Happy New Year!
- Lincoln Leaman, PE
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
I hope you all enjoyed a safe and happy holiday season. For our family, the holiday season is packed with family get-togethers for Christmas, New Years, birthdays, and anniversaries. The season is also filled with many long-held traditions.
The beauty of transitioning to a new year is the opportunity it gives us to start new traditions and try new things. For instance, my family enjoyed a long-standing tradition of having turkey on Christmas Eve and ham on Christmas Day. Then, a few years back, turkey became tri-tip, and then a Mexican Fiesta. This year, we added prime rib to the Christmas Day feast.
I share this information as we implement changes to long-standing traditions at ACEC Sierra Chapter, with the aim of enhancing the experience for our members and increasing our scholarship giving. We enter 2026 with great enthusiasm and are excited to offer new and different events to you!
Upcoming Events
First up, this Friday, January 9, we will host Senator Niello during our annual joint luncheon event with the NorCal chapter of APWA. This sold-out event offers a valuable chance to hear Senator Niello discuss key issues at the state capital and answer questions.
Next, on February 5, we are pleased to bring you the Hardhats and High Heels Gala. This inaugural event provides an elevated experience to celebrate our past presidents and this year’s scholarship winners.
Located at the Atrium, a rooftop event space in downtown Sacramento, the evening will provide attendees with an incredible skyline view of the city at night, a wonderful menu, and a signature cocktail available with a commemorative glass.
Then, on March 19, join us along with Calmentor North Region for an evening of networking and the opportunity to hear from Caltrans District 3 speaker, Greg Wong.
Thank you to our dinner sponsor Wood Rodgers.
Click the Calmentor logo to register for this event.
Tim Fleming Scholarship Recipients
We are happy to announce that the Tim Fleming Memorial Scholarship, now in its 15th year, has awarded two $5,000 scholarships! This year’s winners are Alexander Hu (pictured on the left) and Md Musfiqur Rahman Bhuiya (Sifat), both from UC Davis. Congratulations to both!
The Tim Fleming Memorial Scholarship was established in 2011 after the untimely passing of Tim Fleming in 2010. Tim was a Sierra Chapter Past President and served many years on the board. He was a graduate of the University of the Pacific and Stanford University and served our industry tirelessly as a leader and colleague. This scholarship honors his legacy and reminds us all that life is precious.
Alexander and Sifat will receive their scholarship checks at our Sierra Chapter Past President’s Dinner, Hardhats & High Heels Gala, to be held on February 5, 2026, at the Aurora Rooftop.
The Tim Fleming Memorial Scholarship is administered by the California Transportation Foundation (CTF) and is open to Junior, Senior and Graduate Civil Engineering/Transportation majors at California State University Sacramento, University of California Davis, and the University of the Pacific. Want more information? Contact Marco Palilla at Marco.Palilla@hdrinc.com or Libby Schlegel at Elizabeth.Schlegel@kimley-horn.com.
Member Spotlight
We are pleased to spotlight member firm Consor.
Consor is a leading consulting firm focused on future-ready infrastructure at the nexus of resiliency, reliability, sustainability, and security. With 1,700+ professionals across the United States and Canada, including an office in Rancho Cordova, our team delivers infrastructure solutions through integrated advisory, planning, engineering design, structural assessment, and program and construction management services.
Dinner Meeting Sponsorship Program
The Sierra Chapter now offers a new opportunity for member firms to sponsor a dinner event. For as little as $500, firms will receive:
Recognition on our website and in the President’s Message
One registration and a seat at the Guest of Honor Table
Recognition at the beginning of the meeting
2-minute introduction of your company
Thank you at the end of the meeting
Please contact Stephanie Crary at stephaniecrary@ACEC-ca-sierrachapter.com to
secure your spot.
Reminder - Volunteers Wanted
The Sierra Chapter is seeking volunteers to join our chapter’s committees for Events and Young Members. If your firm is an ACEC Sierra Chapter Member, you’re a member too!
If you or someone you know is interested in participating in one of our committees, please contact stephaniecrary@ACEC-ca-sierrachapter.com.
~Lincoln Leaman
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