RESTON, VA – The organizational conference of a new Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Association will feature a member of Congress, officials of the Trump Administration, and thought leaders from the SUE profession when practitioners convene on Thursday, July 26 in Washington, DC.
U.S. Representative Randy Weber (R-TX) will be the keynote speaker at 8:00 am. Rep. Weber is chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, with jurisdiction over pipeline research, development, and demonstration projects and a member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, with jurisdiction over pipeline transportation safety, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), including the “Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act ” or “PIPES Act” of 2016, Public Law 114-183, and the National Pipeline Mapping System.
At 10:15 am Jim Anspach, Director of Utility Market and Practice Development, Cardno and Chair, Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI), American Society of Civil Engineers and John Berrettini, Vice President and Co-Owner, A/I/DATA and Member, ASCE Committee on Utility Data Collection will discuss issues facing the SUE community.
Luncheon Speakers will be Anthony Bedell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Intergovernmental Affairs and Bobby Fraser, Director, Office of Governmental, International, and Public Affairs; Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); U.S. Department of Transportation.
In the afternoon, Justin Klein, President, Klein Agency, LLC will discuss Risk Management and Professional Liability in SUE. Additionally, John Palatiello, President of John M. Palatiello & Associates, Inc. and SUE Association Consultant, will review activities that led to the conference and formation of the association and facilitate a vote on association bylaws, dues, and a board of directors, as well as facilitate a discussion of initial SUE Association programs and priorities.
The one-day kick-off conference will be preceded by an icebreaker reception sponsored by the Klein Agency, LLC, on Wednesday evening, July 25 at the Capitol Skyline Hotel.
“This conference and the formation of the SUE Association is the result of an initial gathering of personnel from A/I/Data, Accumark, AMT, Insight, JMT, KCI, AB Consultants and the Klein Agency. We’re very pleased with the response to the kick-off conference and look forward to a successful launch and the beginning of an effective and beneficial association,” said John Palatiello.