On February 4, 2014, the Sierra Chapter joined other ACEC chapters from around the state for the 2014 Legislative Visit Day. This is our annual opportunity to meet with our legislators and their staff to explain our views on various issues that impact our industry (i.e. infrastructure funding, contracting out, QBS, etc.). In my opinion, this is one of the most important activities for ACEC since it provides direct access to the people that have such impact on our businesses.

Unfortunately, most of the legislators were out of the Capitol on February 4th (something that was scheduled after our Leg Visit Day was set) so we met with their staff members instead. ACEC-CA Legislative Advocate Kelly Garman reminded us that these meetings are also valuable in that legislative staffs have significant influence and impact on what gets done at the State Capitol, and she should know. She served as Legislative Aide to Senator Bob Huff for many years before joining ACEC.

At lunch we honored Assembly Member Connie Conway from the 26th Assembly District (Visalia) as ACEC’s 2014 Legislator of the Year.

Sierra Chapter members who participated in Legislative Visit Day included: Eddie Kho, Steve Greenfield, Ted Hopkins, Kelly Birkes, Tom Blackburn, Harvey Oslick, Anthony Hernandez, Noelle Mattock and Marco Palilla. If you missed this years event, be sure to join us in 2015, you will get a first hand look at the political process that drives our society.