Engineering Inc. - March/April 2013 - (Page 19)

Protecting By maureen conley Your Interests highlights From aCEC Coalitions Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE) Design Professionals Coalition (DPC) Member Firms: 161 Mission: to promote best practices and risk management services for structural engineers Member Firms: 54 Mission: to promote the business interests of ACEC’s large firms Small Firm Council (SFC) Member Firms: 138 Mission: to help engineering firms having fewer than 50 employees to run their businesses more profitably DPC Design Professionals Coalition Founded in 1983 O ne of the most pressing issues facing structural engineers is a nationwide push to introduce structural engineer licensing requirements, explains CASE Chair John Mercer, president of Mercer Engineering, P.C., in Minot, N.D. Some states already have such requirements, but many do not. CASE is working to ensure sensible licensure requirements and an equitable transition process for “older” engineers—those structural engineers who have spent the majority of their careers practicing as licensed professionals. At the same time, CASE wants to make sure that licensure requirements do not supplant the focus on risk management that is essential to good structural engineering business practice. CASE is also promoting its Ten Foundations of Risk Management— elements that range from a firm’s culture to communication practices to properly defining scope and negotiating clear and fair contracts. To maintain awareness of these practices, CASE offers a suite of new and existing resources, including guidelines, generic contracts and productivity tools. The coalition is broadening its reach by networking at the local level and making presentations at state-level Member Organization meetings. p rotecting the opportunity for firms of all sizes to compete for government contracts was the original reason for DPC’s creation and remains our core objective today,” says DPC Chairman Anthony Bartolomeo, president and CEO of Pennoni Associates in Philadelphia. Today those contracting opportunities face new challenges—from funding constraints on public projects to a continued push to “in-source,” or keep the work within the government. As DPC works to educate legislators, the need to prevent the government from competing with private design firms is at the forefront, he says. To confront these challenges, Bartolomeo says DPC is working within ACEC and other like-minded organizations to focus legislators on the importance of providing long-term funding for important infrastructure projects. A major push this year will be reauthorization of funding for wastewater infrastructure under the Clean Water Act. Despite legislative activity in the past two Congresses, the Clean Water Act is long overdue for reauthorization. In addition, Congress is expected to begin work this year on funding a long-term transportation bill. MAP-21 provided funding for surface transportation programs for fiscal years 2013 and 2014—and expires Sept. 30, 2014. I n contrast to discipline-specific ACEC coalitions, SFC focuses on the business of running a small business regardless of technical discipline, says SFC Chair Gregg Hughes, principal and vice president at Palmetto Engineering and Consulting in Greenville, S.C. “If you feel like a small firm, you probably are” and could benefit from SFC membership, Hughes says. SFC members work within ACEC and at the local level to promote the benefits of SFC. Hughes cites the “entrepreneurial myth” in urging small engineering firms to join—“just because you are a great engineer or designer, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will be great at running an engineering or design business.” Small firm owners wear “many hats” and must make quick decisions on contracts, per diems, bank covenants and more. Through the provision of reading lists, training, documentation and open forums, SFC affords its members with resources and information to help them grow and protect their small firms. Compared to their large firm colleagues, small firms don’t have the resources to downsize, belt-tighten and be selective on projects and clients. Small firms need to be alert to the small mistake that could put them out of business. SFC’s ultimate goal is to help small firms run their businesses with greater effectiveness and agility, notes Hughes. MaRCh / apRIl 2013 ENGINEERING INC. 19

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - March/April 2013

Engineering Inc. - March/April 2013
Table of Contents
From ACEC to You
Market Watch
Legislative Action
A Fresh Look at U.S. Energy Policy
Record-Setting Year for ACEC/PAC
Protecting Your Interests
Sky’s the Limit
6 Ways to Keep Cash Flowing
2013 Annual Convention Preview
Guest Column
Decision Makers
Business Insights
Members in the News
Mergers and Acquisitions

Engineering Inc. - March/April 2013

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