California’s Engineering and Land Surveying Organization Adopts Nationally Recognized Name

Sacramento, Calif. - The Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California (CELSOC) announced today that its membership has approved changing the name of the organization to the American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC California). The change will officially take effect on July 1, 2008.

"United under a national name, ACEC California will have the backing of a larger power base to further influence positive statutory and legislative change in the state of California," said Sen. George Runner.

ACEC California Executive Director Paul Meyer added that by adopting the national name, ACEC California will gain prestige, power and name recognition.

“Incorporating the national backing and scope of the American Council of Engineering Companies into our organization’s name will have an instant impact on both our legislative efforts and our membership recruitment,” Meyer explained. “As our organization continues to grow here in California and across the nation, we need to adapt to local needs and still meet an increasing number of local, national and global challenges. ACEC’s primary job is to be the voice for private sector engineers and land surveyors in this state, and also around the country and the world.”

As the leading advocate in California for private sector engineering and land surveying firms, ACEC California actively initiates and takes positions on legislation, stimulates the ongoing discussion of important industry issues and encourages the development of public/private engineering solutions. Among the widespread slate of issues on which ACEC California will focus are infrastructure improvement, speedy project delivery and the creation of needed new housing.

The organization is also widely known for its sponsorship of Prop. 35 in 2000 -- a measure that provides private consulting engineering firms with greater access to public works contracts in California.

About ACEC California
ACEC California, formerly known as CELSOC, is a statewide association representing 1,200 private consulting engineering and land-surveying firms that average 20 employees each. ACEC California is dedicated to enhancing the consulting engineering and land surveying professions, protecting the general public and promoting the use of the private sector in the growth and development of our state. Our members provide services for all phases of planning, designing and constructing projects. For more information, visit www.celsoc.org. Please note: On July 1, the Web site will be www.acec-ca.org.

About ACEC
ACEC is the voice of America's engineering industry. Council members – numbering more than 5,700 firms throughout the country – are engaged in a wide range of engineering works that propel the nation's economy, and enhance and safeguard America's quality of life. For more information, visit www.acec.org.