It is my pleasure to inform you that the national steering committee will be holding its first semi annual meeting in Texas on May 10^th. The members will discuss the current status of the national association and prepare for the third national conference in Chicago in October. While in Texas, the steering committee will also attend Texas annual election and meet their members.

In addition, our national committees continue their work in finalizing ideas for the logo and the name. These ideas will then be discussed with delegates from all AAAEA chapters. Also, it must be noted that the newsletter committee continue to work hard in keeping the channels of communication between the national and sister associations open by the monthly publication of Al-Muhandes. AL-Muhandes has been a very instrumental tool in promoting the association and reaching out to our members, please share AL-Muhandes with your colleagues in your states.

I also would like to commend our AAAEA chapters for their activities. Michigin, Texas and Illinois all are holding their elections in the next month or two. Wisconsin has prepared an annual list of activities for the remainder of 2008 that will keep them busy. Tri-State (NY-NJ-CT) has held their first monthly meetings, which was attended by 30+ of their members and are already planning their next meeting which will be on April 30^th. The momentum in Orlando continues to grow and meeting attendance is on the rise. In DC our colleagues are working hard in establishing an AAAEA association and are planning to hold their first election in the fall of 2008. Illinois has held about 20 different activities in the month of March 2008 and concluded it with the annual HAFLEH on March 29^th.

I would like to thank all my colleagues everywhere, who have contribute to the success and support this association.

Sincerely,

Mustafa Mahamid, PhD, PE

National Steering Committee Chairman