Engineering Influence from ACEC

In this episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast, ACEC’s Thomas Grogan sits down with Dan Palo of Barr Engineering to unpack one of the most important—and often overlooked—topics shaping our future: critical minerals. What exactly makes a mineral “critical”? 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 down—exploring 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, public–private partnerships, and renewed efforts to boost domestic production. But it’s 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 world—and what it will take to ensure a stable, sustainable supply for generations to come.

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 — 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

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 — 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 K–12 educators with hands-on, thematic learning modules they can bring directly into their classrooms — 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 — 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.

What does it take to grow a small regional engineering firm into a nationally recognized, private equity-backed water infrastructure platform — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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.

How confident are engineering firm leaders heading into 2026? In this episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast, Jeff Urbanchuk sits down with Joe Bates, Senior Researcher at the ACEC Research Institute, to break down the findings from the newly released Q1 2026 Engineering Business Sentiment Report. This quarterly report captures insights from CEOs and senior executives at ACEC member firms across the country, offering a real-time look at engineering industry outlook, economic confidence, workforce trends, AI adoption, and federal policy impacts. Key Topics Covered: 📈 Engineering Industry Outlook 2026 – Why firms are entering the year from a position of strength 💼 Business Sentiment & Economic Confidence – U.S. economy sentiment jumps 11 points to +45 👷 Workforce & Hiring Trends – 9 out of 10 firms still have open positions 💰 Wage Growth Trends – Compensation increases easing from double digits to 6–7% 🏛️ Federal Policy & Government Shutdown Risks – How funding uncertainty is impacting firm confidence 🤖 AI Adoption in Engineering Firms – Nearly half of firms now have an AI strategy in place 📐 Small vs. Large Firm AI Implementation – Why smaller firms may have competitive advantages 🚀 The Firm of the Future Initiative – New research on AI, workforce strategy, value-based pricing, and risk management Learn more at www.acecresearchinstitute.org. Download the Full Report: https://www.acec.org/resource/engineering-business-sentiment-q1-2026/

In this episode of the Market Edge podcast, we connect the dots between policy, planning, engineering, and financing to reveal what it truly takes to build resilient communities in an era of growing risk. Our conversation explores how public and private sector leaders can collaborate to reduce vulnerability before disaster strikes. We dive into the role engineers play not just in rebuilding after crises—but in shaping smarter systems, influencing policy, and guiding investments that strengthen communities for the long term.

In this episode of the Engineering Influence podcast, we sit down with Betsy Bond from Prosci to discuss the importance of good change management in the AEC industry. In today’s rapidly evolving engineering landscape, even the best technical solutions can fall short if organizations struggle to adopt and sustain change. Leaders need the skills to guide teams through transitions, reduce resistance, and ensure new processes, technologies, and strategies deliver their intended value. ACEC is excited to partner with Prosci to offer their Change Management Certification Program, a world-class, immersive learning experience designed to equip engineering professionals with the tools, expertise, and ongoing support needed to lead successful organizational change. Learn More & Register Now: https://www.acec.org/education-events/education/online-education/prosci-change-management-certification/

On this episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast, host Diana O’Lare sits down with Peter Nabhan to explore how artificial intelligence—particularly GPU-driven workloads—is reshaping the future of data center development. As AI adoption accelerates, demand for power is surging, fueling the rise of massive, campus-scale data center projects across the U.S. The conversation dives into the evolving strategies of hyperscalers and co-location providers, the growing strain on the electric grid, and the increasing role of on-site power generation. Diana and Peter also unpack the critical engineering challenges around cooling, water usage, and sustainability, while spotlighting the top U.S. markets seeing the most rapid growth. Finally, they tackle the big question facing the industry: Are we heading toward an oversupply of data centers—or is this simply the next major technology cycle transforming the built environment? Read the Market Intelligence Data Brief: https://www.acec.org/resource/special-edition-data-centers-market-intelligence-brief-fall-2025/

At the 2025 ACEC Fall Conference in San Diego, global futurist, author, and CEO of Tomorrow, Mike Walsh delivers a compelling vision for how artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the business of engineering. Walsh explains why we are entering a new industrial revolution—one driven not by mechanical automation, but by the emergence of digital workers capable of reasoning, making decisions, and executing specialized tasks once performed exclusively by humans. He breaks down the core strategic shifts engineering firms must embrace to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. He highlights the growing importance of unique, proprietary data as the foundation for competitive advantage, and explores how digital twins can transform planning, modeling, and real-time operations. He also challenges firms to rethink the very nature of work, describing how leaders can redesign processes to maximize the complementary strengths of both people and machines. Throughout the conversation, Walsh offers practical guidance for engineering executives, project managers, and technical teams looking to adopt AI not simply as a tool, but as a catalyst for innovation and organizational reinvention. From reshaping client services to optimizing project delivery and cultivating new forms of expertise, he outlines clear pathways for firms to use AI to accelerate performance and build long-term strategic value. This episode provides a forward-looking roadmap for anyone in the engineering industry seeking to understand the profound changes reshaping the profession—and how visionary leaders can harness AI to build a more adaptive, resilient, and future-ready organization.

In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with Apurva Sawant, a transportation project manager at Jacobs, whose professional and personal journey spans continents, disciplines, and leadership roles. Apurva reflects on her early years in India, where an unexpected spark of curiosity led her toward engineering—a field that would eventually guide her across the world to the United States. She shares how Denver, with its thriving infrastructure community and opportunities for growth, became the place she chose to call home. Apurva opens up about the pivotal mentors who helped shape her path, offering insight into how thoughtful guidance supported her shift from hands-on technical work to managing complex projects and leading diverse teams. She discusses what it means to build confidence in your expertise, how to recognize your potential, and why strong mentorship can make all the difference—especially for young professionals navigating the early stages of their careers. Throughout the conversation, Apurva provides actionable advice for rising engineers: be proactive, ask questions early and often, embrace collaboration, and seek out mentors who challenge and support you. She also shares her broader vision as a project leader—driving work that meaningfully improves communities, from safer transportation systems to more accessible infrastructure, while inspiring the next generation of engineering professionals. This episode offers an honest and motivating look at career growth, leadership development, and the power of building supportive networks within the engineering industry.

In this episode of Engineering Influence, host Shreya Jain sits down with Mallory Weber, one of ACEC’s Young Professional of the Year, for an inspiring conversation about passion, persistence, and finding purpose in engineering. Mallory shares how her early love of Legos and growing up around construction sites sparked a curiosity that evolved into a career in transportation engineering. She walks us through her journey from hands-on childhood experiences to tackling complex real-world infrastructure challenges. We dive into her impactful work and Mallory also reflects on what it’s like to enter the workforce during a shifting landscape—navigating hybrid work, building confidence as a young professional, and learning how to collaborate effectively when teammates aren’t always in the same room. Throughout the conversation, Mallory emphasizes the importance of teamwork, mentorship, and staying curious. She also highlights how professional organizations—especially involvement with ACEC—have strengthened her network, expanded her skills, and shaped her perspective on leadership in the A/E/C industry. Whether you're a student exploring engineering paths, a young professional carving out your place in the field, or a seasoned engineer interested in the next generation of talent, this episode offers valuable insights into the mindset and motivation behind one of today’s rising industry leaders.

In this episode, adventurer and leadership expert Debra Searle takes us inside her extraordinary journey of rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean — a challenge that tested her endurance, mindset, and decision-making in ways few people ever experience. Debra reveals how those months at sea reshaped her understanding of resilience, leadership, and human potential, and how the strategies she relied on in the middle of the ocean can be applied just as powerfully in boardrooms and everyday life. She breaks down practical, science-backed techniques for staying motivated and productive, even when circumstances feel overwhelming — from habit stacking and using external cues to the power of simple, consistent positive feedback. Debra explains how leaders can use these tools to create energized teams, improve wellbeing, and build environments where people perform at their best. We also dive into her approaches to decision-making under pressure, navigating periods of isolation, and translating ocean-tested mental habits into effective, results-driven business practices. If you’re looking for actionable leadership insights, mindset shifts, and stories that prove what’s possible when we push our limits, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

At the ACEC 2025 Fall Conference in San Diego, McKinsey alum and OutThinkers podcast host Kaihan Krippendorff discusses how to "think differently" in an era of rapid technological change and AI. He shares his OutThinking framework for strategy and decision-making and explains the importance of the "job to be done" using examples like Apple and the MP3 revolution. Kaihan argues leaders should redefine what their firm truly does (focus on outcomes, not just technical deliverables), coordinate ecosystem partners, and create cultures that activate internal entrepreneurs. He emphasizes practical steps: imagine different futures, expand option sets, choose and test ideas, and build buy-in while accepting that many bets will fail but a few will pay off. Practical takeaways include reframing your business around customer outcomes, partnering across the ecosystem, and encouraging experimentation inside the firm.