimbursements for travel expenses. Those that meet the requirements stated above must email an electronic application package by 5:00 PM PST, November 22, 2015, to the Region 8 Nominating Committee Chair, David Prusak, at [email protected]. The application package must include:
• A one-page cover letter stating the intent and commitment to run for Region Governor and indicating that the nominee meets the nomination requirements;
• A biographical Statement limited to 200 words; • A narrative Vision Statement limited to 200 words. • A Letter of Endorsement from the nominee’s home Section or Branch; and • A digital photograph (JPEG) of a professional headshot of the nominee to be used in print and online
materials for the election. The Region 8 Nominating Committee will review nominations and will hold interviews via phone or video chat on January 20, 2016. Candidates will be notified at a later date of the exact interview time. Questions regarding the nomination process may be directed to David Prusak.
Southern Arizona Branch November Luncheon
Southern Arizona Branch
Welcome ASCE Members and Guests!
Juan Lopez, PE This month’s speaker is Juan Lopez, PE. Juan will be sharing his work experience with the Peru Liquefied Natural Gas Plant Facility. The audience will get an understanding of how the pile construction was implemented and tested. Registration closes midnight before the event. Walk-ins charged $5 extra.
When: Wednesday November 11, 2015; 11:30am to 1:00pm Where: Tucson City Center InSuites, 475 N Granada Ave. Tucson, AZ 85741
For ASCE-SAB current events and photos, visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ASCESAB
Support out UofA Scholarship Raffle Fund! Tickets may be purchased online or at the door 1 ticket for $2 or 3 tickets for $5. This month’s raffle
prize is a $50 gift card sponsored by:
PRESIDENT Melanie Sikes, P.E.
Carollo Engineers 602.474.4046
PRESIDENT-ELECT Frederick Tack, P.E.
GHD 602.216.7206
VICE PRESIDENT Rob Lyons, P.E.
J.E. Fuller 480.222.5715
TREASURER Laura Spencer, Ph.D., P.E.
Terracon 602.239.4899
SECRETARY Jim Geisbush, PE
Central Arizona Project 602. 292.9070
PAST-PRESIDENT Aderson Vieira, Ph.D, P.E.
Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure
602.733.6001 [email protected]
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Vacant
OUTREACH CHAIR Vacant
YOUNG MEMBER FORUM PRESIDENT
Ryan Circello, P.E. Ritoch-Powell and Associates
60.-757.3997 [email protected]
SUSTAINABILITY LIAISON
George Whitten, EIT Carollo Engineers
623.329.1951 [email protected]
Phoenix Branch eNewsletter
October, 2015
Here is a brief update on what the Phoenix Branch is provided to our members and some upcoming event you won’t want to miss.
LAST MONTH….
October Luncheon
On Wednesday, October 14, 2015 the Phoenix Branch luncheon hosted Eric Anderson, the Transportation Director for the Maricopa Association of Governments. Mr. Anderson explained that the transportation industry professionals know that funding for critical highway, street and transit projects is very limited. Also well-known is the declining fuel tax revenues that will continue trending downward with the expected increases in fuel economy and inflation. But in Arizona, the legislature, and nationally, the U.S. Congress have not addressed the funding shortfall. Eric also discussed planned MAG projects both in the short- and long-term.
IN COMING MONTHS - Register at:
http://www.azsce.org/branches-technical-groups/branches/phoenix-branch/
November 18, 2015: Joint Luncheon w/ APWA AZ: City of Phoenix “Complete Streets” by Mark Melnychenko
Date Time: November 18, 2015 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Phoenix Country Club, 2901 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
December 9, 2015: Holiday Party!
Date Time: December 9, 2015 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Aunt Chilada’s, 7330 N Dreamy Draw Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85020
January, 2015 – Regularly scheduled Luncheons will resume in January 2016. Stay tuned for updates.
Date Time: The second Wednesday of the month, Jan to June and Aug to Oct.
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Dave & Busters, Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway,
Tempe, AZ 85281
Thank you for your membership and participation!
~ The ASCE Phoenix Branch Board
