The Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE) held a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Seminar at the Harpoon Brewery Beer Hall in Boston, MA on Thursday, September 17 from 2-5 p.m.
Participants enjoyed three presentations from experienced industry professionals, as well as a full tour of the Harpoon Brewery. (more…)
Cap’n Tim Johnson, PE is Principal of Captains Engineering and Consulting. He served as 
President of MSPE (2004-2005). In May 2015, he retired from a 15-year career as Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Technology at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Tim is currently pursuing a doctorate in Computer Science at Pace University, as well as a venture with his son to develop a revolutionary infrared temperature device. Tim has answered the questions below, so we may know him better… (more…)
MSPE members and their guests enjoyed MSPE’s 2015 Annual Meeting and Dinner on the evening of Wednesday, June 17 at Chateau Restaurant in Norwood, MA. MSPE Past President Kenneth R. Skinger, PE, Esq. oversaw the Installation of Officers Ceremony, and led the incoming officers and board members in a recitation of the Engineers Creed.
At the 2015 National MATHCOUNTS Competition on May 8 in Boston, Team Massachusetts Mathletes placed 3rd in the nation out of 56 state teams. Additionally, each of our state’s individual ‘Mathletes’ placed in the Top 20 Percent of 224 of the brightest students in the nation, and two of them earned their way into to the final Countdown Round – a fast-paced, one-on-one, elimination style oral contest.
Of the four Massachusetts participants this year, three were 8th graders and will therefore age out of the program next year, and one is a 7th grader who is eligible to participate in MATHCOUNTS next year.
Thomas Converse, PE is President of LIG Consultants, Inc. based in Hopedale, MA. He served MSPE as President from 2008-09, and currently serves as MSPE Secretary. As Advisor to the MSPE Programs & Events Committee, Tom welcomes input and feedback from all members.
Mr. Converse has answered the questions below so we may know him better. Thank you, Tom, for your support and dedication to MSPE.
Q: Why did you join MSPE?
A: I joined NSPE/MSPE while I was a college student. Working with engineers during my Co-Operative Education periods, they encouraged me to join organizations such as NSPE, IEEE and electrical industry organizations. I became more active in MSPE during the period leading up to the National Meeting in Boston, and worked on that effort. I have held officer positions since.
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) regulates the practice of “plan stamping”. NCARB has provided several documents, available both to Engineers and Architects, regarding standards supporting their position on good architectural practice and responsible regulations. Below, I briefly touch upon NCARB’s position on plan stamping, and provide limited comment to their position and, hopefully, some helpful suggestions and guidance to Massachusetts Architects and Engineers.
NCARB’s position is based upon Rules 5.2 and 6 of their Rules of Conduct and Model Law. In pertinent part the rules provide that: “An Architect may sign and seal technical submissions only if it is (it can be any of these four): (i) prepared by an architect; (ii) prepared by persons under the architect’s responsible control; (iii) prepared by another registered architect if the architect has reviewed the work and has either coordinated the preparation of the work or has integrated the work into his own technical submission; or (iv) prepared by another architect registered in another U.S. jurisdiction and holding a certification by the NCARB if (a) the architect has reviewed the work and integrated the work into his own technical submissions, and (b) the other architect’s submissions are prototypical building documents. (more…)
An MSPE member since 1987, Larry Decker’s distinguished career includes: Service as an officer in the U.S. Navy; 40 years of working as a project, staff, application, and environmental engineer for industry and engineering firms; and 18.5 years as an Engineering Professor at Wentworth Institute of Technology. In addition, for 23 years, Mr. Decker and his wife Ruth have volunteered to serve as the Metrowest Chapter Coordinators for MATHCOUNTS in Massachusetts.
Mr. Decker has answered the questions below so we may know him better. Thank you, Larry, for your support and dedication to our country, the engineering profession, MSPE and MATHCOUNTS!
Q: Why did you join MSPE?
A: I joined MSPE to network with other professional engineers, to support the profession, for professional development and to make new friends.
MSPE invites members and guests to take advantage of three opportunities in 
celebration of Engineers Week New England:
Thursday, Feb 26: 4-7 p.m:
Career Fair (Free) for students and job-seekers of all ages & experience
Thursday, Feb 26, 7-8 p.m.:
Birth of the Steel Skyscraper presentation at Northeastern University, Sponsored by SEAMASS
Friday, Feb 27: 12-2 p.m.: E-Week Awards Ceremony and Luncheon.
Engineers Week was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). MSPE Board Member Tom Vaughan, PE serves on the 2015 Board of Directors for E-week Massachusetts. He reminds all MSPE members of this unique opportunity and celebration for the engineering community as he explains, “E-Week events offer something for everyone, ranging from students to job seekers to practicing professionals.”
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Despite the snow, 904 middle school students from 121 Massachusetts schools competed in six chapter-level MATHCOUNTS competitions. The winners from each chapter (teams & individuals) will now advance to the State Championship on Saturday, March 7 at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Simply volunteer to help proctor or score the tests on March 7. The commitment is just 4 hours; no experience is necessary; must simply be over 18, able to follow simple directions, and not be related to a competing student. For details, contact John Hayden, PE.
The anticipation is intense as 904 student-Mathletes from 121 middle schools throughout Massachusetts prepare to compete next week in six chapter-level MATHCOUNTS math competitions. The winners from each chapter/region will advance to compete in the State Championship on March 7, and the last Mathletes standing will achieve the honor of representing Massachusetts at the National MATHCOUNTS Competition on May 8, to be held “at home” in Boston – for the first time in the program’s 32-year history.
MATHCOUNTS is a national math enrichment, coaching and competition program for middle school students in grades 6-8. In Massachusetts, the program is made possible through the local support and leadership of the Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE.com).
ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
More than 100 volunteers are needed to help score and proctor the tests at six chapter level MATHCOUNTS competitions throughout Massachusetts on January 31 and February 2, 4 and 7, as well as the State Championship on March 7. Generally, a volunteer commitment is just 4 hours on the day of the competition. No experience is necessary; volunteers must simply be over 18, willing and able to follow simple directions, and not be related to a competing student. For more info or to volunteer, contact the coordinator of the competition(s) you wish to support. SEE BELOW for competition dates, times and locations.