I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this newsletter. This newsletter is a reflection of the association and all that is being done. In addition, there are more events that will be announced shortly such as:

1. A seminar will be held on March 25th.

2. The spring conference will be held on May 2nd.

Please remember that this newsletter belongs to all members. Your help in making the newsletter a better one is needed. You can contact us through e-mail: aaaea@aaaea.org

Newsletter Committee:

-Raghad Adeis-Dahhan
-Jamal Grainawi
-Luai Abu Hilal
-Bilal Masri
-John Romi
-Nabeel Aldrees

Sincerely,
Raghad Adeis-Dahhan

Career Corner

Career Corner >>

Dear Amro,

It is hard to believe, but another year is coming close to an end for AAAEA, which means the elections are coming up very soon. We are still looking to get your nominations for the Executive Board. We will be announcing election day shortly, so please make sure to nominate yourself or someone you believe to be a great fit for our organization before March 31st, 2009. Please go here for further details. Hope to see you in our next events.

And with election time, it is also time to continue your support and renew your membership. You earn the right to vote on the next Executive Board, as well as continuing to enjoy the benefits and advantages of AAAEA.

On a fun note, the Annual Hafla will be held this Saturday. Our committee has been working very hard to provide great entertainment this yearmand bring new elements into the Hafla. If you have not purchased yourmtickets yet, please contact us ASAP. Seating is limited and we have a great program for the guests this year.
Summer is almost around the corner, and with that we are planning some great activities for the members and their families. Keep an eye on details for a camping trip that is being planned, as well as the usual several picnics we have during the summer.
Also, keep an eye on announcement for Illinois Dept. of Transportation (IDOT) career day that will be held April 1st, 2009.

On a special note, we would like to thank Ayoub Talhami for being the first member to donate to the scholarship fund which we invited members to do. His kindness and continued support is greatly appreciated. We would like our members to do the same and donate any amount they can for the future of our young bright minds.

Hope to see you in our Halfa this Saturday and in our future events,

Nabeel Aldrees, PE
AAAEA Vice President

Featuring - Moustafa Gouda

In this issue we are featuring Moustafa Gouda. He is a candidate for ASCE president (National). Our John Dasoqi was asked to lead the national efforts to support the efforts to elect our Moustafa Gouda to the ASCE presidency. John will be working with all sister associations on promoting, informing, reaching out and other efforts to have a successful run.
We wish Moustafa Gouda the best.

Read More >>

AAAEA ACT Class Student Review

As a student enters high school, expectations and responsibilities increase significantly. These are the four years of a person's life that could help or hurt them for the rest of their life. As junior year rolls around, most students have an idea of what they are planning on studying in college. Some might also have an idea of what college they would like to attend.

The ACT is a very important college entrance test that helps colleges to separate the different levels of students. When I was told that AAAEA was holding an ACT class for students at a very low price I was excited to begin because I knew this would help me greatly. I was right! During this class, volunteers come into our class every Saturday and help us practice all the different subjects that come up on the ACT. The first week of the class we took a practice ACT. For four weeks after that we spent one week on each subject that is on the ACT.

On the sixth week, we took another test to see how we improved in comparison to the first test. After that, we take the four subjects again and then a test on the last day. In this class, we all put our ideas together to make the classroom a great environment for learning. The teachers are always ready to tackle our most difficult questions and they are always very patient with us. Whenever we do not understand a question they explain the concept to the best of their knowledge and until every single person in the class understands the correct answer. Furthermore, since there are not many people in the class, the teachers tend to pay more attention to each individual for a longer time. After taking an ACT class,

I learned several important things about the test itself and even about my future. Everyone in this class has benefited from the wonderful teachers and even the students.

I would like to thank AAAEA for this great class and also the volunteers who devote their time every weekend for our knowledge. We couldn't have done it without you!

Ola Issa

Acknowledgement

We are pleased to inform you that since the last edition of the newsletter last month, Ayoub Talhami was the first member to donate to the scholarship fund which we invited members to do.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our colleague Ayoub for his kindness and support. Also, we would like to encourage all to consider the same with any amount you can afford.
Thank you for your support.

Bilal Almasri

Featured Company: ADKO Engineering, Inc.

What is the name of the Company:
ADKO Engineering, Inc.
What is the nature of the company:
Bridge and Structures design Consultant
When was the company established:
2004
How many branch offices:
Two
What is your contact information Phone / Address / email:
(916) 294-0059-400
Plaza Drive, Suite 125 Folsom, CA 95630 go to www.adkoengineering.com
for more info
Who is the owner:
Majdi Kanaan
What are your areas of practice:
Bridge and Structures design
What projects are you currently involved in:
Sacramento Regional Transit
Bridges, walls and Stations design
What is your current staff break down:
Bridge Engineers and detailers and
Business development
How many board of directors are there:
Three
What is your company annual turnover (round to the nearest 000 or a range):
2,000,000

Career Day Chicago 2009
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

The Illinois Department of Transportation invites your organization to become an Exhibitor and/or Sponsor for Career Day Chicago 2009. This will be our first Career Day event held in the Chicago land area, and will be located at McCormick Place, Lakeside Center on April 1, 2009.

The purpose of this event to be to introduce over 600 Chicago Public High School students; our future generation of Designers and Trades people, to the Transportation/Engineering industry. This is not a job fair or recruiting event; just an opportunity for you to showcase the great work of your organization. We encourage all exhibitors to provide hands-on interactive activities for the students.

Attached, you will find a Career Day application packet. Please fax or email your registration form to my attention as soon as possible. Registration deadline has been extended to March 6, 2009.

We look forward to your organization's attendance at this special event.

Thank you once again for your participation.

Marie A. Butler
Manager, Bureau of Civil Rights
Bureau of Civil Rights

Career Day >>

Exhibitor Eriteup >>

2009 Annual Dinner Social

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009

Time: 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Place: Carlisle
            Butterfield Ballroom
            435 E, Butterfield Rd
            Lombard, Illinois 60148
            Tel: (630) 960-0210

Tentative Program:

- Networking
- AAAEA Announcements
- Arab Cultural presentation (art/video/short film)
- Engineering Service Award
- "Top Choice" Family Style Dinner
- Trivia Contest - with a lot of prizes.
- Raffle Prizes
- Social/Arabic Music/Dance
Cost:
         $50 per person
         $600 Sponsorship Table (8 seats)

Reservations:
Call : (630)-983-9819, Dr. Nabil Refai, PMP Activity Chairperson
        (312)-719-3896, Mr. Hasan Algholeh, PE President
        (312)-409-8560, (Voice Mail)

Email: aaaea@aaaea.org

Mail:
      P.O Box 1536
      Chicago, IL 60690

Tickets will not be sold at the door.
(Absolutely no children - Management orders)

From The AAAEA Engineers Week Committee
AAAEA Judges Volunteer at the 2009 Chicago Regional Bridge Building Contest

On February 10, 2009, members of the AAAEA volunteered as judges at the 2009 Chicago Regional Bridge Building Contest. The contest, held at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is part of the larger International Bridge Building Contest. The purpose of the contest is to help promote the study and application of fundamental principles of physics through 'hands-on' balsa wood bridge construction. AAAEA volunteer judges included Jamal Grainawi (AAAEA Chairman) and Moussa Issa (Education Committee Chairman). This is the 12th year that Jamal has volunteered in the program.

As judges, our engineers verified bridge loading set-up and oversaw students as they loaded their bridges until failure. More than 155 students from Chicago land participated in this year's competition. While the typical highway bridge may have an efficiency of about 10-20, the winning bridge from Chicago at the 2009 competition held an astonishing 67 kg while the bridge mass was only 23.11 g. That translates to a remarkable efficiency of 2899! Imagine if our engineers had to design bridges to such high efficiency standards!

http://www.iit.edu/~hsbridge/database/search.cgi/:/public/index

For over 20 years, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has been pleased to sponsor the International Bridge Building Contest. In addition to hosting the event in odd-numbered years, the winner of the International Contest each year will receive a 1/2 tuition scholarship to IIT. This scholarship is subject to the student applying and meeting all regular IIT admission criteria.

Results of the 2009 Chicago Regional Contest, held on February 10, 2009 at Illinois Institute of Technology. Congratulations to all the winners, particularly to the top two in each region who will be participating in the 2009 International Contest on April 25 in Washington State.

AAAEA SCHOOL OUTREACH

AAAEA Engineers visit schools and community organizations. Hands-on experiments and demonstrations illustrate basic scientific and engineering principles and promote careers in engineering.
If your classroom or school is interested in participating, please fill out the AAAEA School Outreach Request Form.
If you are an engineer and would like to volunteer to help with the our outreach program please email aaaea@aaaea.org

AAAEA-UIUC Exhibit
History of Arab Inventions and Engineering

The year's annual Engineering Open House at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign themed Unlocking Potential, and was a fabulous turnout for the AAAEA to display the Arab legacy in engineering. A small group of diverse AAAEA engineering students, consisting of both undergraduate and graduate students of various disciplines, were able to put together a wonderful display of only a few of the Arab's most prominent inventions and ideas. The exhibit reach out to about fifty visitors who stopped by, asked, and learned about the greatness of the Arab world; and we as AAAEA members were able to unlock many stereotypes of the Arab world. The visitors learned about the theories of modern optics and the creation of the camera; while also learning about other major Arab achievements in the field of engineering. The exhibit successfully sounded both in university and Arab community that it won the third position in the category of representing societies and is requested by other sister Arab organization for display.

Visitors of all ages were enticed by the ingenuity of those such as Abbas Ibn Firnas who was the first person in history to make any attempt at flying, learn about the discovery of chain pump systems for irrigation, and the invention of the steam turbine. Most people were shocked to learn that Arab scientists such as Taqi Al-Din were the first to create the modern day clock which includes the hour, minute, and second hands in the 1500s. Also, they were amazed by Al-Jazari, the father of robotics, whose water raising pumps were the inspiration for many of today's machines such as six-valve engines.

In order to further honor the Arab advancement of engineering, it is irrefutable how essential Ibn al-Haitham was to the Arab advancement. Ibn al-Haitham, the father of modern optics, was the first to prove that light travels in straight lines and that the eye sees images that are reflected. In addition to his theories on light, Ibn al-Haitham conducted many experiments using lenses and mirrors, and the refraction and reflection of light, and the breakdown of visible light into its various colored components. Ibn al-Haitham is undoubtebly one of the Arab world's most glorified scientists, but sadly is one that many are unaware of; however, after the Engineering Open House, many left with a better understanding of Ibn al-Haitham and the magnitude of his ingenuity which enlightened the world.

The Arabs created the driving force in launching the world out of the dark ages, and likewise, will continue their trend of success in engineering. Nobel Prize winners, such as Ahmed Zewail, have added onto the accomplishments of those before him, and will therefore continue to tread the path of excellence that young AAAEA college students will further forward.

Written by
Shayma Mouhammed & Hisham Said

Exhibit Team

Hisham Said

Ibrahim Odeh

Mohamed Ali Yehia

Nada Gohar

Omar El-Anwar

Omar El-Bassiouny

Shayma Mouhammed

Tarek El-Ghamrawy

Russell J. Ebeid scholarship for Arab-American students attending Kettering University
Russell J. Ebeid '62 is driven by two passions; a desire to make a difference in educational opportunities for underserved youth, mostly from immigrant families, and to stay close to his Lebanese heritage. These passions guide his philanthropy, including his recent decision to establish a scholarship program for students of Arab-American descent attending Kettering University in Flint, MI.

AAAEA DINNER SEMINAR
OVERVIEW OF THE TOLLWAY AND THE CONGESTION-RELIEF PROGRAM

Mr. Paul D. Kovacs, P.E.
Chief Engineer, Illinois Tollway

This presentation will provide an overview of the Tollway and the Congestion-Relief Program followed by information about how to do business with the Tollway.

Bio:
Paul Kovacs is the Chief Engineer for the Illinois Tollway and is accountable for the organization of the Engineering Department including its policies, procedures and performance to ensure the integrity and safety of the Tollway infrastructure while performing capital improvements and required maintenance projects.

He is responsible for delivery of the Illinois Tollway's $6.3 billion Congestion-Relief Program (CRP) - Open Roads for a Faster Future.

Mr. Kovacs earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois and is a registered professional engineer in Illinois and Michigan. In his 25 years of professional engineering experience, 17 were spent in the consulting industry.

Mr. Kovacs joined the Illinois Tollway in 1999. Prior to his appointment to Chief Engineer, he has served as the ORT Program Manager and Deputy Chief of Project Implementation. In this role, he managed the conversion of 20 mainline plazas to Open Road Tolling and improvements along the Tri-State, Jane Addams Memorial and Reagan Memorial Tollways.

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Time: 5:30 p.m. Social
         6:00 p.m. Dinner
         7:00 p.m. Presentation (PDH: 1 Hour)

Place: University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
ERF "Engineering Research Facilities"
842 West Taylor Room # 1047, Chicago

Cost: AAAEA Members $15, Non-Members $20 and Students $5

RSVP before Tuesday, March 24, 2009
$25.00 at Door

RSVP: Via e-mail or phone by Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Mr. John Saraceno, HBM John.Saraceno@hbmengineering.com or (708)236-0900

2009 Camping Trip

We are pleased to announce a planned camping trip to Jelly Stone Park at Caledonia Wisconsin (Milwaukee Area). Please find detailed camping information, and direction to the camp at the following Web site:

http://www.campjellystone.com/camp-resorts-detail.php?campgroundID=23

There are only 5 cabins available for 7/31/09 week end. Please act on it if you are interested. Please note that Cabins cost $140 per night plus the amenity fee and hold up to a maximum of 8 people.

Date: Friday, July 31, 2009 through August 2, 2009

Address: Jellystone Park, 8425 Hwy 38, Caledonia, Wisconsin 53108

Camping Type: Tent Camping; two tents per site, 6 to 7 sites are available

Cost: $45/lot plus $6.00/person for amenities per day.

Response date: July 20, 2008; the AAAEA intention is to reserve sites next to each other in order to have all families together. Therefore, in order to reserve a site with the group, please respond ASAP.

There are plenty of games for children and adults; bring your tent, food, and join in the fun with other AAAEA members and families.

IDOT Civil Engineer Scholarship program

Illinois Department of Transportation CIVIL ENGINEER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) may award up to 20 scholarships each year. The scholarship will provide up to $7,000 tuition assistance in select Illinois pre-engineering and civil engineering programs. IDOT is an equal opportunity employer.
Currently, IDOT is seeking to increase the diversity of its engineering workforce and encourages minorities and women to apply.

See the flyer attached for more information >>

AAAEA Event Review

Name of Event: Network Luncheon
Date: Saturday 2/28/09

Location: Arab American Family Services (AAFS)

Our AAAEA started a new event last year, the event is being held during the cold months. Networking luncheon gives the opportunity to all members and non members to come together, and exchange information, start a relation, assist each other, and exchange ideas of improving our association by identifying areas of improvement.
On Saturday 2/28/09, an event as such was held at the Arab American Family Services (AAFS) in Bridgeview-IL. The agenda of discussion included:

1-Introduction to AAFS
2-2016 Olympics by NAAP.
3-Minority (MBE) based on Advance Consultants Int. certification by the city of Chicago.

Our host this month is our partner for over 7 years in the community, and we are proud of the relationship. AAFS has purchased a new building for the first time, and they are providing services to the community, which deserve our support.
In addition, we have invited Network Arab American Professionals (NAAP) to talk about NAAP and the 2016 Olympics.

Last, Ehab Elqaq, VP of Advance Consultant Int., talked about the process the firm went thru to be certified by the City of Chicago as Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).AAAEA during the presidency of Dr. Ahmad Hammad, went in front the Chicago City Council and testify that we as Arabs are at disadvantage in the our business, and as a result of that and the very hard work our colleagues in Advance Consultant International, we congratulate them on this accomplishment.

Bilal Almasri

Nomination for 2009-2010 Election

ANNOUNCEMENT

From:             Nomination Committee
To:                  All AAAEA Members
Subject:        Nomination for 2009-2010 Election

Dear members:

It is the time again and it is my pleasure to inform you of our upcoming annual election event for future leaders of our organization. The election for the following position: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, IT officer, Education Committee Chair, Enhancement Committee Chair, Membership Committee, Activity Committee Chair and Publication Committee Chair.

The above positions are open for any AAAEA members who is interested in nominating himself/herself or/and nomination other member. The election committee would like to ask each candidate to submit a petition for nomination with statement explaining what is his/her goal for running for the designated position, explaining how this goal will benefit the organization in short and long term goals and how these goals will be implemented when he/she should be elected for the specific position.

Please forward your written statement to the election committee by no later than March 31, 2009. This statement will be available to all AAAEA members to review on or before the election's day. Any person not able to submit his/her petition by March 31st, 2009, may still seek election by submitting a petition to the Nomination Committee no later than April 20th, 2009. The petition shall be signed by at least fifteen (15) voting members who have been members for at least one year prior to signing the petition.

The petition and the statement can be sent to the attention of: AAAEA, P. O. Box 1536, Chicago, IL 60690-1536. Or E-mail to: aaaea@aaaea.org Attn: Election Committee.

Regards,

Ahmad Basrawi, Ahmad Hammad, John Dasoqi and Bilal Almasri
Nomination Committee

Scholarship Announcement

PURPOSE
This scholarship award has been established by the AAAEA Scholarship Committee. The award is presented to an Undergraduate or Graduate, Engineer, Architect or Computer Science student who is also a student member of AAAEA.

The main objective is to promote Engineering, Architecture and Computer Science as worthy professions and to foster stronger ties to the AAAEA and to the Arab American Community.

See full announcement >>

AAAEA/Peoria Event Review

Name of Event: Peoria Chapter
Date: Saturday 2/21/09

Location: Peoria, IL

On Saturday Feb 21, 2009 AAAEA-Peoria held a membership meeting. The meeting was well attended. Anas Alkhatib (Treasurer) and Bilal Almasri Founding president) joined the meeting from Chicago in addition to George Ghareeb (National Steering Committee member).
After welcome remarks and introduction by Dr Mustafa Alsaleh (AAAEA-Peoria president), Bilal Almasri presented the Chicago Experience power point presentation. This presentation shows the programs and services AAAEA provided and providing.
After answering the questions regarding the above presentation, the membership discussed the local chapter and ways to have members more involved and interested.
As a result of the discussion, an activity committee was formed to come up with a list of activities for the balance of 2009.

Also, the students formed the first ever a steering committee to form AAAEA student chapter at Bradley University. The scholarship program was promoted, and students were encouraged to apply.

We commend our colleagues in Peoria on their new energy and momentum. And we wish our students the best in their study and forming a student chapter.

Bilal Almasri

Community Corner

· In 2008, AAFS has serviced over 11, 200 individuals with a broad range of services and programs, and over 25, 000 individuals since AAFS has started. The agency is staffed by Arabic-speaking professionals who are sensitive to the religious and cultural needs of Arab-American families. AAFS provides knowledge and access to services and programs in an effort to keep families together and sustain their hope in the community. The driving force behind AAFS is to empower the Arab-American community to overcome obstacles and live up to their full potential.

On Saturday 3/7/09.Arab American Family Services (AAFS) held a full day work shop in Chicago to create a strategic plan for the next 3 years.
Representing AAAEA, Bilal Almasri, community liaison attends part of the work shop. Other community members attended and I was impressed with the spirit, dedication and commitment all attendees exhibited.
AAFS thanked all for their support and this is part of their email:

On behalf of AAFS thank you all for your time, effort, and wonderful input at today's workshop. So much was accomplished and we are driven to implement your ideas. Today you have shown that it is a collective effort. THANK YOU!!! We are looking forward to working together and building a community. I hope you will continue to have the same excitement and energy you have shown today.

Again, Itedal and I thank you for the passion and dedication you bring the Arab American and all ethnic communities.

Bilal Almasri

· AAAEA arranged for the Aqsa School students to visit UIC on 3/10/09 and meet our colleague Dr. Mohsen Issa. Dr. Issa and his team talked to our students about the importance of education, and about engineering. The students toured Dr. Issa's laboratory.
We would like to thank Dr. Mohsen Issa for his time, efforts and support to our community and AAAEA.

Bilal Almasri

· Families in need for you support in Chicago: few of our clients are in need in of furniture, house hold items. If you or anyone you know is willing to donate furniture that is not being used please let me know. Let me know if you can provide anything, it will be appreciated greatly!

Aysha Shalabey
Arab American Family Services
9044 S. Octavia
Bridgeview, IL 60455
708.599.2237

Member's News

Congratulations to our colleague Suha Saber on being Mom for the first time.
After 24 hours of labor and a C-section, Baby Haris Saber Wilson was born on February 7Th, 2009 at 4:50pm. He weighed 8lbs 11ozs.
Congratulations to our colleague Maher Mallouh and his wife Nawal on the birth of their twin. Adam and Jenna were born on 01/27/2009.
Congratulations to Ahmad Laban for his promotion to the management position of Assistant Engineer of Treatment Plant Operations I at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Deepest condolences to Dr. Ahmad Hammad on the passing of his aunt in Jordan. May Allah bless her soul and have mercy and give the family strength
Our condolences to the Issa family (Hayat,Mohsen,Mahmoud Moussa,and all...) for the passing of their father. May Allah bless him and may Allah give his family patience.

To view this email as a web page, go here.