Click here to download! 

NCEES is currently seeking licensed structural engineers to participate in a professional activities and knowledge study, or PAKS, for the PE Structural exam. The results of this online survey will be used to update specifications for the exam, which is used throughout the United States for licensing purposes.

NCEES requires a cross section of licensed professional engineers practicing structural engineering—including those working in industry, consulting, the public sector, and academia—to complete an online survey about the tasks and knowledge required of a licensed structural engineer with four to six years of experience to practice in a manner that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The survey can be completed in approximately 50-60 minutes.

“These studies help NCEES ensure its licensing exams remain relevant to current professional practice,” explained Chief Officer of Examinations J. Lehmon Dekle, P.E. “The value of this PAKS depends on the number of people who participate, so NCEES is eager to get a large response from professional engineers across all areas of structural engineering.”

For access to the online survey, visit https://ncees.org/STRPAKS.

The survey opened January 22, 2025, and will remain open until March 10, 2025. For more information, contact NCEES Exam Development Engineer Sonya Dawson at sdawson@ncees.org.

ABOUT NCEES
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying is a nonprofit organization made up of engineering and surveying licensing boards from all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since its founding in 1920, NCEES has been committed to advancing licensure for engineers and surveyors in order to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the U.S. public. NCEES helps its member licensing boards carry out their duties to regulate the professions of engineering and surveying. It develops best- practice models for state licensure laws and regulations and promotes uniformity among the states. It develops and administers the exams used for engineering and surveying licensure throughout the country. It also provides services to help licensed engineers and surveyors practice their professions in other U.S. states and territories. For more information, please visit ncees.org.

The Board seeks to amend 21 NCAC 56 .1607 to correct an error and alleviate confusion concerning the required certification for GPS surveys.

Proposed effective date: August 1, 2025

A public hearing is planned for April 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM via conference call.

Click here to download the Notice.

Dear PENC Community:

We are heartbroken by the devastation caused by the recent hurricane that impacted Western North Carolina and surrounding communities. The damage is significant, and many of our neighbors are facing challenges that will take time and collective effort to overcome.

During this difficult time, we know that emergency relief organizations are on the ground, working tirelessly to help those in need. As a community, we have the opportunity to come together and make a difference.

In this email, you will find information on how you can provide support and aid in the recovery efforts. Whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing resources, every action counts.

Thank you for your care and generosity as we work to help rebuild and support those affected.

At this time, all non-essential personnel are asked to avoid the impacted areas to allow emergency and relief efforts to continue. Volunteer activities are being organized now by the emergency agencies. You can learn more about those opportunities by clicking here.

NCWaterWarn has reached out to PENC to ask for volunteers. NCWaterWarn is focused on supporting water systems in emergency situations. They are actively assessing the needs of Western NC due to the hurricane and have a presence at the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Volunteers may be needed initially to help staff the EOC desk in Raleigh, and potentially assist with damage assessments. PENC is assessing the situation and working to determine where we can support the recovery efforts. Please let Vanessa LaClair (PENC Executive Director) or Brian Johnson (PENC Board President) know if you would be willing help with the staffing the EOC desk.

The North Carolina Chamber has provided the following list of resources that may be helpful to you and your stakeholders in recovery and support efforts.

Moving People, Resources, or Equipment

Until further notice, roads west of Hickory, NC are closed to all non-emergency traffic. If you plan to move resources, equipment, or personnel into Western North Carolina, please coordinate all movement through the NC Emergency Management Business Emergency Operations Center (NCEM-BEOC).

To coordinate, email your logistics or movement requests to BEOC@ncdps.gov with "Logistics Support" in the subject line. Be sure to include:

• What you’re moving and why special access is needed.
• Your timeline for the move, including starting location and destination.
• Estimated arrival time at the Western NC "border" and location.

Small Businesses and Local Chambers

The U.S. Chamber Foundation’s National Disaster Help Desk is available to assist businesses in the affected areas, as well as those seeking to support recovery efforts. You can reach them at 888-MY-BIZ-HELP (888-692-4943), or visit their online resource page for help with employee needs, communication, finances, and recovery organization.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is also offering support, which you can learn more about.

Homeowners and Renters

Residents of 25 counties, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance if they suffered uninsured damage or losses from Hurricane Helene.

Public Safety

The N.C. Department of Public Safety has compiled a list of essential resources.

Donating, Volunteering, and More

For those interested in donating or volunteering, the following organizations are actively providing relief and accepting support:

• Relief Organizations
• McDowell Chamber of Commerce Donations
• Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Donations
• Cash donations can be made to the State Disaster Relief Fund through United Way of NC.
• Faith-Based efforts can be made through Samaritan's Purse.

The public hearing and comment period are being held in accordance with the federal Water Pollution Control Act (the Clean Water Act) that requires States to conduct a Triennial review, which includes an assessment and revision of the designated uses of water (classifications) and associated water quality criteria (standards).  This announcement will appear on a few listservs, so I apologize in advance if you receive this information more than once.

Comments on the proposed reclassification may be submitted in writing or by email anytime through October 14, 2024, to the following:

Elizabeth Ward Liebig
DEQ-Division of Water Resources, Planning Section
1611 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC  27699-1611
elizabeth.liebig@deq.nc.gov

You may also attend the public hearing and present comments on the proposed reclassification. The date, time, and location of the public hearing are as follows:

Thursday, October 10, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College North Campus
Room 101, Building 106
1333 Jake Alexander Blvd S.
Salisbury, NC 28146

A detailed hearing announcement, along with the regulatory impact analysis and other information for this proposed reclassification, is also located online at https://deq.nc.gov/news/events/public-notices-hearings.

If you should need additional information, the DWR staff contact is Elizabeth Ward Liebig at (919) 707-3674.

NSPE New Professional of the Year Award

Charles “Charlie” Townsend, PE, epitomizes the role of a dedicated civil engineer who actively contributes to community well-being.

Through his current role as the Land Development Team Leader for VHB in Raleigh, Charlie spearheads projects that shape the landscape of commercial, industrial, and residential sectors, providing innovative site/civil design and permitting assistance. Beyond his professional duties, Charlie engages in community service, serving on advisory boards and volunteering his time to enhance public spaces and educational opportunities.

Passionate about serving his community, Townsend has been active in several organizations since 2015 when he was appointed by City Council to serve on the City of Raleigh’s Parks, Recreation, and Greenway Advisory Board. A few years later, Townsend became the North Carolina Regional Coordinator for the Future City Competition, after serving as Director of Finance from 2017-2021 and as volunteer from 2015-2017. He assisted in securing a $200K State of North Carolina Budget Appropriation for the 2021-2023 Biennium for the Future City Competition. Townsend helped lead securing further funding from the State of the North Carolina, obtaining $200K in recurring funds from the General Legislature to support the expansion of the program throughout the State.

Townsend is a member of the PENC Triangle Chapter and serves on the chapter board as Community Leadership Chair. In June of 2022, he was elected to the PENC Educational Foundation board and currently serves as secretary. Additionally, Townsend serves on PENC’s University Speaker Series committee, which coordinates presentations to Colleges and Universities on PE licensure. He also serves on the Raleigh Seminar planning committee and was a presenter at the 2022 PENC Summer Conference. In 2023, Townsend received the 2023 Young Engineer of the Year Award from PENC’s Triangle Chapter, as well as the NSPE-NC Young Engineer of the Year Award and President’s Award at the summer conference.

Charlie earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University in 2015, and an MBA in business finance from North Carolina State University in 2021. While at NCSU, Townsend was active in the Theta Chi Fraternity, serving as Chaplain in 2011 and President from 2012-2014. Townsend is a licensed professional engineer in the state of North Carolina.

He is also an active volunteer through his alma mater, NC State, with the College of Engineering Young Alumni Advisory Board, where he serves on the College Relations Subcommittee.

One of the things I enjoy most about PENC is our diverse engineering backgrounds. This diversity allows us to learn about the broad field of engineering from a variety of perspectives. This also fosters networking opportunities and a deeper appreciation for the good work that we provide as engineers across our state.

PENC offers numerous educational opportunities that enhance our understanding within the engineering field. These include our annual conferences, regional seminars, webinar series, and Leadership Institute, to name a few.

Moreover, PENC gives us a chance to get involved and engage with other engineers, ensuring our longevity and enhancing our value. One of the best ways is to get involved in your local chapter. This helps you to get to know engineers in your area and learn about local happenings.

Looking ahead, I encourage you to join us and actively participate in PENC. Consider joining one of our committees (Membership, Achievement Awards, Conference Planning, Seminar Planning, University Outreach, etc.)! This is a good way to get to know and volunteer alongside dedicated individuals across the State. Whether you are interested in joining a committee, leading a project, or taking on a leadership role, there are many opportunities available to you!

We know you have many choices when it comes to programs and events to fill your PDH needs, and I look forward to seeing you at a PENC event soon! Please consider participating in the following:

• NSPE Annual Conference - August 6-8 Raleigh, NC (A first for our state!)
• Wilmington Seminar - August 15 (Addressing contaminants and water treatment in southeastern North Carolina)
• Leadership Institute – Begins September 6, registration is now open

As you can see, there is a lot going on with PENC and plenty of opportunities to get involved. I look forward to a great year ahead and am honored to work with you as we continue to build on the achievements of our organization over the years.

Brian Johnson, PE
PENC President, 2024-2025

Elevation Certificate:https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_form-ff-206-fy-22-152.pdf

Highlights of the revisions to the Elevation Certificate include the following:

• A new Section H is available for use in all flood zones to determine the building's first floor height for NFIP insurance purposes. Photos must be submitted with all Elevation Certificates.
• Instructions for other sections have been revised and clarified, as needed, to ensure greater consistency and accuracy in the information provided.

Dry Floodproofing Certificate:https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_form-ff-206-fy22-153_0.pdf

Highlights of the revisions to the Dry Floodproofing Certificate include the following:

• A revised format that requires separate certification of building design, elevation, and construction.
• A new Required Documentation page.

If you have questions, please reach out to Steve Garrett, CFM, State NFIP Coordinator, Steve.Garrett@ncdps.gov

Position Open: Director of Interprofessional Education & Outreach

Department: School of Engineering

Status: Part time

For more information visit http://www.campbell.edu/employment/

PENC and the NC Society of Engineers jointly honored retiring Dean Louis Martin-Vega at a formal event at the Talley Student Center on Feb 25, 2023. It was attended by members of both organizations, local engineers, NCSU Board of Trustee Member Perry Safran and NC Representative Dean Arp, PE.

Speakers noted the remarkable achievements of Dean Martin-Vega and all that he has done for NC State in his 17+ years as Dean. He was presented with the Order of the Old North State award by Rep. Arp for his service to our state.

In closing it was announced that there is an effort to fund an endowed scholarship in his name at NCSU. All companies and individuals who have been impacted by Dean Louie may honor him by contributing to the fund. 

Please consider a contribution to this fund in his honor.  https://go.ncsu.edu/dlmvendow

The call for presentations is now open. Deadline to submit is January 25. https://www.nspecon.org/call-for-presentations/ 

Please take a few minutes to answer our 2022 PENC Member Survey. This will help us improve our services and programming. Thank you!

Member Survey

Learn more about the NC Chamber here. PENC members now receive discounted rates to webinars and other events. 

Congratulations to the 2022-2023 PENC Executive Committee! 

Pictured above: Scott Stamey, PE (President), Scarlett Kitts, PE (President-Elect), Monica Fulkerson, PE (Past President), Kristin Brickman, PE (Secretary), Brian Johnson, PE (Director), Andrew Burton, PE (Director), James Chandler, PE (Director). Not pictured: Derrick Smith, PE (Treasurer) and Srijib Mukherjee, PE (NSPE Delegate)

Take the 2022 Engineering Outlook Survey: 2022 Engineering Outlook Survey, designed to gauge the current status of the profession and its outlook for the future.

The North Carolina State MATHCOUNTS competition was held on March 18 at the North Carolina School of Mathematics and Science in Durham, NC. Congratulations to the winning team from Smith Middle School!

Please check out this video for a virtual walk through of the new website.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Catie Cox.