AACE Bulletin
Bulletin Section News for April 2025
AACE International sections from around the world are encouraged to submit write-ups and photos of their monthly section meetings and other activities. For the April 2025 Source, submissions were received from the Great Lakes, Qatar, and Keystone-Manitoba sections.
Great Lakes Section
Great Lakes Section: Site Tour – Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital
The AACE Great Lakes Section recently hosted an exclusive tour of the Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital, currently under construction by The Christman Company in Northville, Michigan. Designed as a 264-bed facility to serve both adult and adolescent psychiatric patients, this state-of-the-art hospital will be 405,168 sq ft on a 45-acre site. Scheduled to be turned over to the state of Michigan in June 2026, the facility features innovative design elements such as a central utility plant with geothermal wells for efficient heating and cooling, secure courtyards, and a range of amenities including a gymnasium, chapel, salon, group therapy rooms, educational classrooms, and creative spaces for music, exercise, and art. To accelerate construction and enhance efficiency, each patient room is being outfitted with prefabricated bathroom pods designed for behavioral health with features like ligature-resistant grab bars.
Hosted by Shawn Debo, a seasoned project scheduler with over 17 years of experience and current secretary of the AACE Great Lakes Section, the tour offered attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the construction process and the challenges involved in delivering such a complex healthcare facility. This event showcased the innovative approach and commitment of both The Christman Company and the Great Lakes Section to advancing project controls and delivering excellence in construction.
From left to right: Adam Carozza, Jeff Ostermiller, Kris Ostermiller,
Jason Marentette, Dawn Riley, Shawn Debo, and Jim Krebs.
Qatar Section
The Qatar Section recently hosted a compelling online presentation titled, “The Science of Negotiating Construction Claims.” The session delved into negotiation psychology and explored how behavioral psychology and anchoring techniques can enhance persuasive claim presentations, strengthen claims negotiations, and offer effective strategies for managing disputes and settlements from both the contractor’s and employer’s viewpoints. The event featured distinguished speakers Lotfy AbdelKader, Founder & CEO of Lofty Consulting, and Daniel Glasswell, Commercial Director.
Keystone-Manitoba Section
The Keystone-Manitoba section recently hosted two in person events.
In February, the section held an event in Winnipeg featuring John K. Hollmann, CCP, CEP, DRMP, FAACE, Hon. Life AACE (Validation Estimating LLC), who presented “The Latest on AACE Recommended Practices for Estimate Accuracy and Classification.” Hollmann explored AACE’s Accuracy and Classification Recommended Practices, common misapplications, and emerging sector‑specific guidance across process, infrastructure, remediation, pharmaceuticals, and nuclear projects. Attendees gained practical strategies for setting, explaining, and defending accuracy ranges in quantitative risk analyses.
In April, Andrew Blanchette, P.Eng., CET, PMP, Program Leader of the Winnipeg Sewage Treatment Program (WSTP), presented “Collaborative Project Delivery – Winnipeg Sewage Treatment Program” at Hatch Ltd. Blanchette reviewed the procurement and structure of the 30‑year City of Winnipeg-Veolia Water partnership, outlined its guiding principles and scope, and summarized progress on four major capital‑upgrade projects across Winnipeg’s three treatment plants. This session showcased how integrated total cost management underpins long‑term value delivery, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness in large‑scale municipal infrastructure.
