Engineers: The Time is Right
to Step Up

by Mike Pohlman, PE
President, ACEC of Tennessee

ACEC of Tennessee has embarked on a new and exciting fiscal time, with signs of Tennessee's economy getting a boost with several  manufacturing and distribution operations being built and others being announced across the entire state. We are showing  signs of getting out of a survival mode and into a more dynamic and prosperous period of economic growth leading to more  jobs and opportunities throughout Tennessee.

The addition of these types of facilities puts a tremendous amount of pressure on our cities and counties to invest in our infrastructure to keep it current and in good working order; this includes our water and waste water systems, power and communication systems as well as our interstates and highways. This pressure falls on the heels of a few years of unfocused government spending intended to stimulate the economy and keep its citizens employed-a very noble cause and effort.

Step Up, Speak Up & Shine

In times like this, organizations like ACEC of Tennessee and its members can step into the forefront and shine by offering assistance to communities in the planning and execution of necessary infrastructure improvement. We as a group need to be more vocal and tout our accomplishments and capabilities so that government leaders have a better understanding of what the engineering community in Tennessee has to offer and what a great resource they have available to them.

The last couple of years have been spent defining what we as an organization wanted to be, explaining to current and potential member firms  that ACEC adds significant value to their organizations. In the coming year, our committee chairs, co-chairs and members will be active participants in showing our community leaders, as well as the engineering community, the value ACEC adds.

When you are invited to participate on various committees, I encourage you to step up, agree to serve and to share your ideas and talents.

You will be amazed at how much you, as individuals, have to offer and how much you will learn through the process. This increase in your  individual knowledge of the various aspects of our profession will not only add value to you, but also your company.

Our group of committee chairs and co-chairs are committed and excited about their task at hand and look forward to working with individuals across our great state.