Engineering Inc. - November/December 2004 - 32

ONE ON ONE Messer Sets Sights on Public Policy Engagement Q. A. You are a
graduate of Public policy affects all of cantly to the national tort
ACEC's Senior Executives Insti- us, and public policy is driven reform
effort, as well as work on tute SEI program. What did by the political
process. That's our own industry issues. I this program do for you? why it
is so important for every believe our Risk Management ACEC member to
support the Program also will encourage A. PAC. Being an active
participant I believe most senior exec- more firms who are sub-consult- in
the PAC gives me insight into utives would agree that to be a ants to
architects to join ACEC. the potential impact that various successful
leader, one must Q. policies have on my business What trends in the mar-
know oneself, know business and, more importantly, it gives ketplace do
you believe are the management and know the pub- me the unique opportunity
to most challenging? lic policy process. ACEC's do my part in shaping an
Senior Executives Institute has A. Ray Messer is president of
Understanding the risks improved business environment. reinforced such
knowledge for Walter P. Moore in and rewards of various forms of It is
encouraging how attentive me. SEI opens the mind to Houston, Texas.
project delivery is a huge chal- our political leaders are when issues
beyond project delivery, lenge for all of us. Several of the one meets
with them regarding cost-benefit analyses and the delivery methodologies
are rap- business issues. After all, it is like, and allows you to focus
on idly evolving, in particular, business that makes our country issues
such as management design-build. We must be so great, and they understand
styles, interpersonal relation- engaged in leading the evolu- that. ships,
motivating and leading tion or as some might say, the versus managing
employees, and Q. Q. As president of Walter P. What do you think the
revolution in project delivery. balancing work and personal Moore since
1993, what moti- administration should undertake Changing delivery
processes, time. It puts everything we do in vates you to be so actively
as its top domestic priorities? coupled with the ever-increasing a larger
context. involved with ACEC? expectations of clients and the Q. A. As the
former chairman There are many domestic courts with respect to standard A.
I've always been interested of the Council of American issues that need
addressing, but I of care, make for a challenging in public policy and how
it Structural Engineers CASE , believe that three rise to the top. and
exciting time. affects my business, so I've been which has recently
expanded its First, our infrastructure is a tick- Q. You have been active
in naturally drawn to ACEC for activities with a new Risk Man- ing time
bomb. Utilities are ACEC's Political Action Com- many years. ACEC keeps me
agement Program RMP , what aged, bridges are deteriorating, mittee, the
largest in the design ahead of the public-policy curve do you see as the
future of this roads are not maintained, public industry. What benefits
does the and goes to bat for the issues of program? buildings and
especially public PAC provide to you? greatest importance to me. Also,
schools are in need of upgrading A. The Risk Management it gives me the
opportunity to or replacement. Second, we Program of CASE provides a
discuss common issues with must pay attention to our edu- great
opportunity to link the other firm leaders and this, cou- cation systems.
Some systems unique risk management chal- pled with the breadth of its
busi- are great and others are seriously lenges of structural engineers
ness resources, makes involve- lacking. And third, health care: with the
broader risk manage- ment in ACEC a must for me. Serious tort reform would
help, ment issues of the entire engi- as would a more consumer- neering
community. RMP is off driven health care system. These to a great start,
with almost all are serious issues, but I am of the major structural
engineer- always optimistic. The American ing firms in the country
partici- spirit will pull us through. We, pating. We hope to add signifi-
the public, just need to engage. 3 2 ENGINEERING INC. N o v e m b e r l
December 2004
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2004

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