President’s Message: February 2026
ACEC Florida President Richard G. Acree, PE
To the ACEC Florida Community,
As we move further into 2026, I am proud of the strong start our industry has made through focused advocacy efforts and meaningful engagement with policymakers on issues that directly impact Florida’s consulting engineering community.
Earlier this month, ACEC Florida and FES hosted our 2026 Professional Engineers’ Days in Tallahassee. We welcomed 180 attendees who met with more than 70 Florida legislators and their staff to discuss issues critical to our industry. Our conversations focused on protecting qualification-based selection, maintaining strong infrastructure investment, and advancing policies that support sound project delivery and public safety. Your engagement makes a difference. I encourage you to review our 2026 legislative priorities on the Advocacy tab of our website and stay involved by joining our weekly legislative update calls each Friday morning throughout Session. Your voice strengthens our profession and ensures we remain a trusted partner in shaping Florida’s future.
2026 Professional Engineers’ Day at the Old Capitol in Tallahassee
On February 13, we gathered in Orlando to celebrate the very best of our industry at the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards. It was an evening that highlighted innovation, collaboration, and impact, with entertainment from SAK Comedy and a lively reception that kept the energy high well into the night. Congratulations to WGI for earning the Grand Conceptor Award for their JTA U2C Phase II – Bay Street Innovation project for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. This transformative project represents the forward-thinking leadership that defines our member firms. WGI will represent Florida at the National Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on May 5, 2026, in Washington, DC. We look forward to cheering them on as they showcase Florida excellence on the national stage.
Professional development also remains a priority this spring. I encourage our geotechnical and mechanical firms to register for the 2026 GMEC Conference, April 8-10. This year’s program will spotlight technical advancements across our industry, including cutting-edge research in geotechnical engineering, pavement design, soil mechanics, materials performance, sustainability, testing methodologies, and infrastructure resilience. Attendees will gain insight from major project case studies, explore emerging technologies shaping the future of engineering, and participate in discussions on innovative business models, leadership practices, workforce development, and strategies for navigating regulatory, financial, and environmental challenges. It promises to deliver both technical depth and practical business value.
For members involved in transportation and project delivery, the 2026 ACEC Florida | FDOT Project Management Conference on May 7-8 offers a targeted opportunity to sharpen your skills and expand your network. Designed for FDOT and consultant project managers, the conference will feature joint project presentations and meaningful networking with FDOT and industry peers.
ACEC Florida continues to lead because of the active participation of our members. Whether advocating in Tallahassee or investing in professional development, your engagement advances our profession and reinforces the value consulting engineers bring to Florida’s communities every day.
Best regards,
Rick Acree, PE
Terracon, Director of Florida Transportation and Infrastructure
Senior Principal – Vice President
