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President's Message
President’s Message
By Carey J. Suhan, P.E.
This will be the last President’s Message of my term with the Detroit Metro Chapter. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the membership and the profession. It has been an active year for the Chapter. We have sponsored, co-sponsored, or participated in thirteen different programs, presentations and events this past year. Many of the members have participated in these events, and I encourage everyone to try to participate. You will find the programs interesting and informative, and the networking with colleagues valuable to your personal and professional growth.
Through the Chapter officer’s, committee person’s and member’s efforts the Chapter received three awards at the State meeting at Shanty Creek. In the large Chapter category the Detroit Metro Chapter received the Programs Award, the Most Active Chapter Award and Best Annual Meeting Attendance. Thank you and congratulations to all!
The final chapter meeting before the summer break will be the Chapter Annual Meeting. This year is a break from the tradition as the meeting will be held at the Tiger Club of Comerica Park. This is an excellent venue and I encourage everyone to attend.
Finally, last but not least, if you have not heard enough by now - the NSPE National Conference will be in Detroit this year. This is a great opportunity to attend a national conference in your own backyard. We are still looking for additional volunteers to help during the event. Volunteers will receive a greatly reduced rate or you may request a complimentary registration. Please see the enclosed registration form for details. We look forward to a large local attendance at the conference.
The next slate of Chapter officers have been elected, and we are looking for some help with committees for next year. Please contact me if you are interested at (248) 588-6200 or csuhan@tectest.com. We look forward to another successful year with your help and participation. Have a great summer!
President’s Message
By Carey J. Suhan, P.E.
Engineers Week 2001
Remember that the 50th National Engineers Week is February 18 – 24. Take this week as an opportunity to promote engineering as a career to students, especially to non-engineers, and to highlight the contributions that engineers have made to society. It’s a reminder to be proud of your profession and the impact that each engineer has on the world we live in. Information about Engineers Week activities can be found at www.eweek.org. Such activities and initiatives include “Introduce a girl to engineering day” and “Fifty ways one engineer can make a difference.”
At the local level activities occurring during Engineers Week are the MSPE/ACEC Design and Construction Awards on February 24th at the Tiger Club at Comerica Park and the ESD Gold Awards on February 21 at the Somerset Inn in Troy. Two of our very own members will be receiving MSPE Detroit Metro Chapter awards at the Gold Awards! Fritz Klingler will receive engineer of the year and Dr. James Hanson will receive young engineer of the year. Hopefully you are registered for these events. If not, you can call ESD at 248-355-2910.
Programs
The following programs have been scheduled or are in the planning stages:
February 21 ESD Gold Awards (Somerset Troy) February 24 MSPE/ACEC Awards (Tiger Club) March 6 Alternative Dispute Resolution March 21 Young Engineers Forum April 20 & 21 Central Region Spring Meeting April 25 Focus Hope tour and program May DWSD WWTP Program Management May 17 - 20 MSPE Annual Conference at Shanty Creek June Metro Detroit Chapter Annual Meeting July 25 – 31 NSPE National Meeting Detroit
NSPE Annual Convention
The convention will be here sooner than you think. Please see the enclosed article for additional information. To make this meeting a success, volunteers will be needed to help out during the event. Volunteers will enjoy FREE registration and parking for the day. Contact me at (248) 588-6200 or at c.suhan@tectest.com to volunteer. Don’t miss this opportunity to attend a national convention in your own back yard!
President’s Message
By Carey J. Suhan, P.E.
Election 2000
It’s been a little while since the last newsletter. Since the program announcements had all been made we thought that we would save some printing and copying costs by delaying the next newsletter a few weeks. As you may recall, the last newsletter was just before election day in which I had listed the local candidates that are supportive of engineering practice. Since it is important for us as professionals to know which legislators support our profession and it is important for us to support them, the following is the same list and I’m happy to report that all of them have been re-elected! Fortunately, we also have a president elect of the United States!
Programs
We have a lot of interesting programs coming up. The next meeting is really a non- technical topic that should be of general interest to the members and non-members as well. Our speaker is an expert on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Come on out to see the display of items about the Fitzgerald and hear about the ship, it’s crew and the tragic sinking. This would be an excellent meeting to invite a colleague, friend, or spouse to. The following is a list of the upcoming programs and dates for those that are finalized. Stay tuned for final dates and schedule.
I’m probably beginning to sound like a broken record (or skipping CD) but I would be remiss if I did not ask for volunteers to help during for the national conference in Detroit this July. Volunteers will benefit from free parking and free meeting attendance during your volunteer period. Take this opportunity to be a part of the national meeting by contacting me at (248) 588-6200 or csuhan@tectest.com
President’s Message
By Carey J. Suhan, P.E.
Election 2000
Election day is just around the corner! As you prepare to cast your vote think of your profession. Both MSPE and NSPE work very hard to identify legislative issues that affect the profession which in turn effects each member personally. Vote for the candidates that are supportive of licensing laws and understand the importance of competent licensed engineering practice. The following is a list of candidates in the Detroit Metropolitan area that are supportive of our profession and are endorsed by MSPE:
Bruce Patterson (R) - Canton Nancy Kuarles (D) - Southfield Andrew Raczkowski (R) - Farmington Hills Andrew C. Richner (R) - Grosse Pointe Park Gloria Schermesser (D) - Lincoln Park Mark Shulman (R) - West Bloomfield Michael Switalski (D) - Roseville Samuel "Buzz" Thomas (D) - Detroit Laura M. Toy (R) - Livonia Paul Wojno (D) - Warren David Woodward (D) - Madison Heights Patricia "Pan" Godchaux (R) - Birmingham Hansen Clarke (D) - Detroit Gilda Jacobs (D) - Huntington Woods Kwame M. Kilpatrick (D) - Detroit Janet L. Kukuk (R) - Macomb George W. Mans (D) - Trenton William J. O'Neil (D) - Allen Park John Pappageorge (R) - Troy
Programs
Please plan on attending the November 9th program about the renovations at the Renaissance Center. We were delayed a bit in firming up the location of the meeting so please make your reservations. Get a first hand account from the owner, architect/engineer and contractor of the exciting renovations currently under construction. This is a great opportunity to preview what the area will look like during the national meeting, July 27 through August 1, 2001.
While I'm on the subject, we are in need of numerous volunteers to help out during the national meeting (hopefully you have already heard this from me). The steering committee is doing an excellent job of organizing the entire event. Mayor Dennis Archer has agreed to speak and the committee is busy arranging other notable speakers. With all of the activities and programs planned, additional help will be required at the event to keep it running smoothly for attendees from all over the country. Volunteers will benefit from free parking and free meeting attendance during your volunteer period. Take this opportunity to be a part of the national meeting by contacting me at (248) 588-6200 or csuhan@tectest.com.
The joint Detroit Metro-Oakland Chapter (other chapters too!) holiday party will be December 15 at Meadowbrook Hall. Meadowbrook is truly a wonderful venue for the holiday party. The home is always beautifully decorated for the holidays to make this a memorable event for members and their guests. I will look forward to seeing you there!
President’s Message
By Carey J. Suhan, P.E.
It is hard to believe that by the time you get this newsletter summer will be nearly over and the 2000-2001 professional year will begin for MSPE. Brainstorming has already taken place for this years programs and committee chair posts have been filled.
Katherine Banicki has volunteered to continue her much valued efforts as programs chair. Some programs planned for this year are “Metro Airport Terminal Tour”, “Lions Stadium Tour”, “Capital Improvements at the DWSD Treatment Plant” and programs about the 2001 NSPE Annual Meeting (more about this later). Continuing tradition, look for a program on MSPE’s legislative initiatives, the young engineers panel discussion and, of course, the Holiday Party, this year at Meadowbrook Hall and the annual meeting at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. If you have any suggestions for programs or can assist in arranging a speaker or tour please call Kathy or me at (248) 588-6200.
The committee chairs and newly elected officers for 2000-2001 are as follows: A. Aziz Khandker (President Elect and Membership), Katherine Banicki (Programs), Philip Spalding (Treasurer), Don Giffels (Legislative), James Hanson (Education), Fritz Klingler (P.E.N. Editor, Nominations & Past President), Steen Christensen and Pari Nayak (Mathcounts), Michael Vinarcik (Director and Webpage), Andre Brooks (Young Engineers), Morris Hsi (Scholarship), Gar Hoplamazian (Annual Meeting), Tom Brzezinski (Director & PEPP), Nancy McClain (Secretary & P.E. Refresher Course). You will notice many familiar names as many of the chairs volunteered to continue their service. Other current directors not mentioned are continuing their terms. Their contribution is greatly appreciated.
This year will be a busy and exciting year for the Detroit Metro Chapter since Detroit will be the host city for the NSPE Annual Meeting July 26 through 31.This is truly an opportunity for Detroit to shine in the national spotlight. The meeting has not been held in Detroit since 1980. We have so many great things happening in Detroit to be proud of and to show off to our fellow NSPE members. For added excitement the annual meeting will coincide with the City of Detroit 300th anniversary celebration. Our own Tito Marzotto is heading the NSPE annual meeting steering committee. You will hear more about the event from both Tito and me as the year goes along. This will be my first written solicitation for volunteers for the national meeting. Since our goal is to have record attendance we expect to need 40 volunteers from the Detroit Chapter to help out during the event. Please contact me if you are interested at (248) 588-6200 or csuhan@tectest.com .
Finally I would like to thank Fritz Klingler for his fine leadership last year and all of the board members and committee chairs. In the words of our state president Ron Hausmann lets make MSPE vibrant, valuable and fun!
One last note, please sign up for the September Golf Outing! Its always a great time and the weather is always beautiful. We need a good turn-out to wrest
Presidents Message
By Fritz Klingler, P.E.
Thanks!
As the 1999-2000 season comes to a close, I would like to thank all of our Detroit Metro Chapter members for their support this past year. We had a very active year, with seventeen programs offered to the general membership. We created a web site (www.mspe-detroit.org), we won four state scholarships for our sponsored students, we won several chapter awards at the MSPE annual meeting, and we will finish the year with an over $1500 surplus. Without the help and participation of our Detroit Metro Chapter membership, we could not have done it.
Whether you volunteered for committee work, attended chapter events, or simply paid your dues, your participation is appreciated. Thank you!!
Detroit Metro Annual Meeting
As advertised on the cover of this month’s issue, the Detroit Metro Chapter Annual Meeting will be held at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club on Friday, June 23, 2000. This is a very fun evening of yacht cruising, followed by dinner and dancing. If you have never attended, please consider signing up this year - - It is always great to see new faces at these events. We look forward to seeing you there!
Membership Drive
If you have enjoyed the programs, the publications and the benefits of your MSPE membership, and if you appreciate the work that MSPE does on the licensure protection and legislative fronts, please consider recruiting a friend or associate to join the organization. An application is included in this month’s issue of P.E. Newsletter. Please pass it along!
Presidents Message
By Fritz Klingler, P.E.
Welcome New Officers for 2000-2001!
New officers for 2000-2001 were elected this month by the Detroit Metro membership. I am happy to welcome the following new officers to serve the Detroit Metro Chapter in 2000-2001:
President Elect –A. Aziz Khandker, Ph.D., P.E., Regional Geotech Engineer for PSI, Inc.
Director – Thomas Brezinski, P.E., Vice President, Wade-Trim/ Associates, Inc
Director and Treasurer – Philip Spalding, P.E., Sr. Project Engineer, NTH Consultants
Director – Michael Vinarcik, P.E., Quality & Reliability Engineer, Ford Motor Company
In addition, Carey Suhan, P.E. will move from current President Elect to President in 2000-2001, and I will move to the position of Past President.
State Society Awards and Scholarships
Good News! I am happy to announce that Detroit Metro Chapter members Mumtaz Usmen, Ph.D., P.E., and Eric Tucker, EIT, were selected by the State Society as the MSPE Engineer of the Year and Young Engineer of the Year, respectively. They will be recognized at the MSPE Annual Meeting at Boyne Highlands Resort on May 20, 2000. I hope that you can join me in Boyne to congratulate both them personally!
The Detroit Metro Chapter also received the State Society’s highest award in 1999-2000, the Big Mac Award, which is presented to the chapter with the most positive contributions to the profession and the society in 1999-2000! In addition, the Detroit Metro Chapter received the State Society’s Most Active Award and Membership Award. Congratulations and thank you to all of our members that contributed their efforts in this past year!
I am also pleased to report that four college scholarships were awarded by the state society to Metro Area high school seniors that were nominated by the Detroit Metro Chapter. Many thanks to our Scholarship Committee Director Morris Hsi, Ph.D., P.E., and to his assistants on the committee!
Presidents Message
By Fritz Klingler, P.E.
By the time you get this issue of the P.E. Newsletter, we will be in the midst of National Engineers Week, February 20 through 26, 2000. If you missed it, Don Bramlett of Detroit Metro authored an excellent article in the January issue of The Michigan Professional Engineer magazine (page 20), which highlighted many of the programs and efforts that are being promoted for Engineers Week and beyond. These programs and events include the Detroit Engineers Week Council, the Mathcounts competition, Imagineers, the Future City Competition, and the International Science and Engineering Fair. If you want to know more about these efforts, look up Don’s article.
Some of the specific events that are upcoming in the Detroit Metro area are highlighted below. I hope to see you at one of these programs!
Design Build for Dummies (see flyer) February 23
ESD Gold Awards Banquet (see flyer) February 23
Young Engineers Night (see flyer) March 22
Legislative Update Breakfast (see flyer) March 25
Legislative Briefing and Blitz – Meet your Legislator (see flyer) April 11
NSPE Central Region Spring Meeting (see flyer) April 14 & 15
International Science and Engineering Fair May 7-13
(Cobo Hall, Admission is Free)Detroit Tigers vs. Yankees – Social Event (see flyer) May 12
Detroit Metro Annual Meeting – Grosse Point Yacht Club June 23
Presidents Message
By Fritz Klingler, P.E.
Happy New Year!!
On behalf of the Detroit Metro Chapter of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, I wish a happy new year (and millenium) to you and your family!!
1999 was a banner year in many respects - - the economy was great, business is booming for engineers, and the internet has brought an explosion of knowledge to our fingertips. While these developments have been good news for most engineers, they have also made our lives more hectic. It seams more and more difficult to squeeze everything into our busy schedules.
Where does MSPE fit on your priority list for 2000? Probably somewhere below “family”, and somewhere above “washing the dog.” Whether or not you have time to actively participate (I hope that you do), please know that your local chapter (Detroit Metro), state society of MSPE, and national organization (NSPE), are doing plenty to advance your interests and values. Among other things, our efforts this year will include:
Employment of lobbyists in Lansing and Washington to fight laws that hurt the engineering profession.
The “Math Counts” program that encourages education and competition among 6th and 7th graders.
The MSPE Scholarship program that awards over twenty scholarships yearly to deserving Michigan high school seniors.
Conducting the P.E. test refresher course every spring to help our younger engineers become licensed.
Conducting monthly programs, meetings, and social events for our members.
Publishing NSPE Engineering Times, the Michigan Professional Engineer Magazine, and the Detroit Metro Chapter P.E. Newsletter to keep you informed about the various issues that affect your profession.
There are plenty of good monthly meetings/programs coming up, so I invite you to participate in at least one meeting in 2000. If you would like to get more involved, please call me (313-965-0036)! In any case, whether you attend meetings and volunteer, or just pay your dues, your participation in MSPE in 2000 is appreciated!