J.R.Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program

Last Friday at 1:30 pm during a ceremony held in the SDSU Library, SDSU President Stephen Weber made it official….SDSU’s new Construction  Program is now the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program. The naming was in recognition of the $3,000,000 gift that Jack and Jane Filanc presented to the program this past December.  In his remarks, President Weber made it clear that San Diego’s construction industry did an excellent job of detailing to the University that there was a critical need for this program. He indicated that SDSU and most Universities are slow to accept change.  The compelling arguments in favor of establishing the program presented by Pete Filanc and a number of other AGC members were the determining factor in the University moving forward with the Program.  Once the decision is made to move forward with a program of this nature, universities are usually required to approach the industry that is seeking the Program to provide significant funding to provide the long term financial foundation for the Program. The $2,000,000 donated to date by AGC San Diego members, combined with the Filanc’s $3,000,000 gift, has provided this financial foundation.

This milestone for the San Diego Construction industry was the result of several years of hard work by the Filanc family and a number of other AGC members that donated their time, expertise, and money to “make it happen.” This Program is an excellent example of the power of our industry working together through the AGC. Congratulations to all of those that participated!!!

For those of you that have not been involved there are still opportunities.  With the strong financial foundation that has been provided the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program at SDSU has the potential to become one of the best construction programs in the United States. Increasing the amount held in this Program’s endowment will allow the Program’s Director, Dr Ken Walsh who occupies the position of the Paul S. Roel Chair for Construction Engineering and Management SDSU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, to attract the best professors, the best students, and to enrich the educational experience of each student.

The bottom line……the San Diego construction industry’s efforts with this program are just beginning….believe me…there is plenty of time for those that have not participated to be part of the effort to make the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program the best construction program in the United States.

If you are interested in shaping your industry contact Dr. Ken Walsh at kwalsh@mail.sdsu.edu or Jim Ryan at jryan@agcsd.org or 858 558 7444 x14.

More on the SDSU J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program

During the naming ceremony on Friday, SDSU distributed a new promotional brochure that is directed towards students considering the Program.  We have reprinted a number of portions of the brochure to give you a feel for the ongoing recruiting that is taking place for the Program.

·         The CEM Program Supports Internships with local construction firms and hands-on experience to help you learn firsthand about construction engineering and management.  Plus connections are made through professional clubs such as the student chapters of AGC and the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineering).

 ·         Faculty brings not only prestigious academic credentials, but also many years of experience in the      construction industry, providing students with a real world perspective in the classroom.

 ·         The initial undergraduate program will prepare engineers to work for construction firms right out of school. Approximately 225 students will enroll in the CEM program initially, resulting in 55 graduates each year to help fill the void of qualified local employees.  Housed in the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the CEM program will offer graduates a stable profession that commands a good salary - generally starting above $45,000 annually. Demand in the construction engineering is higher than it’s been in 20 years.

        ·      SDSU offers a complete educational experience for its students both inside and outside of the     classroom.  From extracurricular activities, tutoring and mentoring, career development, SDSU is known for its academic excellence and exceptional value.

·         San Diego faces an acute shortage of qualified, competent construction professionals.  This new program will prepare students right out of school.

AGC Treks to Sacramento for Annual Legislative Day

By Brad Barnum, Vice President Government Relations

Last week, AGC San Diego members and staff joined AGC California members for the Annual Legislative Day in Sacramento.  Once again, it was a very informative and productive trip!

On Tuesday, a reception was held for Senate Democratic Leader Don Perata (represents the Oakland/Alameda area), who was one of the architects of the $37 billion infrastructure bond measures on the November ballot.  AGC members had an opportunity to informally visit the Senator, who also addressed the group about AGC’s important role in making sure legislators know about the important of the measures to the construction industry.  The passage of the measures would not have happened without the help of AGC, its lobbyists, and two coalitions, Transportation California and the California Alliance for Jobs.

A number of speakers highlighted Wednesday’s program, including Assembly Republican Leader George Plescia and Assemblymember John Laird (Democrat from Santa Cruz).  Both legislators discussed the importance of passing the infrastructure bonds in November, but warned that the housing bond may have the most difficulty in passing.  The State’s budget also was addressed, and both legislators agreed that although there was common ground on many of the issues, the issue of paying down the state’s debt could be problematic.

Two enlightening presentations came by way of the Governor’s Office and a reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle!  Dan Dunmoyer, the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff of Policy Development, provided a unique staff perspective of what has transpired in the Governor’s Office since the Governor lost all of his ballot propositions last November.  It is interesting to note that Dan Dunmoyer, a fiscally conservative Republican, was hired after the November elections by the newly appointed Democratic Chief of Staff Susan Kennedy.  As you may remember, the Governor was highly criticized by conservative Republicans for making the move to hire the former Chief of Staff to Gray Davis.

Needless to say, the Governor’s tactics have changed since the hiring of Susan Kennedy and Dan Dunmoyer, and AGC Leg. Day attendees were given a first hand account of the “changing of the guard” and what to expect out of the Governor’s Office over the coming months!

Leg. Day attendees were treated to a humorous luncheon speaker who is paid to write about the political activities in Sacramento, Greg Lucas of the San Francisco Chronicle.  I have known Greg for 20 years…he has followed state politics since the 1980’s… he has seen and heard it all!  However, for the last two years he had been barred from writing political stories for the Chronicle, because his wife was working for Governor Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver.  It became quite clear during his comments, that although he had ample time to reflect on life while he was reporting on other issues, his passion is politics. 

Greg’s wife doesn’t work for the Governor anymore….so Greg can go back to what I think he does best…write and tell political stories with a humorous twist.  Welcome back Greg!

Once again, the highlight of Legislative Day was the trip to the Capitol for some lobbying activities.  AGC members said “thank you” to legislators for putting the infrastructure bond measures on the November ballot, asked them to carefully look at the pending design-build legislation for ten highway construction projects, and asked for support of three vocational education bills moving through the legislative process.

AGC Affiliate Day – August 7^th

It’s time once again for the Annual Affiliate Day Golf Tournament!! This is the 67^th year for this very popular and eagerly anticipated tournament, which has proven to be the biggest and best in S.D. County.  Both 18-hole courses @ Sycuan Singing Hills Resort is jammed pack with golfers’ exhibitors, food & drink. No one leaves hungry, thirsty, or empty-handed.

Golfers will have a shotgun start 12:00 noon.  Exhibitors displaying construction equipment and services will be on every hole.  Each Exhibitor has fun give-a-way items for every golfer.  At the end of the day, everyone leaves with a bag loaded with great prizes.  Affiliate Day is also known for its great tee prize which is sponsored this year by the law offices of Procopio.  Contests will also be held on each course with cash prizes for the winners and a raffle during the post-golf dinner.   The raffle is the largest raffle of the year, giving away $10,000 worth of prizes.

Affiliate Day is not just another golf tournament.  It is a great way to give your employees and clients a great day of fun!  Major sponsors are Driver-Alliant Insurance Services and California Bank & Trust.  Lunch is once again sponsored by Marks, Golia, & Finch, LLC., and the cool treats sponsor is Polycomp Administrative Services. 

Affiliate Day Golf Sponsorships Available

If you would like to promote your company services to over 300 golfers, and enjoy the fun and camaraderie at the best and largest construction-related golf tournament, look no further!  We are in search of 5 companies to join the other 13 who have committed to the Course Exhibitors on each of the two courses on Singing Hills.  It is a wonderful way to display your equipment, company trucks, or promotional products.

If you become a Course Exhibitor, you will join the likes of Acme Safety & Supply, Active Graphix, Anderson Drilling, Bob Stall Chevrolet, Cement Cutting, Enterprise Fleet Systems, National Construction Rentals, NationsRent, Qualcomm Business Solutions, Brewer Crane, and Foundation Software.  Many of these companies have been course exhibitors for many, many, years!!

We also have attached a sponsorship form that provides more information about the Course Exhibitors.  There are other sponsorships available, including tee and beverages, longest and straight drives, and hole-in-one sponsorships. Please contact Rae Krushensky at 858-558-7444, ext 11 for questions.

“iSqft Randy’s” Tip of the Week and Obscure factoid

iSqFt Tip of the Week:

For a limited time, simply subscribe to the AGC/iSqFt Internet Plan Room for two years, and receive your choice of a Free Laptop or Desktop Computer!  For details call "iSqFt Randy" at 858-558-7444, ext 42

Obscure Factoid: 

Sailors of the Middle Ages believed that wearing rings in their ears would save them from drowning if their ship sank.

 

JUNE CLASSES

June 22 – WEB CM

June 28 – CPR/First Aid – 8AM

June 27 – Construction Project Engineering – 7:00 AM

June 29 – Supervisory Training Program Series begins

 

Please note: If you will be attending any of these committee meetings at the AGC office, remember we are under construction, so please use the entrance at the back of the building. 

JUNE MEETINGS

June 19  - SD County Water Authority Liaison Committee – 11:30 AM

June 21 – Public Building Liaison Committee – 7 AM

June 27 – Airport Authority Liaison @ Airport – POSTPONED UNTIL JULY 17^th 11:00 AM

June 28 – County of San Diego Liaison Committee – 1 PM

June 28 –  AGC Toastmasters at Roel’s Training Center – 7:00 AM

 

 

June 27- AGC Baseball Bash- Padres vs. Oakland A’s  - SOLD OUT!!

 

SAVE THE DATE:

July 21 – Day at the Races

August 7 – Affiliate Day Golf Tournament – Singing Hills Country Club

September 23– Aztec Football Tailgate and SkyShow