ACEC Chapter Awards

Transcription

1 ACEC Chapter Awards submitted by A C E C Lo s An g e l es C ou n ty C h a p ter Sep temb e r 1 5,

2 September 15, 2017 Christian Anger Membership Director ACEC California Office 1303 J Street, Suite 450 Sacramento, CA Subject: Dear Mr. Anger: ACEC CA Los Angeles County Chapter Chapter Awards Submission The ACEC CA Los Angeles County Chapter (ACEC-LA) strives to be the most effective chapter in the state by uniting its members to help support statewide legislation, local legislation, business opportunities, emerging technologies and industry trends. The year can best be characterized by the recurring achievement themes of partnerships and progress. We built on several long-standing partnerships, including those with Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), ACEC California and MoveLA, to improve advocacy of our common interests. ACEC-LA saw progress in the areas of embracing new technology and promoting future engineers and leaders. We supported the industry by raising $80,000 for Measure M, and, under the direction of our newly formed Social Media Committee, we now have a Twitter account providing industry information to more than 100 followers. At our 2017 Achievement Awards Banquet we were able to award our chapter s largest scholarship ever $9,000 to a well-deserving student. Our chapter s success is a result of the active support of our local members. We have 106 firms represented in our chapter, with 22 firms represented on our local board. They are made up of a cross section of small, medium and large firms whose representatives work monthly to ensure ACEC-LA s success. In addition to the firms represented on the board, other member firms fill agency liaison committee positions. Our submittal showcases our successful results by highlighting our efforts to promote the engineering industry locally, our commitment to public outreach and improving business practices, and our strong relationships with local elected and appointed officials. We are dedicated to initiating programs and activities that will secure a new level of achievement in the industry and make ACEC membership a valuable asset for existing members while also encouraging others to join. Central to retaining a mission and vision that is consistent with the state and national organizations, we continue to enjoy the benefit of engaging Kelly Asper, our executive director. Kelly works closely with the chapter s board of directors to ensure we execute our strategic plan and serve our member firms. We very much appreciate your consideration of ACEC-LA for the Chapter Award for Large Chapters. If you have any questions, please contact me, Chapter President Lisa Maurath, by phone at (213) or by at Lisa.Maurath@wsp.com. Sincerely, Lisa Maurath ACEC-LA President, PO Box 41612, Long Beach, CA (562) office@acec-la.org

3 Chapter Awards July 1, June 30, 2017 DEADLINE: September 15, 2017 CHAPTER NAME: CHAPTER PRESIDENT: NUMBER OF CHAPTER FIRMS: NUMBER OF CHAPTER FTE S: Official Entry Form for All Chapters SECTION 1 (ACEC California provided the information below) ATTENTION: The figures below reflect only the totals tabulated by ACEC California staff. Points will be allocated once all applications are received and chapters are scored against each other. 1. Chapter Firms net membership change: (10 pts) 2. Number of Chapter Individuals serving on ACEC California committees: (10 pts) 3. Number of committee calls attended by a Chapter representative out of total number of calls possible: a. Membership Development Committee: (5 pts) b. Grassroots Committee: (5 pts) c. Chapter Officers Calls: (5 pts) 4. Number of State Directors attending ACEC California Board of Director Meetings out of total number of State Director representation possible: (15 pts) 5. Number of Chapter Members attending the 2016 Annual Conference: (10 pts) 6. Number of Chapter Members attending the State Legislative Visit Day: (10 pts) 7. Number of Chapter Members attending ACEC National Legislative Summit Day: (5 pts) 8. Percentage of Federal PAC National Goal reached by Chapter (based on prior calendar year): (10pts) 9. Percentage of individual participants in National PAC donations (Individual v. Chapter FTE): (10pts) Page 1 of 2

4 Chapter Awards July 1, June 30, 2017 SECTION 2 Please complete the section below for your chapter. Chapter Representative Completing Application: Kelly Asper Phone Number: (562) office@acec-la.org 10. Average number of individuals attending Chapter meetings: (10 pts) Number of local Chapter match fundraising events for legislative candidates: (10 pts) 0, 1 event for Meaure M 12. Does your Chapter have a scholarship program? If so, how much money was awarded to students in the last program year?: (10 pts) Yes, ACEC-LA has a scholarship program. For , we awarded $20,000 in scholarships to three students. ESSAY QUESTION (30 pts) On a separate sheet (2 pages max) please provide an essay that describes how your Chapter has addressed the following: Enhanced public awareness of services provided by member firms through student outreach, PR, recruitment efforts and special events. How your Chapter has successfully promoted the industry locally and participated in improving business practices, i.e. involvement in environmental enhancements such as Earth Day or LEED. How many times in the last program year your Chapter has met with local elected officials and local appointed officials. Does your Chapter have an independent website or maintain the Chapter s dedicated page on the ACEC CA website? How often is your website updated? CHAPTER CHAMPION (10 pts) Who in your chapter has contributed most to goals and directives of ACEC California? How has this individual helped in promoting the profession, growing membership, assisting ACEC California's goals and worked to improve the design consulting profession in California and locally? SCORING NOTES Q1-Q8, Q10 & Q12: Scoring is based on relativity to the highest response for each question. Highest response receives full points. Q3: Score is based on the total sum of the three questions. Q8, Federal PAC: Points are based on % of goal met. Q11, Chapter Match Fundraising: 1 point for each event, 5 points maximum. Page 2 of 2

5 ACEC CA LA County Chapter Awards Nomination The ACEC CA Los Angeles County Chapter (ACEC-LA) has been successful in promoting the industry and enhancing public awareness of services. A key achievement this year included kicking off industry support of Los Angeles County Measure M by hosting a fundraiser that reached 106 member firms and raised $80,000. Measure M will generate $120 billion over 40 years for transportation projects in Los Angeles County. PROMOTING INDUSTRY LOCALLY Monthly Luncheons. Our chapter has a thriving monthly luncheon program that brings owners together with the consulting engineering community. Owners present their upcoming capital improvement and expansion programs and contracting opportunities. This past year, we hosted eight monthly luncheon events featuring speakers from owner organizations such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), the Los Angeles Community College District, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), LA Football Club and California High-Speed Rail. Paper Yacht Event. ACEC-LA participated in this Psomas event, raising approximately $10,000 for this year s beneficiary, Midnight Mission. Midnight Mission provides recovery services, counseling, education, training, workforce development and continued care services for people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Golf Tournament. In March, ACEC-LA held its annual charity golf tournament at the Industry Hills Golf Club at Palms Resort in City of Industry. It was attended by 80 members and non-members and raised $15,000 for our scholarship fund. Measure M Fundraiser. In July 2017, ACEC-LA led the industry in kicking off the Measure M campaign. Partnering with MoveLA to host the first fundraising event, we raised $80,000 and continued to promote the measure for the four months leading up to its successful passage in November. Many of our member firms engaged their employees and colleagues in the information campaign and many made significant financial contributions. ENHANCED PUBLIC AWARENESS Student Outreach Committed to offering opportunities for the next generation of engineers and surveyors, ACEC-LA promotes student education by participating in National Engineers Week and through scholarships and internships. National Engineers Week. With the help of our member firms, 75 presenters from 19 firms and six public agencies made 73 presentations to more than 4,700 high school students from six school districts as part of the Become an Engineer campaign a long-standing program that has been reaching out to students for 10 years. As chair of the California Student Outreach Program (CalSOP), Rubina Chaudhary oversaw the program which ACEC Chapter Awards encompassed well-attended training sessions and presentations from many firms and regional public agencies including Caltrans District 7, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Los Angeles World Airports, MWD, Metro and the City of Los Angeles. Scholarships. Established in 2005, our chapter s scholarship fund rewards qualified undergraduate and graduate engineering students attending Los Angeles County colleges and universities. Each recipient demonstrates a high level of academic achievement from an accredited engineering program; participates in professional associations, programs and internships directly related to engineering; and provides commendations and endorsements from faculty. Three scholarships totaling $20,000 were awarded this year. Our top-level scholarship of $9,000 was the largest ever awarded by ACEC-LA. High School Internships. ACEC-LA continued its support of the City of Los Angeles Mayor s HIRE LA s Youth Initiative including promotion of the initiative to both students and teachers during the 2017 Become an Engineer campaign and direct support of interns by member firms. Public Relations ACEC-LA maintains positive public relations with our membership, the consultant community and owner agencies in the Los Angeles County area by providing opportunities for networking, professional development and relationship-building. In June 2016, we launched our new Social Media Committee which is composed of three emerging professionals in the industry. The committee developed a comprehensive plan for establishing a social media presence and engaging target audiences through public information and positive outreach. The committee s accomplishments include launching social media pages on two platforms (Twitter and Facebook). Today, our dedicated Twitter account includes more than 100 followers, more than 300 tweets and retweets and more than 5,000 individual impressions of shared content. Recruitment Efforts With outstanding membership growth and participation, our chapter s recruiting efforts include welcoming non-members at monthly luncheons and retaining members through successful programming. Our success is evidenced by event attendance growth from 30 attendees per event in 2005 to an average of more than 105 attendees at each of this year s events and a total yearly attendance of 959. Special Events Annual Banquet. Hosted by Deputy Executive Officer for Metro s Office of Extraordinary Innovation Nadine Lee, our Annual Achievement Awards Banquet in April provided 210 members and guests the opportunity to enjoy an evening of networking and celebration. Awards presented include Engineering Achievement, Client of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Champion of Small Business and Scholarships. 4

6 ACEC CA LA County Chapter Awards Nomination IMPROVING BUSINESS PRACTICES Small Business Committee ACEC-LA s Small Business Committee helps our small businesses maximize the benefits of ACEC membership. This year, the committee hosted small business roundtables aimed at developing partnerships and improving business practices between small and large businesses, public agencies and business partners. The roundtables included meetings with design-build contractor Kiewit at their field office for the new Los Angeles NFL football stadium. Topics included Los Angeles World Airports land-airside modernization program (LAMP) which involves an automated people mover and new transit facilities. The Small Business Committee is also partnering with local design-build contractors to improve small business opportunities. Liaison Committees ACEC-LA s liaison committees provide a forum for members and owners to discuss current and future owner design and construction programs as well as other industry issues and concerns. Highlights from each of our liaison committees include: City of Los Angeles This committee met quarterly with each meeting attended by 15 or more member firms who engaged with City of Los Angeles leadership from the Bureau of Engineering, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Street Lighting, and Building and Safety. Port of Los Angeles (POLA) Meeting quarterly with 10 to 15 member firms in attendance, this committee engaged POLA managers from the architectural, environmental, engineering and construction management divisions to discuss upcoming design, construction and project updates, on-call opportunities, new technologies and ways ACEC-LA and its member firms can help the POLA staff. Caltrans District 7 This committee s meetings are held every other month and attended by large and small member and non-member firms. Based on an August 2016 list of preferred topics prepared by meeting attendees, the committee identified presenters for the next six months to address upcoming procurement, project approval/ environmental document submittals, changes in the consultant selection process, reports on statewide activities and updates on the CalSOP and CalMentor programs. Metro Our most popular liaison committee, this committee s meetings attract up to 50 people to each meeting held every other month. Presentations are provided by executive directors and senior staff representing Metro departments including Highways, Planning, Engineering and Procurement. Metro has also partnered with ACEC-LA on procurement practices, new policies and board agenda items. State and National Participation Our chapter members are active in ACEC state and national efforts that enhance our industry. ACEC-LA members hold 17 positions on 12 state committees and three positions at the national level as shown in the table below. ACEC-LA Member ACEC California and National Committees Shahnawaz Ahmad Qualification Based Selection and Local Agency Contract Water Resources Ramy Awad Scholarship Foundation Gene Bougdanos Chair, CA-ACEC-Political Action Committee (PAC) Board of Governors Rubina Chaudhary Scholarship Foundation Water Resources Joyce Engebretsen Business Management Engineering Excellence Awards and Issues Forum Jeff Gavazza Scholarship Foundation Jimmy Lin Corps of Engineers Liaison Josh Mattheis Associated General Contractors Blake Murillo ACEC National PAC, California Liaison Mel Sukow Land Use Legislative Action and Legislative Review Stephanie Wagner Chair, ACEC National PAC, California Liaison Professional Surveyors Trustee, ACEC Business Insurance Trust Jeff Walker CA-ACEC-PAC Board of Governors Public Relations Robert Welch Water Resources MEETING WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS The chapter met with numerous local elected and appointed officials over the year. We met with 35 legislators and their staffs on Legislative Visit Day. In addition to meeting with Assemblymember Ed Chau on that day, we met with him and/or his staff two other times to encourage involvement with SB 496. Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas attended our Measure M fundraiser and Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon addressed attendees via video to accept our award as Chapter Legislator of the Year for authoring a bill that enabled Los Angeles County Measure M to be included on the ballot. We participated in a meeting with ACEC California s Brad Diede and State Assemblymember Cristina Garcia. Jimmy Lin, Mayor of the City of Diamond Bar, attended our February 2017 ACEC-LA monthly meeting and Phillip A. Washington, Metro Chief Executive Officer, participated in our February 2017 luncheon. WEBSITE MAINTENANCE ACEC-LA maintains its own website (acec-la.org) that is updated weekly. We also have a Twitter that provides industry information to more than 100 followers and saw more than 5,000 individual impressions for shared content in its first year of existence. ACEC Chapter Awards

7 ACEC CA LA County Chapter Awards Nomination ACEC-LA Chapter champion Stephanie A. Wagner, founder and president of Wagner Engineering & Survey Inc. (WES), is the ACEC-LA Chapter Champion for She has used her more than 30 years of civil engineering and surveying experience to promote both the engineering profession and ACEC at local, state and national levels. Her firm of 25 employees was recently ranked number 20 in top woman-owned firms in the San Fernando Valley by San Fernando Valley Business Journal. Stephanie has been an active participant of the ACEC-LA chapter since it was known as the Cal Council. She has given a tremendous contribution of time to the organization over the years, serving on multiple chapter committees and on multiple state committees as well as in the positions of chapter secretary, chapter president elect and chapter president. Her commitment to growing ACEC-LA and promoting the profession is evidenced by four terms as chapter membership chair and three terms as chapter grassroots chair. She is an ACEC National Fellow. Working to support the objectives of ACEC, she successfully led ACEC-LA in its campaign against Proposition 224 during her chapter presidency, defeating a bill that had the potential to end all private consulting engineering and surveying in the state of California in both public and private sectors. And again in 2000, as state director, she actively promoted the passage of Proposition 35, which eliminated several restrictions that had previously prevented state and local governments from contracting with private entities for engineering and architectural services. Stephanie continues to serve on the ACEC-LA Board of Directors. This year she successfully took on the task of organizing and coordinating ACEC-LA meetings with 35 chapter area legislators during the 2017 State Legislative Visit Day. She served her second term as the ACEC National PAC Chair for ACEC California, steadily increasing donations to the PAC by California firms and organizing a campaign [My best day was] the day I was named a national fellow of the American council of Engineering Companies, my national professional organization. I was very humbled and proud of this accomplishment. Stephanie Wagner, San Fernando Valley Business Journal, July 10, 2017 contribution from the ACEC PAC to State Senator Isadore Hall to assist his Hall for Congress campaign. Stephanie also currently serves as a trustee of the National ACEC Business Insurance Trust. Stephanie is an exceptional ACEC member and deserves to be recognized as the Los Angeles Chapter Champion, as well as a champion for the entire ACEC California organization. ACEC Chapter Awards

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