Episodes
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A big thank you to Autodesk, the sponsor of Engineering Influence at this year's convention. Autodesk partners with the AECO industry and its leaders to shape a more connected, data-driven future, empowering engineers to work more intelligently and to make confident decisions to drive meaningful impact. This enables firms to evolve, stay competitive, and deliver stronger business outcomes, all while designing a better world. So thank you again to Autodesk.
This episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast features Mark Van Elden of the Life Health Trust and Dr. Brian Hill of HIP Nation discussing the growing health care crisis affecting employers and employees. They explore the rapid rise in costs, the failures of fee-for-service primary care, prescription drug pricing, and the promisingâbut uncertainâimpact of GLP-1 drugs.
The conversation covers solutions such as direct primary care subscription models, the role of incentives and consolidation in driving costs, and the medical concerns and long-term implications of weight-loss medications. Practical insights for employers on coverage, utilization, and improving workforce health are provided throughout.
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In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with the CEO of FIDIC to explore the forces reshaping the engineering profession worldwide. We discuss how global standards help firms navigate cross-border projects, the growing role of artificial intelligence in engineering practice, and what it will take to build and retain a skilled workforce for the future. It's a conversation about where the industry is headed â and how firms can prepare for what's next.
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Missing episodes?
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Data is one of the most valuable assets an engineering firm hasâbut only if it's collected, connected, and put to work.
On this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with Deb Johnston of Tonic DM to discuss how engineering firms can transform the way they manage project data. Deb explains how Tonic DM helps firms streamline data collection, eliminate redundant processes, improve workflows, and ensure critical information is optimized rather than wasted.
From reducing inefficiencies to creating better decision-making across projects, this conversation explores why smarter data management is becoming essential for firms looking to improve productivity, collaboration, and long-term performance.
đ§ Listen now to discover how optimizing your data can unlock greater value across your entire organization.
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This episode explains Progressive DesignâBuild: a qualificationsâbased, twoâphase delivery method that brings contractors and designers together early to develop preliminary designs, set firm prices, and use disciplined decision gates.
The ACEC Research Institute study shows increasing adoption, generally strong project outcomes, and uneven readiness across firms and owners. Success depends on rigorous collaboration, timely executive decisionâmaking, and building the skills needed for this more integrated approachâoffering new opportunities for firms and clients.
View the key findings of the Progressive Design Build Study Findings: https://www.acec.org/resource/progressive-design-build-recommendations-for-owners-and-pdb-teams-on-effective-project-delivery/
View Full Progressive Design Build Study: https://netforum.acec.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=ACECAOPP20&prdKey=243AD001-D82A-4558-8C2B-965B41694AD4&pc=pp
View 2025 Progressive Design Build Study: https://www.acec.org/resource/progressive-design-build-practice-perceptions-and-potential/
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Policy is moving fast â and markets are moving with it. In this episode of The Market Edge, Morgan Stanleyâs Monica Guerra breaks down the biggest forces set to shape the U.S. economy in 2026. We cover midterms, industrial policy, labor supply, inflation, energy markets, construction financing, housing demand, and the rise of dataâcenterâdriven digital infrastructure. A mustâlisten for leaders navigating the future of the built environment.
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How can the engineering industry attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent? On this episode of Engineering Influence, ACEC sits down with Tera Kaltsas, Designer Initiative Lead and Employee Experience Specialist at Kimley-Horn, to discuss innovative workforce development strategies that are helping shape the future of the profession.
Tera shares insights into Kimley-Hornâs and Autodesk's new initiative for talent development, employee engagement, and leadership cultivation, this groundbreaking partnership with two-year colleges to create new pathways into engineering and related careers.
Tune in to learn how these initiatives are expanding opportunities, strengthening the talent pipeline, and helping meet the workforce demands of a rapidly evolving industry.
Whether you're an engineering leader, HR professional, educator, or student, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on building a stronger, more inclusive workforce for the future.
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In this episode, ACECâs Jeff Urbanchuk sits down with Jack Hsueh of Autodesk to explore how engineering firms can deliver more with constrained resources through digital project delivery.
From connected data and collaborative workflows to automation and digital twins, they discuss how technology is transforming project execution across the industry. Jack shares insights from major initiatives like the LA28 Olympics and PennDOT, highlighting the importance of object-level data and interoperable systems to reduce rework, save time, and improve outcomes.
The conversation also dives into the evolving role of AI in AEC, including automation, augmentation, analysis, Autodeskâs AEC data model, the Model Context Protocol (MCP), and the Autodesk Assistant bringing context-aware AI directly into design tools.
The episode concludes with practical advice for firms looking to build capacity and resilience: treat digital delivery as a business strategy, invest in digital literacy, create repeatable processes, and pilot AI with clear governance.
đ§ Listen now and learn how firms can unlock greater efficiency, better decision-making, and stronger project outcomes through digital transformation.
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On the latest episode of Engineering Influence, former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders Bill Shuster and Peter DeFazio come together for a candid discussion on the future of America's infrastructure. Drawing on years of bipartisan leadership, they reflect on major transportation investments, lessons learned in Congress, and the opportunities ahead to strengthen the nation's infrastructure and economy.
Tune in to hear their insights on policy, project delivery, and the vital role engineers play in building a more connected and resilient America.
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What does it take to undo 100 years of harm to one of America's great rivers? In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with the team winner of ACEC's 2026 Grand Conceptor Award, McMillen Engineering.
McMillen, Inc. earned ACEC's top honor for the Klamath River Renewal Project, the world's largest dam removal and river restoration effort. Once the third-largest salmon-producing river system on the West Coast, the Klamath had been blocked for over a century by four aging hydroelectric dams.
McMillen coordinated among six Tribal nations, more than 21 agencies, and dozens of public, private, and nonprofit partners.
They turned decades of division into a unified path forward. The results speak for themselves: within months of final dam removal, salmon and lamprey returned to upstream reaches not accessed for generations.
Hear how precision engineering, Indigenous-led collaboration, and a bold vision for restoration came together to set a new global standard.
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In this episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast, we sit down with Joe Bates of the ACEC Research Institute to break down the findings from the Q2 Engineering Business Sentiment Report.
Joe dives into the latest data on how engineering firms are feeling about business conditions, workload, hiring, and the overall economic outlook. Whether you're a firm principal, project manager, or industry observer, this episode delivers the insights you need to understand where the engineering business landscape is headed.
About the ACEC Research Institute: The ACEC Research Institute is the research arm of the American Council of Engineering Companies, dedicated to advancing knowledge and providing data-driven insights for the engineering industry.
đą Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Engineering Influence!
Read the Full Report Here: https://www.acec.org/resource/engineering-business-sentiment-q2-2026/
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A big thank you to Autodesk, the sponsor of Engineering Influence at this year's convention. Autodesk partners with the AECO industry and its leaders to shape a more connected, data-driven future, empowering engineers to work more intelligently and to make confident decisions to drive meaningful impact. This enables firms to evolve, stay competitive, and deliver stronger business outcomes, all while designing a better world. So thank you again to Autodesk.
Recording from the 2026 ACEC Convention, Politico's Jonathan Martin discusses congressional culture, the shift from centrist policymaking to polarized primaries, and the need to address gerrymandering. The episode highlights the rise of authenticity and the popularity of long-form media like Martin's "On the Road" podcast and discusses Martin's new book, "This Will Not Pass."
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Communities across the country are facing a new era of water challenges â from shifting climate patterns and extreme rainfall to growing stormwater demands, groundwater stress, and pressure from water-intensive industries. In this episode, we sit down with waterâresources expert Camilla Correll to explore how watershed governance is evolving, what climate trends matter most for the next decade, and how innovative stormwater infiltration, capture, and reuse strategies are reshaping local infrastructure. We also dig into funding gaps, federal policy shifts, and the practical steps engineers and communities can take to build resilient, futureâready water systems.
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Welcome to Engineering Influence, a podcast from the American Council of Engineering Companies coming to you from our 2026 convention and legislative summit in Washington, D.C. Host interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham about the state of American politics, the erosion of institutions, parallels between the 1920s and today, the rise of nationalized and atomized political discourse, and the question of whether 'Trump' or 'Trumpism' will define the coming years. Meacham discusses his new book, "American Struggle," and emphasizes the ongoing nature of the American experiment and the role of history in understanding and responding to current challenges.
A big thank you to Autodesk, the sponsor of Engineering Influence at this year's convention. Autodesk partners with the AECO industry and its leaders to shape a more connected, data-driven future, empowering engineers to work more intelligently and to make confident decisions to drive meaningful impact. This enables firms to evolve, stay competitive, and deliver stronger business outcomes, all while designing a better world. So thank you again to Autodesk.
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In this episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast, ACECâs Thomas Grogan sits down with Dan Palo of Barr Engineering to unpack one of the most importantâand often overlookedâtopics shaping our future: critical minerals.
What exactly makes a mineral âcriticalâ? Why are materials like lithium, rare earth elements, copper, and uranium suddenly at the center of conversations around energy, infrastructure, and national security?
Dan breaks it all downâexploring how these essential resources power everything from batteries and electrification to data centers and advanced technologies. The conversation also dives into the growing urgency around supply chain resilience and how the U.S. is responding through research investments, publicâprivate partnerships, and renewed efforts to boost domestic production.
But itâs not without challenges. From complex permitting processes to workforce development gaps and the need for better recycling and reuse (circularity), the path forward requires coordination, innovation, and long-term thinking.
The episode wraps with a grounded, practical message: building durable, bipartisan support for domestic critical mineral development starts with better public understanding. Education, transparency, and collaboration will be key to securing the resources that underpin modern life.
Tune in for a thoughtful, forward-looking conversation on the materials powering our worldâand what it will take to ensure a stable, sustainable supply for generations to come.
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The residential market is shifting fast, and Diana Oâ Lare and Mollie Carmichael of Zonda Homes break down whatâs driving itâfrom rising rates and affordability pressures to the surge in buildâforârent, active adult, and multigenerational livingâwhile highlighting the regions outperforming expectations, the looming boomer wealth transfer reshaping demand, and the policy ideas that could finally move the needle on affordability, giving engineering firms a clear view of whatâs coming next.
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In Part 2 of our conversation with Ardurra on Engineering Influence, host Jeff Urbanchuk picks back up with Ernesto Aguilar, President and CEO of Ardurra Group, diving deeper into the topics that matter most to engineering firm leaders right now.
After covering Ardurra's meteoric rise from a small regional firm to a national water and infrastructure leader, Jeff and Ernesto shift the focus to what sustains that growth over the long haul. Ernesto shares his perspective on one of the industry's most pressing challenges: workforce development.
Attracting the next generation of engineers, retaining top talent in a competitive market, and building a culture where people actually want to build their careers. The episode also explores the accelerating role of technology in engineering practice.
From AI to digital delivery tools, Ernesto reflects on how Ardura is approaching innovation. What does it mean to future-proof a firm? What tools are actually moving the needle? And then there's the question of value â perhaps the most important and most underrated conversation in the industry.
Ernesto makes a compelling case for why engineering firms need to start articulating the true impact of their work.
Missed Part 1? Go back and listen to hear how Ardurra grew from a regional firm to a national infrastructure powerhouse: https://youtu.be/BeB7U8SevRM
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Greg Kelly, CEO of STV, and Vice Chair of the ACEC Research Institute appeared on WTBQ-AM in New York to discuss the Institute's new research on the national shortage of engineers. The shortage is being driven by a combination of retirements, visa limits for international graduates, and a shrinking recruitment pipeline. Greg explains how firms use internships, mentorship, and competitive salaries to attract new talent.
The conversation covers how AI will augmentânot replaceâengineers, the importance of human judgment in safe design, and the lasting legacy of infrastructure projects that connect communities.
Resources such as ACEC scholarships and outreach to schools are highlighted as practical steps to grow and diversify the next generation of engineers.
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What happens when an industry faces a talent shortage serious enough to threaten its future? You stop waiting and start building the pipeline yourself.
In this episode of Engineering Influence, host Jeff Urbanchuk sits down with leaders from ACEC Missouri, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and SCI Engineering to tackle one of the profession's most pressing challenges: the growing engineering workforce shortage â and what the industry is actually doing about it.
At the center of the conversation is an innovative new Missouri initiative designed to reach students long before they ever set foot on a college campus.
The program takes a "teach the teacher" approach, equipping Kâ12 educators with hands-on, thematic learning modules they can bring directly into their classrooms â sparking curiosity about engineering careers at the earliest stages of a student's education.
Guests break down how the initiative works in practice, from the summer teacher camp experience to the role private firms play through sponsorships that make the program possible. The discussion digs into the power of industry-academia collaboration â and why partnerships between engineering firms and universities are essential to moving the needle on workforce development.
The episode also looks ahead: what does scaling this program look like, and how can it serve as a model for attracting and retaining the next generation of engineers across Missouri and beyond? Whether you're a firm principal thinking about talent strategy, an educator looking to bring real-world relevance to your classroom, or simply someone who cares about the future of the profession.
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The health care and science+technology market is undergoing profound change â not just in how care is delivered, but in the physical environments where it happens. From AI-powered research labs to rural hospital closures, the forces reshaping this $70 billion sector are creating both urgent challenges and significant opportunities for engineering and design firms. ACEC's Winter/Spring 2026 Market Intelligence Brief identifies five trends that will define the market in the years ahead.
Download the Market Intelligence Brief: https://www.acec.org/resources/market-intelligence/
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What does it take to grow a small regional engineering firm into a nationally recognized, private equity-backed water infrastructure platform â in just nine years?
In this episode of Engineering Influence, Ernesto Aguilar, CEO of Ardurra, takes us behind the scenes of one of the most intentional growth stories in the AEC industry. Ernesto walks through Ardura's evolution from its early days as a focused regional practice to a multi-market firm operating across what he calls the "Big Smile" markets â a strategic geographic arc where population growth, aging infrastructure, and capital investment are converging to create enormous demand for water-focused engineering services.
Ernesto speaks candidly about the discipline behind their selective M&A strategy â why they pass on deals that don't fit, what they look for in a cultural match, and how they structure integrations to make sure acquired firms don't lose what made them great in the first place. Central to that effort are employee councils, an internal mechanism Ardura uses to maintain connection, trust, and continuity as the firm scales.
The conversation also pulls back the curtain on what it's actually like to work with a private equity partner. Ernesto challenges some of the industry's assumptions about PE-backed firms, explaining how the right capital partner can accelerate mission-driven work rather than undermine it â and what engineering leaders should understand before entering that kind of relationship.
Beyond Ardura's own journey, Ernesto offers a broader perspective on the state of water infrastructure in America â the funding landscape, the urgency of reinvestment, and why the engineering profession must get better at communicating the value of its work. He makes a compelling case for advocacy and innovation as twin imperatives: that the firms and professionals who will define the next decade are those who not only deliver excellent technical work, but who actively shape the policy environment and public understanding around infrastructure investment.
Whether you're a firm leader thinking about growth strategy, an engineer curious about the PE landscape, or simply someone who cares about the future of water systems in this country, this episode is packed with insight.
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