The 2005 ABC national executive committee serves under the leadership of Gary Roden, executive vice president and CEO of Dallas-based AGUIRREcorporation.

Dallas Member Heads 2005 ABC National Executive Committee

The national executive committee of Associated Builders and Contractors was officially sworn in during the opening session of the 2005 ABC national convention in Orlando in February. The ABC national executive committee now serves under the leadership of 2005 ABC national chairman Gary Roden, executive vice president and CEO of Dallas-based AGUIRREcorporation.

As 2005 national chairman, Roden leads ABC's executive committee and board of directors, guides the national initiatives of the association and serves as its spokesperson.

Roden has more than 20 years of construction industry experience. As the top officer of AGUIRREcorporation, Roden leads a 55-person team that includes architects, engineers and general contractors and provides full-service design and construction services.

Roden has been with AGUIRRE since 1996 and oversees many activities that incorporate the use of centralized environmental controls, project programming, project budgeting and design as well as construction management.

Roden served as ABC's chairman-elect in 2004. For the prior two years he served as ABC's region three vice chairman, representing Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Roden has also served on the ABC board of directors for four years.

At the chapter level, Roden has served as chairman of the board of directors of ABC's North Texas chapter. Roden is also past chairman of the North Texas chapter's legislative committee. Roden has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University.

Miguel Rivera Receives AIA Young Architects Award

The American Institute of Architects recently announced five recipients of the 2005 AIA Young Architects Award. Young Architects are defined as professionals who have been licensed 10 years or less regardless of their age. The award honors individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession early in their careers. One Texan, Miguel Rivera of Austin, was among this year's five recipients. Rivera is a principal at Miró Rivera Architects.

Humphries, Scott Named to AGC Houston Leadership

The Houston Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America recently named Ken Humphries as this year's vice president. He is president of Humphries Construction Co.

Humphries has served on the chapter board since 1997 and is part of the finance committee. He has served the chapter as secretary and treasurer. He has also represented the chapter at the state level as director in the Texas Building Branch AGC.

Bill Scott was named as this year's president. He is executive vice president of Linbeck Construction Corp.

Scott has served on the chapter board since 2000. He has represented the chapter and industry on several important issues and currently serves as co-chair of the AIA/AGC Policy Council.

ABC of Greater Houston Announces 2005 Chairman

The Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston recently named Curtis Mason its 2005 chairman. Mason is president of Accurate Air Systems.

One of Mason's goals for 2005 is to emphasize the need for a safe, well-trained workforce in Houston through the use of educational programs offered by ABC.

Dallas North Tollway Survey Cited in ACEC Competition

PBS&J of Austin is a finalist in the American Council of Engineering Companies' 39th annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition for conducting a high-definition as-built survey of the Dallas North Tollway.

ACEC is the Washington D.C.-based engineering industry association representing the business and political interests for owners and principals of approximately 5,500 independent engineering companies throughout the United States.

To help the North Texas Tollway Authority prepare for widening the busy highway, PBS&J used 3-D laser scanning technology to capture vast amounts of data about the location and size of lanes, bridges, medians, retaining walls and other components. All surveys were conducted without the need to close lanes or place workers and equipment in hazardous locations. This convenience was particularly helpful in surveying a one-mile stretch of the Tollway that includes an 11-lane toll plaza.

The project is among 175 engineering projects from across the nation that are being recognized by ACEC as preeminent engineering achievements for 2005.

Winners of 24 specific engineering categories, including the "Grand Conceptor Award" for the best overall engineering achievement, will be announced this month at the Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.