Rising Leader Program

In support of the ACEC Ohio mission to advance and protect member businesses, we are offering a RISING LEADERS training program to assist ACEC firms with the development of future leaders within their companies.

Engineering firm leaders most often rise from technical positions into management positions with very limited to no training in management; ACEC Ohio recognizes that there is a need for accessible, affordable training in management and business topics.

The RISING LEADER program is targeted at candidates with:

Professional Engineering license plus 5 years or approximately 8-15 years of industry experience
Interest in pursuing a leadership tract within their firms
Regular direct client interaction and communication
Recognized leadership attributes and/or potential

The training program is a 6-half day sessions covering 6 topics; 25.5 hours of learning.

Participation is limited to 20; first come first serve. You may only register one member from your firm. If spots are available, more than one may be submitted. A waiting list will be maintained.

ACEC Ohio will repeat the course for a new class of participants as often as necessary to fulfill member company needs.

$2,500 per employee.

2024 Rising Leader Program Schedule

Rising Leader 2024 Nomination Form

2023-2024 Rising Leader Program Participants

Andrew Baker, Engineering Associates Ohio
Neal Underwood, Carpenter Marty Transportation
Mark Rahall, EMH&T
Jacob Wroten, HDR
Blake Stephens, Burgess & Niple
Josh Slaga, OHM Advisors
Corrinne Lochtefeld, DGL Consulting Engineers
Beth Kronk, Compass Infrastructure
Ashley Fowler, The Mannik & Smith Group
Abby Jacobs, Woolpert
Kevin Lang, SMBH
Joe Schmitz, American Structurepoint
Matt Graf, HNTB
Andrew Schetter, WSP
Zac Sprunger, Fanning Howey
Andrew Walton, Singh & Associates
Eddie Drow, Goodhue Consulting
Dane Brown, Fishbeck
Bryan Kinch, HEAPY
Rebecca Scarbrough, Wessler Engineering

2022-2023 Rising Leader Program Participants

Christine Placek, Korda
Emily Preston, Compass Infrastructure
Kristi Norfolk, Lanham Engineering
Matthew Baxendell, Dynotec
Megan Valentine, Mead & Hunt
Nathan Fischer, Woolpert
Dustin Gohs, Carpenter Marty Transportation
Ryan Shahan, The Kleingers Group
Matt Gardner, LJB
Andy Miller, Fanning Howey
Stephen Gage, WSP
Sam Donadio, Michael Baker International
Angela Trautman, PRIME AE
Lindsey Kieres, Goodhue Consulting
Nick Brant, S&ME
Sizan Ava, DLZ
Mike Long, American Structurepoint
Bryan Vasaris, Fishbeck
TimBrandsetter, HNTB

2021-2022 Rising Leader Program Participants

Josh Besancon, Engineering Associates
Nicholas Colosi, CTL Engineering
Matt Cornett, E.L. Robinson
Chris Cummings, Michael Baker
Xianan Feng, Bergmann
Jennifer Fuller, Fanning Howey
Kayleigh Hammond, The Kleingers Group
Michael Hobbs, GPD Group
Stephanie Johnson
Thomas Less, Woolpert
Jared Love, WSP USA
Paul Procario, FFE Inc.
Jason Ross, S&ME
Chris Schmidt, Davey Resources
Amy Shell, Barge Design Group
Becky Swora, OHM Advisors
Philip Teague, Jones & Henry
Michelle Torres, Bowser-Morner
Marion Wells, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly
Orry Zumbiel, LJB

Congratulations to our 2020-2021 Rising Leader Program Participants

John Ahmann, Prater Engineering Associates, Inc.
Matt Bell, LJB
Patrick Berger, The Kleingers Group
Alan Brown, Hull & Associates
Brian Butler, Fanning Howey
Jon Carroll, Fishbeck
Mark Cencer, KS Associates, Inc.
Ashley Chucray, Euthenics
Chris Clemons, WSP USA
Josh Conley, JMT
Derek Hess, The Mannik & Smith Group
Shane Kalinoski, Carpenter Marty Transportation
Tony Lenhart, American Structurepoint
Brad Lowery, Jones & Henry Engineers, Ltd
Jon Mihoci, EA Ohio
Amy Nagy, EMH&T
Tom Newcomb, IBI Group
Tom Porter, Michael Baker International
Chris Ryan, Bowser-Morner
Kevin White, IBI Group

Congratulations to our 2019-2020 Rising Leader Program Participants

Gina Balsamo, Carpenter Marty Transportation
Abby Cueva, EMH&T
Andrew Gardner, Bird+Bull Inc.
Brooke Heid, Clune Consulting Services
Chad Hines, Paul J. Ford Company
Rob Hooper, SMBH
Scott Horan, Euthenics
Zak Kaczor, CTI Engineers Inc.
Eric Koch, Hull & Associates
Timothy Lehman, Fanning Howey
Josh Lockhart, Crawford Murphy & Tilly
Sastry Malladi, CTL Engineering
Laura McCutcheon, HDR Inc.
Peter Rasche, PEDCO
Sean Riffle, ms consultants
Brent Robbins, PRIME AE Group
Chris Scheks, GPD Group
Brandon Sopko, Pennoni
Michael Vale, Hammontree
Kelly Wright, LJB

Testimonials

“The ACEC Ohio Rising Leader Program was a fantastic and engaging experience! From networking with future leaders in the industry to learning about the "business of the business", including Leadership Development, HR, Strategic Planning, Financials, Risk Management, and Sales...this program really opens the lens on all aspects of being a successful leader in the A/E biz.” - Andrew Walton Singh & Associates, Inc.

"What a great program! I found each of the sessions uniquely tailored to my experience level while also providing lots of great tidbits to think about as I progress in my career." - Joe Schmitz, American Structurepoint

"The Rising Leader program took the blinders off and allowed me to look inward at ways to improve myself and outward at what leaders inside a firm consider on a day-to-day basis. In addition to learning, you have the opportunity to form relationships with your peers that you may not have made otherwise. In the end, it is amazing how many of us are striving toward the same goals and are all focused on adapting in an everchanging industry." – Kevin Lang, SMBH

"The training sessions provided expert presentations in leadership and management which gives me additional skills for my current and future roles. In addition to the training, the program provided for excellent networking with other engineering professionals from throughout the state that will be invaluable as we look for teaming opportunities to better serve our clients. The program is a great investment for any future leader in the engineering profession!" -Alan Brown, PE with Hull & Associates

"I wanted to thank ACEC Ohio for providing this wonderful rising leader program. The program has a well-rounded array of topics that covered both leadership and project management skills that will be useful in our careers. The knowledge gained and the relationships that were built will be invaluable to any future leader in the engineering field. I would highly recommend these classes." - Ashley Chucray, Euthenics

"The ACEC Rising Leader program provided great discussion of a wide variety of topics that leaders of professional engineering services firms will encounter as we grow in our careers and responsibilities. In the sessions, I was able to gain insight and make connections with peers that will allow me to succeed in the future both as a business leader and owner." - Brian Butler, Fanning Howey