In this episode of Engineering Change, Brett Hillesheim and Michael “Sully” Sullivan break down the biggest takeaways from the 2025 Georgia Legislative Session and reflect on how new state laws could impact the engineering industry.

They also turn their attention to Washington, offering insight into President Trump’s first 100 days of his second term and what it could mean for engineers in Georgia and across the country. From executive orders to federal infrastructure policies, Brett and Sully explore what’s happening, what’s next, and what engineering firms should be paying attention to.

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) is the voice of the business of engineering in Georgia. ACEC Georgia advocates for public policy and legislation that will improve the business climate for the engineering industry, promote economic development and protect the integrity of the engineering profession. ACEC Georgia programs and events provide unique business development opportunities, information on current trends and best practices as well as leadership training to develop the next generation of engineering industry leaders.

#EngineeringChange #ACECGeorgia #GeorgiaLegislation #InfrastructurePolicy #Trump2025 #EngineeringLeadership #CivilEngineering

Sully, Brett, and Christy are back! And it's once again the Legislative Session! We talk QBS, tort reform, and open records!The American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) is the voice of the business of engineering in Georgia. ACEC Georgia advocates for public policy and legislation that will improve the business climate for the engineering industry, promote economic development and protect the integrity of the engineering profession. ACEC Georgia programs and events provide unique business development opportunities, information on current trends and best practices as well as leadership training to develop the next generation of engineering industry leaders.

Georgia Chamber President & CEO Chris Clark joins Sully and Brett in the studio to discuss leadership and the business climate in Georgia. A Georgia native, Chris Clark, has served as the President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce since 2010. Chris previously served as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Executive Director of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, and as Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Economic Development among other positions. He is a graduate of Georgia Southern University and Georgia College and State University. In 2023, Chris published his first book, The CEO Imperative, and made his debut Tedx Talk, Servant Hearted Leadership. Chris and his wife, Tiffany, and their son, Christian, live in Peachtree City and attend Dogwood Church. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) is the voice of the business of engineering in Georgia. ACEC Georgia advocates for public policy and legislation that will improve the business climate for the engineering industry, promote economic development and protect the integrity of the engineering profession. ACEC Georgia programs and events provide unique business development opportunities, information on current trends and best practices as well as leadership training to develop the next generation of engineering industry leaders.

ACEC Georgia Board Chair, Kenneth Fluker of CERM, shares his leadership journey and why he loves ACEC Georgia. Kenneth Fluker, PE serves as the Principal Engineer and Manager of CERM's Engineering group and has more than 25 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, geoenvironmental engineering, engineering inspections, construction materials testing, and quality assurance and control. His field of expertise consists of the design of shallow/deep foundations, sheet pile walls, retaining walls, stable slopes, and pavements. Mr. Fluker has managed a variety of project categories including single-family and multi-family structures, large retail facilities, heavy industrial facilities, commercial office/warehouse facilities, dock facilities, bridges, parking decks, truck and railroad facilities, levees and embankments, and pavements. He holds both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) is the voice of the business of engineering in Georgia. ACEC Georgia advocates for public policy and legislation that will improve the business climate for the engineering industry, promote economic development and protect the integrity of the engineering profession. ACEC Georgia programs and events provide unique business development opportunities, information on current trends and best practices as well as leadership training to develop the next generation of engineering industry leaders.

Recorded at the 2024 Georgia Engineers Summer Conference, Frank Lazaro joins Brett and Sully to discuss the impact of AI on A/E/C firms. Frank Lazaro is a leader with over 20 years of experience in marketing, technology, and strategy, focusing on AI-driven content creation. He is a published author of AEC Marketer's Guide to Artificial Intelligence, Fu*ck Them Turtles: The Illusion of Impact and Let Me Be Frank with You. Frank's expertise in AI is evident in his work, where he merges his marketing, technology, and strategy knowledge with AI-driven content creation methods. Learn more about Frank at https://franklazaro.ai/ The American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) is the voice of the business of engineering in Georgia. ACEC Georgia advocates for public policy and legislation that will improve the business climate for the engineering industry, promote economic development and protect the integrity of the engineering profession. ACEC Georgia programs and events provide unique business development opportunities, information on current trends and best practices as well as leadership training to develop the next generation of engineering industry leaders.

Park Pride's President and CEO, Michael Halicki stops by to talk about the importance of parks! Park Pride is a nonprofit organization that engages communities in their neighborhood parks through volunteer projects, community gardens, community-led park redesigns and by providing grants for capital park improvements. Since 1989, Park Pride has been active in greenspace advocacy by educating civic leaders and the general public about the benefits of parks. Michael Halicki believes in the power of parks. As President & CEO, Michael leads Park Pride, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that empowers local communities to activate the power of parks. During his 11-year tenure, Michael has led the organization through periods of significant growth, working with 100+ Friends of the Park groups to provide the leadership, services and funding needed to help communities realize their dreams for quality, accessible neighborhood parks. Under his leadership, Park Pride has received Charity Navigator's 4-Star Designation and the Platinum Seal of Transparency by Candid (formerly GuideStar) for several years running. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) is the voice of the business of engineering in Georgia. ACEC Georgia advocates for public policy and legislation that will improve the business climate for the engineering industry, promote economic development and protect the integrity of the engineering profession. ACEC Georgia programs and events provide unique business development opportunities, information on current trends and best practices as well as leadership training to develop the next generation of engineering industry leaders.

ASCE's Julie Secrist, PE (Red Stone Group Development & Engineering), stops by to discuss the 2024 Georgia Infrastructure Report Card.

Julie Secrist, PE is the President, Red Stone Group Development & Engineering. She is an expert in hydrology, site design for private site development projects including, mixed-use, office, residential and commercial developments as well as aviation planning and design. She has managed major expansion projects at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and is noted for her use of green spaces in large-scale site development.

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) is the voice of the business of engineering in Georgia. ACEC Georgia advocates for public policy and legislation that will improve the business climate for the engineering industry, promote economic development and protect the integrity of the engineering profession. ACEC Georgia programs and events provide unique business development opportunities, information on current trends and best practices as well as leadership training to develop the next generation of engineering industry leaders.

Commissioner McMurry joins us at the Georgia Engineers Summer Conference to discuss leadership insights learned as a result of the I-85 bridge collapse.

This episode is sponsored by Burns & McDonnell - https://burnsmcd.com/atlantacareers

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) is the voice of the business of engineering in Georgia. ACEC Georgia advocates for public policy and legislation that will improve the business climate for the engineering industry, promote economic development and protect the integrity of the engineering profession. ACEC Georgia programs and events provide unique business development opportunities, information on current trends and best practices as well as leadership training to develop the next generation of engineering industry leaders.