Jan Zander, PE, executive vice president, began in July a one-year term as chairman of the board of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin.

Zander says the first item of business for ACEC Wisconsin over the next year will be updating the organization’s strategic plan, including an October focus group in which members will prioritize action items to be worked on over the next three years.

ACEC Wisconsin also will advocate for sustainable funding systems for highways, education facilities, and municipal infrastructure, Zander says. The organization will seek to keep its finger on the pulse of the construction projects in and around the developing Foxconn plant in Mount Pleasant, as well as federal legislative and regulatory topics.

The board will also place an emphasis this year on encouraging the next generation of engineers through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) career exploration opportunities for young people who might take an interest in studying engineering.

Zander joined Ayres in 1990, beginning in the Eau Claire office, followed by stints in the Madison, Waukesha, and Phoenix area offices before returning to Eau Claire in 2008 upon being named an executive vice president. His previous responsibilities have included supervision of transportation engineers and project management of roadway and bridge projects. Zander oversees a number of the firm’s operations groups, as well as the firm’s project management and group management training.

Zander holds a bachelor of science degree in civil and structural engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a master of business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Zander has been involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Institute of Transportation Engineers. His community involvement has included board membership in the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, including recently chairing JA’s Northwest District board.