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Volume XX Number 1 September 2010
Andrew M. "Andy" Cummings, PE I have had the opportunity to serve on the FICE Board for the past six years and look forward to serving this year as your President. During the past decade FICE has had tremendous stewardship. Leaders like John Zumwalt, PE, Fermin Diaz, PE, F.ACEC, R. Bruce Taylor, PhD, PE, F.NSPE and the Board presidents I have served with, have improved FICE every year. I hope to live up to the high standard these past presidents have set. I want to recognize Sia Kusha, PE, F.ACEC our past president for his outstanding leadership during a difficult year. FICE was able to pass SB 1964 unanimously through both the Florida House and Senate. Even though it was ultimately vetoed by the governor, passing SB 1964 was an indication of the good will engineers currently enjoy in the Florida Legislature. FICE Awards Legislative Challenges Goals 2. We need to increase our participation beyond Florida’s borders. We need to remember we are part of ACEC. The political environment has changed with the new administration in Washington, D.C. I’d like to see our state meet our ACEC/PAC goal and increase our participation on ACEC committees. I look forward to the coming year. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have an idea about improving FICE. I’d like to hear from you.
FICE and FES salute and honor the 2010 annual conference sponsors.
Is Your Firm Linked to the FICE Website?
FICE directs an educational letter campaign to educate public entities regarding the Consultant's Competitive Negation Act (CCNA). This campaign is driven by FICE members who anonymously send Request for Proposal (RFP) to Headquarters. This method ensures that the government agency does not know which firm filed the complaint. FICE staff in return corresponds with government officials in an effort to educate them on the CCNA law and encourages them to amend their RFP process. If you see an RFP that may be violating the CCNA law, please e-mail Sam Hobbs at: shobbs@fleng.org, and be sure to include a copy of the document. If a member firm or licensed engineer within a member firm knowingly violates CCNA, FICE believes you may be in violation of Chapter 471, rules and regulations. 2010 CCNA Letter Catalog FICE Voting Representatives/FICE Principals: Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day®. From crashes on U.S. Highways, we lost 411,367 lives between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2009. On Sunday, October 10, 2010 (10/10/10), The 10th Anniversary of Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day® we will remember the tragic loss and also endeavor "Toward Zero Fatalities one day at a time." To learn more, go to: www.brakesonfatalities.org.
The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) College of Fellows has made a call for nominations for the 2011 ACEC Young Professional of the Year Award. This award is being held in conjunction with National Engineers Week Foundation’s New Faces of Engineering program. ACEC will select five winners from the Young Professional of the Year competition to represent the organization in the New Faces of Engineering competition. All nominees must agree to participate in the New Faces of Engineering program. Additional information about the New Faces of Engineering Program is available at www.eweek.org. Learn More >> ACEC Fall Conference October 17–20, 2010 Do you Have a Voice in Congress? Congress is now debating several measures that will dramatically affect the profitability of engineering firms: transportation funding to state DOTs, funding for infrastructure projects (including water and aviation), changes to the federal tax code, and of, course, health care reform. Each of these federal issues has far-reaching consequences for us here in
FICE is pleased to welcome the following firms as new members: Cal-Tech Testing, Inc. was established as an engineering and construction materials testing firm in 1980 by Calvin and Linda Creamer and is headquartered in Lake City, Florida, with an office in Jacksonville, Florida. The firm has followed the philosophy of delivering quality service in a timely manner based on state-of-the-industry field testing and data gathering techniques. The company has developed by following the philosophy of maintaining orderly growth through a stable base of repeat clientele. Cal-Tech Testing, Inc. has actively provided construction material testing services to the construction industry in concrete, soil and asphalt for twenty nine years. We are actively involved in FDOT Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) projects throughout North Florida and we continue to work on Airports in Florida and Georgia. Our personnel are certified by FDOT, ACI, CMEC, AWS and other appropriate agencies and are familiar with many construction techniques and procedures. Cal-Tech maintains fully operational drill rigs for performance of: Standard Penetration Test Borings, Auger Borings, Rock Coring and Monitoring Well Installation. We also perform Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, Static Cone Penetrometer and Foundation Evaluation, Design and Recommendation. Other tests include Field Permeabilities, Double-Ring Infiltrometer, Consolidations, Sinkhole Remediation and many more. William J. Swanson, PE Colwill Engineering Charles C. Colwill, PE Madrid Engineering Group, Inc. Larry Madrid, PE Vertical V - Southeast Steven E. Black, PE
The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded a five-year task order contract to HDR for risk analysis services. HDR’s first assignment is risk assessment training for project managers and key managers at FDOT districts. The goal of the training is to help FDOT managers become familiar with the most up-to-date cost estimation tools and use of risk analysis. In additional task orders, HDR will implement risk analysis for major projects throughout the state.
Engineering and architecture firm Ayres Associates has joined the Green Business Bureau (GBB) to document and further improve the company’s environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Click here to read more. CDM was recently named one of Florida’s Best Companies To Work For. The second annual statewide Best Companies list ranked 100 companies—recognized in small, medium, and large company categories—in the August issue of Florida Trend and on FloridaTrend.com. With offices throughout Florida, and more than 120 offices and 4,500 employees around the globe, CDM provides consulting, engineering, construction, and operations services to both public and private clients. The Best Companies To Work For in Florida program was created by Florida Trend and Best Companies Group (BCG), and endorsed by the HR Florida State Council.
Michael E. Schwier, PE has been named Principal for THE LPA GROUP INCORPORATED a Unit of Michael Baker Corporation, Engineers, Architects, and Planners in Tallahassee. Engineer Schwier, who holds a master’s from the University of Illinois and a bachelor’s from The Citadel, joined LPA in 2001. He is responsible for Florida Operations for the Surface Transportation Group for the Firm.
SCS Engineers (SCS) is pleased to announce that Aaron W. Apostolico has completed all requirements for certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). In addition to his newly acquired CSP, Mr. Apostolico also holds professional registrations as a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), and a Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC). The CSP is a widely respected certification that is awarded to individuals who meet academic standards, satisfy professional safety experience requirements, and have passed two rigorous examinations. The examinations cover engineering and management aspects of safety, applied sciences, legal and regulatory matters, professional affairs, and other safety-related topics. Stantec Announces Second Quarter 2010 Results. Click here for the summary of activity in the quarter.
FICE Roadside Design Course
 2011 PE Legislative Days
For full details and registration
information, please check the web at www.fleng.org | ||||||||||||||||||||
The 2010 FICE Engineering Excellence Grand Conceptor winner is MWH Americas, Tampa for the Peace River Reservoir Number II in Desoto County project. Shown left to right is FICE President Andrew Cummings, PE with MWH’s Florida Regional Senior Project Manager Gregory Tato, PE and Supervising Engineer William J. Weber, PE. 
Strengthen your business relationship with the decision-makers and support your association by placing your display ad in both the FICE and FES Directory and Guide. The 2011 Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) Directory & Guide is designed with two purposes in mind: (1) to facilitate contact between member firms and those seeking services from consulting engineers, and (2) to improve the understanding of the consulting engineering business. The Directory contains both an alphabetical listing with complete contact information for their main and branch offices. To assist in locating the specific services you require, there is a listing of each firm's specialty. The Directory also includes information on guidelines, laws, policies, and procedures applicable to the private practice of engineering. Have your firm stand out by placing a display ad next to your listing. FICE Directory Contract Deadline: September 16. 
E.Z. Wissa, ScD, PE. Dr. Wissa was the epitome of a working Principal. As President and CEO of Ardaman & Associates Inc., from 1973 until his recent passing, Dr. Wissa held the overall management responsibility for a 400 to 500 person geotechnical and environmental engineering consulting company with offices throughout Florida and Louisiana. Dr. Wissa provided critical technical insights and management expertise on numerous major projects involving phosphogypsum stack systems, earthen dams and impermeable synthetic and natural liners. 
SMPS Central Florida donates $400 to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund in Honor of Lee Strickland. The donated funds were part of the chapter’s continued giving efforts. The donations were in honor of Lee Strickland, a local civil engineer from PBS&J who was one of 230,000 people to perish in the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
Due to an increased presence in the energy market, engineering consulting firm Greenhorne & O’Mara (G&O) has hired Jim R. Daley, PMP as the Director of Natural Gas and Energy Programs. Mr. Daley will be responsible for the expansion of engineering and environmental services within the natural gas and energy markets in the Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York regions, as well as working closely with their Jacksonville office on energy initiatives. 
Lochrane 
RS&H has hired, has hired Lisa Robert, PE (left) as the Jacksonville Office Leader for its Transportation and Public Infrastructure Programs. Lisa brings over 18 years of design and construction management experience, working with cities, counties and state agencies on numerous transportation and public infrastructure projects throughout the Southeast. RS&H has also hired Richard Tillery, AICP (right) as a senior transportation planner in their Tampa office. 
RS&H Construction Services
Stanley Consultants 
