President's Message, Luis Olivares, PE, Jan. 2007

Dear Colleagues:

I hope you all had a great holiday break.

The FES had a great month to close out 2006, with 46 new FES members joined. Our total membership is now at 4,480 statewide. The Miami chapter is at 369 net members YTD. Remember, we started with 348 in September, so do the math. Our goal for the year was set at 5%; currently we are at 6.03%. So if we continue at this pace, we should double our goal.

Once again, let me remind you that renewal time is upon us, so don't forget to renew your FES membership, and more importantly please update your current information and include your most current email address so you can continue enjoying the FES benefits. You can do it directly by logging into the state's web page, www.fesmiami.org. We have received renewals from 84% of our current members. We will be sending out third notices on dues this week. Delinquent members will be dropped by March 31.

As announced in our last newsletter, for the monthly lunch event we've invited Mr. Larry Walker, Group Vice President of The Louis Berger Group, as the speaker. He is currently assigned as Director and Program Manager for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq. The lunch meeting will be held this week on January 18th at the Wyndham Hotel by the Airport. Hope to see you all there!

This coming month in February, FES is going to have the MathCounts competition. We are having two competitions: one for the Hebrew schools on February 7th, and one for the County and other schools on the 10th. Please join us and volunteer to coach these kids. They are 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, and the competition tests their engineering skills, teamwork, communication, and problem solving skills. It is a lot of work but it is very rewarding.

Also, in the near future you will be receiving the invitation and the sponsorship form for the FES Dinner Gala to celebrate Engineer's Week. It will take place on Saturday, February 24th, at the Country Club of Coral Gables. It is going to be a great event so we are counting on your support.

Remember to vote in the January 23rd Miami-Dade County elections. This is particularly a very important election because we are giving the opportunity to change the way the County conducts business in general. Whether you are a supporter or are against the strong Mayor formula, please go and vote.

Lastly, Jorge Corzo from C3TS, a colleague and supporter of FES, and his wife were injured in a motorcycle accident while vacationing in Mexico this Holiday season. Jorge and his wife, Aliette, are in stable condition at Doctor's Hospital in Coral Gables. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as we wish them a speedy recovery.


Luis Olivares, PE
FES Miami, President

Welcome to our new Website!

You are now looking at the new Internet image of FES Miami. As you can see it projects the forward-looking spirit of our business and our organization.

But this new web site offers much more than improved image. There are additional and improved functions in this web site. Among them is:

* Online application for membership.
* Archives of past issues of Road To Growth, our eNewsletter.
* Online subscription to Road To Growth.
* An in-depth gallery of photos from FES events, and more.
* An up-to-date home page, where you will find the most current information about our chapter.

All of this is backed up by new flexibility to immediately update this site.

Please use the “Contact Us” feature to let us know if you like this site – and to make suggestions for additional content.

Aurelio Carmenates, PE
FES Miami, President

Special Events

Board of Directors Meeting

Monthly Meeting

January Luncheon
Reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq

Speaker: Mr. Larry Walker, Group Vice President of The Louis Berger Group
Where: Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel, 3900 NW 21st Street, Miami, Florida 33142
When: Thursday, January 18, 2007
Time: 12:00pm
Cost: $40 Members, $20 Students
Reservations: Please contact Jacqueline Alcina at (305) 279-2298 Ext. 1323 or email at jalcina@ekmail.com.

Student Chapters

Links