Michniewicz inducted as ACEC state secretary

Buffalo, NY Jennifer Michniewicz, P.E., PTOE, civil engineer and principal associate in Clark Patterson Lee’s local office, was recently inducted by the NYS board of directors as the state secretary for the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of NY.

The induction ceremony took place June 8 at the Union League Club in New York City, with several hundred members, guests and inductees in attendance.

Michniewicz has been involved in ACEC for seven years, moving from local involvement with the regional board of directors to the state board, and with her recent induction now holds a place on the executive board. In this position, she will oversee several committees tasked with different interests for engineering companies across New York state.

“This is the type of thing they didn’t teach you in engineering school,” Michniewicz said. “You’re doing all your calculations, you’re good at math or science — but this is the human component, and it’s pretty important.”

ACEC acts in the interest of its various member companies, including Clark Patterson Lee.

“We lobby as a united front, so it’s never just a single company going it alone on a topic that concerns all of us,” Michniewicz said.

An example of this is lobbying for an extension of the Good Samaritan Law to cover companies, as well as individuals, such as engineering firms that jumped to volunteer their services after the September 11 attacks and Superstorm Sandy.

“It’s on a macro level,” Michniewicz said. “You’re helping do things behind the scenes that most people don’t even necessarily know about. You’re fixing problems they didn’t even know they have.”

Michniewicz said her favorite part of the position is that she is never alone in her efforts with ACEC. Clark Patterson Lee has extended membership to all of its employees.

“So just Jennifer isn’t a member — Clark Patterson Lee is a member,” she said. “It’s a community atmosphere, one that I’m really fond of.”