December 15, 2009

MGEC Executive Board Elections - Congratulations to the following individuals elected/appointed to new positions:

• John Siekmeier, Sr. Eng., MnDOT (succeeds to President)

• Vice President - Linda Heath, Pr. Eng., MnDOT

• Treasurer - Jessica Forsberg, Grad. 2 Eng., MPCA

• Director - Patrick Ferrin, Pr. Eng., Administration

• Director - Jerry Kotzenmacher, Sr. Eng. Spec., MnDOT, CO

• Director - Marilyn Jordahl-Larson, Pr. Eng. MnDOT, Fort Snelling

• Director - Andrew Eller, Sr. Eng., MnDOT

• Director – Rachel Guan, Sr. Eng. MnDOT

• Director – Mohammad Dehdashti, Pr. Eng., MnDOT 

Linda Heath, Vice President

Jerry Kotzenmacher, Director

Len Leitner, Secretary

Seniority Rosters – Several agencies have completed their seniority rosters.  MGEC posts the rosters provided electronically at its website with recent rosters from: MnDOT, Public Safety, Administration, Commerce, Health.  Check the roster annually to make sure information pertaining to you is accurate.

Member Child Scholarship - MGEC received a donation of $500 to be given to a member’s child as a scholarship.  The generous donation came from Joshua A. Vinkemeier, The Wealth Maximizer, LLC; Wealth Management & Insurance Advisor. 

Interested parties should mail / email / fax a letter to MGEC at 475 Etna Street, Suite 11, St. Paul, MN 55106 / mgec@mgec.org / 651-774-9576. The letter should 1) describe their goals and field of study, 2) name and relationship to the MGEC member (i.e., child, grandchild, etc.),  3) student's contact information, and 4) a copy of the most recent transcript. Letters should be completed and returned to MGEC by noon January 12, 2010.  The scholarship recipient should meet the following criteria:

• Be a child/grandchild of a full MGEC member

• Be enrolled full-time in a college or university

• Have chosen a field of study related to Engineering or Land Surveying or the work done by Engineers, Engineering Specialists or Land Surveyors

Pre Tax Accounts – Be sure to spend any money you set aside in your Dependent Care or Medical Expense Accounts before 12/31/2009.  Any monies paid after that date, even for services incurred in 2009, will not be reimbursed.  If you use your Benny Card, be certain to keep those receipts for five years.  Many items paid for with the Benny Card are later items for which Eide Bailley requires paper documentation as per IRS regulations.

PE Review Class – Tentative schedule is February 8 through April 2, 2010.  Registration/More info

Budget Note - Up to 15 percent of the state’s budget may need to be cut, if lawmakers solve the state’s projected budget deficits without raising new revenues.  http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/sdaily.asp 

MGEC PE Review Instructors Needed – Transportation, Structures & Construction are the areas needing your help.  The employer supports this program and allows your preparation and instruction to be done on work time.  If interested, you can plan on two days preparation and two afternoons for instructing.  You may also consider co-teaching with someone.  Students will appreciate your time and other instructors can tell you this is a meaningful experience.  Please contact Paul Kettleson at 651-366-4521 for more information or questions.