President’s Message: August 2025

ACEC Florida President Richard G. Acree, PE

To the ACEC Florida Community,

Coming off the heels of another successful Annual Conference, I am reminded of a truth that has guided me throughout my career: you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with. I am deeply grateful to my employer, Terracon, for supporting me in serving as your President, to my family for their constant encouragement, to the Board of Directors, members of our Executive Committee, and our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment. None of this work would be possible without your time, talent, and leadership.

In our careers and in life, there is always something pulling at our attention—projects, deadlines, and responsibilities. Yet, when we cross a finish line, we quickly realize there is no true finish line. There is always another challenge, another opportunity, another step forward. That truth is certainly evident in our organization right now.

After many years of discussion and debate, we have officially closed the chapter on our longtime headquarters building. As of July 22, the sale of the building became final. This moment is bittersweet, filled with emotion and gratitude for all that our building has represented. I want to personally thank Tom Hayden, Doug Barkley, and the Building Committee for their tireless efforts throughout this process. Their leadership has brought us to this moment, and now we look ahead to the next journey: identifying a new home for ACEC Florida and FES that reflects our bright future.

This year also marks another transition as Allen Douglas resigned as Executive Director. Allen’s many years of service and significant contributions have left an impact on ACEC Florida, and we are thankful for his efforts and dedication. The Search Committee has already begun the work of identifying our next executive director, and we are committed to ensuring the right leader is in place to carry ACEC Florida’s mission forward.

My goals for this year are very clear. First, stabilization – finding the right executive director while ensuring that staff are supported during this transition. I have full confidence in our team, and I know the Board and Executive Committee will be there every step of the way. Second, if we succeed, everything else will fall into place. This will allow future Boards and Executive Committees to focus on the true purpose of our service: promoting and strengthening our engineering community through advocacy, political action, and education. These are the pillars that drive our organization and engage our member firms in meaningful ways.

It has been an honor to serve as your President for the past five months, and I am humbled by the opportunity to continue serving for the year ahead. Together, I know we will achieve great things. I look forward to all we will accomplish in 2025–2026.

Best regards,

Rick Acree, PE
Terracon, Director of Florida Transportation and Infrastructure
Senior Principal  –  Vice President