President's Message
by Kevin Becica, PE, PP, CME

As your new president of the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers, I will commit myself to make the Society work better for the local Interest Groups.  In this way we can achieve our long term goals of improving the overall status of engineers in our society.  In order for the state to provide support to the local entities, I will focus my efforts on the following three areas:

1. Providing a PE Exam preparation class at Rowan in South Jersey and Stevens Institute in North Jersey starting this fall in conjunction with Kaplan. Classes will be held for 6 Saturdays before the October exam.
2. Provide a Program/Speaker Data Base at the State level for all local entities to use.
3. Computer Improvements
1. Update of NJSPE website. 

1. Legislative data kept in order by recent activity not numerical order, updated frequently
2. All state meeting, activities, locations, and agendas found on the website
3. Keep NJSPE website Current

2. Update Membership Database

1. Working to update current membership data base
2. Provide each local entity with easier access to membership information.

3. Emails to Membership with sponsors attached

1. All local meetings
2. All state announcements

The New Jersey PE Society is becoming more flexible with the ability to create new Interest Groups without geographic boundaries.  I would like to thank Gene O’Brien, Tim McGough, and John Rhodes for doing the work before me so that change can now happen.  Together, with leadership, we can provide services for professional engineers that will keep our organization growing and viable.

Remember to pass the pride of engineering on to your children, your grand children and the engineers under your supervision.

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2008 NJSPE Awards and Installation Ceremony

Harry A. Capers, PE was selected by the Board of Directors as the recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Professional Engineer Award.  Here Capers proudly displays his award plaque.  Engineer Capers was recognized for his profound knowledge in bridge design and related technology and his many years of service to the citizens of New Jersey while with the Department of Transportation.

Michael J. Hope, PE smiles happily as he displays his plaque as the 2008 Outstanding Young Professional Engineer.  Hope was selected by the Board of Directors based on his professional achievements with CMX Engineering in its Wastewater Division and his volunteer service on a standards committee of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

The newly installed officers of NJSPE are shown (l to r): Louis J. Picciano, PE - Delegate to represent NJSPE in the NSPE House of Delegates; Robert J. Thiel, PE – Treasurer; John A. Rhodes, PE – First Past President; Kevin Becica, PE, PP, CME – President; Mark V. Shourds, PE, PP – Secretary; and John Cantwell, PE, PP, CME – Vice President.  Missing was Timothy F. McGough, PE – Second Past President.

On the occasion of the Silver Anniversary of the MATHCOUNTS Program (see separate article), two 20-year volunteers were honored for their lengthy service on behalf of thousands of New Jersey middle grade students.  Receiving congratulations from Past President Rhodes and current President Becica are Drew Lillis, PE, who chairs the program, and Rick Adelsohn, PE, who chairs the NJSPE Educational Foundation under which this program functions.

Prior to the ceremonies, incoming President Becica took a moment
to be joined by her husband Ivan Becica, PE.

With a standing room only throng, many of the attendees await the start of the ceremonies. 
The June 12 event attracted about a hundred well-wishers.

On behalf of NSPE, Gene R. O’Brien, PE, F.NSPE, who served on its Executive Committee in 2004-05, conducted the installation ceremony.  O’Brien had served as President of NJSPE in 2002-03 and 2003-04 and most recently has been NJSPE’s NSPE Delegate.

President Becica outlines her goals for the coming year as she delivers her
acceptance remarks to the attendees.

The annual Awards & Installation Event was conducted on June 12
at the prestigious Trenton Country Club.

Taking a moment from their duties of welcoming guest are
NJSPE staff members Patricia Brewer and Joanne Lombardi, CMP.

Since retiring from NJDOT, this year’s Outstanding PE Awardee Harry Capers
has been a special consultant with Arora and Associates. 

President Becica joins Outstanding Young PE Mike Hope in celebrating his honor.

Meaghan Rose Vellotti, winner of an NSPE Steinman Fellowship is
congratulated by President Becica.

(Left) A beaming Lisa Adelsohn congratulates her husband Rick on the occasion of his receiving a Special Award from the NJSPE Board of Directors for his 20 years of service to the national MATHCOUNTS Program.

(Right) The other recipient of a Special Award from the Board of Directors for his 20 years of MATHCOUNTS service, Drew Lillis, is joined by his wife Alyce, who frequently lends her time at the annual State competition.

Incoming NJSPE President Becica poses with some of her family and
colleagues who joined in the celebration of her installation.

Some of the guests are shown at the pasta station prior to the beginning of the ceremonies.  The Trenton Country Club provided a broad selection of hors d’oeuvres, carving selections, and other tasty cuisine.

Outgoing President John Rhodes holds his plaque, presented by incoming
President Becica, to commemorate two terms of service as NJSPE President.

Special Award recipients Lillis and Adelsohn congratulate each other as they proudly display their award plaques.  As many of NJSPE’s members are aware, MATHCOUNTS has been the most popular program targeted at students for which NJSPE and its loyal sponsors provide support and to which these two engineers have donated over 40 years of service.

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A Young Engineer’s Perspective of NSPE

[Editor’s Note:  This is a viewpoint authored by Anthony Selim, PE, a member of the California Society of Professional Engineers, which provides an impression held by one of the newer members of NSPE.]

“The United States is facing a severe shortage in engineering talent.  Over the coming years this shortage is only expected to worsen.  There are two primary reasons for this shortage.  One cause is the relatively higher percentage of the work force that will be retiring in the coming years.  This is largely unavoidable, and will likely affect all professions equally.  The more critical cause is that the engineering profession is not attractive to college students when compared to professions such as law and medicine.

“Law and medicine have been popularized by shows such as ‘Law & Order’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, respectively, while engineering is characterized by shows such as ‘Office Space’; long gone is the image of ‘MacGyver’.  In law and medicine, as well as pharmacy and dentistry, all practitioners must be licensed.  In engineering, however, anyone can practice – outside of the build environment – without a license or [sometimes] even an engineering degree.  Law and medicine have [singular] state and federal organizations dedicated to the protection of their professions, the Bar Association and the American Medical Association (AMA), respectively, while engineering struggles with fragmented organizations.

“Clearly we as engineers must unite under one organization to restore the image of the engineering profession.  The National Society of Professional Engineers should be that organization.

“When I [pay my dues] to NSPE each year, in return I expect [NSPE] will (in order of importance):

1. cultivate a national culture of people who value the engineering profession and the professional engineering license;
2. lobby on my behalf at the state and federal governments to promote the engineering profession and the professional engineering license;
3. support political candidates and legislation in favor of the engineering profession and the professional engineering license;
4. recognize those who have made great strides toward promoting the engineering profession and the professional engineering license; and
5. provide me opportunities to network with leaders and peers who value the engineering profession and the professional engineering license.

“I don’t expect anything more or less [from the] National Society of Professional Engineers.  Let’s at least live up to the name.

“Let’s work together to the benefit of NSPE, the engineering profession, and the professional engineering license.”

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NSPE House of Delegates Assembly
July 27, 2008 – Portland, OR
Executive Summary
NSPE President’s Report

President Bernie Berson, P.E., F.NSPE (2007-2008), summarized his activities and travels in a written report (attachment to the HoD agenda). He highlighted his international travel to Costa Rica (UPADI), Japan, and Canada, as well as our ever-improving relationship with Engineers Canada, the Japan Society of Professional Engineers, and the Korean Professional Engineers Association. Berson noted that the U.S. system for licensure of professional engineers is the “gold standard” internationally. Berson emphasized the value of growing these relationships and adding new ones to develop an international presence. Berson has proposed creating a task force to support and foster these and other international relationships. President Brad Aldrich, P.E., F.NSPE (2008-2009), will act on this recommendation.
Another focus for Berson was continuing to develop our relationship and partnership with NCEES. Berson attended both national and district meetings to advance this objective. Berson also traveled to several state and regional meetings to promote NSPE initiatives and listen to constituent concerns. A number of practices have been put into place based on feedback from state and regional visits by Berson, Miller, Aldrich, Devick, and Jacobson.
  
Executive Director’s Report
Executive Director Larry Jacobson presented a newly created brochure that highlights our partnerships with other programs and groups, the “NSPE family” (EWeek, MATHCOUNTS, JETS, NICET, and the NSPE Educational Foundation), noting that it is a very impressive list of corporations and programs. Jacobson estimates that the consolidated annual budget for these groups exceeds $70M, making us one of the largest associations in the DC area. The brochure will be made available to all members and partners and is intended to highlight the breadth of our influence.
Jacobson discussed staff changes due to attrition and re-assignments. NSPE has reduced staff, overhead, and program costs by more than $500,000 this year. He also noted that NSPE is highly regarded in the association community and among our peers.
 
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Russell Devick, P.E., F.NSPE, presented a consolidated report of our financial performance for the just completed fiscal year. NSPE projects a $3,000 surplus of revenue over expenses; however the audit will not be completed until early September. A weak 4th quarter cut into earlier projections of better performance for the year. Both dues and non-dues revenue were less than budgeted, but so were program and other expenses, due to the diligent efforts of Jacobson and the NSPE staff to make adjustments to programs and staff, based on revenue.
Devick presented a budget for 2008-2009 that reflects a small decrease in both revenues and expenses. An annual report that includes the financial performance for 2007-2008 will be issued this fall, after the audit is completed.

Election of Officers
Sam Grossman, P.E., F.NSPE, was elected NSPE president-elect (NSPE President 2009-2010). The NSPE vice president position remains vacant.

Russell Devick, P.E., F.NSPE, and Michael Hardy, P.E., are both candidates to fill the vice president position. The Candidate Screening Committee is currently reviewing the qualifications of both candidates and will report to the Board of Directors in August. It is anticipated that an election (electronic vote of the HoD) will be conducted in September.
  
The following individuals were elected to serve two-year terms on the NSPE Board of Directors:
Michael Myers, P.E. (Central)                                  Efrain Echandi, P.E., F.NSPE (Southeast)
Alan Werner, P.E., F.NSPE (Western & Pacific)       Dan Witliff, P.E., F.NSPE (Member-At-Large)  
Walter Buchanan, Ph.D., P.E., F.NSPE (Interest Groups)
       
The following individuals were elected to serve a one year term on the NSPE Board of Directors:
James Wathen, P.E. (NICET)                               Willis Turner, CAE (SSEC)
  
The following individuals were elected to serve on the 2008-2009 Candidate Screening Committee*:
Robert Golden, P.E. (Northeast)                           Kenneth Paul Miller, P.E. (Central)
Douglas Saltsgaver, P.E. (North Central)              Lamar Hawkins, P.E., F.NSPE (Southeast)
S. Vincent Hotho, P.E. (Southwest)                      Susanne Leckband, P.E., F.NSPE (Western & Pacific)
 
* The 2007-2008 Candidate Screening Committee will complete the evaluation of Devick and Hardy for the position of NSPE vice president. Their work will conclude with the presentation of their recommendations to the NSPE BoD.
   
Strategic Discussion: Legal Aspects of Association Management
Art Herold is a senior partner in the law firm Webster, Chamberlain & Bean and is considered one of top association lawyers in the world. Herold provided a summary of his review of the NSPE Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and other legal matters concerning the operation of NSPE, the state societies, and chapters. Herold recommends an affiliation agreement between NSPE and each of the state societies to establish some basic rights and responsibilities. An affiliation agreement would likely include a royalty-free license to allow states to use NSPE trademarks and intellectual property, guidelines for dues collection and distribution, and other duties and responsibilities of both NSPE and the state society to remain “in good standing.”
Herold recommends that control of the bylaws, policies, and procedures should rest with the BoD. Currently, only the HoD can make changes to the bylaws. This is inconsistent with both South Carolina corporate law (where NSPE is incorporated) and common practice in other similar associations. South Carolina law requires control of the corporation to rest with the BoD. Further consideration of this recommendation will be explored with the House of Delegates.
Herold discussed how the state societies and their chapters should operate. Jacobson had recently produced a “check list” of basic procedures that each state and chapter should follow to maintain their legal status and meet customary financial responsibilities. Each state society is encouraged to carefully review the check list. Herold assumes that each state society is incorporated and has filed for a tax-exempt status with the IRS. While it may not be necessary for chapters to incorporate and file separately for a tax-exempt status, he encouraged each state society to consider this option as incorporation is relatively easy and it provides an additional layer of protection for state and chapter officers.
   
Strategic Discussion: Additional Education for Licensure
Craig Musselman, P.E., F.NSPE, and Tim Austin, P.E., NSPE, presented a point-counterpoint discussion surrounding the initiative to require additional education beyond a bachelor’s degree in engineering for licensure. Briefs were prepared by both Musselman and Austin for review by the HoD prior to the meeting.
The discussion and debate among the delegates demonstrated that this is a contentious issue that needs to be discussed further to fully understand what the initiative is intended to address, what is at stake, and whether NSPE should continue to support additional education and life-long learning as a key component for licensure.
Aldrich and Grossman will seek ideas from the HoD and states to determine how best to continue the discussion and advance our understanding of the purported need and what it means to our profession.
  
Resolutions
The North Dakota resolution (in support of NCEES’s B+30 proposal) was presented to the HoD for consideration. In light of the earlier strategic discussion and the lack of a consensus, the HoD voted affirmatively to suspend a decision on this motion indefinitely. No further action will be taken by the HoD concerning this resolution, unless it is re-introduced at a later date.
The Connecticut resolution (concerning ABET accreditation and the 120 credit hour degree) was presented to the HoD for consideration. In light of the earlier strategic discussion and ABET’s role in determining credit hours for a degree, the HoD voted affirmatively to suspend a decision on this motion indefinitely. No further action will be taken by the HoD concerning this resolution, unless it is re-introduced at a later date.
   
NSPE Educational Foundation Report
NSPE Past President Bob Miller, P.E., F.NSPE, was elected the new president of the NSPE Educational Foundation by the foundation board. He replaces NSPE Past President Bob Nichols, P.E., F.NSPE. Nichols has served as president of the foundation for a number of years and was acknowledged for his dedicated service.
  
Miller reported on the bylaw changes adopted by the foundation board on Wednesday, 7/23/08. Among the more significant changes was the decision to grant a voting seat on the foundation board to each of NSPE’s close affiliates, EWeek, NICET, MATHCOUNTS, and JETS. This move further reinforces the foundation’s expanded focus on “feeding the pipeline” to promote engineering. It is anticipated that this move will promote improved communication and coordination between these and other similar programs, reduce redundant activities, and improve our ability to raise corporate contributions to support the programs. In another bylaw change, each NSPE member in good standing is now a member of the NSPE Educational Foundation.
The foundation will continue to administer the various scholarship programs offered through NSPE  and will seek out ways to grow these scholarships, both financially and in terms of visibility and recognition.

Interest Groups Report
No additional comments were offered to the written report.
  
SSEC President’s Report
No additional comments were offered to the written report.
  
New Business
Delegates offered comments on a variety of issues from the industrial exemption to granting one year of free automatic membership to all engineering graduates. No actions were taken during the new business session.
  
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned after acknowledgement of the outstanding leadership and service provided by Past President Miller who steps down from the NSPE BoD at the conclusion of the HoD Assembly.

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