Engineering Georgia May/June 2023

INSIDE THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT PELS BOARD

AWARD WINNING PEOPLE + PROJECTS

Publisher: Michael “Sully” Sullivan

Editor-in-Chief: Brett Hillesheim

Creative Director | Designer:

Sabrina Tongren

www.in8-design.com

Contributing Editors:

Jennifer Head

Contributing Writers:

David Caraviello

Christy Tarallo

Zawn Villines

Contributing Photographer:

Jennifer Stalcup

Summer Hillesheim

Accounting Services Manager:

Melisa Beauchamp

Advertising Sales Manager:

Jennifer Head

ACEC Georgia

229 Peachtree Street NE

Suite 1800

Atlanta, GA 30303

jennifer.head@acecga.org

(404) 665-3539

Send change of address to: ACEC Georgia

229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1800

Atlanta, GA 30303 or email editor@engineeringGA.com

EDITORIAL BOARD

ANITA ATKINSON PE, Pa erson & Dewar Engineers / ASCE Georgia / GEF

CANDANCE SCALE / SAME

CHAD BECKER Kimley-Horn

STACEY CHAPMAN CIT, Cro Architecture and Engineering

STEPHANIE DAMMEN-MORRELL Hussey Gay Bell

MICHELLE ERSTE CPSM, iParametrics / SMPS Atlanta

LIGIA FLORIM Cobb County DOT / WTS Atlanta

PHILLIP HATCHER PE, SE, Uzun + Case / SEAOG

JENNY C. JENKINS PE, VHB / ASHE Georgia

CATHERINE JOHNSON AECOM / NSBE

BETTY JEAN JORDAN PE, GSPE

KELLY PATRICK PE, PTOE, Cobb County DOT / ITE Georgia

JOHN PIERSON PE, Georgia Tech Research Institute / ASCE Georgia

RANDAL RIEBEL PE, Delta Air Lines / GSPE

THOMAS TRUE PE, LS, Maser Consulting

SASHA UGI Croy Engineering

BILL WELLS ITS Georgia

Facebook.com/EngineeringGA @Engineering_GA www.EngineeringGA.com

Engineering Georgia 2023 is published bi-monthly by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) and its partner associations ASCE, ASHE, GEF, GSPE, ITE, ITS, SAME, SEAOG, SMPS and WTS. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.

In8 Design, ACEC Georgia, and its partner associations ASCE, ASHE, GEF, GSPE, ITE, ITS, SAME, SEAOG, SMPS and WTS, as well as their representatives, employees and agents, are held harmless from any claim, demand, liability or action on account of, or in any way arising out of, the client’s advertising, products and services, or its participation in Engineering Georgia.

Te first problem that a member brought to me a er I joined ACEC Georgia was the problem of inadequate customer service and enforcement for the Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors Licensing Board (PELS Board). at member was Doris Willmer, who was also a member of the PELS Board. e Board members had conducted a self-study back in 2005 to determine the best way to address what were, even then, longstanding problems that resulted from sharing sta and resources with numerous other licensing boards.

e 2005 study recommended that Georgia follow the example of almost every other state in the southeast – having an independent PELS Board with its own dedicated budget, sta , o ces and investigators. Becoming independent is what Doris and her fellow Board members wanted me to try to accomplish.

It took a li le while, but last year we passed into law the Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Act, aka House Bill 476, which made the PELS Board an independent agency with its own budget and the ability to hire their own dedicated sta .

Well, sort of.

You see, by the time HB 476 passed last year, the state budget was already set, and it was too late to get an appropriation for the PELS Board for the 2023 fiscal year. So, although the Board became independent the moment Governor Kemp signed the bill on May 9, 2022, they hadn’t actually been appropriated any money to do anything about it.

All that will change on July 1, 2023, when the PELS Board will receive its first annual appropriation – more than $1 million to begin to hire sta , open their own o ce and implement new so ware and a website that will allow engineers and surveyors to handle routine licensure transactions entirely online. It will also begin the process of making sure that when you need help with a licensure problem, you can reach out to someone who works only for engineers and surveyors, who understands your issues and will provide the assistance you need in a timely manner.

Based on all the licensure-related complaints I’ve received over the years, I think that will be a huge improvement over what you’ve been experiencing.

e PELS Board members have already done a tremendous amount of work over the past year to make sure they are ready to hit the ground running in July to begin the process of creating a new and improved PELS Board experience.

Of course, it won’t all happen overnight. So ware implementation and data migration take time. Hiring and training sta takes time. Building websites takes time.

Be patient. Give a li le grace. And remember that the members of the PELS Board are all volunteers. ey all have day jobs. ey are engineers and surveyors who are taking A LOT of time away from their businesses to serve their professions. And though they are all very talented and hard-working professionals, none of them have ever set up a new state agency from scratch.

e decisions they will make over the next few months are generational – they will lay the foundation for an entity that will continue to serve Georgia’s engineers and land surveyors for decades a er their individual service on the Board has ended. And they understand the obligation they have to Georgia’s engineers and surveyors whose fees have been increased to fund their operations. A er all, they are engineers and surveyors too.

It is an honor to feature the members of the PELS Board on our cover and to tell their story about the “new beginning” they are creating for a board that was first established in 1937.

Michael L. "Sully" Sullivan President / CEO, ACEC Georgia Publisher, Engineering Georgia

IN MEMORY OF HAL KRAFT, III

It is with great sadness that Hussey Gay Bell shares the loss of engineer Harlod "Hal" W. Kraft, III, PE, PLS, who served the firm for 40 years. Kraft was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and an active community member.

A native of Savannah, Kraft received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering of Technology (now Kennesaw State University). For four decades – from 1983 to 2023 – he dedicated himself to Hussey Gay Bell where he held many leadership roles, rising to Principal and Vice President with the incredibly unique distinction of being a Professional Engineer and a registered Professional Land Surveyor.

Under Kraft’s direction, the civil/site development division of the firm was involved in the continuous development of some of the region’s most prominent developments for 30+ years, including Palmetto Dunes – a 2,000-acre award-winning golf, marina, and beach resort development on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; Palmetto Hall – a 750-acre residential development on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and Savannah Quarters – the 2,600-acre master planned community off of I-95 near the I-16/Pooler Parkway interchange, Pooler, Georgia. In addition to these key developments, Hal served many public clients throughout the region and a host of private residential developers and nonprofit organizations. He led the civil design efforts for many high-profile projects in the area, including: the City of Pooler’s award-winning City Hall Municipal Complex, North Point Hospitality Group’s Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel on River Street, GSA’s new Tomochichi U.S. Courthouse Annex, Savannah-Chatham County Public School Systems’ new Herschel V. Jenkins High School and the City of Savannah’s new Enmarket Arena.

Kraft was a tireless servant leader involved in many organizations in the industry and in his community, evident in his volunteerism to numerous civic organizations, including The Kiwanis Club of Savannah, Leadership Savannah, Jenkins Explorer Post, ASCE, The American Red Cross, and serving as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and soundboard operator at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church where he was a faithful member until his passing.

USDOT SELECTS THE RAY AS CAPACITY BUILDER FOR 15 COMMUNITIES IN LAUNCH OF NATIONAL THRIVING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $5.1 million to The Ray, and partners Arcadis, InfraStrategies, and Beverly Scott Associates to support 15 communities as a Networked Communities capacity builder within the USDOT’s Thriving Communities Program. The Ray is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity and net-zero highway testbed located on 18 miles of Interstate 85 between Lagrange, Georgia and the Georgia-Alabama state line. The 15 communities matched with The Ray are located near ports, airports, freight, and rail facilities. Community infrastructure needs and priorities will drive The Ray’s capacity-building strategy and focus on mobility, access, housing, economic issues, workforce development, and environmental justice. The Thriving Communities Program provides two years of no-cost, intensive technical assistance to underresourced or disadvantaged communities to help identify, develop, and deliver transportation projects that can both strengthen and transform their community. The technical assistance and capacity building approach includes support for all stages of projects, from planning and permitting to procurement and contract administration, through construction, operation and maintenance.

“My father, Ray C. Anderson, helped to green the White House and chaired a sustainability committee under two Presidents,” said Harriet Langford, founder of The Ray. “Yet again, through The Ray’s partnership with Thriving Communities, his commitment to net-zero, his belief in technology for good, and his influence through proving - then scaling fast - will be shared across the country with communities that need it most today.”

BURNS & MCDONNELL LEADER NAMED 2023 GREATER ATLANTA HARD HATS WITH HEART CHAIRMAN

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, has named Justin Kanitz, Project Director, Burns & McDonnell as the 2023 Greater Atlanta Hard Hats with Heart Chairman. The year-round initiative builds a path to reduce heart disease and stroke and increases wellness among those in the construction trades. N

"As the 2023 Greater Atlanta Hard Hats with Heart Chairman, it is my goal to engage construction workers within our community and promote positive behaviors so they can live longer, healthier lives,” says Kanitz. “I fully support the American Heart Association because of the important messages the organization provides to our construction workforce and how their resources promote heart health awareness in simple ways that everyone can follow.”

Through Hard Hats with Heart, industrial workers are invited to attend networking sessions with medical experts that offer preventative care measures such as blood pressure screenings and Hands-Only CPR demonstrations. In addition, each participating company receives a Toolbox Talks kit that includes digital and printable resources on how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.

MAULDIN & JENKINS EXPANDS PRESENCE IN NORTH FULTON

Mauldin & Jenkins announced its expansion into the North Fulton community and celebrated the opening of its newest office in Alpharetta, Georgia. Located in Avalon, a sustainably designed community in Alpharetta, the new office location reflects Mauldin & Jenkins’ commitment to growth and innovation. The space was selected based on the advantages it offers to elevate the firm’s service to its clients and the community and attract and retain top talent in the area.

This expansion aligns with the firm's vision to establish a stronger presence in key markets, providing local businesses and individuals with unrivaled accounting and financial services.

Operating in Atlanta since 1987, Mauldin & Jenkins has experienced substantial growth in both its client base and service offerings. This success can be attributed to the firm’s exceptional team of dedicated professionals who continuously deliver high-quality solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. By offering comprehensive accounting, taxation, audit, advisory and financial consulting services, the firm has built a strong reputation for delivering accurate and reliable solutions.

CHA REACHES 20% CARBON REDUCTION GOAL TWO YEARS EARLY

CHA Consulting announced that it has achieved its 2025 carbon reduction goal two years ahead of schedule. The firm set the goal in its 2019 Sustainability Report to decrease its carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per employee by 20% from its 2019 baseline. Through various carbon reduction initiatives implemented since 2020, CHA achieved a 19% reduction in its CO2 equivalent per employee by the end of 2022. The remaining 1% was attained through investment in carbon offsets upon the recommendation of CHA’s Green Team, which is comprised of over 35 colleagues from throughout the organization with the responsibility to develop sustainability goals and measure progress.

CHA partnered with Carbonfund.org to purchase the carbon offsets. The firm’s investment will support the largest voluntary nitrous oxide (N2O) abatement project in North America, a partnership between Carbonfund and Ascend, to offset 269 metric tons. N2O is a greenhouse gas (GHG) contributing to global warming and is 265 times more effective at trapping atmospheric heat than CO2.

CHA will continue to implement its carbon reduction measures and establish new goals for the future.

NEEL-SCHAFFER ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF CE GROUP

Neel-Schaffer has finalized the acquisition of CE Group, a civil engineering firm based in Pascagoula, Mississippi. This acquisition will allow Neel-Schaffer to broaden its clientele and services on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where it currently has offices in Biloxi, Gulfport, Hancock County, and Pascagoula. “We have a history of working with the CE Group on a variety of projects and have always enjoyed a great working relationship,” said Steve Twedt, PE, Senior Vice President for Neel-Schaffer’s South Mississippi Operations. “We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition will bring for both CE Group and our clients. Neel-Schaffer currently operates 18 offices in Mississippi and has 38 offices overall, providing services in nine southeastern states.

KENNESAW STATE ENGINEERING STUDENT EARNS PRESTIGIOUS GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP

Kennesaw State University junior Derek Price II has been awarded a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, presented each year to the nation’s top undergraduate scholars in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

A mechanical engineering major from Stone Mountain, Ga., Price came to the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology with Zell Miller and Lockheed scholarships — and with an overwhelming enthusiasm for math and science. A meeting with fellow engineering students during his first semester as a freshman set Price on his path toward research, which he pursued through KSU’s First-Year Scholars program. Price belongs to numerous student organizations, including the KSU Aerial Robotics Competition Team, the University chapter of the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, the Kennesaw Society of Black Engineers, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

“I would encourage undergraduates to challenge themselves and gain hands-on experience through research,” Price said. “KSU has so much to offer in terms of classes, research, and extracurricular activities, and I’ve gained so much from participating fully.”

GEORGIA SOUTHERN TO OFFER NEW PH.D. PROGRAM IN ENGINEERING

Georgia Southern University is launching a new Ph.D. in engineering –after approval of the program from the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents. With almost 4,000 students in its programs, Georgia Southern’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing identified the need for the new graduate degree to sustain growth in the discipline, continue to aid workforce development in the region, add substantially to the university’s research capabilities, and provide additional teacher-scholars for Georgia.

The proposed engineering Ph.D. program will have concentrations in civil, electrical, advanced manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The degree will fuel future multidisciplinary research synergies with other departments and centers within Georgia Southern in fields such as natural sciences, environmental sustainability, public health and education. Greater scholarly collaborations with sister institutions within the university system and beyond are also envisioned. The Ph.D. in engineering program will have a positive impact on the economic and technological development of Southeast Georgia, contributing significantly to the growth of the I-16 technology corridor.

UGA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING RECEIVES $5 MILLION FOR ELECTRIC MOBILITY

Georgia Power Company gave a $5 million gift to the University of Georgia College of Engineering as the university aims to become a leader in electric mobility, also known as e-mobility.

The contribution is the largest single gift the College of Engineering has received and will go toward creating e-mobility networks, scholarships, community partnerships, and research.

E-mobility is growing in Georgia. Data from Georgia's Department of Economic Development says that since 2018, 35 electric-vehicle-related projects have committed over $23 billion in investments in Georgia, like projects from Rivian, Hyundai Motor Group, and SK Battery America.

UGA has also supported the e-mobility sector through its Electric Mobilty Initiative that provides seed funding for e-mobility projects and promotes discussion of the technology.

SECOND ENGINEERING STUDENT AWARDED 2023 SMART SCHOLARSHIP

Mercer University School of Engineering freshman Sarah Fenimore was recently awarded a Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Fenimore, a civil engineering major, will receive full tuition, a stipend, and full-time employment with the Department of Defense after graduation. She also will participate in a summer research internship and be paired with a mentor at one of the scholarship program’s sponsoring facilities.

She is the second engineering student to be awarded the scholarship this year. Freshman Abigail Maddox, a mechanical engineering major, also received the scholarship.

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program was established as a concentrated effort to enhance the Department of Defense workforce with talented, innovative, and brilliant scientists, engineers, and researchers. For over a decade, SMART Scholars have worked within labs and agencies of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and additional Department of Defense units to support the warfighter and create an impact to secure the nation. A

BARGE DESIGN SOLUTIONS welcomes two professionals to its transportation practice as the firm continues to invest in the Georgia market:

Rakeem Jackson, PE, is a Project Manager with ten years of experience on complex design projects for the City of Atlanta, as well as Cobb and Henry Counties’ Departments Of Transportation. Jackson is a member of ACEC, the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE), and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.

Project Engineer Sam Haywood, PE, moved to Atlanta after five years in Barge’s Memphis, TN office. He has more than nine years of experience, including various roadway and traffic design projects. Haywood is a member of ASHE and the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

CHA CONSULTING is pleased to announce that it has expanded its environmental group with three new hires in the southeast:

Anna Ingwersen has joined the environmental group as a Project Manager. Ingwersen brings ten years of professional experience in environmental project management with a strong background in writing and communications and stakeholder and public involvement. Her diverse experience includes NEPA planning and analysis, environmental justice reports, Section 106 surveys and analysis, DOT, FHWA, and FTA schedules, contract management, and budget and scope management.

Sam Urban has joined the environmental group as a Senior Project Manager. Urban brings 12 years of experience as an environmental project manager and environmental consultant. His multi-disciplinary experience includes brownfield program management and reporting, environmental site assessments, grant writing, and managing and guiding project managers under EPA grants.

Rakeem Jackson

Sam Haywood

Anna Ingwersen

Sam Urban

W. Ashton Smithwick has joined the environmental group as a Scientist. Smithwick brings six years of experience in soil, groundwater, and vapor environmental investigations. His experience also includes brownfield programs, asbestos and lead-based paint (LBP) surveys, and sediment and water sampling.

Trent Thompson, PE, as Vice President of Infrastructure overseeing Water Resources, Environmental, Structural, and Transportation departments across all ten regions. With 22 years of experience at T&H, Thompson is a licensed Professional Engineer managing infrastructure projects for local, state, and federal government agencies. He is an active member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, American Water Works Association, and National Fire Protection Association.

EMC ENGINEERING SERVICES is delighted to announce the promotion of Kip Goodbread to Senior Associate Owner. Goodbread has been with EMC for 29 years and began his career at Pruitt & Purcell as a Jr. Design Engineer, which was acquired by EMC in 2003. He has served as the Brunswick Branch Manager since 2004. Kip holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech with Cooperative Education, has his EIT, and is a certified GSWCC Level II Certified Plan Reviewer.

Jason Chambless, PE, as Vice President of Coastal Civil/Site Development, overseeing Civil departments along the southeastern coast in Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia, as well as Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Chambless is a licensed Professional Engineer with 20 years of experience with T&H, excelling in infrastructure design for large tract development and industrial/ commercial parks and sites, such as Hyundai EV Metaplant America in Bryan County, GA. He is a Leadership Savannah and Leadership Southeast Georgia graduate and a member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association and American Society of Civil Engineers.

KECK & WOOD welcomes two new hires to their Georgia team:

Shenell Robinson, PE, has joined Keck & Wood as a Project Manager for its growing Community Development practice. Based in Keck & Wood’s Duluth office, Shenell brings years of engineering experience gained across her steady career growth in design, engineering, and project management.

Andrew Duffie, EIT, has joined the firm as a Staff Professional with their Community Development practice. Duffie is a success story from Keck & Wood’s internship program, which's mission is to help guide individual career choices for upcoming professionals.

THOMAS & HUTTON

(T&H) is pleased to announce the following promotions to allow an organizational focus on strategic growth and efficiency in its ten regions. This structure will support managing workloads to meet or exceed client needs while maintaining the firm’s core values vital for success. As they step into new leadership roles, T&H congratulates the following:

Kevin Shoemake, PE, as Vice President of Inland Civil/Site Development overseeing Civil departments in Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina; Charlotte and Durham, North Carolina; Nashville and Smyrna, Tennessee; and Atlanta and Covington, Georgia. With T&H for 26 years, Kevin also serves as Upstate Regional Director and was instrumental in opening the Greenville office in 2015. A licensed Professional Engineer, Shoemake’s experience includes site development projects for recreational, healthcare, commercial, industrial, educational, and residential developments. He is an active member of the American Council of Engineering Companies, Urban Land Institute, SC Economic Development Association, and American Society of Civil Engineers.

Ryan Page, PE, was promoted to Greenville Civil Department Manager following Kevin’s transition into his new role. Joining T&H in 2014, Page has over 15 years of experience with land development and infrastructure design related to industrial, municipal, commercial, residential, and institutional projects. He is an active member of the South Carolina Economic Developers Association and the American Council of Engineering Companies member. N

W. Ashton Smithwick

Kip Goodbread

Shenell Robinson

Andrew Duffie

Trent Thompson

Jason Chambless

Kevin Shoemake

Ryan Page

Additionally, Thomas & Hutton is pleased to announce the following eight new hires in both its Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, offices.

Arjun Thopay as a Civil Designer. Thopay obtained his degree in civil engineering from Auburn University, where he was an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Prior to joining T&H, he interned with two national civil engineering consulting firms. In his role, Thopay assists with preparing site development construction drawings, engineering design considerations for water, sewer, and storm drainage infrastructure, and permit applications associated with residential, commercial, and industrial projects across Georgia.

Annabel Hsu as an Environmental Designer. Hsu recently graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology, obtaining her degree in environmental engineering. Annabel is a former T&H Summer Intern. In her role, Hsu assists with preparing construction plans, specifications, reports, studies, supporting documentation, cost estimates, and permit applications utilizing company and industryaccepted standards, methodologies, and guidelines for water/ wastewater projects across Georgia.

Alfred Palomino as a Civil Designer. Palomino earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge with his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He has two years of experience in construction project inspection and management. As a Designer, Palomino assists with preparing site development construction drawings, engineering design considerations for water, sewer, and storm drainage infrastructure, and permit applications associated with residential, industrial, and municipal projects in the Atlanta Region.

Jamie Arkins, SHRM-CP, as a Recruiter in the Human Resources Department. Arkin is a Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) – Certified Professional with fifteen years in healthcare, eight years of those years in HR and recruiting for home care and hospice. Arkin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Mercer

University in Macon, GA. She is active in the SHRM, both on the national level and the local Savannah chapter, and is a Board Member/ Communications Chair of the Metropolitan Savannah Rotary Club.

Faith Bennet as an Administrative Assistant. Faith obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business and Information Technology from Macon State College. She brings eight years of experience in marketing and administration to her role as Administrative Assistant. Bennet enjoys spending time with her family in her spare time and is a member of the Kids Ministry Planning Committee at her church, First Baptist Church Rincon.

Rylie Hutchinson as a Water Resources Designer. Hutchinson recently earned her Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. She is an active National Society of Black Engineers member and an ambassador for Girl Scouts of the USA. As a Designer in the Water Resources Department, Hutchinson will prepare construction drawings, conduct engineering calculations for storm drainage infrastructure and prepare permit applications associated with residential, commercial, and/or municipal projects.

Clare Moroney as a Senior Marketing Coordinator. Moroney is a Savannah native and graduated from Georgia College & State University with a degree in communication. As a Senior Marketing Coordinator, Moroney assists in coordinating marketing activities that include preparing responses to RFP/Qs, public relations, special events coordination, advertising, and creating brand awareness with the marketing team.

Jessica Reid as Field Representative for the Civil Department. Reid is an Effingham County native and brings various experiences in the aviation industry and ironworking, where she gained a range of skills in erecting steel, welding, rigging, and more. As a Field Representative, she will assist project managers in administering construction contracts, visiting project sites, reviewing conditions, keeping up with all project plans, and participating in meetings. A

Annabel Hsu

Alfred Palomino

Jamie Arkins

Faith Bennet

Rylie Hutchinson

Clare Moroney

Jessica Reid

Arjun Thopay

POLITICAL ADVOCACY

A Big Part of What We Do for You

CHRISTY TARALLO

II was recently reminded of the quote, “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.” Originally quipped by the ancient Greek politician and commander Pericles circa 400 BC, the significance—and truth—of his statement has yet to diminish. Fortunately for ACEC Georgia members, one of the perks of ACEC membership is having a team of lobbyists that advocate on behalf of both individual firms and the entire industry in Georgia and across the nation. It’s our job to analyze, strategize, and react to the real-world impacts of both proposed and already enacted policies.

One such policy that is currently wreaking havoc on our industry is the amortization of research and development (R&D) expenses, the effects of which have imposed shockingly high tax liabilities on engineering firms.

Since 1954, businesses have been able to deduct qualified research expenses from their taxes within the year those expenses were incurred as a way to bolster American led R&D. Decades later in 1981, Congress created the related R&D tax credit, allowing firms to deduct the costs of research and development from their total tax bill. This policy has had immense success, particularly among engineering firms. It has allowed them to innovate for the future and even has the added benefit of quelling the fear of failure by softening the financial sting of unsuccessful projects. This has resulted in positive developments and valuable innovations in the built environment.

R&D tax credits are a powerful tool that have both fostered and hastened the pace of American ingenuity, a trend that has caught on globally. In fact, a 2021 analysis of the 37-member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), which includes the UK, US, Japan, and South Korea, found that only two of the OECD member countries did not have preferential tax treatment for R&D.

The success of these tax incentives for R&D hasn’t been entirely lost on Congress. In the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Congress didn’t seek to repeal these incentives entirely, but rather to claw back the credits by revising how firms could deduct the expenses. The result: R&D amortization, beginning on January 1, 2022, which was a misguided approach. In simpler terms, firms can no longer deduct the full amount of these qualified expenses within the year they were incurred but must deduct those expenses over the course of five years.

Unfortunately, this policy has resulted in significant cash flow problems for engineering firms, both large and small, as their 2022 tax bills reflect only 1/5th of the R&D tax credit they have utilized for over four decades, resulting in unexpected—and unbudgeted—tax liabilities.

“The R&D Amortization issue is hitting our member firms in a variety of manners.” Said 2023-2024 ACEC Chairman and Chief Growth Officer of CHA, Jay Wolverton. “Some firms are needing to draw down on credit lines or go into their reserves to pay a greater tax obligation caused by the change in law. As firms expend these funds, there are fewer resources for needed salary raises or investments in technology within our companies.”

Real world examples from across the nation are plentiful. ACEC National submitted the following statement to Congress in support of the repeal of the amortization requirement: “A recent start up civil engineering firm in Georgia with approximately $1 million in revenue owes an additional $100,000 in tax due to R&D amortization”

And in yet another harrowing example from the support statement, “A midsize firm with 125 employees based in Kansas paid an additional $2 million on tax filing day this year, which will delay critical equipment purchases in the near term”

In addition to the cash flow issue for firms, amortization is disincentivizing R&D and greatly diminishes the competitive advantage of the United States, as we fall behind other countries that provide greater incentives for innovation. And further exacerbating the problem, the IRS has yet to issue compliance guidance for determining the difference between R&D expenses that are eligible for the tax credit and regular business expenses.

Fortunately, there are bipartisan, bicameral proposals to address this critical issue. In the House, Congressmen Ron Estes (R-Kansas) and John Larson (D-Connecticut) have introduced H.R. 2673 (the “American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act”), and in the Senate, Senators Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire) and Todd Young (R-Indiana) have introduced S. 866 (the “American Innovation and Jobs Act”), to repeal the harmful R&D amortization provision.

ACEC has taken a strong support stance for both of these bills and is working with a powerful coalition that is advocating for their passage.

While these bills make their way through Congress, you can rest assured that even if you don’t take an interest in politics, ACEC is working on this issue as well as all issues at the national, state and local levels of government to protect you and your firms by fighting for policies that will positively impact the business climate for A/E/C firms. A

A RECENT START UP CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRM IN GEORGIA WITH APPROXIMATELY $1 MILLION IN REVENUE OWES AN ADDITIONAL $100,000 IN TAX DUE TO R&D AMORTIZATION

OUT & ABOUT

2023 GEORGIA ENGINEERING AWARDS

Georgia’s Engineering Community gathered for a black-tie awards event celebrating exceptional engineers, engineering projects, and the achievements of the industry! This year ACEC Georgia took the party up a notch with Hors d'oeuvres, dinner stations, and live dinner music before the awards program. Following the awards program, an after-party with a live band, Bogey and The Viceroy, ended the fun-filled evening.

(from left) Brantley Gee with Luster National, Janine Payne with VHB, Elizabeth Hartzog with HNTB, Melissa Ting with Blue Cypress Consulting, Molly Rea with Benesch, Tiffany Wommack with Jacobs, Jennifer Young with Dewberry, and Clay Smith with Keck & Wood.

Gifton Passley with Georgia State Financing & Investment Commission (left)

Pat Wilson Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (far left), Bert Brantley, President & CEO of Savannah Chamber

Rep. Brad Tomas with wife, Jenny

Tom Tye with CERM

OUT & ABOUT

THIRSTY FOURTH THURSDAY – SAVANNAH

ACEC Georgia’s Thirsty Fourth Thursday is a networking event with local elected officials, business leaders, and the engineering community held regularly around the state. This year’s Savannah networking event was held in conjunction with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia's Annual Conference. Commissioners and engineering professionals from all over Georgia were in attendance.

Kenneth Fluker with CERM

Sydney Thompson with Pond and Holly Painter with KCI Technologies

Xavier Miranda with ECS Limited

Angela Fannéy with Kimley Horn

James Touchton with the City of Wentworth, Eddie Wade with Croy, Jennifer Head with ACEC Georgia

Honor Hutton with Moffat & Nichol, Nikki Parris with Atkins, and Adam Ragsdale with EMC Engineering Services

(from left) Sydney Thompson with Pond, Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, and Eddie Wade with Croy

Michael “Sully” Sullivan, President and CEO of ACEC Georgia and incoming ACEC Georgia Board of Directors Chairman, Rick Brownlow with Jacobs

OUT & ABOUT

INTRODUCE A GIRL TO ENGINEERING DAY

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is a half-day program sponsored by ACEC Georgia and the engineering community to introduce girls to engineering through fun projects and activities. This year’s event was once again hosted at Kennesaw State University’s Marietta Campus. Over 600 participants, volunteers, and staff were in attendance.

Jennifer Aulick Etheridge, Keynote speaker

Attendees enjoying engineering trivia

HNTB team representing at the 2023 Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day

Holly Painter and Daniel Pino from KCI Technologies

Stacey Chapman and team with Croft & Associates

GEORGIA NUMBERS by the

729

AMICALOLA

FALLS is a 729-foot waterfall on Amicalola Creek in Dawson County. It is the highest waterfall in Georgia. The falls are the centerpiece of Amicalola Falls State Park.

438,000

THE OKEFENOKEE

PROVIDENCE

CANYON is an outdoor Georgia state park that covers 1,003-acres in Stewart County. Providence Canyon is not a purely natural feature: many of the massive gullies — the deepest of which is more than 150 feet — result from erosion due to poor farming practices in the 19th century.

1,003

SWAMP is a shallow, 438,000acre, peat-filled wetland straddling the Georgia–Florida line. More than 600,000 visitors from as many as 46 countries travel to the Okefenokee Refuge yearly to enjoy its unmatched wilderness.

89°F

WARM SPRINGS is home to Georgia’s largest state park, located an hour south of Atlanta; the naturally heated (89°F) waters were made famous by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The historic district includes Roosevelt's Little White House and the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, where the former president indulged in the warm springs.

1,686

STONE MOUNTAIN is a quartz monzonite dome monadnock 16 miles east of Atlanta. The park is owned by the state of Georgia. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet above sea level and 825 feet above the surrounding area. The park is the most visited tourist site in the state of Georgia.

INSIDE THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT PELS BOARD

How it Will Benefit Engineers, Land Surveyors and all of Georgia

DAVID CARAVIELLO

IIn June of 2020, the Georgia General Assembly passed a law that created a new structural engineer’s license – a license that would be legally required for anyone stamping plans related to structural engineering beginning on January 1, 2021. With the clock ticking, the Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Board (PELS Board) asked the administrative staff of the Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Secretary of State’s Office to post a PDF structural engineer license application to the PELS Board’s website that applicants could download, fill out by hand and then physically mail to the Board’s headquarters in Macon (the website didn’t allow for a form that could be filled out online). The Board had approved the application form at their August meeting, which is also when the Board made the request to have the form posted.

But nothing happened. The volunteer members of the PELS Board had already offered to process all of the incoming applications themselves; all they needed the staff to do was post the pdf to the website – but still, no PDF file was posted. At their October meeting, the Board took a formal vote to order the pdf to be posted. But since the staff assigned to the PELS Board also worked for seven other professional licensing boards operating under the Secretary of State Office’s “shared services” model, they were stretched so thin that there was no available manpower to process the simple request. Ultimately, the PDF application form didn’t appear on the PELS Board website until December 15th – just 16 days before the new law went into effect.

That was the moment when members of the PELS Board realized that something had to change. And on May 9, 2022, it did—when Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 476 into law, which removed the PELS Board from under the Secretary of State’s office and made it its own separate agency. And on July 1, 2023, the newly independent PELS Board will finally become funded, receiving its first annual appropriation of over $1 million to obtain new software, create a modern, user friendly website, open its own office, and hire its own executive director and other staff who will work solely for Georgia’s engineers and land surveyors.

“It is pretty monumental that we are allowed to become a separate state agency with our own staff, with our own budget, with more control over how we do things,” said PELS Board member Bill Womack of Womack & Associates Consulting Engineers. “At the same time, we are going to be held accountable by the engineers and land surveyors, because they're paying renewal fees and application fees. If we don't do our job, that's going to be a problem. But our role is to protect to the public…and this move is going to greatly enhance our ability to do that work.”

Indeed, the changes go far beyond the ability to post a PDF to a website. While many engineers and surveyors were frustrated by the lack of customer service and inability to easily conduct transactions online under the old system, the PELS Board’s most important role is enforcing the rules and regulations that protect public safety. Under the new law, the PELS Board will be able to hire its own dedicated investigators who will be able to work with licensed engineers and surveyors who understand the technical and ethical aspects of a licensure complaint. This will allow those complaints to be quickly investigated and the wrongdoers appropriately disciplined – something that rarely happened under the previous model

in which the PELS Board and dozens of other state licensure boards shared only a handful of investigators between them.

“For us, in our industry, one catastrophic issue or one life safety issue is too much,” said Darien Sykes, President of Sykes Consulting and Chairman of the PELS Board. “Whether it's undertaking an investigation or helping to create more opportunities to get more people into our industry by getting more people licensed, these are things with long-term impacts. So, I believe this will really have a huge impact on our profession.”

‘JUST SPREAD WAY TOO THIN’

The PELS Board was created by law in 1937, and its independence had been a goal of the Georgia engineering industry for decades. Led by former PELS Board Chair Doris Willmer, the PELS Board conducted a self-study in 2005 which concluded that the Board needed to follow the model used by almost every other state in the southeast and become independent.

According to a 2021 report by the Georgia Occupational Regulation Review Council (GORRC), the Professional Licensing Boards Division (PLBD) of the Secretary of State’s office oversees 48 different professions, with 191 licenses types and 499 different methods to attain them –managing 534,619 total individual licensees, with 46,751 of those licenses belonging to engineers and land surveyors.

The PLBD operates under a “shared services” model, in which the same spread-thin staff members staff multiple licensure boards. In the case of the PELS Board, four staff members were trying to manage six unrelated licensing boards with nearly 60,000 licensees. Weeks could pass before engineers learned whether they’d passed a PE exam. Applicants would apply to take an exam only to arrive at the test site to discover their application hadn’t been appropriately processed by the PLBD staff. Engineers and surveyors found it difficult to get information or get a call or email returned.

More importantly, because complaints about unauthorized, negligent, unethical, or incompetent practices were going unaddressed, engineers and surveyors began to see no reason to bother filing those

complaints. The 2021 GORRC report noted “the rapid decline in complaints submitted to the PELS Board over the last four years.”

“Part of the impetus behind us moving to a standalone board is because the current staff, who are all great, hard-working people, are just spread way too thin and are not able to process everything and cover all of the calls and answer all the questions,” said Taylor Wright, Vice President at Atkins, and Vice Chair of the PELS Board. “So, to have our licensees be able to call up and talk to somebody who works only with engineers and surveyors and can answer their questions, or be able to pull up a website where they can do everything online… just that responsiveness, I think, is going to be the biggest change.”

Added Sykes: “Our current administrative staff, they serve several boards, and they’re spread thin. We believe they’re doing the best they can. But there are insufficient resources to respond to our engineers and surveyors.”The PELS Board is not the first licensure board to strike out independently. Attorneys, Accountants, Doctors, Dentists, Insurance Agents, Pesticide Applicators, and Pharmacists all have their licensure boards outside of the PLBD.

The movement toward an independent PELS Board found strong support in the General Assembly, according to Michael Sullivan, President & CEO of ACEC Georgia, which had been working with all of Georgia’s other engineering associations within the Georgia Engineering Alliance for many years to address the customer service complaints and enforcement issues plaguing the PELS Board. “The Legislature was very supportive,” Sullivan said. “They understood the problems, having heard similar complaints from their constituents in other licensed professions. And some of the legislators are also licensed professionals themselves, so they have firsthand familiarity with these issues, which are not unique to engineers and surveyors. So, the General Assembly was very supportive that this needed to be done.” N

WHETHER IT'S UNDERTAKING AN INVESTIGATION OR HELPING TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTO OUR INDUSTRY BY GETTING MORE PEOPLE LICENSED, THESE ARE THINGS WITH LONG-TERM IMPACTS.

Darien Sykes, PELS Board Chair

Sponsored by State Rep. Dale Washburn, the “Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Act” (House Bill 476) forming the independent PELS Board passed the House on March 1, 2022, by a vote of 163 to 2. The Senate version passed unanimously on March 29, 2022, and 41 days later, Gov. Kemp signed the bill into law. The law does not change the makeup of the PELS Board, which is still appointed by the governor and must still be comprised of civil engineers, a structural engineer, an electrical engineer, a mechanical engineer, two land surveyors, and a “consumer member” who is unaffiliated with either profession. “All of that stays exactly the same,” Sullivan said. “What changes is the powers they have been given. They have the authority to hire an executive director who reports directly and solely to them. They can hire staff, purchase licensing software, create a new website, lease office space, and do all the things that need to be done. So, they are fully independent, and starting in July, they will finally have the funding to start acting on that.”

Eventually, the independent PELS Board hopes to have a larger staff, but “because their initial budget wasn’t quite as large as they would have liked, they won't be able to get fully staffed and do everything they would like to do in the first year,” Sullivan said. “They'll have to prioritize and make choices about putting first things first.”

AN INTENT ‘TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC’

Under the previous incarnation of the PELS Board, what should have been minor undertakings—changing a last name on a license due to a marriage, for instance—could become major headaches. The ability to pay license fees or conduct other transactions online was limited at best. “What we’re currently operating with has not really kept up with the times,” Sykes said. “So, we’re talking about much more robust software—responsiveness through the website, making it user-friendly. We think this will address a lot of the issues.” All reasons why the first priority of an independent, funded PELS Board as of July 1 will be to purchase new software and migrate all the information from the old system. Beyond that, the board will need to hire an executive director to help it set up the new agency. “There’s not a manual for that,” Sullivan said. The new executive director will oversee the hiring of staff members, with a budget that will allow for the hiring of about five employees in the first year, with hopes for more staff and additional appropriations in the next fiscal year.

“It will make a huge difference,” Wright said. “I mean, right now, we have an executive director who I think is responsible for seven boards. So just to have an executive director who would only be responsible for our board and what we focus on, having that responsiveness, advocating for changes that are important to Georgians and to our Georgia licensees—that would be huge. And having a dedicated staff to review and process applications, and do it in a timely manner, and be able to answer questions would also be very important.” Added Sullivan: “Engineers and land surveyors will be able to transact their licensure-related functions seamlessly, conveniently, and easily online. With a minimum of difficulty, they'll be able to pay for those transactions with a credit card online. If they have a problem or if they have a licensure-related question, they will be able to call a number where they can get answers from

Elmo Richardson, the longest-serving, current member of the PELS Board

someone who works exclusively for the PELS Board, who understands engineering and land surveying licensing issues and can get them the information they need in a timely manner. They'll have their emails and calls responded to and answered, which will be a big improvement.”

The difference in terms of enforcement should be equally notable. One of the findings in the 2021 Georgia Occupational Regulation Review Council’s report on the proposed PELS Board changes was that the current “delays of enforcement for engineering and surveying violations are a threat to public health and safety.”

Going forward, “we will have investigators who have more training, if you will, in the nuances of engineering and land surveying,” Womack said. “They will be better equipped when they go out. They may still be a retired police officer, but we’ll be able to give them more training.” Sykes envisions using retired engineers and surveyors in enforcement roles as well. “Maybe there’s a retired engineer, maybe there’s law enforcement as well, maybe we have two investigators who work hand-in-hand,” he said. “But the idea is to have dedicated people who are knowledgeable.”

Previously, the PELS Board had to request a state investigator whenever it learned of a violation. “Those investigators were definitely not in the engineering and surveying industry,” Wright said. “They could be investigating something completely different one day and then be asked to investigate something highly technical the next. One of our biggest goals is to hire our own investigators, just like our peer boards in surrounding states, who are actively going after those who have been identified. Because, unfortunately, there are some bad actors in our state.” In the future, the PELS Board “will have investigators who understand the technical and ethical aspects of those complaints” said Sullivan, “and an attorney who can pursue those investigations to the point of taking appropriate legal action that will stop those bad actors from doing the bad things that they were doing.” The state of North Carolina—which has an almost identical state population and the number of professional engineers and land surveyors as Georgia, as well as an independent state licensure board—helped provide the

PELS Board with a blueprint in the areas of budget and staffing. And while the PELS Board receives its first funding on July 1, the changes won’t occur overnight. There remain a number of decisions to be made before this new, independent edition of the PELS Board becomes fully realized.

“There's certainly an obligation as a board member to make sure that that we respond in a way that pays off on all of the hard work that’s been done by a lot of people,” Wright said. “Because this was a huge effort by a lot of people, and it does represent a huge opportunity to elevate the engineering and surveying industries in Georgia. So, I do feel pressure. And I think if we do this the right way, we can be more accessible; we can get more people involved, we can elevate the industry. We've got to make those decisions, and as a board, we have to drive that change. And we really owe it to our licensees that are paying increased fees, and those that have worked hard to get us to this point, to make sure that we do make the right decisions.”

FOCUS ON BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE

An independent and now-funded PELS Board is poised to make a difference for engineers, land surveyors, and the general public through more streamlined licensing processes and more effective enforcement. But there’s also a grander vision at work, one that aims to help fill some of the thousands of engineering and surveying jobs that will be added in both the state and the country over the next decade, particularly with increases in infrastructure money investment.

“We are looking at being able to do more outreach,” Womack said. “By that, I mean going to technical societies, going to places where you can give a one-hour talk, that type of thing. But also being able to get out in front of students to get them excited

about land surveying and engineering, all the way down to the middle school level. We have a declining number of engineers and a drastically declining number of land surveyors. So, we have to figure out how to stop that trend, and a lot of that is going to be outreach, getting out in front of people.”

Previously, Womack added, the lack of a budget made it difficult for the PELS Board to send its members—who are all volunteers and with the exception of the consumer representative, are all professionals in the industry—to technical societies or other such gatherings. Now, “we will have a better opportunity to be in front of everybody,” he added. “I'm a firm believer that the Board needs to be the face of engineering and land surveying and not some Wizard of Oz behind a magic screen somewhere in Macon. We need to be in front of the screen. People need to know that we are real honest-to-God engineers and land surveyors.”

Sykes shares that vision. “We are weighing and discussing with various organizations about how we can best serve them. And we are definitely considering being more present,” he said. “Our executive director, that person is going to champion the cause of being more active in the community, whether it's virtually or meeting with our industry leaders. But I think that the executive director, in tandem with our location, are going to be key elements to that outreach component.”

Sykes envisions PELS Board members and staffers speaking to high schools and colleges, even inviting students to PELS Board meetings and encouraging them to ask questions. “We want to be connected with the community,” he added. And in the process, take an active role in shaping Georgia’s engineering and land surveying future, far beyond issuing licenses and citing violations.

“For me, as an engineer, I believe that we're at a crossroads in terms of where our industry is going,” Sykes said. “There's more and more pressure about achieving deadlines, compressed schedules, tight budgets. And I've sat in rooms with engineers who are saying that they're losing people in our profession. I believe that what we're doing is one of the most important things that I've done as an engineer, because we're creating an opportunity that I hope will improve our industry and have a great impact.” A

I'M A FIRM BELIEVER THAT THE BOARD NEEDS TO BE THE FACE OF ENGINEERIN AND LAND SURVEYING AND NOT SOME WIZARD OF OZ BEHIND A MAGIC SCREEN SOMEWHERE IN MACON.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

The 2023 Engineering Excellence Award Winners

EEach year the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) recognizes engineering firms for projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement, and value. Judging is based on originality; future value to the engineering profession; social, economic, and sustainable development considerations; and successful fulfillment of the client or owner’s needs.

The Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) are given to firms that not only excel at meeting the needs of their clients but also are willing to push the boundaries of traditional practice. This year’s winners reflect technological innovations that not only solve problems but push building projects toward more efficient and sustainable design. These projects, in many respects, set the standards for future engineering work.

The project winners are selected by a panel of judges that represent a variety of engineering disciplines and owner perspectives from both the public and private sectors. These professions look for originality of thought and action in solving complex problems and clear applications of engineering techniques. They also considered the future value to the profession, to society, and of course, to the client directly affected by the project.

ACEC GEORGIA STAFF

The panel of judges selected first, second, and third-place award winners:

• Merit Awards are for third place

• Honor Awards are for second place

• State Awards are for first place

From all of the State Award winners, the judges selected the project they deemed the overall “best of the best” project, which is awarded the Grand Prize Award.

These project winners reflect collaboration and teamwork between firms and partnering companies. They demonstrate that when imagination and expertise are brought to bear on a challenging project or situation, innovative solutions come forth. N

GRAND PRIZE AWARD WINNER

THE KENDEDA BUILDING FOR INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Long Engineering

Client: Georgia Tech

GRAND PRIZE AWARD WINNER

THE KENDEDA BUILDING FOR INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Long Engineering |

The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design is a multi-disciplinary academic building on the Georgia Institute of Technology’s campus. What stands the Kendeda Building out from its counterparts is that it’s a living building, generating net positive water and energy production – potable water that’s recycled onsite, rainwater that is diverted for localized irrigation or filtered to return to groundwater, and solar-captured energy that not only runs the Kendeda building, but has surplus to provide to other campus buildings. Long Engineering collaborated with Biohabitats and Newcomb & Boyd, among others, to provide site planning and design, civil engineering, storm water management and subsurface utility engineering. The result is a building that functions independently of the City of Atlanta’s energy, water/wastewater infrastructure, and is green certified under the prestigious Living Building Challenge v3.1.

STATE AWARD WINNERS

ROCKDALE COUNTY’S LAKE CAPRI BRIDGE

Atlas Technical Consultants

Client: Rockdale County DOT

In 2020, the Lake Capri Bridge in Rockdale county was forced to close due to a north abutment failure, severing a major thoroughfare for the Lake Capri community and others. The Rockdale County Department of Transportation chose Atlas Technical Consultants to manage the design, survey, bridge hydraulics, environmental permitting, utility, as well as support overall construction. Atlas overcame an accelerated schedule and supply-chain issues to realize a redesigned bridge with materials that prevented having to raise the bridge’s profile, keeping the footprint within the existing right of way, which minimized impacts to Lake Capri and adjacent utilities, and allowing for construction of a new sidewalk for pedestrians. All of this completed within eight months, an exceptional timeframe for bridge construction. N

STATE AWARD WINNERS

THE HILTON HEAD NATIONAL RV RESORT

Thomas & Hutton | Client: Scratch Golf Company

South Carolina’s Hilton Head National Golf Club forfeited 9 of 27 course holes due to right-of-way acquisition for the construction of Bluffton Parkway. Challenged with a way to repurpose the remaining land, course owners, Scratch Golf, envisioned an upscale RV resort that would cater to both vacationing golfers and recreational RV’ers alike. To realize the vision, Scratch Golf partnered with Thomas & Hutton as their lead civil engineer, tasking them with the design of the Hilton Head National RV Resort. Thomas & Hutton created a luxury RV experience, accommodating over 340

MIDTOWN UNION

Uzun and Case

Client: Granite Properties

Midtown Union is an innovative and vibrant mixed-use development in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood that achieves an exciting environment to live, work, shop and dine.

Uzun and Case executed the structural engineering of a 26-story, class-A office tower, a 27-story multifamily residential tower, a 14-story boutique hotel, 50,000 square feet of retail spaces, 700,000 plus square feet of parking and an extension of Arts Center Way, a pedestrian-friendly roadway that runs through the property, connecting two major Atlanta city streets. Facing tight design and construction turnaround times and a number of engineering challenges, Uzun and Case delivered a worldclass development under budget and ahead of schedule. N

STATE AWARD WINNERS

THE MACON WATER AUTHORITY

WWTP FACILITIES REHABILITATION

Barge Design Solutions

Client: Macon Water Authority

The city of Macon, Georgia was facing an aging water treatment plant that was further damaged by historic flooding in the mid-90s. The Macon Water Authority partnered with Barge Design Solutions, Inc. to spearhead its wastewater engineering for a $36M bold design-build project for two wastewater reclamation facilities. Utilizing research, collaboration and direct inspection, Barge pinpointed areas for improvements and repairs, resulting in the rehabbing of existing grit structures, state-of-the-art component upgrades, repurposing lime silo components and a sludge holding tank and designing a new, smarter employee catwalk. The success of this rehabilitation program created considerable cost-savings for the MWA and helps assure clean effluent for the adjacent river. N

STATE AWARD WINNERS

THE BROWNS BRIDGE ROAD BRIDGE AT YELLOW RIVER

THE ATLANTA BELTLINE SOUTHSIDE TRAIL WEST

HONOR AWARD WINNERS

THE FLINTSTONE DRIVE/HUGH

HOWELL ROAD AT NEW SMOKE RISE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kimley-Horn

Photo Credit: Urbanize Atlanta

Photo credit: WJBF

Hussey Gay Bell | Client: City of Savannah

THE STATE ROUTE 3 / US 19

WIDENING FROM WEST COUNTY ROAD TO JUST NORTH OF ATWATER ROAD IN THOMASTON, GEORGIA

Parsons Transportation Group | Client: GDOT

THE NORTH OCONEE RIVER GREENWAY - SUB PROJECT 2

Benesch | Client: Athens-Clarke County SPLOST Department

THE WINDY HILL ROAD - TERRELL MILL ROAD CONNECTOR

HNTB | Client: Cobb County DOT

MERIT AWARD WINNERS

THE 2023 GEORGIA ENGINEERING IMPACT & INFLUENCE AWARDS

Jim Croy & Pat Wilson have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement that has had a significant impact on Georgia’s economic vitality

JIM CROY ENGINEERING IMPACT AWARD

AACEC Georgia’s highest individual awards are the Engineering Influence and Engineering Impact Awards, given annually to honor two individuals, one from the public sector and one from the private sector, whose outstanding leadership and achievements have benefited the entire state of Georgia.

Honorees are chosen based on accomplishments that have had a positive impact on the engineering industry and business community of Georgia, such as –

• Demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment to addressing the infrastructure challenges of a locality, region and/ or the entire State of Georgia.

• Making significant contributions to the economic vitality or business climate of a locality, region and/or the State of Georgia.

• A direct impact on the growth and success of their organization.

In 2005, Jim Croy established Croy Engineering with just 17 employees and one location in Marietta, Georgia. Over the past 18 years, he led the firm’s growth to more than 120 employees across three Southeastern states.

Croy’s engineering vision can be found across the state of Georgia – from his roles as a former DOT, SRTA, and GRTA head to his work building Croy into a multi-discipline, award-winning firm. Over his more than five decades in Georgia's engineering industry, Jim Croy has contributed greatly to the state's infrastructure development and advancement. This includes roles as the Executive Director of the State Road and Tollway Authority Deputy Director of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, as well as the Director of the Cobb County Department of Transportation.

Throughout his extraordinary career, Croy has proved to be a visionary leader dedicated to finding innovative solutions that improved mobility and safety while stimulating economic development. With many accomplishments in his wake, he is now enjoying retirement in Marietta while serving in an advisory role at Croy, the firm that still bears his name. N

ACEC GEORGIA STAFF

COMMISSIONER PAT WILSON ENGINEERING INFLUENCE AWARD

There may be no higher compliment for someone in public service than saying they are “a workhorse, not a show horse.” Pat Wilson is a workhorse, and few people have done more work than he has for the growth of Georgia’s economy. Commissioner Wilson has led our state’s economic development efforts, worked to build Georgia’s film & television industry, and leveraged Georgia’s #1 in the nation-ranked business climate to bring record-breaking economic development projects to every part of Georgia.

Wilson was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development by Governor Nathan Deal in November 2016. He leads the agency that is responsible for creating jobs & small business growth; fostering new business recruitment & the expansion of existing Georgia businesses; attracting international trade & tourism; and growing Georgia’s arts, film, and music industries.

Georgia has consistently been voted the No. 1 state in the nation to do business by multiple economic development magazines - a record nine consecutive years by Area Development magazine and eight years in a row from Site Selection magazine every year since Wilson has been Commissioner. Additionally, under his leadership, The Georgia Department of Economic Development was rated as the nation’s best state-level economic development organization by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). A

2023 ENGINEERS OF THE YEAR

Engineering the Future of the Built Environment

TThe winners of the 2023 Engineer of the Year awards show the depth and breadth of knowledge the Georgia engineering community has to offer. Many of them are experts in their fields, and all have worked to advance and expand the engineering profession through applicational research, innovative thinking, volunteerism, mentoring, or advocacy. The Georgia Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE) recognized these creative and passionate individuals this year for their continued contributions to the betterment of the engineering community.

ACEC GEORGIA STAFF

Lifetime Achievement Award

DR. RAFAEL BRAS

Georgia Tech

A native of Puerto Rico, Rafael Bras is a Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and holds the K. Harrison Brown Family Chair at Georgia Tech.

Dr. Bras is well known for his contributions to soil-vegetation-atmosphere system modeling, and he has been recognized for his innovative work describing and forecasting floods and precipitation. His landscape-river basin-evolution models are widely used in hydrology and geology. Bras also has pioneered ideas about how the deforestation of the Amazon will impact regional and continental climates.

Until recently, he was the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Before becoming Provost, Bras was Distinguished Professor and Dean of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). For 32 years prior to joining UCI, he was a Professor in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is past Chair of the MIT faculty, former head of the Civil and Environmental Engineering department, and Director of the Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory at MIT.

Dr. Bras maintains an active international consulting practice. He chaired a panel of experts that supervised the design and construction of a multibillion-dollar project to protect the City of Venice from floods.

Dr. Bras has published two textbooks, over 235 refereed journal publications, and several hundred other publications and presentations. N

Engineer of the Year JEFFREY CHIU

Lowe Engineers

Jeffrey Chiu is an expert in structural design and civil and military construction administration involving bridges, roads, and site development of various building types. His education in civil engineering is complemented by law and business degrees; however, unlike most lawyers who have an engineering degree, Chiu concentrates on using his legal experience to support his civil and construction engineering practice. In addition, his experience and dedication to civil engineering allowed him opportunities to be widely known and appreciated as an advocate with state and Congressional legislators.

Chiu advocates STEM education and careers, encouraging young people to major in civil engineering and other engineering fields. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), where he encourages young cadets to enroll and focus on STEM fields. He also uses his expertise as a civil engineer with CAP in response to natural disasters by performing aerial photography missions for FEMA and other agencies. He magnifies his impact by instructing flight crews in the Georgia Wing on collecting aerial photography, and he had the insight to collaborate with other civil engineers in CAP to determine possibilities of enhancing services provided to the State of Georgia, such as dam inspection.

Chiu provides a broad range of experience and advice for any construction contracting challenge. His willingness to participate and mentor younger engineers to excel in engineering is admirable. He brings thoughtfulness and enthusiasm to advocate for the engineering profession that is widely respected in Georgia and throughout the United States.

Engineering Employer of the Year – Large Firm

UNITED CONSULTING

United Consulting believes in giving back to its employees and community while providing unmatched excellence in engineering consulting services. Everything they do, from generous benefits policies to a firm culture focused on internal advancement, employee well-being, and community involvement, allows their team members to grow organically within the firm. They have established themselves as a leader within the industry in terms of community outreach & volunteering. Their dedication to providing exceptional customer service has earned them a reputation as a trusted and reliable partner to their clients. N

Engineering Employer of the Year – Small Firm M.E. SACK

The essence of engineering is improving the way we all live, work, and play. The team at M.E. Sack Engineering takes this charge to heart in the services they provide and the projects they are a part of. From environmental and military projects to housing and educational improvements, M.E. Sack Engineering is committed to excellence as they shape ideas into reality. With a team approach focused on exceeding client expectations, CEO Marcus Sack, makes it his mission to continually expand the skills of his employees.

Engineer of the Year in Government

ROBERT SAUER Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Bobby Sauer is an environmental consultant who excels at working on infrastructure projects. He has served the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for more than 20+ years, helping to prevent failures of high hazard dams through his work within the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s Dam Safety Program. His thorough dam inspections, highly effective emergency responses, expert design reviews, and exceptional interaction with the public have been tremendously effective in reducing dam failures across our state.

Engineer of the Year in Construction JEREMIAH HASWELL Georgia Power

Georgia Power’s Jeremiah Haswell is the Project Oversight Director for Plant Vogtle, the largest construction project in Georgia and the first newly designed nuclear power plant to be built in the United States in over 3 decades. Haswell has been an integral part of the Plant Vogtle team with more than a decade in leadership roles in Construction Compliance, Regulatory Management, and Project Oversight. His biggest accomplishments include the 2017 Project Continuation decision by the Georgia Public Service Commission and his team securing additional Department of Energy Loan Guarantees for the Project, ultimately saving customers over $500 million in financing costs.

Engineer of the Year in Industry

STEVE POOLE GeoStabilization International

Steve Poole started his career with the Alabama DOT before becoming a partner in a Georgia transportation consulting firm. For the past 20 years, he has been a sought-after expert for supporting public and private sector purchasers of prefabricated and site-constructed bridge and wall systems. Poole is now an Emergency Response Expert with GeoStabilization International, who “Repairs the Earth When it Misbehaves” by incorporating innovative geohazard mitigation techniques and as a geotechnical problem solver. N

Engineer of the Year in Private Practice

RALPH FORBES

Thomas & Hutton

Ralph Forbes is a Vice President and Principal with Thomas & Hutton, serving as a Regional Director for engineering, planning, and design of large tract and industrial/commercial development sites throughout Georgia. Forbes joined Thomas & Hutton in 1991 and has dedicated his entire professional career to helping communities configure their built environment for economic success. Through thoughtful planning and design, he helps local leaders make their communities more prosperous places for future generations. His success in this is evident from his involvement in some of Georgia’s biggest economic development projects, including Rivian and Hyundai, and his impact on projects large and small across the state of Georgia is a testament to his legacy.

Young Engineer of the Year

RAJ ANAND

Heath & Lineback

Anand is a Structural Engineer with Heath & Lineback Engineers, specializing in bridge design and construction engineering. He currently serves as the Treasurer of ASCE Georgia. His goal is to bridge the generational gap between senior professionals and younger engineers and students.

Engineer of the Year in Education

DR. ME CHOREZEEPA

University of Georgia College of Engineering

Dr. Chorzeepa is renowned for both her professional and academic leadership. Her exceptional research in resilient composites and bridge structures has been published in more than 80 peer-reviewed papers and national and international journals. She also puts her research into real-world practice through a unique collaboration with Georgia DOT and partnerships with several county governments.

Dr. Chorzeepa has the rare honor of serving as a National Science Foundation Advanced Panel Fellow and is a leader in the northeast Georgia Branch of ASCE and the American Concrete Institute.

Engineering Student of the Year

ZOE ZHANG

Georgia Tech

Zhang is a proven leader, who personifies the qualities of an outstanding civil engineering student. She has served as President of the ASCE Georgia Tech Student Chapter and has been nationally recognized as one of the “ASCE New Faces of Civil Engineering.” Zhang co-founded the AISC Student Club at Georgia Tech, co-led its Steel-Bridge Team, and served as a National Student Ambassador for ASCE.

Engineering Technology Student of the Year

ALEXANDRIA JENKINS

Heath & Lineback

Jenkins is the President of the ASCE Savannah State Student Chapter and leader of Savannah State’s Concrete Canoe Team. Her involvement in a National Science Foundation-sponsored study on aggregate characteristics and their effects on pavement performance provided her with invaluable engineering research experience.

Volunteer of the Year

KATHLEEN KELLY

Arcadis | Nominated by ASCE

Kelly is the director of the Georgia Section’s Younger Members Group, a practitioner adviser for Kennesaw State University’s student chapter, and the chairelect for the ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition Committee. A

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JULIE SECRIST, PE, M. ASCE

Red Stone Group Development & Engineering, LLC

ASCE Georgia President

www.ascega.org

416 GUESTS

Members and other attendees joined us at our monthly Section meetings for networking and continuing education.

10 AWARDS

ASCE members were honored with receiving 10 of the 11 Annual GSPE Engineer of the Year Awards!

24 STEM OUTREACH EVENTS

These include Introduce a Girl to Engineering, STEM Day, Future Cities, Science Fair events, Imagine the Future Classroom visits, Job Shadow Programs, 10 Ways to Save the Planet Fair, and partnering with Atlanta Science Festival.

ASCE GEORGIA

SECTION: 2022-2023 BY THE NUMBERS

As we wrap up our 2022-2023 ASCE year and break for the summer, let’s take a look back at all that we’ve achieved this year as a Section. These activities and accomplishments reflect the great volunteer work done by members in our Branches, Technical Groups, Student Chapters, STEM Outreach, Younger Member Group, Section Committees and Board of Directors.

45 STUDENT CHAPTER MEETINGS

ASCE Student Chapters at Mercer, KSU, GT, UGA, Georgia Southern and Savannah State hold monthly Chapter meetings with visits from industry professionals and ASCE Branch and Section leadership.

19 TECHNICAL GROUP EVENTS

Our Technical Groups include the Geo-Institute, Environmental & Water Resources Institute and Structural Engineering Institute. These events include symposiums, tours, and technical speakers.

110 YEARS

Celebrating our 110th anniversary of ASCE in Georgia

30 BRANCH MEETINGS

The Savannah, South Metro, South Georgia and Northeast Georgia Branches have varying meeting scheduled including in-person, virtual and site visit tours.

46 YOUNGER MEMBER EVENTS

Our 35-and-Younger Members Group organized events including social mixers, workshops, tours, webinars, philanthropic outreach, STEM outreach, kickball and happy hours.

SARAH BLACKBURN, PE

Gresham, Smith and Partners

ASHE Georgia President

www.georgia.ashe.pro

RECAP OF ASHE/ITE WINTER WORKSHOP

The Annual ASHE/ITE Winter Workshop was held March 5-6 in Augusta, GA. It was a couple days filled with networking, fun group projects, and interesting technical sessions! Thank you to Kyle Wilcox for serving as ASHE chair for the conference!

RECAP ANNUAL POKER TOURNAMENT

We held our annual poker tournament on March 16th. Thanks to United Consulting for hosting and congratulations to our winners! Thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, and table captains for making the event successful.

1st Place: Kyle Wilcox

2nd Place: Bruno Barros

3rd Place: Josh Leljedal

Top Female: Nebiat Abraham

Most Knockouts: Josh Leljedal

First Person Out of The Tournament: Rob Jacquette

UPCOMING EVENTS

July

Happy Hour

August

Annual Bowling Tournament: We will announce the date and place early this summer.

ROBINSON NICOL, PE, PTOE ATLAS

GAITE President president@gaite.org

www.gaite.org

In March, members of Georgia ITE attended the Southern District ITE (SDITE) Meeting in Savannah, GA. Georgia ITE was strongly represented as the host section, with over 90 members in attendance. The Georgia Tech Team represented the Georgia Section in the Traffic Bowl Competition. Additionally, Georgia ITE won the 2022 Outstanding Large Section Award, and Joe Gillis won the Outstanding Individual Activity Award! We also celebrated the 60th birthday of Georgia ITE with a transportation-themed cake! Next year the SDITE annual meeting will be in Wilmington, NC.

Georgia ITE is also continuing strong with a great lineup of monthly meetings. In April, we gathered at Georgia Tech (jointly hosted by GT Student Chapter), where we heard fromfouroutstandingGeorgiaTechstudents presenting their respective research. In May, we held a joint meeting with ASCE at the City of Avondale’s new Town Green, which featured a panel of industry leaders. Additionally, anyone who rode transit or biked to the meeting received a voucher for a future meeting.

We are also gearing up for our annual Summer Seminar in St Simons. The registration website is now open, and the conferencewillbeheldJuly17–20attheKing and Prince in St. Simons Island. The theme for this year’s conference is Oh, the Places We’ll Go, and the team has been hard at work putting together a schedule jam-packed with technical sessions, a keynote speaker, and other activities.

Our Activities Committee has been active this year, hosting an outdoor happy hour andtriviaafterwardatMondayNightGarage to kick off the spring. Next up is a bowling social at The Painted Duck on May 25th.

If you would like to join Georgia ITE, please see our website at: gaite.org/join.php for information on how to join. When you join ITE International, you are automatically added as a member of your local section. Members receive discounts on our monthly meetings and events and have the opportunity to serve on our various committees.

CAPT JOHN PRIEN, CEC, USN (RET)

The Clorox Company

GEF President

john.prien@clorox.com

www.gefinc.org

HOW CAN GEF HELP?

Based upon the stated objectives, GEF will calculate the funds needs to meet the ongoing goals, manage the funds as required, coordinate the process to disburse the funds at the stated intervals and provide the family or individual with the opportunity to select the recipient, as well as award the scholarship. For the donor family, GEF offers a virtual “one-stop-shop” opportunity to establish an enduring legacy.

FUNDING YOUR ENDOWMENT

FUNDING AN ENDOWMENTPROVIDING A LEGACY TO BENEFIT GEORGIA’S FUTURE ENGINEERS

“Many in the engineering profession do not realize that the Georgia Engineering Foundation (GEF) has the unique ability to help establish, structure, and manage an endowment on behalf of you and/or your family. GEF offers one of the most streamlined and trouble-free endowment efforts available. GEF, a 501C(3) philanthropic organization, offers scholarships to support a wide variety of engineering students from all of Georgia’s ABET and AACE accredited programs. While the endowment certainly benefits the student, it is also an avenue for the family to preserve the memory of a family member and/or to support specific academic objectives.

WHAT IS AN ENDOWMENT?

An endowment is simply the deposit of funds with an organization, such as GEF, with specific instructions. The amount of the deposit varies based upon the stated objectives. GEF collaborates with individuals and families to determine and record their objectives (e.g., provide a $5,000 annual memorial scholarship in the name of Mrs. Smith or to provide a $3,000 annual scholarship to further engineering studies related to reducing greenhouse gases).

Endowments can be established and funded simultaneously or can be established with the needed funding provided later. Funding the endowment later is attractive for most families and individuals. Funding options include: adding a bequest to a will or estate plan whereby a certain sum is distributed to GEF in support of the endowment; naming GEF as the beneficiary of a mandatory required minimum distribution (RMD) on your own account or an inherited account (IRA, 4019k), 403(b),…); or making monthly, annual or periodic contributions until the endowment account is fully funded. Of course, funding the endowment simultaneously enables the annual scholarship to begin immediately.

SUPPORTING ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS IN GEORGIA

Numerous options are available and should not be overlooked as families and individuals consider how best to establish the legacy of a loved one. As always, consult with your financial planner and/or attorney to determine which avenue best suits your needs.

Without a doubt, GEF offers one of the most streamlined and trouble-free endowment processes available. We hope you will join my family is supporting this organization by considering a lasting endowment that furthers engineering scholarships in Georgia.

Now more than ever, it is critical to invest in the future leadership of our Nation and the greater engineering community. You can know that GEF will assure that each scholarship is awarded on benefactor goals, student merit and with a strong consideration of each scholar’s financial need. As the need for financial assistance continues to grow, your generosity is needed now more than ever. If you are interested in setting up a scholarship or endowment, or volunteering to serve, please reach out to GEF at President@gefinc.org.

MITCH PAULK, PE,

GSPE President

PLS

mitch.paulk@land.engineering

www.gspe.org

GEORGIA MATHCOUNTS TEAM PLACES 4TH AT THE NATIONAL COMPETITION

As I reflect on my journey with the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE), I am truly amazed at the transformative power of our organization and the incredible opportunities it brings. Two years ago, prior to my involvement with GSPE, my knowledge of MathCOUNTS, a nationwide mathematics competition for middle school students, was limited. However, since assuming the role of GSPE President, I have been fortunate enough to dive into the world of MathCOUNTS and witness firsthand what a truly exceptional program it is. The enthusiasm and outstanding talent displayed by our Georgia middle schoolers have left me exhilarated and excited about the future of engineering in our great state.

Speaking of exceptional talent, I am thrilled to share the recent achievements of our remarkable Georgia MathCOUNTS team at the national competition held in Orlando, Florida. This prestigious event gathered the nation's 224 most talented middle school mathematicians, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and schools worldwide affiliated with the Departments of Defense and State. The journey began with over 32,000 students from nearly 4,000 schools participating in the MathCOUNTS Competition Series this year at their local chapter competitions. After rigorous rounds at the school, local (chapter), and state levels, the top four students from each state and U.S. territory earned the honor of competing at the National Competition.

Our Georgia mathletes truly shone on the national stage, achieving a remarkable 4th place in the highly competitive National MathCOUNTS Competition. It is with immense pride that we extend our warmest congratulations to our exceptional winners, who not only

led their team to resounding success but also represented Georgia with unwavering talent and dedication. Allow me to introduce the outstanding members of the Georgia MathCOUNTS team:

Jerry Yu from Lakeside Middle School

Zizhan Wang from River Trail Middle School

Akshaj Arora from River Trail Middle School

Varun Gadi from Fulton Science Academy

I must also acknowledge the remarkable guidance and mentorship provided by Coach Sema Duzyol from Fulton Science Academy. Through their collaborative efforts, our mathletes exhibited remarkable problem-solving skills and demonstrated their expertise in various mathematical domains, including algebra, geometry, number theory, and probability.

These talented young mathematicians serve as an inspiration to future generations, highlighting the importance of dedication, collaboration, and a love for mathematics. We commend their remarkable achievements and express our gratitude to their mentors, educators, and parents for nurturing their passion and supporting their journey.

I encourage all readers to visit mathcounts.org, where you can witness the excitement of the competition through captivating videos. Let us celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of Georgia's MathCOUNTS team and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jerry, Zizhan, Akshaj, Varun, and Coach Sema on their outstanding performance at the National MathCOUNTS Competition. Their achievements bring immense pride to the state of Georgia and inspire young mathematicians across the state to strive for excellence. Together, let us continue fostering a love for mathematics and empowering the next generation of engineering leaders in Georgia.

THOMAS GLUECKERT, PE, PTOE

Kimley-Horn

ITS Georgia President

itsgachapter@gmail.com

www.itsga.org

ITS GEORGIA IS THRILLED TO RECEIVE THE OUTSTANDING STATE CHAPTER AWARD PRESENTED BY ITS AMERICA

Members of the ITS Georgia Board of Directors, including President, Thomas Glueckert, were presented the 2022 Outstanding State Chapter Award by ITS America at the 2023 ITS America Conference and Expo in Dallas on April 26th. ITS America has recognized ITS Georgia for our strong and engaging content, the significant impact we have on our members' ability to network, the outreach and advocacy that we live by, the effectiveness of our organization, and our ability to support our members' professional development. I am pleased to have accepted this award on behalf of our members, the Board of Directors, and all the volunteers that participated in ITS Georgia in 2022 that helped make our organization so successful. If you have the opportunity and upcoming monthly meetings, please thank some volunteers who work hard to help make ITS Georgia a premier organization.

JOIN ITS GEORGIA AT OUR ANNUAL MEETING IN SEPTEMBER!

Registration is live for the 2023 ITS Georgia Annual Meeting in Jekyll Island. Come join us September 24th-26th for amazing technical content, outstanding networking opportunities, and fun social activities. Our theme for the 2023 Annual Meeting will be the Evolution of ITS. We cannot wait to share exciting technical content from the past, present, and future of ITS in and around Georgia. Registration for the conference, conference sponsorship, and exhibitor booths is now open. Visit our registration page (tinyurl.com/ywntruhu) to sign up for the conference. We look forward to seeing you all in September!

ITS GEORGIA FEATURED VOLUNTEER

Emily Dwyer, ITS Georgia Board Member

In each edition of Engineering Georgia, we like to highlight a volunteer who generously gives their time to the Chapter. This issue, we are spotlighting Emily Dwyer State ITS Engineer at the Georgia Department of Transportation, and an ITS Georgia Board Member.

When did you know you were going to be involved in transportation engineering or policy?

When I began college, I wanted to pursue a career as a mechanical engineer, but while studying at Georgia Tech, I frequently found myself more interested in the classes my friends were taking in the school of civil engineering rather than my own. As soon as I took my first transportation class, I was hooked.

What is the coolest project you have worked on?

When I started at GDOT, I was tasked with managing the Traffic Signal and ITS Qualified Products List. I came from a background in design and had almost no familiarity with the technical details of transportation equipment, and this position gave me an opportunity to ask endless questions and learn from our industry partners. I quickly found myself communicating with traffic signal managers, equipment vendors, and product manufacturers that all wanted to help educate me on every technical detail I could imagine. Working on the Qualified Products List allowed me to be among the first people in the state to hear about emerging technologies and see firsthand how we could leverage innovative solutions to help our state be a leader in transportation. My experience in emerging technologies gave me the opportunity to take the lead when GDOT decided to host the first-ever Transportation Technology Showcase in 2020. GDOT’s goal was to bring together the industry and show hands-on examples of ways we are making improvements every day for Georgia’s traveling public. The Showcase was a major success and included participation from Governor Kemp, Lt. Governor Duncan, and Senator Brandon Beech, as well as a day full of technology demonstrations.

What does the future of transportation look like to you?

I believe the future of transportation will involve finding new ways to leverage existing solutions as well as partnering traditional solutions with new technology. Ramp metering systems have been around for decades, but the way these systems are leveraged has remained largely the same. I foresee transportation evolving from thinking of solutions on a localized level to a systemwide approach such as coordinating traffic signals and ramp meters or coordinating ramp meters across an interstate corridor.

THOMAS GLUECKERT, PRESIDENT OF ITS GEORGIA, ACCEPTS THE 2022 OUTSTANDING STATE CHAPTER AWARD FROM LAURA CHASE, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ITS AMERICA

THE BEAUTIFUL WESTIN JEKYLL ISLAND HOTEL

Atlanta Post

MICHAEL RAMOS RAYMOND

SAME Atlanta Post President

mike.ramos@raymondllc.com

www.sameatlantapost.org

SERVING TOGETHER, DELIVERING THE POST VISION AND FULFILLING THE MISSION OF THE SOCIETY

The first week of May, the SAME San Antonio Post hosted the annual Joint Engineer Training Conference (JETC) – our local Atlanta Post was very well represented at the event. I’m happy to report that our members were active participants as presenters, leaders, and partners throughout the event. JETC is always the event that truly ramps up the SAME programming every year, and this year was no exception. We have a lot of activity coming up as we move into the summer months.

I would first highlight that the Atlanta Post will continue to build our Leadership Development Program in June. This will be the second program for our inaugural LDP and will be a direct continuation of the first leadership panel we hosted in March. And from speaking with many post and national leaders at JETC, I can say that our post’s LDP is already getting great reviews and notice. Additionally, during this event, we will be presenting their year’s scholarship awards to our up-and-coming college students, which we feel matches well with both leadership development and our Post’s strategic priorities. This event will be on Friday, June 16th at the Pond & Company office in Peachtree Corners – we’ll be sending the registration announcement soon.

UPCOMING EVENTS

You’re invited to join us at one of our upcoming events! Visit our website for more information and register.

Additionally, we are now confirmed for our new 5K run in August! Our Young Professionals group has stepped up to the plate (led by Christian Ward), and I’m excited that our Post will be offering this event. We will be announcing the full details soon and will be looking for runners, volunteers, and sponsors. All proceeds will directly support the mission of the Atlanta Post. Further, this event should align nicely and be a good “warm-up” for our annual Shrimp Boil!

Finally, should anyone A/E/C professionals be interested in joining our Leadership Development Program, please feel free to contact me directly, and I will provide details. It is not a requirement to be a SAME member to participate.

2023 SAME SUMMER CAMPS

Learn more about the SAME Summer Camp Program for aspiring engineers, please visit: same.org/camps

Key dates summer camp dates:

Army – Jun 11-17

Marines – June 18 – 24

Air Force Academy – July 6- 12

Navy – July 16 – 22

Air Force – July 16 – 22

Should you be interested in being a mentor for one of these summer camps, please learn more at same.org/camps/mentors-and-staff.

SAME NATIONAL ELECTIONS

For SAME members that have not yet taken the opportunity, please submit your vote in the SAME National Elections before April 15th. Several critical leadership positions are being elected and we would like to drive SAME membership participation.

Voting can be done at same.org/election. Please make sure to log into your SAME account as part of the voting process.

AUGUST: Small Business & IGE Program + First Annual Young Professionals 5K Race

SEPTEMBER: MEGA Meeting, Shrimp Boil & GT Tailgate

OCTOBER: Capture Planning & Strategy Session

NOVEMBER: SAME Small Business Conference

DECEMBER: Atlanta Post Holiday Party

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAME & CONNECT WITH US!

sameatlantapost.org linkedin.com/company/same-atlanta-post

CHRIS LYTLE

Uzun & Case Engineers, LLC

SEAOG President

www.seaog.org

WELCOME SEAOG'S NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2023-2024

CHRIS LYTLE, President | Uzun+Case

SARAH SCARBOROUGH, Vice-President | PES Structural Engineers

JEFF MILHEIZLER, Secretary | Uzun+Case

STEPHEN RICHARDS, Treasurer | Uzun+Case

JOHN O'BRIEN, Director | PES Structural Engineers

SHAYAH SMILEY, Director | Smiley Structual Engineering

CHRIS MURPHY, Director | Stability Engineering

EVENT RECAP

SEAOG's April meeting included lunch and a presentation about the basics of steel joist and deck design for a variety of building applications. It covered the fabrication process, how joists and deck are designated in catalogs and in practice, the advantages and disadvantages of the different joist and deck options available in the market, and what aspects can be customized. Many thanks to Vulcraft for an interesting presentation and to PES Engineers for being gracious hosts for the event.

COMMITTEE UPDATE – SE3

SE3 Virtual Committee Meeting - Thursday, June 22, 12:00 pm

The SEAOG Chapter of SE3 will be hosting a virtual gathering to discuss a recent issue of Read.Watch.Listen. Please make sure to RSVP to the meeting invite coming out later this month!

Read.Watch.Listen is a monthly forum hosted by the NCSEA SE3 Committee to share and promote conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion within the structural engineering profession.

If you are interested in participating, this is a great time to get involved. Whether or not you have been a member of our committee in the past, we would be delighted to have your participation in any of our initiatives.

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Mentorship

• Outreach

If you are interested in joining the SEAOG SE3 committee, please email us at se3@seaog.org

RUKIYA S. THOMAS WTS Atlanta President

Rukiya.Thomas@atkinsglobal.com

www.wtsinternational.org/atlanta

THE ATLANTA CHAPTER OF WTS WAS DELIGHTED TO HOST THE 2023 WTS INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE: THE GREAT INTERSECTION.

Setting a record, more than 1,100 attendees enjoyed a full week of plenary sessions, speakers, talks, and tours that showcased our incredible city of Atlanta, a city seen as an example of equity and access. This Conference celebrated the progress we have made as an industry and, at the same time, recognized the work still left to do in terms of equity in transportation.

On behalf of our Board, we would like to extend special thanks to our Atlanta Conference Planning Committee Chairs and team, volunteers, and our Corporate and Conference Sponsors for your time and dedication to making this a fantastic conference for all.