Building Leadership, Strengthening Advocacy: ACEC Arizona at the National Level
Representing Arizona in Washington, D.C.
Last week, one of our newest board members Matt Barkley with STV and I had the opportunity to attend the ACEC National Leadership Training in Washington, D.C., joining peers from across the country to collaborate, learn, and align on priorities for the year ahead.
The program brought together ACEC leaders from across the nation for a comprehensive orientation covering:
- National advocacy efforts and the role of ACEC/PAC
- The importance of the Minuteman Fund in supporting federal advocacy
- Industry research and emerging trends
- Membership engagement and business resources
- Communications, legal issues, and organizational strategy
The event also provided valuable opportunities to engage directly with ACEC National leadership and connect with other state leaders who are tackling many of the same challenges and opportunities we see here in Arizona.
Strengthening the Arizona–National Connection
One of the key highlights from the event is just how important the coordination between state organizations like ACEC Arizona and ACEC National is to advancing our industry such as:
- Advocating for federal infrastructure investment
- Supporting policies that strengthen the engineering business environment
- Engaging in coalitions, committees, and forums to shape industry priorities
- Or ensuring our firms have access to the latest resources and insights
ACEC provides numerous opportunities for engagement through national coalitions, committees, and forums, allowing our members to plug into conversations and initiatives that directly impact our work.
Advocacy in Action
The coordination between ACEC Arizona leadership and ACEC National ensures that:
- Arizona’s voice is represented in national policy discussions
- Our member firms understand federal advocacy priorities
- We are leveraging both state and national resources to advance infrastructure investment
- And we are actively shaping the future of the engineering profession
This alignment is especially important as we continue to see significant federal investment in infrastructure and increased attention on workforce development, project delivery, and regulatory policy.
Looking Ahead
Between strengthening our board and deepening our connection with ACEC National, ACEC Arizona is well-positioned to continue delivering strong advocacy, meaningful member engagement, and long-term industry leadership.
Thank you to our Board, member firms, and partners who continue to invest their time and expertise into advancing our shared mission.
We look forward to building on this momentum throughout 2026.