NYSSPE

NSPE Executive Director Update to the Board of Directors – December 2019

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Mark J. Golden, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director of NSPE highlights the following in the most recent Executive Director Update: December 2019

In this update for November 15–30, we have a number of items on legislative and regulatory actions involving professional engineers. Highlights include….
• New pipeline safety bill includes PE requirement
• Red flags in FL sunset review bill
• More legislative news from Philly, NY, MN, MI
• ‘They’ve put technology advancement here before saving lives’
• Celebrate top colleagues with Honor Awards

NY Update:  New York bill promotes PE oversight
A bill that has passed the New York State Senate and is awaiting approval by the State Assembly would greatly enhance public safety and require a professional engineering license.  The legislation (S.B. 2935), sponsored by Senator Todd Kaminsky, passed the upper house last May. The bill would require certain engineering plans for work or services that could pose a material risk to public safety—for example, gas transmission lines—to bear a professional engineer’s seal. The legislation also authorizes the public services commission to set rules and regulations relating to the requirement. When the New York State Assembly reconvenes on January 8, they will consider the companion bill (A.B. 6557), sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Cusick.

Read the FULL REPORT here

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

 

NYSSPE 2020 Legislative Preview

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By Mark Kriss Esq., Legislative Counsel

1. Bachelor’s Degree Bill
At the request of NYSSPE the Chair of the New York State Assembly Higher Education Committee, Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, has agreed to introduce, and advocate for, legislation to require that an applicant seeking licensure as a professional engineer in New York State have a bachelor’s degree in engineering (or its equivalent in accordance with regulations to be promulgated by the New York State Education Department).  The legislation has passed both houses of the Legislature in the past, but unfortunately, it has never passed both houses in the same year.  In addition to the Assembly, this year we anticipate strong sponsorship in the Senate and very hopeful that the legislation will become law in 2020.

Currently, of the learned professions of medicine, law and engineering, only engineering has a path to licensure without a formal education. In reality very few PEs lack a formal education and there are many, and very affordable, means of securing an engineering degree. For example, families with modest means can qualify for the Excelsior Program which provides a complete tuition waiver in many circumstances.  Two-year programs at a community college, combined with an additional two years at a state college or university, also offers an affordable avenue to secure a bachelor’s degree in engineering.  (Individuals currently seeking to secure licensure via the twelve-year ladder will be exempt from the new requirement.)

2. Gas Transmission Lines (Public Safety Enhancement)
S2935a / A6557 (Senator Kaminsky / Assemblyman Cusick)
This bill will require that plans and services relating to gas transmission lines which are determined to pose a material risk to public safety must be provided and overseen by a licensed professional engineer. The New York State Public Service Commission is required by the legislation to promulgate rules and regulations addressing the foregoing requirement.

3. Land Surveying – Modernization of Definition of Practice
NYSSPE and the New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors have agreed to legislation which will modernize the definition of practice for land surveying, (including, e.g., express reference to GPS technology and photogrammetry) while ensuring that professional engineers will continue to be authorized to undertake all aspects of the practice of land surveying except for the determination of land boundaries.

(Updates, including bill numbers, will be provided throughout the session.)
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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

As Licensing Threats Increase, NSPE Builds Defense Network

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NSPE has bolstered its efforts to protect professional licensing with the creation of the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing, a new coalition of advanced professions dedicated to informing lawmakers and the public of the importance of rigorous professional licensing standards.

In this partnership, NSPE is leading the charge to educate policymakers on the importance of maintaining standards for complex technical professions like engineering that have a clear impact on public health, safety, and welfare. In addition to its ongoing efforts to defend the PE license, NSPE spearheaded this coalition to ensure that professional engineers and other advanced professions are represented amid the growing debate around licensing laws.

“Advanced professions like [engineering] already have licensing models that work, making it possible for our engineers to move from one state to another and have their licenses acknowledged,” says NSPE Executive Director Mark Golden. “This is only possible because well-structured licensing systems have established consistency in qualifications and standards within our profession. This uniformity establishes a baseline of trust in the qualifications of our engineers to do their work and keep the public safe.”

In its leadership position with ARPL, NSPE will highlight how professional licensing protects the public by ensuring a baseline of proven qualification and expertise that protects consumers from unqualified practitioners. This public awareness campaign aims to counter the antilicensing interests that threaten public safety. [Read more…]

NSPE Executive Director Update to the Board of Directors – September 2019

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Mark J. Golden, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director of NSPE highlights the following in the most recent Executive Director Update: September 2019

• The Latest on License Exemptions
• PE News from CO, TX, and IL
• Webinar Series Announced: Climate Action for Engineers
• QBS Award Winners Named
• Don’t Miss: Insurance Coverage for State Societies

Read the FULL REPORT here

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

 

Chapter Merger Update

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As a result of a vote between our Chapters and Board we have merged a few of our chapters.

The following chapters are now merged:
1. NY05 – Champlain Valley & NY23 – St. Lawrence/Franklin Chapters have merged into: NY01 – Capital District Chapter
2. NY11 – Jefferson/Lewis & NY17 – Oneida/Mohawk Chapters have merged into: NY04 – Central New York Chapter

The following is a listing of chapters and the counties they serve.

NY01 = Capital District Chapter: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Hamilton, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington
NY02 = Bronx Chapter: Bronx
NY03 = Broome Chapter: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins
NY04 = Central New York Chapter: Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego
NY08 = Dutchess/Ulster Chapter: Dutchess, Ulster (in process of being merged)
NY09 = Erie/Niagara Chapter: Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus
NY12 = Kings Chapter: Kings [Read more…]

Earn up to Fifteen Free Courses through NSPE

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These courses are available for free to NSPE members to conveniently view from the comfort of your home or office. Viewers may earn credits by viewing the webinars and passing a quiz. Upon successful completion of each session quiz with a passing score of 70% or higher, the quiz taker will receive an attendance certificate with the appropriate credits (PDHs) earned for that session. PDHs from the NSPE free courses are recognized by most U.S. states including Florida.

15 Free Course Access Tutorial: NSPE has put together a short video to show you how to access your 15 Free Courses.

2019 Free Courses
* indicates this particular webinar has been approved through NY Practicing Institute of Engineering (PIE)

  • Advancing Your Career: Seven Essentials Principles to Set Yourself Apart
  • Architects & Engineers Claims Risk: Impact of Changing Technology and Inexperience
  • Engineering Career Development: How to Manage and Retain the Future Workforce
  • Engineering Ethics: Marketing Communications, and Employment *
  • Engineering Ethics: The PE and Domestic and International Gifts *
  • Engineering Ethics: The PE and Sustainable Development *
  • Engineering Ethics: The PE as an Expert Witness *
  • Hurricane Engineering Response: Restoring Power to Puerto Rico
  • Introduction to the 2018 EJCDC Construction Series Documents
  • License to Succeed: Compliance for Architecture, Engineering and Construction Firms
  • Navigating Successful Project Delivery
  • Prevention through Design
  • Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) and its Importance to Engineering and the Public
  • Staying Relevant: The Lifelong Learning Journey
  • Understanding Wastewater Engineering *

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

 

NYSSPE 2019 Annual Conference Recap

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The New York State Society of Professional Engineers held their annual conference in Saratoga Springs, NY June 6th and 7th.   The conference was well attended by over 130 engineers and included a variety of learning sessions cover trending topics such as Ethics, Safety During Construction, Trends in Licensure and Structural Stabilization of Partially Collapsed Buildings.    NYSSPE had the pleasure of welcoming Mark J. Golden, FASAE, CAE, NSPE’s Executive Director who attended the conference and Board Meetings.

NSPE Executive Director Mark J. Golden, FASAF, CAE addressing NYSSPE Memebers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday evening NYSSPE hosted the Annual Awards and Installation Dinner, The awards dinner highlighted NYSSPE award winners that have impacted the industry through a multitude of disciplines recognizing the following:

Meritorious Service Award: Irvine G. Reinig II, P.E.
Meritorious Service Award: Laura M. Pellizzi, P.E., F.NSPE
Young Engineer of the Year: Kaitlin E. Sajduk, P.E.
Contribution in Education: Aaron D. Straus
Recognition of Dedication: Mark Kriss, Esq. for his 30 years of dedication to NYSSPE as Legal Counsel.

The project of the year was awarded to PE’s in Construction (PEC) Project of the Year: 5-Mile Belt Parkway Bridge Replacement & Reconstruction Project with attendance from the many firms and project owners that worked directly on the project.

The NYSSPE appreciates the support of all the speakers, engineers and their guests that attended the annual conference and continue to support the society and its mission. This year was truly a success.
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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

Laura Pellizzi, PE and Rudi Sherbansky, PE named in NSPE Fellows Class of 2019

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Eleven outstanding professional engineers have been named to the 2019 class of Fellow members by the National Society of Professional Engineers, two of which are NYSSPE Members.  Laura Pellizzi, PE and Rudi Sherbanksy, PE have both been named this prestigious membership honor.   The Fellow membership grade honors those active NSPE members who have demonstrated exemplary and devoted service to their profession, the Society, and their community. Requirements for the designation include holding at least one elected office at any level and active involvement at the national level. This prestigious designation has been awarded to just over one percent of all NSPE members since the award was established in 2000.

“The professional engineers selected as Fellows in 2019 represent the very best in the engineering profession,” said chairwomen of the executive committee of the Council of Fellows Amy Barrett, PE, F.NSPE. “Their selfless involvement in state and local activities inspires pride in our profession and displays a level of dedication in which the public can be proud to put its trust in professional engineers. On behalf of the executive committee, I am honored to welcome them as Fellows.”

NSPE state and territorial societies can nominate one person for each 500 voting members on their rolls per year. Nominations are also open to NSPE interest groups, chartered affinity groups, and the Board of Directors.

 

Laura M. Pellizzi, PE, F.NSPE
Immediate Past President

 

 

 

Rudi Sherbansky, PE, F.NSPE
New York City Region

 

 

NYSSPE is incredibly proud to have Laura Pellizzi, PE and Rudi Sherbansky, PE as loyal and dedicated members.

Congratulations from all of your friends at NYSSPE!

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

NYSSPE Announces 2019 Award Recipients for Annual Conference

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Please join the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, Inc. in congratulating our 2019 Award Winners!

Meritorious Service Award: Irvine G. Reinig II, P.E.

Young Engineer of the Year:  Kaitlin E. Sajduk, P.E.

Contribution in Education: Aaron D. Straus

 

Meritorious Service Award: Irvine G. Reinig II, P.E.

 

Irvine G. Reinig II, PE has been a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of New York since 1974. He received both his Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science in Civil Engineering from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. While an undergrad, he received a WNY Construction Industry Employers Association Scholarship and was inducted into Chi Epsilon, a national civil engineering honor society. He also received a National Science Foundation Traineeship to pursue his graduate studies and as a graduate student he was elected to Sigma Xi, a scientific research honor society.

Throughout his 48 year career as a civil engineer he has made a number of important contributions to the commercial and environmental development of the Buffalo area. He began his career working for the NYSDOT and ran his own geotechnical instrumentation business for nine years. He has worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers , served as chief geotechnical engineer for Thomsen Associates/ Empire Soil Investigations, and was principal at GZA GeoEnvironmental Technologies Inc. After retiring he began teaching and currently works part time as an assistant professor at Erie Community College.

Throughout his career, Reinig published several technical papers, provided presentations to professional groups and clients, and has been involved with over 500 engineering projects in New York state ranging from investigation, analysis, design, and construction.

Reinig has been very active in professional organizations at both the national and regional levels throughout his career. He is a past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers Buffalo Section, and has chaired many of its committees. He is a past president of the Technical Societies Council of the Niagara Frontier. He is a member of the Erie/Niagara chapter of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers and a past member of other professional societies.

Irvine has been involved in as well as led numerous volunteering initiatives aimed at promoting engineering to children and young adults. He conceived, developed, and ran “Engineering Expressions,” an educational outreach program for ASCE for 20 years. The program’s initiative is to introduce children, 10 to 12 years old to engineering principles through a series of “hands on” workshops. He also developed the “Engineering Opportunities” program and started an NSPE student chapter at ECC for engineering students.

Reinig has been awarded many prestigious honors throughout his career including the 2000 Engineer of the Year Award from the University at Buffalo, the Engineering Educator of the Year Award from the Erie Niagara Chapter of NYSSPE (an honor he has received twice), and many others.

Young Engineer of the Year: Kaitlin E. Sajduk, P.E.

Katlin Sajduk is a practicing structural engineer and associate at CityScape Engineering PLLC. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2008 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from Manhattan College. As an undergrad she was inducted into Tau Beta Pi Honor Society for Engineering, Chi Epsilon Honor Society for Civil Engineering, and Epsilon Sigma Pi, the college’s highest scholastic honor.

As one of the owners at CityScape Engineering, Katlin is involved in all aspects of operations, including hiring, staff management, staff training, marketing, billing, and client relations. As a structural engineer, she periodically visits construction sites to check on the progress of construction and resolve field conditions. With her experience in a great number of projects along with her knowledge in structural design, she can offer valuable criticisms and insights when working with field staff.

Sajduk currently holds her professional engineer’s license in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. She is also currently the chair of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers – P.E.s in Construction Group and was awarded the “Intern of the Year” by NYSSPE-PEC in 2010.

 

Contribution in Education: Aaron D. Straus

Aaron Straus is a National Science Foundation Researcher and Instructional Coach for Science and technology at Salamanca City School District. He earned his Bachelor of Science from SUNY College at Buffalo and STEM Teaching certificate at the American College of Education. Over the course of his career, Aaron taught numerous elementary and secondary courses in engineering, trades and instructional technology.

While serving at Salamanca, Aaron led a taskforce to design a STEM-wing modeled after a manufacturing firm. He introduced a college credit academy program in 3D modeling, industrial robotics, and biomedical technology. Aaron recently secured a $100K STEM grant to upstart the Slamanca Engineering Maker Initiative (SEMI), a design and prototyping pipeline program that directly advances the STEM fields as identified in NYS Department of Labor’s CALL TO ACTION, and finished a highly successful summer “STEAM” school.

Mr. Straus is a fellow at the University of Rochester and research office affiliate at the Pennsylvania State University. His innovative and creative methods of program development are engineered to improve the socioeconomic status of underprivileged youth through pipeline workforce initiatives.

Aaron is also takes part in a number or recurring professional development programs and activities, such as the New York state STEM Education Summer Institute, the ITEEA Conference, and the Dream it Do it Manufacturing Institute which provides teachers with hands on experiences with local manufacturing facilities and engineering firms.

Throughout his career as an educator Aaron has been awarded several prestigious honors such as the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Teacher Excellence Award, the Margaret Ashida STEM Leadership Award, the Designed Leaders Award, and the Albright Knox Museum Teaching Award.

The awards will be presented at the NYSSPE Annual Conference on June 7th at the Holiday Inn: 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
For more information, Click Here.

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

The New York State Society of Professional Engineers Awards New York City’s 5-Mile Belt Parkway Bridge Replacement Project as the 2019 Construction Project of the Year

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The New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE) is proud to announce that the 5-Mile Belt Parkway Bridge Replacement & Reconstruction Project has been selected as the 2019 Construction Project of the Year.  The Award recipients include the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) as project owner; AECOM, Hardesty and Hanover, and HNTB as the project design firms; and Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) and Thornton Tomasetti (Weidlinger) as Construction Managers and Resident Engineers.  Among others, the project’s general contractors CCA Civil, Inc., Halmar International, and Michels of the Mill Basin Bridge Constructors (MBBC) will be recognized.  The award will be given out at the NYSSPE Annual Installation & Awards Reception & Dinner which will be held on Thursday, June 7th, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  The event is open to the public.  For more information about the Awards Reception and Dinner event, click here.

The 5 Mile Belt Parkway Reconstruction Project is about the reconstruction of a vital artery of a historic parkway, which spans over a 5-mile strip of environmentally sensitive coastland of New York City.  Located in a dense urban setting, the reconstruction project remained open for approximately 150,000 commuters per day, necessitating innovative design and work methods.    The project required diligent coordination of the work between the City and some of our nation’s most prominent engineering firms. The scope of the $780 million infrastructure project included: the reconstruction of five (5) unique bridges in critical need of repair originally built circa 1940; and the complete replacement of the connecting roadways, bike path, and ramps.  The complete surface landscaping and final tree planting of the project was being completed in late 2018.

The project’s owner, NYC DOT, employs dozens of professional engineers who provide design and supervision of critical infrastructure construction and maintenance work throughout the City.  The distinguished design professionals in charge at NYC DOT that contributed to the design and supervision of the project of the year included Mr. Robert Collyer, P.E., Deputy Commissioner and Chief Bridge Officer, David B. Dunn, P.E., Deputy Chief Engineer, Bridge Capital Design and Construction,  Anil Vyas, P.E., Deputy Chief Engineer, Mousa Nazif, P.E., Director, Roadway Bridges – Manhattan / Brooklyn Groups, and Daniel Hom, P.E., Engineer in Charge.

NYC DOT Division of Bridges is responsible for the design, construction, rehabilitation, reconstruction, maintenance, operation, and administration of the 784 bridges, 5 tunnels, and 53 culverts located citywide, that are under the jurisdiction of the agency.  Included in this inventory are the majority of the original 1940’s bridges of the Belt Parkway.  The Belt Parkway is the namesake for a series of connected highways that form a belt-like circle around the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. The parkway was originally conceptualized in the 1930’s by the City’s Planning and Parks Commissioner, Robert Moses.

The replacement of the five (5) bridges in the project were packaged together in a single corridor-wide replacement program that brought the corridor into full compliance with current state and federal standards.  This included compliance with standard width of traffic lanes, requirements for safety shoulders and super-elevation of curbing roads and bridges, realignment of approaches to improve sight distances, and new concrete median barriers.

Paerdegat Basin Bridge.

The five (5) bridges in the reconstruction project span over four waterways and one roadway.  The design and replacement of the old Belt Parkway bridge over Paerdegat Basin was performed by NYC DOT – In House Design team, which opted for independent eastbound and westbound replacement bridge structures as shown in the captioned photo. The Eastbound bridge also carries a dedicated, 12 foot wide, barrier protected, bicycle and pedestrian path.  The joint venture by the design firms of GPI and AECOM (“CTE”) was selected to provide resident engineering and construction inspection services.  An innovative design feature of the Paerdegat Basin Bridges was the design of the two (2) bridge structures on a split alignment, which allowed the existing bridge to remain in service, while the new bridges were constructed “off-line”. [Read more…]