Nov 3, 2014 - AEA gave testimony to the Transportation Committee of the NYC Council on initiating a "Smooth Streets" program which also benefits both the Vision Zero and Fair Tolling initiatives. This program when properly organized, staffed and led by a Licensed Professional Engineer would coordinate and control the resurfacing of City streets to ensure that suitable traffic diversions and timely restorations are made.
AEA made a presentation at City College of New York on October 30, 2014 to introduce a "Leadership Certificate" program. This was presented in collaboration with NSPE to help enable Engineering students to enter the work force fully equipped to address the many non-technical challenges they will be facing during their careers. The program will help prepare our students to be effective leaders in both the Engineering Profession and Society.
Feb 27, 2014 - AEA attended the annual meeting of New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) which is the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization and presented the smooth street initiative, how this is more efficient use of tax payer money and how this can be financed.
The American Engineering Alliance hosted our Professional and Social Event in February 22, 2011 at Columbia University. The event’s theme is “Preparing Our Students to Meet the Challenges of the 21st Century” by keynote speaker, Richard Weingardt, P.E. who brought many years of experience, knowledge and insight to students on this issue. Following was a panel of distinguished Engineering Professionals from academia, government and private sector to discuss the real-world challenges facing the engineering profession, opportunities available in today's marketplace, and how students can prepare to enter the workforce
AEA held our Professional and Social event March 5, 2009 in the Great Hall at Cooper Union in Manhattan including members from academia (students and professors), government and the private sector. Frank Lombardi, P.E., Chief Engineer - Port Authority of New York and New Jersey gave inspiring presentation on the Future of the Profession: Challenges and Opportunities and the crucial role Engineers play in Society. This was followed with a panel discussion on challenges facing Our Profession. The successful night closed with an action plan - to ensure student Engineers are ready for challenges and opportunities of the future.
AEA attended the Transportation Policy and Management Forum at the NYU Wagner Rudin Center: Financing the Region's Transportation Needs on June 4, 2008. This forum explored funding alternative for maintaining, improving and expanding the regional transportation system.
On August 6, 2007 Sal Galletta participated in a press conference at City Hall in New York City concerning the issue of Infrastructure and the role Engineers play in the maintenance and delivery of infrastructure projects. Sal again reiterated the critical need for management of the nation's infrastructure assets by licensed technical professionals. A copy of his full statement at this event can be found by clicking here or by going to the Action Items, Press Release section of the website.
On July 11, 2007, Sal Galletta presented to members of the New York City Council recent developments in promoting New York City Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure (see NYC Infrastructure Proposal under Action Update). Discussed was the lack of constituency for maintaining bridges, water infrastructure and roads and that the infrastructure of the City is now run by the budget office instead of an Engineering office. Also discussed was that the Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure could be tied to the Mayor’s 2030 plan. The plan contains three major areas: 1) maintaining the City’s infrastructure 2) providing housing and 3) embracing principles of sustainability.
SUPPORT FOR TRUTHTELLERS
For those in the Profession who are either experiencing an Ethical dilemma at their place of employment concerning information that you reasonably believe reveals one of the following:
· A violation of a law, rule, or regulation
· A specific danger to employees and/or to public health or safety
· Fraud, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, or abuse of authority
If you are attempting to make something right that in your professional opinion is being ignored by improper organizational mismanagement, you may want to discuss the issue with one of the contacts in the following link and get an outside second opinion.
To learn more from local Engineers and others as to what really happened to the City of Idaho Fall Public Works Division in 1996 and their Engineering Department, read the new book (released May 2014); WHISTLEBLOWER: Justice over Discrimination and Ethics Violations by Dennis Patterson.