Chapter Committees

Get Involved in one or more of our ACEC-OC chapter committees

Programs Committee

The Programs Committee plays a pivotal role in enhancing the chapter’s engagement and networking initiatives. The primary responsibility of the committee is to book monthly speakers who can attract and engage an audience interested in upcoming capital improvement plans and other relevant topics in the engineering field.

  • Speaker Selection: Identify and secure knowledgeable and influential speakers who can provide valuable insights into upcoming capital improvement projects and other pertinent subjects.
  • Audience Engagement: Ensure that the topics and speakers chosen are of high interest to our members, fostering greater attendance and participation.
  • Monthly Meetings: The committee convenes monthly via Microsoft Teams to discuss potential speakers, plan upcoming events, and coordinate logistics.

By diligently fulfilling these responsibilities, the Programs Committee significantly contributes to the professional development and networking opportunities available to ACEC-OC members.

Chair Walt Quesada wquesada@lawa.org
Co-Chair Tamara Werkmeister Tamara.Werkmeister@wsp.com
President Camilo Rocha carocha@transystems.com
V. President Erin Hoy erin.hoy@enterrisassociates.com
Gheorghe Rosca Gheorghe.Rosca@hdrinc.com
Darren Adrian darren.adrian@kimley-horn.com
Brandon Lanthier BLanthier@Kleinfelder.com
Arief Naftali arief.naftali@psomas.com
Steve Ogburn sogburn@aztec.us

Education Committee

The Education Committee is dedicated to fostering professional growth and knowledge within the engineering community. The committee’s main focus is to create and implement educational modules that address key areas of interest and importance to our members.

  • Curriculum Development: Design and develop comprehensive educational modules on topics such as “What is Business Development,” “Follow the Money,” “Advocacy and Legislation,” “Project Delivery,” “Networking” and “Understanding Contracts.”
  • Implementation: Organize and deliver these educational sessions, ensuring they are accessible and beneficial to all members.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and update the educational content to keep it relevant and aligned with the latest industry trends and needs.

Chair Shannon Conaway sconaway@conawaygeo.com
President Camilo Rocha carocha@transystems.com
V. President Erin Hoy erin.hoy@enterrisassociates.com
Gheorghe Rosca Gheorghe.Rosca@hdrinc.com
Darren Adrian darren.adrian@kimley-horn.com
Chris Mockus cmockus@trccompanies.com
James Qin qin.james@va-inc.com
Dave Moritz dmoritz@markthomas.com
Ryan Mitry rmitry@HNTB.com

PAC
Committee

The Political Action Committee (PAC) is dedicated to fostering member engagement through enjoyable activities while raising funds for the PAC local fund.

  • Fundraising Events: Organize and host a variety of fun and engaging activities designed to encourage member participation and support for the PAC.
  • Member Engagement: Create opportunities for members to connect and network in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, strengthening the community within ACEC-OC.
  • Advocacy Support: Ensure that the funds raised are used to support local political initiatives and candidates that align with the interests and goals of the engineering community.

By combining fun and fundraising, the PAC Committee plays a vital role in supporting the political advocacy efforts of ACEC-OC, ensuring that the voices of engineers are heard in local government.

Chair Chris Diaz Chris@diazyourman.com
President Camilo Rocha carocha@transystems.com
V. President Erin Hoy erin.hoy@enterrisassociates.com
Brandon Lanthier BLanthier@Kleinfelder.com

Emerging Leader Committee

The Emerging Leader Committee is dedicated to fostering the next generation of engineering leaders through dynamic and engaging activities.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Mixer Events: Organize and facilitate networking mixers that provide emerging leaders with opportunities to connect, share ideas, and build professional relationships.
  • Engagement Activities: Develop and implement activities that encourage active participation and engagement among emerging leaders, helping them to grow both personally and professionally.
  • Leadership Development: Create programs and events that focus on developing leadership skills, industry knowledge, and community involvement.

By hosting these mixers and engagement activities, the Emerging Leader Committee plays a crucial role in nurturing the future leaders of the engineering community, ensuring they are well-equipped to take on leadership roles within ACEC-OC and beyond.

Chair OPEN
President Camilo Rocha carocha@transystems.com
V. President Erin Hoy erin.hoy@enterrisassociates.com
Tom Pilarski tpilarski@guidainc.com

Awards Committee

The Awards Committee is instrumental in recognizing and celebrating the achievements of our members and Public Owner Agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Awards Selection: Assist in the selection process for various awards, ensuring that deserving individuals and projects are recognized.
  • Contacting Awardees: Reach out to award recipients to inform them of their selection and provide necessary details.
  • Event Planning: Handle logistics for the awards ceremony, including selecting a Master of Ceremonies (MC), choosing a venue, and setting the event date.

By managing these tasks, the Awards Committee ensures that our awards program runs smoothly and that our members’ accomplishments are celebrated in a meaningful and memorable way.

Chair Cosette Conaway CConaway@conawaygeo.com
President Camilo Rocha carocha@transystems.com
V. President Erin Hoy erin.hoy@enterrisassociates.com
Gheroghe Rosca Gheorghe.Rosca@hdrinc.com
Darren Adrian darren.adrian@kimley-horn.com
Dina Rochford DRochford@Verdantas.com
Dave Moritz dmoritz@markthomas.com
Mike Broadwater mbroadwater@GFNET.com

Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship Committee plays a vital role in supporting the educational aspirations of future engineers.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Application Review: Assist in the evaluation and grading of scholarship applications to ensure that the most deserving candidates are selected.
  • Criteria Development: Help establish clear and fair criteria for assessing applications, ensuring a transparent and equitable selection process.

By diligently performing these tasks, the Scholarship Committee helps to nurture the next generation of engineering talent, contributing to the growth and development of the engineering profession.

Chair Chris Diaz Chris@diazyourman.com
President Camilo Rocha carocha@transystems.com
V. President Erin Hoy erin.hoy@enterrisassociates.com
Mike Bruz mbruz@aztec.us
Marie Marston marie.marston@deainc.com
Dave Moritz dmoritz@markthomas.com
Sarmad Farjo Sarmad.Farjo@mbakerintl.com
Tom Pilarski tpilarski@guidainc.com

Golf Committee

The Golf Committee of the American Council of Engineering Companies, Orange County Chapter (ACEC-OC) is dedicated to organizing and executing a successful annual golf tournament that supports our scholarship fund.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Monthly Meetings: Attend regular meetings to plan and coordinate all aspects of the golf tournament.
  • Event Planning: Oversee the logistics of the event, including selecting the venue, setting the date, and arranging for necessary amenities and services.
  • Budget Management: Set pricing for participation and sponsorships to ensure the event meets its budgetary goals and generates sufficient proceeds for the scholarship fund.
  • Fundraising: Develop strategies to maximize participation and sponsorship, ensuring a successful and profitable event.

By managing these tasks, the Golf Committee ensures that the annual golf tournament is not only enjoyable but also a significant contributor to the ACEC-OC scholarship fund, supporting the education of future engineers.

Co-Chair Lisa Penna lpenna@ardurra.com
Co-Chair George Jurica GeorgeJ@CannonCorp.us
James Qin qin.james@va-inc.com
Ryan Mitry rmitry@HNTB.com
Camilo Rocha carocha@transystems.com