Engineering Influence from ACEC

We sat down with Greg Kelly, CEO of STV sand Vice Chair of the ACEC Research Institute to discuss a new study on Value Based Pricing. Recorded live at the ACEC 2026 Fall Conference.   Read the Study: https://www.acec.org/resource/beyond-the-hour-making-the-case-for-value-based-pricing/

What do the 2026 midterm elections mean for infrastructure, the engineering industry, and the prospects for divided government in Washington? In this episode of Engineering Influence, recorded live at the 2026 ACEC Fall Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, we sit down with Ambassador Jeff Flake, former U.S. Senator from Arizona and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and Bruce Mehlman, one of Washington’s leadi...

On this episode of Engineering Influence, CTO Ron Sattan joins host Thomas Grogan to explore how engineering firms are moving beyond time-and-materials toward subscriptions, platforms, and outcome-based pricing. They dig into how data, AI, and agents are opening new service lines, driving efficiency, and creating revenue streams that don’t depend on billable hours. Ron also shares practical steps...

Jessica North digs into why so many engineering firms struggle with friction, rework, slow decisions, and burnout, and why the problem is usually the system, not the team. Unclear decision-making, competing priorities, and messy handoffs quietly drain performance. Jessica shares how leaders can find and fix these hidden barriers: ask the hard questions, really listen, build psychological safety, a...

How can engineering firms prepare for a future defined by rapid change, evolving client needs, and growing complexity? In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with Hoss Tabrizi, from Ulteig, to explore how engineering firms can remain agile, resilient, and ready for what comes next. Hoss discusses the importance of planning for multiple scenarios rather than relying on a single visio...

In this special episode we collaborate with QBS Express and sit down with U.S. Representative Ron Estes of Kansas for a conversation on tax policy, infrastructure, and regulatory reform. About the Guest: Representative Ron Estes has represented Kansas's 4th District in the U.S. House since 2017, following service as Sedgwick County Treasurer and Kansas State Treasurer. An engineer by training with...

Artificial intelligence is moving fast and engineering firms are being asked to adopt it just as quickly. But what does that mean for risk? On this episode of Engineering Influence, Jim Compton and Joe Bates dig into new research from the ACEC Research Institute examining how AI adoption is reshaping risk exposure across the engineering industry. They break down what the data actually shows: where...

Water infrastructure is the backbone of how communities survive and thrive in the face of a changing climate. In this episode, we sit down with Walter P Moore to explore what it really takes to build resilient water systems, from aging infrastructure challenges to forward-looking engineering solutions. We dig into: 💧 The state of water infrastructure across the country 🌊 Engineering strategies f...

In this episode of The Market Edge, Diana O' Lare sits down with veteran journalist and broadcaster Llewellyn King to discuss his concept of the "New Weather" and what it means for infrastructure, migration, economic development, and investment. They explore: ✅ The economic implications of a potential Super El Niño ✅ Why heat and water constraints may reshape growth patterns ✅ The growing need...

In this episode of the Engineering Influence podcast, Sharon Jean-Baptiste, President of Ardmore Roderick, shares her leadership journey in the engineering industry and the lessons that have shaped her career. She discusses the lasting impact engineering work can have on communities, offers advice for young professionals just starting out in the field, and speaks to why mentorship remains one of t...

Initially unveiled in Summer 2023, nearly 200 ACEC member firms have participated in the Roadmap — a DEI&B maturity model and benchmarking tool that gives engineering firm executives a comprehensive, data-driven way to assess the maturity of their firm's DEIB program, with actionable suggestions for making further progress. Chad Clinehens brings the data and the on-the-ground perspective from...

In this special episode of the QBS Express — recorded in Washington, D.C. — host Scott Heidner (Executive Director, ACEC Kansas) and co-host Rob Krewson (President, ACEC Kansas) sit down with U.S. Representative Derek Schmidt of Kansas for a wide-ranging conversation on infrastructure, policy, and public service. About the Guest: Congressman Derek Schmidt has spent his career in Kansas public serv...

In this episode of The Market Edge, ACEC's Vice President of Market Intelligence, Diana O'Lare, speaks with FMI Chief Economist Brian Strawberry on What markets are growing? Which sectors are cooling? And what does the rapid rise of data centers and energy infrastructure mean for the future of the AEC industry? 

In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with Boris Martin, CEO of Engineers Without Borders USA, to talk about how purpose-driven engineering is reshaping careers and communities alike. Boris shares how EWB-USA partners with communities around the world and here at home to solve real infrastructure challenges. Volunteering on meaningful projects builds stronger, more fulfilled engine...

On this episode of Engineering Influence, host Jeff Urbanchuk sits down with Sean Young from NVIDIA to explore how artificial intelligence — particularly agentic AI and large language models — is reshaping the AEC industry. Sean and Jeff discuss why firms should start treating project data as valuable IP, how AI agents can automate repetitive CAD and BIM tasks, and the ways AI is accelerating desi...

As demand for AI infrastructure accelerates, successful data center development depends on more than identifying available land. Developers and engineering teams must navigate permitting challenges, stakeholder concerns, community sentiment, and political dynamics that can significantly impact project outcomes. In this episode of The Market Edge, Diana O'Lare sits down with Flypower CEO Navdeep Ma...

A big thank you to Autodesk, the sponsor of Engineering Influence at this year's convention. Autodesk partners with the AECO industry and its leaders to shape a more connected, data-driven future, empowering engineers to work more intelligently and to make confident decisions to drive meaningful impact. This enables firms to evolve, stay competitive, and deliver stronger business outcomes, all whi...

In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with the CEO of FIDIC to explore the forces reshaping the engineering profession worldwide. We discuss how global standards help firms navigate cross-border projects, the growing role of artificial intelligence in engineering practice, and what it will take to build and retain a skilled workforce for the future. It's a conversation about where...

Data is one of the most valuable assets an engineering firm has—but only if it's collected, connected, and put to work. On this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with Deb Johnston of Tonic DM to discuss how engineering firms can transform the way they manage project data. Deb explains how Tonic DM helps firms streamline data collection, eliminate redundant processes, improve workflows,...

This episode explains Progressive Design‑Build: a qualifications‑based, two‑phase delivery method that brings contractors and designers together early to develop preliminary designs, set firm prices, and use disciplined decision gates. The ACEC Research Institute study shows increasing adoption, generally strong project outcomes, and uneven readiness across firms and owners. Success depends on rig...

Policy is moving fast — and markets are moving with it. In this episode of The Market Edge, Morgan Stanley’s Monica Guerra breaks down the biggest forces set to shape the U.S. economy in 2026. We cover midterms, industrial policy, labor supply, inflation, energy markets, construction financing, housing demand, and the rise of data‑center‑driven digital infrastructure. A must‑listen for leaders nav...

How can the engineering industry attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent? On this episode of Engineering Influence, ACEC sits down with Tera Kaltsas, Designer Initiative Lead and Employee Experience Specialist at Kimley-Horn, to discuss innovative workforce development strategies that are helping shape the future of the profession.   Tera shares insights into Kimley-Horn’s and A...

In this episode, ACEC’s Jeff Urbanchuk sits down with Jack Hsueh of Autodesk to explore how engineering firms can deliver more with constrained resources through digital project delivery. From connected data and collaborative workflows to automation and digital twins, they discuss how technology is transforming project execution across the industry. Jack shares insights from major initiatives like...

On the latest episode of Engineering Influence, former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders Bill Shuster and Peter DeFazio come together for a candid discussion on the future of America's infrastructure. Drawing on years of bipartisan leadership, they reflect on major transportation investments, lessons learned in Congress, and the opportunities ahead to strengthen the nation'...

What does it take to undo 100 years of harm to one of America's great rivers? In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with the team winner of ACEC's 2026 Grand Conceptor Award, McMillen Engineering. McMillen, Inc. earned ACEC's top honor for the Klamath River Renewal Project, the world's largest dam removal and river restoration effort. Once the third-largest salmon-producing river s...