F A L L / W I N T E R Professional Engineers in California Government. Eureka Section Quarterly Report. Section Meeting

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1 F A L L / W I N T E R Professional Engineers in California Government Eureka Section Quarterly Report 2016/17 Officers: Darron Hill Director Ansel Ortiz President Katie Everett President-Elect David Morgan Vice President Supervisory Jen Buck Vice President Rank and File Patrick Vaughan Vice President at Large Dianne Edwards Secretary Jaime Matteoli Treasurer Member Activities Section Meeting Matt Austin spoke at member meeting October 13, 2016 at Runeberg Hall in Eureka, where a catered BBQ lunch was provided. Ansel Ortiz gave brief introductions and opening remarks, Jen Buck announced Eureka s Section of the Year achievement, and Matt Austin discussed current PECG issues and fielded questions from the section. Hot topics of discussion included federal transportation funding, the Governor s budget and outlook for spending, and the lack of a rural healthcare subsidy. Several members stayed after the meeting for a smaller question and answer period with Matt. Matt Austin speaking at Eureka section meeting in October

2 Engineering Fest Engineering Fest was a hands-on outreach event put on by students from the Humboldt State University Environmental Resources Engineering department on September 24, Eureka PECG sponsored the event and several members showed up to volunteer and participate. The event was aimed toward middle school kids, but was open to everyone. Activities included a rope water pump, playdough squishy circuits, spaghetti noodle and marshmallow towers, an egg drop, a Van de Graff generator, Arduinos, sand filters, and more. Approximately 60 youth from across the county and their families participated in the successful event. PECG Mentor Day On December 2, 2016 PECG members from throughout the state, including the Eureka section, came to Sacramento to mentor students who are designing equipment and facilities for handicapped animals at the Folsom Zoo. The students presented PECG engineers with preliminary design ideas, drawings and calculations, and even prototypes of their products. PECG members brainstormed ideas for improvement and discussed different aspects of the design process. The event was very successful with several Sacramento area schools participating. 2

3 Diversity Day PECG co-sponsored Caltrans Diversity Day on October 26, The local Brazilian Cultural Arts Center performed traditional Capoeira, a martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. Democrat of the Year Dinner Eureka board members represented PECG at the Humboldt County Democrat of the Year dinner on October 14, Honorees were local democrats Chris Beresford and Larry Glass. PECG Legislative Day Jim Wood Holiday Dinner Assembly Member Jim Wood held his annual holiday dinner on December 1, 2016 at Larrupin Café. Members of the Eureka section PECG board attended to discuss pertinent issues and represent the region. Eureka PECG leaders traveled to the Capitol on February 7, 2017 for the 32 nd Annual Legislative Day. They met with State Senators, Assembly Members, and their staff to emphasize the need for legislative support. Issues relevant to PECG were discussed, including additional funding to repair and improve California s infrastructure. Assembly Member Jim Wood 3

4 California Bridge Building Competition Eureka PECG members on the Promoting Readiness for Engineering Professions (PREP) committee served as judges in the California Bridge Building Competition in Sacramento on January 28, This event, planned and created by PECG, models the National Bridge Building Competition sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Students used balsa wood and computer aided drafting software to design bridges and create presentations, aiming for the highest strength-to-weight ratio. A middle school team and a high school team each won cash prizes and bragging rights for their stellar bridge designs. Alan Escarda Retires Achievements A big congratulations to long time Eureka PECG leader Alan Escarda on his retirement! Alan has been a PECG member since 1988, has served on the Eureka section board in 1995, , and , and has been a key member on the Supervisory Meet and Confer team since Alan received PECG Member of the Year in both 2003 and He was instrumental in resolving the salary inequity between senior supervisors and senior specialists. Alan has tirelessly and effectively represented the employment and professional needs, goals, and interests of our members over the last several years. Congratulations Alan! Alan Escarda and PECG President Robert Lumahan at the March 2017 Quarterly Meeting 4

5 EUREKA PECG QUARTERLY REPORT FALL/WINTER 2017 Section of the Year: Eureka for the Win! The Eureka section took home the Section of the Year award at the Annual PECG Meeting on September 17, Our members continuous efforts all year were recognized, including: Volunteering for events like the Garrett Morgan Symposium, the Trig*Star Math Competition, the Doris Niles Science Fair, Girl Scout Day, Engineering Fest, and GirlsCAN Tech Camp Congressional outreach including PECG Legislative Day, political fundraisers, and meetings with local representatives Collaborations with other engineering groups like American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Engineers Without Borders (EWB), and Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Community contributions like a regional scholarship, career fair and school assembly participation, and engineering presentations at local schools From left to right: Ansel Ortiz, Darron Hill, Jen Buck, Aaron Dorsch, Alan Escarda, Brian Simon 5

6 Section Goals Outreach Eureka PECG members are gearing up for a busy spring by judging local preliminary science fair competitions and preparing for the annual Trig*Star Math Competition that takes place during National Surveyors Week. The Eureka section wants to continue its efforts to be involved in the community, including promoting academic competitions, judging science fairs, and fundraising for engineering projects. We are also looking at opportunities to participate in activities sponsored by local chapters of other engineering groups such as Engineers Without Borders, the Society of Women Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Membership We are continuing recruitment efforts to increase both our management and rank and file membership. We are excited to have representation for our at-large membership and look forward to another active and eventful year. Member Issues Eureka PECG members with issues or concerns are encouraged to contact the section officers. PECG continues to effectively represent the employment and professional needs, goals, and interests of its members. 6

7 Back row from left to right: Ansel Ortiz, Jen Buck, David Morgan, Alan Escarda, Dianne Edwards Front row from left to right: Katie Everett, Jaime Matteoli, Brian Simon Doing something related to engineering in our community? We want to hear about it! Contact us at 7