Wow, the year has flown bye, and soon I will be Past President of the Sierra Chapter. I owe great thanks to the Officers and Board for their help running the Chapter and to recent Past Presidents for their guidance and advice. As soon-to-be Past President, I look forward to working with Tom Holdrege and the new Board and staying involved with the Sierra Chapter for a smooth transition. As President, I also served as a State Director on the ACEC-CA Board, and have gotten to know many of the Directors from around California. I have also become much more involved with California issues and politics, and the running of the State organization. I look forward to continuing my engagement with ACEC-CA as a State Director for another three years.
Our speakers over the last year were relevant to Chapter members and largely centered around two keys issues in the state – water and transportation. Presentations addressing water-related issues included Chris Neudeck (KSN) speaking about Delta development issues, Mike Inamine (SBFCA) discussing the huge levee construction project his agency has, Pete Ghelfi (SAFCA) discussing Sacramento area levee issues, and John Kingsbury (MCWRA) discussing water issues from the perspective of Sierra Foothills, which commonly receives less attention. Transportation presentations included Tom Zlotkowski (Capital SouthEast Connector JPA) speaking about the connector project, and Jerry Way (Sacramento Public Works Department) covering new bridges over the Sacramento and American Rivers, conversion of Sacramento’s historic train station to an intermodal facility, and street cars. All were great and timely presentations.
Looking back over the past year, I accomplished many of the goals I set. Goals not accomplished, I leave to the incoming President or will continue to work toward them by assisting the incoming President, as requested. What can be accomplished by the President or the Board of an organization, however, may be small compared to what can be accomplished by engaged and active members. As my last address to member representatives, I urge you to join an ACEC-CA committee, attend Chapter meetings, write those who represent you in local or state government, take action against poor or unfair contract or procurement language, donate to the State and National PAC, encourage others at your firm to get involved with ACEC-CA and the Chapter, and encourage your firm to strongly support ACEC-CA. All working together, we can effect positive change.
I hope to see you at the Summer Social!
Ted
