Reflecting on a Year of Advocacy and Progress: ACECL's 2024 Year-End Review

As 2024 comes to a close, I’m proud to reflect on a year of significant progress for the American Council of Engineering Companies of Louisiana (ACECL). This year demonstrated the power of our united voice in advancing the business of engineering and ensuring a better future for our state and the communities we serve.

Championing Member Success

Supporting the business of engineering remains at the heart of our mission. One cliché I often use when explaining the work we do as an organization is, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” No matter the size of your firm and the work it specializes in, the policies and initiatives we advocate for should, in theory, benefit all of our members. Through targeted networking events and industry engagement working groups, like the annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) Gala, chapter luncheons, and agency consultant outreach groups (COG), we continued to foster connections that drive communication and collaboration.

Elevating Infrastructure Investment

A top priority each year for ACECL is advocating for Louisiana’s infrastructure needs, and we made some incredible headway. Throughout the year, ACECL worked closely with LADOTD leadership, legislators, and other stakeholders to address inefficiencies and modernize key processes. As many of you know, ACECL was awarded a $100,000 Minuteman Grant from ACEC National that helped fund the BCG reform study and report spearheaded by LCFOR. The Department has already taken significant steps to improve project delivery timelines and enhance communication with engineering firms, however, there is still much more work to be done.

The BCG report and the reform recommendations provided therein will help guide the legislative recommendation report Secretary Donahue will submit to the legislature and the Governor by the middle of next month. This report will include a legislative package that will include legislation necessary to implement reforms within the department and civil service. Recommended revenue legislation that may be intertwined with additional tax reform measures could also be included in the Secretary’s report. These reforms benefit our members and ensure that public infrastructure projects are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively for Louisiana taxpayers but there is much more work to be done.

Championing QBS Enforcement

QBS laws are the cornerstone of ensuring that public projects are awarded based on qualifications rather than cost alone, fostering integrity and quality in engineering. Unfortunately, compliance with these laws has not always been consistent across Louisiana. Recognizing this challenge, ACECL took proactive steps in 2024 to strengthen enforcement and raise awareness among public agencies.

We collaborated with legislators to introduce measures that reinforce accountability and transparency in procurement processes by requiring a compensation negotiation to occur post-selection. These efforts have led to what appears to be the elimination of the use of non-negotiated contracts by public entities.

Looking Ahead to 2025

While 2024 saw much success, these successes merely lay a foundation for efforts we look to take on in 2025. The challenges we face are complex, and the stakes for our industry and our state are high, but with your engagement and support, I know we will find success. As we prepare for the year ahead, ACECL remains committed to our mission to advocate for policies that promote a pro-growth business environment and build a brighter future for engineering in Louisiana.

On behalf of myself, our staff, and the ACECL Board of Governors, thank you for your support, dedication, and partnership throughout this remarkable year. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we embrace the opportunities of 2025. Here’s to continued progress and success for our industry and our state.