The 2015 MATHCOUNTS Missouri Western Chapter competition is quickly approaching and we are in need of volunteers to help the day run as smooth as possible.  For those of you that are not familiar with MATHCOUNTS, it is a competition for 6th-8th grade students giving them an opportunity and incentive to test and showcase their math skills (for more information, visit www.mathcounts.org).  

This year’s local competition includes 9 schools and a total of 75 students.  
The competition will be held on Saturday, February 7th, 2015 at Burns & McDonnell facilities.  We are in need of volunteers for morning, afternoon or all day shifts to help with various activities throughout the day.  If you are interested and available to help, please reply to dvap@hntb.com by January 28th, 2015.  Shortly after your response, you will be receiving a sign-up sheet to indicate times and activities with which you are willing to help. 

Thanks in advance!

Derek Vap, P.E.
MATHCOUNTS Coordinator
Western Chapter Secretary

Please see the link below for this month’s section newsletter with information about several exciting upcoming events as well as our previous newsletter.

January Newsletter

October Newsletter

MEETING TOPIC:              Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Transportation Outlook 2040 – Metropolitan Kansas City’s Long-Range Transportation Plan

SPEAKER:        Jim Hubbell, AICP

DATE:               Wednesday, January 7, 2015

TIME:                 11:30 a.m. Social
                                12:00 p.m. Lunch
                                12:30 p.m. Presentation
 
LOCATION:      Plaza III Steakhouse, Country Club Plaza, 4749 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64112

MEAL CHOICES:

Chopped Beef Steak
With mushrooms and onions topped with fried onion straws
Served with a side of diable sauce, mashed potatoes & asparagus

Chicken Caesar Salad
Served on fresh romaine tossed with parmesan

Sautéed Vegetables
Served over a bed of pasta

Crab Cakes
Topped with Chili Aioli and corn relish
Served with potato & vegetable

Dessert: Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce

                                    *All entrees include sourdough bread; coffee, tea or softdrink

COST:  $27.50 per person (For Students and Engineers between jobs, $13.75). Please make checks payable to ASCE.

BIO:    Jim Hubbell, AICP, completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Kansas.  He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Environmental Studies, and a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning.  He is currently a Principal Transportation Planner for the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), the metropolitan planning organization for the bi-state Kansas City region.  The primary focus of his occupation is working with regional stakeholders to develop a long-range transportation plan, coordinating with federal, state, and local planning partners to prioritize and implement strategies, and monitoring performance and progress towards meeting the plan’s goals and objectives.  Jim has recently taken on the role of Performance Management Team Leader, and will be responsible for coordinating with regional partners to define performance measures and establish targets in support of a performance-based, regional planning process.

In addition to being a dedicated urban planner, Jim is also passionate about protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the quality of the natural environment.  Also, he has been an active member of the American Planning Association (APA) throughout his career, serving multiple terms in various capacities on the Board of the Kansas City Metro Section of APA.

Please register by Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Seating is limited to 100 so please RSVP soon to reserve your place.  RSVP HERE

For additional announcements and more information about the EWRI Kansas City chapter please visit: http://www.kcengineers.org/ewrikc/

Please take a moment to update your calendars with the next luncheon: March 4, 2015. Future EWRI luncheon dates include: and May 6, 2015 and July 1^st, 2015.

Date: December 16, 2014

Location: Jack Stack
Freight House District
101 W 22nd St.
Kansas City, MO 64108

Time: 11:00 – 11:30 Check in and networking
11:30 – 12:30  Lunch Buffet
12:30 – 1:30   Speaker

Cost: $30 for Members/Guests

Topic: Constructed Wetland Treatment of Flue Gas Desulfurization Wastewater at Westar’s Jeffrey Energy Center

Speaker: Christopher J. Snider, PE, PG

Chris is a Department Manager with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company’s Environmental Division in Kansas City Missouri.  He holds BS degrees in Geology and Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  Chris enjoys working on complex and innovative environmental engineering projects nationwide and endeavors to make a contribution toward advancing the leading edge of the environmental engineering profession.  He leads a diverse group of multi-discipline professionals who execute design and construction projects in the fields of solid waste management, industrial wastewater, stormwater, and environmental remediation.  Chris’s two kids, ages 9 and 11 keep he and his wife busy and always guessing what’s next at home.

December Meeting Sign Up

Date: November 4, 2014

Location: Californos 
                4124 Pennsylvania
                Kansas City, MO 64111 

Time: 11:30am – 1pm

Menu: Lasagna or Chicken Piccata (Gluten Free and Vegetarian options are available)

Cost: $25.00 per person, $15 Government Employees and Students.

RSVP BY October 31st     RSVP HERE

Topic: Engineers and Leaders – Today and Tomorrow

Speaker: Major General Donald L. Jacka, Ret.

Retired from the US Army in 2008 after 37 years of uniformed service, General Jacka served in command positions, at every level up to and including Corps Command.  He also served in various staff positions in logistics units throughout the Midwest.  MG Jacka led the 3^rd Corps Support Command in its deployment for Operations Iraqi Freedom and served as the Commanding General of V Corps (Rear) Provisional.  His last assignment was as the Deputy Director for Global Sustainment, J-4, The Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon.

Major General, retired, Jacka is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the US Army War College.  He holds both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science from Kansas State University.  During his career, Jacka was awarded numerous military awards and commendations.  Major General Jacka’s military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Meritorious Service Medal, with two Oak Leaf Clusters; the Army Commendation Medal, with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; and the Army Achievement Medal.  MG Jacka attended.  MG Jacka is a graduate of the Signal Officer’s Basic Course, the Transportation Officer’s Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, the Reserve Components National Security Course, and the U.S. Army War College.   

 After serving as Kansas’ Assistant Secretary and Secretary of Agriculture for twenty-three years, Major General Jacka is now the CEO and Member of the Board of Directors of The Kansas Homestead Rehabilitation Corporation, a private, non-profit financial corporation.  In 2010 he was selected, by the Chief of Army Reserve, as the Army Reserve Ambassador for the State of Kansas. Major General Jacka and his wife, Janice, reside in Topeka, Kansas, and have two grown daughters and one granddaughter.

Date: October 21, 2014

Location: Minsky’s
                    5105 Main St.
                   Kansas City, MO 64112

Time: 5:30 pm

Menu: Pizza and non-alcoholic drinks        

Cost: $10.00 

Topic: UMKC’s Development Plan and Upcoming Projects

Speaker: Mr. Greg Silkman, Manager of Planning, Design, and Construction at UMKC

Register Here

A limited number of tuition reduction scholarships of $400 each are available for the UMKC Fall 2014 PE Review course.  The PE review course begins on August 26th, 2014 and ends on October 11th, 2014.  This scholarship is being made available to active ASCE chapter members who are current on their dues.  These scholarships are not cash awards but rather will be paid directly to UMKC to reduce the cost of attendance for recipients.

To have your application considered apply by Tuesday August 26, 2014.

UMKC PE Review Course Scholarship Form

The ASCE Kansas City Section – Board, is excited to announce the Meeting Sponsorship Program.

This opportunity will allow civil engineering – firms, vendors, manufacturers, contractors or entities to gain valuable market exposure by actively sponsoring monthly breakfast, luncheon or dinner meetings. There is a distinct advantage to be recognized at these meetings, where various members of the engineering and construction community gather.

The criterion for the Meeting Sponsorship Program is as follows:

1. One (1) Sponsor per meeting
2. Sponsor name appears on meeting invitation
3. A table space will be available, just inside the entrance to the meeting area, for the Sponsor to arrange a display and have a couple of representatives to make promotional materials available.
4. Two (2) lunches for Sponsor representatives
5. Sponsor introduction with a 5-minute presentation at the beginning of the meeting
6. Display the Sponsor logo on the welcome screen before the program
7. A donation of $300 (check made out to “ASCE Kansas City Section”)

Please see the upcoming meetings dates below:

1. October: Tentatively set for the 14th.  Joint meeting with the UMKC Student Chapter
2. November: The 4th, joint meeting with SAME
3. January: Tentatively set for the 6th.  Joint meeting with EWRI.
4. April: Tentatively set for the 21th.  The ASCE awards with the ASCE National President-Elect.
5. May: Tentatively set for the 12th.

We look forward to this program, to help improve networking familiarity in the metro area.  If you have any questions, please contact John Blancett, PE, ENV SP (jblancett@hntb.com or 816-527-2539).

Date: Tuesday August 26, 2014

Location: The Well
                7421 Broadway St.
                Kansas City, MO 64114

Time: 5pm to 8pm

Menu: Two drinks and hor d’oeuvres

Cost: $5.00 per person

Come out and help the KC Section kick the ASCE season off right with your fellow members and hear about all the great things ASCE has in store for the year!

RSVP by August 22nd, RSVP HERE