ES BLACKJACK3D/GETTYIMAGES T he future for the engineering industry looks brighter than it has in years. Capital spending in the United States is at an all-time high. The state of New York, for example, which invested $48 billion on capital projects last year, is expected to spend an additional $50 billion this year, according to New York-based Executive Committee members. The Trump administration still has plans to invest trillions in the nation's infrastructure, though the initiative is stagnant for the time being. New hires who joined engineering firms after 2011 have little recollection of the recession's crippling effect on the industry and have primarily experienced only growth and prosperity at their firms. Members of the 2018-2019 ACEC Executive Committee offer their views on technology and trends that are expected to impact the industry. "We are living in a great time in our industry where markets are expanding," says ACEC Chairman Manish Kothari, president and CEO of Sheladia Associates, Rockville, Maryland. "There is also unprecedented opportunity for innovation and Manish Kothari the use of new technology." OLOGY BY STACY COLLETT JULY / AUGUST 2018 ENGINEERING INC. 29