MAY 30, 2025

2025 PLATINUM ANNUAL SPONSORS

PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE

ACEC Louisiana Attends 2025 ACEC Annual Spring Convention and Legislative Summit

As part of the Annual ACEC Convention in Washington, D.C., myself and attending ACECL members headed to Capitol Hill to meet with members of our Congressional Delegation and their staff to discuss the federal issues impacting the business of engineering. This year there was much activity at the U.S. Capitol as the House was hearing "The Big Beautiful Bill." We also brought familiar issues back to Congress which included the following:

Tax Policy: A Pro-Growth Tax Agenda

We urged lawmakers to extend key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), including:

Making the Section 199A passthrough deduction permanent and retaining the 21% corporate tax rate.
Restoring full deductibility of R&D expenses to promote innovation.
Supporting employee ownership models such as ESOPs.
Extending Section 127, allowing tax-free student loan repayment assistance by employers.

These policies have led to job creation and economic growth, with over 80% of firms investing in people through hiring and salary increases, and more than half investing in technology and capital.

Workforce Development: Expanding the Talent Pipeline

We highlighted the growing shortage of engineers and the need to address it through:

STEM education investments at all levels.
High-skilled immigration reform, including increasing H-1B visas and recapturing unused green cards.
Extending Section 127 to aid in student loan repayment as a key recruitment and retention tool.

The workforce is at full employment, but degree production is declining, and nearly 27% of the workforce is nearing retirement age. Immediate action is needed to avoid long-term disruptions to our nation’s engineering capacity.

Transportation Infrastructure: IIJA Reauthorization

As the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) nears expiration in 2026, we called for:

Sustained, long-term funding for roads, bridges, transit, rail, and water systems.
Uniform procurement requirements that uphold qualifications-based selection.
Support for lump sum contracting and modern delivery methods.
Streamlined local grant administration to reduce project delays.

These reforms will ensure that infrastructure investments are efficiently delivered and meet the evolving needs of our communities.

Another benefit from these meetings is developing a working relationship with our delegation and their staff. Each meeting presented an opportunity for us to share life experiences outside the above listed topics and for them to do the same. We left each meeting with delegation members and/or their staff offering their support on any issues that our member firms may face collectively or as individuals. To that point, do not hesitate to let me know if I can assist on a federal issue you or your firm may be facing.

ACECL BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Board of Governors met on Friday, May 16th, 2025.

May 16th, 2025
AGENDA

March 19th, 2025
MINUTES

March/April
MEMBERSHIP REPORT

March/April
FINANCIALS

Join owners and key principals from premier engineering and service provider firms throughout the Deep Southern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi bayside at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, located 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy West in Miramar Beach, Florida. This year's convention and exhibitor trade show will be held on July 24 - 26, 2025.

Annually, this convention proves to be one of the best events of the year. We have planned insightful programs and seminars, and important networking opportunities, at a fantastic family-friendly venue. Gather with new friends and old ones for this year's social activities planned for everyone to enjoy. This convention is shaping up to be one of the best yet!

Registration: Members must register to participate in the convention and to receive professional development hours (PDHs). Full registration fees include: Thursday evening Welcome Reception and Dinner; Thursday evening Poolside Lawn Party & PAC Cornhole Tournament; Friday morning breakfast and breaks; and Saturday morning breakfast and breaks.

The Deep South Convention Golf Tournament to be held on Friday, July 25th at 12:30 p.m., is an additional fee. Ala-carte tickets can also be purchased. Receive Early-Bird pricing by registering no later than July 1st.

Cancellations:

There will be a $100.00 administrative fee for all registration cancellations. Cancellations must be made by July 3rd to receive a refund, after that date all fees are forfeited.

Sponsorship and/or Exhibitor Opportunities & Benefits:

Sponsorships and/or exhibit booths allow you the opportunity to get your company’s name in front of industry leaders and decision makers. To view benefits, click here: Deep South Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities.pdf

BECOME A SPONSOR/EXHIBITOR

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ONLINE REGISTRATION!

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort

9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy West, Miramar Beach, FL 32550

BOOK A ROOM

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Janet Landry at jlandry@acecl.org

Come join the Transportation Committee and DOTD for what will be an incredibly insightful presentation from Secretary Donahue and DOTD staff on their internal transformation initiatives for the department. The Transformation 4 Louisiana presentation will be at LRTC on Friday, June 13 from 9am to 11am. You can register for the meeting by clicking on the button below.

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., (NYSE: WMS) (ADS) is a leading manufacturer of high performance thermoplastic corrugated pipe, providing a comprehensive suite of water management products and superior drainage solutions for use in infrastructure, commercial, residential, and agriculture applications. Founded in 1966, the company operates a global network of approximately 60 manufacturing plants and 30 distribution centers. In addition to its flagship N-12® pipe, which is made from high-density polyethlyne, ADS manufactures HP Storm and SaniTite® HP pipes from polypropylene resin. The company offers a complete line of fittings and other accessories for storm water management, including StormTech® storm water chambers, Nyloplast® drainage structures, stormwater treatment units, Duraslot® surface drains, INSERTA TEE® lateral connections, and various geotextiles. To learn more about ADS, visit www.ads-pipe.com.

Contact: Rene Daigle, Jr.

S LA Territory Manager

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

Phone: 337-366-5701

Email: rene.daigle@ads-pipe.com

Brown & Brown Insurance has the National Strength in being recognized as the top 6th largest brokerage firm in the U.S., but with a Local Presence.

Here at Brown & Brown we pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service through our commitment and proactive approach to achieving extraordinary results. Our purpose is to inform and provide you with the latest information on cost effective healthcare and keep your plan in compliance with the most up to date regulations. We do this by keeping up with the constant changes in the market and regulations, as well as our excellent carrier relations. We believe that this is the key to earning and perpetuating a successful relationship with our clients.

As an ACEC member firm you have the opportunity to receive a health insurance quote with preferred partner pricing. Contact Elizabeth for an ACEC preferred health insurance quote today!

Elizabeth Minvielle

GBA

Vice President, Employee Benefits Division

eminvielle@bbgulfstates.com

O (337) 266-5624 | C (337) 380-2392

ACEC of Louisiana and AIA Louisiana welcomed the 2025 Emerging Leaders Class to Session I on May 6^th and May 27th . The two-day Sessions included personal personality profiles and necessary tools to work with clients and colleagues with different personalities; business development skills; 2025 Legislative update in the A/E Industry including the Capital Outlay bill and spending a day advocating with our state legislative leaders for the "business of engineering."