March April 2010 CMAdvisor - 15

News
CMAA Radio Interview: New Approaches to the Construction Industry’s Challenges
“We need to increase our focus and attention on maintaining what we have,” said Blaine Leonard, 2010 president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, in an interview with CMAA President and CEO Bruce D’Agostino. Leonard is Research Program Manager at the Utah Department of Transportation and has been involved in ASCE since 1981, serving as the Zone IV Vice President, a Governor of the GeoInstitute, president of the Utah Section, and on a number of national ASCE committees. In the interview, Leonard proposed solutions, both short and long term, to current challenges presented by our nation’s aging infrastructure. “If we spend a few dollars on rehabilitation, we can save a lot of money downstream in not having to replace things after they deteriorate more,” said Leonard. “We need to not forget operations and maintenance, and investing in what we have.” Regarding our nation’s transportation infrastructure funding, Leonard said “It’s not going to be adequate. At current spending and investment levels, we’re soon going to be into a negative balance to the tune of several billion dollars. We have to increase the funding.” In the short term, Leonard believes one answer lies in an increase to the gas tax. “It’s not popular with a lot of folks, but we use this infrastructure, we need to pay for it. The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission recommended a 5‑8 cent gas tax increase per year for the next 5 years,” said Leonard. Leonard added that Public Private Partnerships are a viable solution for funding some elements of our infrastructure. “As certain areas use it successfully and demonstrate where its proper use is, it will be seen as a good solution for some instances. I think it will also spawn new ideas and solutions as well,” said Leonard. When asked what the key is to attracting smart young professionals to engineering, Leonard raised two points. First, he thinks the industry needs to raise the bar on education and licensure requirements. Second, Leonard thinks a new message to students needs to be put out. “Instead of encouraging students who are good at math and science to enter the engineering field, we need to focus on outcomes,” he said. “If you want to change people’s lives, change the world, become an engineer.” This, he believes, is a more effective message.

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Every CM should make mastering CMAA’s Standards of Practice a priority in 2010. The Standards of Practice Course is a three‑day intensive curriculum valuable for those preparing to sit for their CCM exam, and for CMs looking to learn or refresh their knowledge of our Standards of Practice. Find a three‑day intensive course in your region that fits into your busy schedule. There are currently eight courses scheduled all over the United States. For information on how you can help get a course scheduled in your area, please contact Dennis Doran, at ddoran@cmaanet.org. If you are unable to travel to a course, consider mastering CMAA’s core competencies in a self‑paced environment online. Learn more and preview the Standards of Practice online modules here.

CMAdvisor

March April 2010 CMAdvisor

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