Orange County
Engineering CouncilJanuary 2010
2010 OCEC Honors and Awards Banquet
OCEC's annual Honors and Awards Banquet will be held at The Centre, Sycamore Plaza, Long Beach on February 20, 2010. This gala event will feature a sumptuous dinner followed by a fascinating keynote address on Keeping Orange County Moving by Mr. Will Kempton, the Chief Executive Officer of the Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA), a countywide transportation agency with 1,900 employees and an annual budget of $1.2 billion. Under the direction of the Board of Directors, he is responsible for planning, financing and coordinating Orange County's freeway, street, and rail development as well as managing bus services, commuter-rail services, paratransit van service for people with disabilities and a host of other transportation programs. He has served in this position since August 2009.
Next, OCEC will recognize the best of the best in engineering for Southern California in 2009 by presenting awards in a broad range of categories, ranging from Outstanding Student Awards to Project and Engineer of the Year Awards. These presentations, which acknowledge outstanding individual and project achievements, are always a highlight of the year.
To register for the Awards Banquet, please fill out the ticket order form on the flyer (including your meal selections), and mail the completed form with your payment to Phil Ridout, OCEC Treasurer, 6962 Los Amigos Circle, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 prior to February 13, 2010.
We look forward to seeing you at this premiere event.
Adam Chamaa
OCEC President2010 OCEC Awards Banquet: Nomination Call
The Orange County Engineering Council (OCEC) has kicked off its call for awards nominations to recognize the best of the best engineering individuals and projects in Southern California. Enclosures 1-3 provide the nomination specifics, descriptions and forms; and we hope that you will paricipate in this key recognition event, which is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2010, at The Centre, Sycamore Plaza, in Lakewood, CA.
We are requesting submittal of all nomination packages no later than December 15, 2009 to allow adequate time for review and down-select. Note that each nomination package must include the completed nomination form, an electronic photo of the candidate or project, a suggested award citation (50 words max) and a suggested award summary (300 words max). Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.
In addition, OCEC will this year introduce platinum, gold, silver, and bronze sponsorship levels to recognize member contributions which enable OCEC to expand its K-12 outreach programs in engineering and science. Specifics of these sponsorship levels are described in the "Sponsorship Application"; and we trust your organization will join other key companies which have already agreed to help sponsor OCEC's educational initiatives. Sponsors will receive special recognition in the awards program and other benefits, as described in the "Sponsorship Application". The deadline for sponsors to submit ads for inclusion in the events program is Friday, January 29, 2010.
Nomination Invitation
Nomination Form
Guidelines
Sponsorship ApplicationWe look forward to having you join us as we recognize outstanding engineering projects and individuals for their contributions.
New Leadership-Learning Resources
OCEC has teamed with the National Management Association (NMA) and Boeing to offer our members a wide variety of leadership-development options via a One-Stop Professional Development ( PD ) Shop link from our homepage. This One-Stop PD Shop provides instant access to a broad range of soft-skill and leadership-learning resources...including hyperlinks for chapter/section QuickTools, interactive LiveOnline seminars, inexpensive Crisp short courses, free LeaderLab simulations, online self-study programs, people- and management-skills training, Certified Manager training and testing, and a unique new NMA Leadership Evaluation And Development System (LEADS). Just click on the corresponding hyperlinks to learn more about these opportunities, and to sign up for any that you are interested in.
The relevant URL is http://www.nma1.org/Education/OneStopPD/OneStopPDShop.htm
Register Now for the First Annual BALC Golf Tournament!
Candlewood Country Club, Whittier
Monday, Oct. 12, 11:00 AM
After years of groundwork and planning, the First Annual BALC Golf Tournament is on for Columbus Day, 2009! This will be the event to attend. Bring your clubs and enjoy an afternoon on the links of the beautiful
Candlewood Country Club, since 1956 the place to play in Whittier! Please use the special external reservation link embedded in the Acrobat file: http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/13446-BALC_GolfEarly Registration $110! Time is running out! Price goes up after Sept. 28th!
* A portion of the fee will be applied to the BALC Student Scholarship Fund
* 12 noon shotgun start
* Bar-B-Que Awards Post-Event
* Gifts and Opportunity Drawing
* Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin
* Hole-By-Hole Poker Hand
* Scramble Format (Best Ball)
* Win-a-Car Hole-in-one!External Flyer: http://www.boeing.com/nosearch/balc/SocialEvents/3975.pdf
If any of the above links don't work for you, you can always find the events in our calendar
External: http://www.boeing.com/nosearch/balc/calendar.htm2009 OCEC Leaders Night
Each year the Orange County Engineering Council (OCEC) holds a SoCal Leaders Night with current and potential corporate, society and university members to address interesting engineering technologies and to discuss potential OCEC activities and initiatives.
This year's meeting is to be held at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach on Tuesday, August 25, and will focus on the impact of new information technology and green computing through a keynote address by Amir Dabirian, CSUF VP, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer. Our agenda will also include a short discussion of OCEC objectives and opportunities where we welcome your comments and suggestions.
If your organization is a current or potential member of OCEC, we invite you to join us for these stimulating discussions. OCEC will host one representative from each corporation, society chapter/section and university/college interested in OCEC membership. Simply send a copy of the flyer available at the link below with your name, affiliation, contact info and meal choices (steak, chicken, vegetarian) to Phil Ridout, OCEC Treasurer at pridout@socal.rr.com by August 14, 2009. Other representatives and guests are also welcome, but will have to pay the $35 meal cost which must be received by Phil Ridout at 6962 Los Amigos Circle, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 by August 20, 2009.
We look forward to seeing you at this exciting event.
C-17 Assembly Line Tour
By popular demand, the Orange County Engineering Council (OCEC) has teamed with Boeing to again offer this exciting tour. Those of you who joined us for this fascinating guided walkthrough of the C-17 assembly line last year and afterwards climbed all over an operational C-17 aircraft can testify that this is an experience not to be missed. If you are a U.S. citizen or have a green card and are over 16, you can sign up by email to peter.r.kurzhals@boeing.com. Tour size is limited, so please respond ASAP.
Diamond Valley Lake (DVL) WATER INSPECTION TRIP
Friday, May 29, 2009
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) and the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) organizes Water Inspection Trips each year. The Orange County Engineering Council is organizing a tour with MWDOC for those who are interested to attend inspection trips to key water facilities in California and learning about the planning and management of Southern California’s water supply. All travel and meals are provided compliments of Metropolitan.
Diamond Valley Lake (DVL)
Southern California’s newest drinking water reservoir is located just outside of Hemet, in Riverside County. The reservoir holds nearly 260 billion gallons of water for Metropolitan’s 5,200-square-mile service area. Guests on this one-day inspection trip will have an opportunity to see the lake and its surrounding facilities, and also learn about the issues and challenges affecting Metropolitan’s regional water management efforts.
To sign up for this trip, please register at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=p456JR_2fbXQaz3CeapwRYDQ_3d_3d
The deadline to sign up is May 14, 2009 at 5pm.
Meet at 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92843, at 7 am, free parking, depart at about 8 am, and return the same evening around 5:30 pm.
Mohammad Sadiq, OCEC Tour Director, mohammad_sadiq@dot.ca.gov , (949)724-2840
Rocket Science Tutors (RST) Completes its Fourth Successful Year
With funding from several organizations including OCEC, RST expanded its scope, exposing approximately fifty 8th grade students from McFadden and Carr Intermediate Schools in Santa Ana to the excitement of math and science this year. RST enhancements ranged from the basics – new force gauges and beam scales to the exotic – solar powered kits and basic electronics labs.
Using California State requirements as a guide, RST used experience gained over the past several years to improve its labs on density & buoyancy, chemistry and forces & motion. These labs provide “hands-on” experience in building, measuring and calculating results – important skills that are the basis of engineering. These labs include determining the weight of a chunk of aluminum using the Periodic Table, constructing a wide array of simple machines and determining their mechanical advantage and learning how to derive Pi with everyday objects and measurement tools.
RST also created “full scale” simple machine demonstrations to reinforce what is being done in the lab. For example, a pulley demonstration (with real pulleys) allows students to rig various configurations of fixed and moveable pulleys, measure and actually “feel” the difference in lifting metal weights. A “variable fulcrum” six foot long lever drives home the difference between a mechanical advantage of 3 and of 1/3.
Rocket launches are the RST finale with each student building and flying a “chemical “rocket launch, bringing Newton’s laws of motion to life and providing a taste of the excitement of flying. All of these exercises reinforce the link between math and science while providing “hands-on” building and measuring.
RST is a 501C-3 non-profit, all-volunteer organization comprised of technical professionals who operate in the classroom for 24 weeks during the school year. RST provides a spark to ignite a desire to pursue technical education for students in an after-school program. RST also provides “homework” sessions where students can practice and gain fluency with their math.
RST is continually seeking volunteers to join us and help expand our effort. If we Engineers won’t do it, who will? Go to: www.rocketsciencetutors.com
Westwood College Survey
Westwood College is seeking comments from the public about the College in preparation for its comprehensive evaluation visit beginning May 4, 2009, by a team representing The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Westwood College was granted candidacy status in October of 2007. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. The comments must be in writing and include the commentor's name and street address; comments will not be treated as confidential.
The link below will take you to the site where you can complete a Third-Party Comment form that you submit directly to the Commission.
http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=247&Itemid=24
Exclusive Arabian Horse Ranch Bus Tour
May 30, 2009OCEC has teamed with Celestial Arabians and the NMA Boeing Aerospace Leadership Chapter (BALC) to offer a tour of one of the most exclusive Arabian horse ranches in North America on May 30, 2009. Here you can spend an afternoon living the life of the rich and famous while admiring beautiful Arabian horses and their foals. The tour, priced at $35/PP, includes transportation to and from the ranch, a complementary barbeque lunch with an open bar and a chance to see Arabian horses up close. Celestial Arabians will donate 20% of the tour fee ($7/PP) to the OCEC scholarship fund, so here's your chance to do good while having a fantastic time.
Please refer to the flyer link below for more information and the signup web link. The web link also has pictures from the last bus tour. You can bring guests as noted, but get your reservations in early, as participation will be limited. When signing up, please indicate BALC in the comments box, along with the names of any guests, to ensure scholarship credit for OCEC. Once registered, you will be provided with payment instructions and a full itinerary. Your payment, ($35/PP) must be received by May 22, to guarantee your space on the bus.
Arabian Horse Ranch Bus Tour Flyer
Cover LetterOCEC Honors and Awards Banquet recognizes the best of the best of engineering in Southern California
The 2009 OCEC Honors and Awards Banquet attracted 240 participants and was held at The Centre, Sycamore Plaza in Lakewood on February 20. The event was kicked off by an invocation and pledge of allegiance featuring the Fullerton color guard. The after-dinner keynote address by Peter Buffa, Chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), provided an inspiring look at future transportation options ranging from Metrolink to high-speed trains. The subsequent presentations to the Award Winners began with the recognition of seven Outstanding Students from CSULB, UCI, UCLA and USC. Two Outstanding Student Projects on aero design and rockets from CSULB also received special awards. Fifteen Young Engineers from companies across Orange County were cited for their exceptional contributions. Outstanding Engineering Merit Awards and Distinguished Engineering Merit Awards were presented to eleven outstanding engineers from industry and government. Key engineering projects ranging from aerospace improvements to biomedical advances to major civil constructions received Project Achievement Awards. Similarly, academic excellence was recognized by an Outstanding Engineering Educator Award from Westwood College and four Distinguished Engineering Educator Awards from CSUF, CSULB, UCI and USC.
The OCEC awards ceremony concluded with the top awards of the night. The Ground-based Interceptor Project was recognized for its successful demonstration of hostile in flight missile destruction. Angelo Truncale was awarded the 2009 James E. Ballinger Engineer of the Year Award for his extensive contributions to inertial guidance; and Dean Debra Richardson of the Computer and Information Sciences Department at UCI received the OCEC Presidents Award for her major efforts in advancing computer sciences and obtaining associated funding to strengthen associated educational opportunities.
OCEC Awards Banquet Slide Presentation
The event finished with final photographs of the winning teams and individuals. Banquet photos taken throughout the evening are available online at this link.
OCEC’s Engineering Week activities also offered two major engineering facility tours. The first, a behind-the-scenes visit to the Toy Story ride at Disneyland on February 18, provided a fascinating look at the advanced electronic and mechanical technology powering this unique attraction – including a ride on Toy Story. The second, an afternoon boat tour of the Port of L.A. on February 25, offered an unparalleled view of the port and the facilities that make L.A. the fifth largest harbor in the world.
2009 OCEC Honors and Awards Banquet
OCEC's annual Honors and Awards Banquet will be held at The Centre, Sycamore Plaza, Long Beach on February 20, 2009. This gala event, described on the enclosed flyer, will feature a sumptuous dinner followed by a fascinating keynote address on Rail in Orange County: All Aboard...or Not? by Mr. Peter Buffa, the Chairman of the Orange County Transit Authority. Peter Buffa is a media and political consultant to companies and public agencies. He has also been involved in transportation issues for over 20 years. He currently serves as Chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority, served 11 years as a Director and Chair of the Orange County Transportation Corridor Agencies and 12 years as a Mayor and Council Member of Costa Mesa, California.
Next, OCEC will recognize the best of the best in engineering for Southern California in 2008 by presenting awards in a broad range of categories, ranging from Outstanding Student Awards to Project and Engineer of the Year Awards. These presentations, which acknowledge outstanding individual and project achievements, are always a highlight of the year.
To register for the Awards Banquet, please fill out the ticket order form on the flyer (including your meal selections), and mail the completed form with your payment to Phil Ridout, OCEC Treasurer, 6962 Los Amigos Circle, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 prior to February 13, 2009.
We look forward to seeing you at this premiere event.
Dr. Peter R. Kurzhals, CM
OCEC President2009 OCEC Award Nominations Underway
On behalf of the Orange County Engineering Council (OCEC), we would like to invite you to participate in the celebration of the engineering and scientific professions’ accomplishments during Engineers’ Week in February of 2009. We will be holding our Engineering Awards Banquet at The Centre, Sycamore Plaza in Lakewood, CA on Friday, the 20th of February. Details about the event will be posted on www.OCEC.org.
The Orange County Engineering Council is an umbrella organization of all engineering and scientific societies in our county and is engaged in many activities which promote technical disciplines and education.
OCEC sponsors various professional events such as:
- Recognition of the engineering and scientific accomplishments of engineers and projects during National Engineers’ Week.
- Support of scholarship programs and educational initiatives
- Participation in the Orange County Science Fair and presentation of awards to the outstanding student projects selected by the OCEC Board.
- Support of the Future Scientists and Engineers of America (FSEA) activities and Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) programs both in high school and university levels.
- Liaison among and team with different engineering and science organizations.
We encourage you to nominate worthy engineers or projects from your member organizations by December 23, 2008. Award categories include:
- James E. Ballinger Engineer of the Year
- Distinguished Engineering Educator
- Project of the Year
- Young Engineer
- Outstanding Engineering Merit
- Outstanding Engineering Student
- Engineering Project Achievement
- OCEC President’s
- Outstanding Service
Award description submission forms and instructions for nominations can be accessed from the links below.
Nomination Form and Instructions
We look forward to hearing from you and recognizing your worthy individuals and projects.
OCEC Alameda Corridor Tour, rescheduled for 1/23/09
Join us for another exciting OCEC tour of the Alameda Corridor linking the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the national rail system near downtown Los Angeles.
The Corridor was built to accommodate port growth and will reach capacity beyond 2020. It will handle 150 trains per day at its peak. The Alameda Corridor accommodates roughly 32% of all containers coming through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Currently, an average of 45-50 trains travel through the Corridor daily. An average train is about 8,000 feet (1½ miles long) and carries roughly 300 containers. On April 7, 2008 the 100,000th train traveled though the Alameda Corridor – a six-year milestone for the Corridor, carrying 12 million containers (21 million TEUs) during this timeframe.
For more information on this excursion, check out the flyer link. The tour will begin in Long Beach at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23, and participants will be bussed to major points of interest along the Alameda Corridor before returning to the tour origin at noon. Participation will be limited, so please sign up ASAP.
To register, please contact Mohammad Sadiq, OCEC Tour Director, at mohammad_sadiq@dot.ca.gov no later than January 19, 2009. Registered participants will be provided with tour directions and parking instructions.
Archived OCEC Headlines: 2008
| © Copyright 2005-10 OCEC. |
