It’s been truly an honor to serve as President of the
American Council of Engineering Companies of Alabama this past year. There have
been a lot of exciting things happening for ACEC from a national and state
perspective.
ACEC National has always been a great organization, but
there is a noticeable positive energy from new ACEC President and CEO Linda
Bauer Darr. The Fall Conference in Las Vegas and the Legislative Conference in
Washington, D.C. this spring were outstanding. I learned a lot working on issues
that affect our industry with other regional and national engineering leaders.
ACEC is the advocacy leader for engineers at the state, regional, and national
levels.
Through years of involvement in ACEC, I’ve learned a lot
about the importance of advocacy in our profession, expanded my knowledge of
business practices, and have been blessed to make great friends while working
alongside other firm principals to protect and promote the business interests
of our great profession.
Some of our major accomplishments and my personal highlights
this past year include:
Advocacy
ACEC Alabama continues to represent our members in matters related to the Alabama Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors (BELS), including nominations for board positions; we had a huge win in the last few years in spearheading a law to require Qualification Based Selection (QBS) for Engineers and Surveyors in Alabama.
We worked closely with the Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure (AAI) and other industry partners to advocate for increased infrastructure funding in Alabama. Our combined advocacy efforts were instrumental in the passage of the Rebuild Alabama Act. Having worked in the Traffic/Transportation Industry in Alabama for over 30 years, being involved in the process was incredibly rewarding.
It was an honor to participate in presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to my great, personal friend and advocate of ACEC Alabama, Alain Gallet, and also to help present awards to Rebuild Alabama Act sponsors, Senator Clyde Chambliss and Representative Bill Poole.
Education
The Winter Conference hosted by the University
of Alabama in December and the Deep South Convention at Sandestin in July were
outstanding.
The great ethics training that we conducted as
part of the 2018 ACEC Alabama Fall Clay Shoot.
Membership
We increased membership engagement through
committee involvement; participation in the Leadership Development Series;
participation in fundraising activities; and the Engineering Awards Gala held
again at the Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook.
One of our major focuses this year was to add
new member firms, and we are excited to have had a number of firms join.
Daniel Sparkman has been selected as Membership and
Operations Manager. He will oversee administration and logistics of the Council,
as well as membership development, programing and communications.
Involvement in ACEC Alabama gives all of us an opportunity
to make a difference in our industry. It’s been a challenging and exciting
year. Thanks for the opportunity to serve as your President along with other
outstanding firm leaders. Many thanks to ACEC Alabama Executive Director Ms.
Renée
Casillas, my family, and my Sain family for your support this past year.
Left to right: Renée Casillas, Executive Director of ACEC Alabama, Jim Meads, President of ACEC Alabama, Linda Bauer Darr, President and CEO of ACEC National, Kevin Blake, National Director of ACEC Alabama, and Manish Korthari, Chairman of ACEC National. ACEC Alabama event with U.S. Congressman Bradley ByrneJim Meads with U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer Jim Meads with long life friend Jay Wolverton, ACEC National Vice Chair