January 2023 Great Lakes Region 2 News: Welcome Kentucky Bluegrass!

2023 arrived quickly with plenty of expectations and promises on the horizon. We encountered various challenges and adversity throughout the pandemic, which brought about change in our engineering profession, our work environments, and our lives. Fortunately, Region 2 Chapters are all back to in-person monthly meetings with the exception of the Toronto Chapter, which continues to offer a hybrid option due to the distance many members must travel to attend the in-person meeting. Membership for Region 2 continues to increase at a slow but steady pace with a focus on member retention.

Guest Technical Speaker Bryan Lee, Eemax Regional Sales Manager – Midwest

On Monday, January 16, I had the opportunity to attend the first meeting of a new ASPE Satellite Chapter in Louisville, Kentucky. On behalf of the Society and Region 2, I welcomed the Kentucky Bluegrass Satellite Chapter and its members to the ASPE family. This inaugural event was held at the legendary Stevie Ray’s Blues Bar with 30 members and guests in attendance for a lunch meeting that included a great presentation on tepid water and safety equipment requirements. The arrangements, setting, and food really complimented the enthusiasm and excitement of the members and guests. The new Satellite Chapter Board did an outstanding job preparing this event as well as greeting, communicating, and networking with all those who attended.

I have to send a special thank you to my wife Melissa, who made the 7½-hour trip to Louisville with me as well as used her crafting skills to make the first Kentucky Bluegrass Satellite Chapter logo t-shirt that was raffled off to a lucky attendee. The trip was short, but it was a successful and rewarding visit. It was quality time with my ASPE friends in Louisville and a little getaway to share with Melissa. Two other special guests traveled to attend this event: Andrew Hemmelgarn, PE, CPD, President of the Southwestern Ohio Chapter, who sponsored this new Satellite Chapter, and Josh “Waldo” Pedraja, VP Membership of the Eastern Michigan Chapter. (Yes, EMC; there was a Waldo sighting in Louisville!) Their support and participation are greatly appreciated.

From left: Andrew Hemmelgarn, Steve Kormanik, Greg Farmer, Joseph Graf, Daniel Sabetta, Patrick Thompson

I want to personally thank Chapter President Joseph Graf, EIT, and the Kentucky Bluegrass Board for their hospitality and the efforts put in to develop this new Satellite Chapter. We look forward to your participation and contributions to our Society and Region 2.

Thank you all for participating, supporting, and contributing to ASPE!

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