ASPE Newsletter Volume 29 Issue 5 
President's Report
A Warm Welcome Back and an Exciting Start to the Year
As we settle back into our routines after the holiday break, I want to personally welcome everyone back and wish you a healthy, successful, and productive new year. I hope you were able to take some time to rest, recharge, and spend meaningful moments with family and friends. With the new year underway, our chapter is already off to a strong and encouraging start.
Since our last newsletter, we have had the opportunity to participate in two outstanding collaboration meetings that highlight the value of working closely with our industry partners. One of these meetings was held jointly with ASHRAE, and the other with MCA. Both events were well attended and provided excellent opportunities for networking, technical discussion, and strengthening relationships across organizations that share common goals and challenges.
These collaborative efforts are important to the long-term success of our chapter and our profession as a whole. They allow us to broaden perspectives, share expertise, and better align on issues that affect the built environment, workforce development, and the future of plumbing engineering. The engagement and dialogue at both meetings were strong, and I believe they set a positive tone for continued cooperation throughout the year.
I would like to extend a special thank you to Jack Klapper for his leadership and effort in coordinating these meetings with our partner organizations. Bringing multiple groups together takes time, planning, and persistence, and Jack’s work was instrumental in making both events successful. On behalf of the chapter, thank you for your dedication and commitment.
Looking ahead, I also want to remind everyone to begin planning for the ASPE Convention and Expo October 8-14. The Expo portion will be October 12 – 13. This year’s convention will be held in Oklahoma City, which should make travel easier and more accessible for our members. The ASPE Convention remains one of the best opportunities to gain technical knowledge, earn continuing education, connect with peers from across the country, and stay current on emerging trends in plumbing engineering and design.
If you have never attended an ASPE Convention, I strongly encourage you to consider it this year. And if you are a past attendee, you already know the value it brings—both professionally and personally. More details will be shared as the event approaches, but now is a great time to begin thinking about attending.
Thank you all for your continued involvement and support of our chapter. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming meetings and events as we build on this strong start to the year together.
Joe Poplinger
American Society of Plumbing Engineers
Kansas City Chapter President
VP Membership
Hey Kansas City ASPE folks!
We are looking out for new members!! Please recommend ASPE to colleagues and coworkers or bring them out to a meeting! For potential new member your first meeting and lunch is on us! Our technical sessions are a great way to earn PDHs for maintaining licensure, our local events and chapter meetings are great networking opportunities with our group, and the technical resources and other special ASPE programs are just some of the benefits of membership!!
If you are interested in joining or needing to renew, visit the ASPE website here: Join ASPE
Did you know??
Members have access to ASPE Connect forums! This is a wealth of knowledge from contributors across the country! If you have some unique issue or question on a particular design?? Chances are there is some discussion of it on these forums or someone willing to provide some advice for any questions you might post. Try it out!! https://connect.aspe.org/home
Members have access to education resources and CEUs via webinars and past resources that help to keep you current on maintaining licensing and credentials. Check it out: https://education.aspe.org/
Any questions related to membership, please contact me at [email protected].
Mike Oliva
VP Technical
Hello ASPE members! Thank you to those who were able to attend the December joint meeting with MCA of KC over The Unforeseen Journey of Wastewater in Johnson County. The January meeting will also be a joint presentation but with KC ASHRAE. This will take place on the first Monday (1/5) at Grundfos in Lenexa. Please find the address below and in the meeting registration announcement. Grundfos is the sponsor and will be presenting over Harnessing Energy Savings with Distributed Pumping for Hydronic Applications & Temperature Controlled ECM Circulators for Hot Water Recirculation. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!
Thanks,
Education Committee
Education Committee
Happy New Year!! Please reach out to me if you have any ideas or suggestions for how we can expand our educational offerings, strengthen outreach, and continue to grow our chapter.
Applications for the 2026 ASPE Alfred Steele Scholarship
The Alfred Steele Scholarship application process has changed. The application period will open on February 1 and close on April 30. More information to come.
Support our Kansas State University Students:
We are excited to be again working with Jacob Hamilton a professor at Kansas State University, with Architectural Engineering program to provide support and a student chapter. If you are passing through Manhattan and can share your knowledge with the students, like me know and we can arrange a meeting. Let me know if you have any ideas or can help support the students.
Certified Plumbing Design (CPD) Exam;
If you are considering taking the exam, see below for book of the month discount for the CPD Study Guide. I know the Certified Plumbing Design (CPD) exam is not until April 13-24 2026, but it will be here before you know it. Are you considering taking the exam? We are working on getting study material for the exam and would like to get a list of people who are going to take the test. Please contact me or any board member if you are taking the test so we can support you.
To be eligible to take the CPD Examination, a candidate must possess:
- A minimum of four years of experience in a position of responsibility for the design of plumbing systems and possess a baccalaureate degree in a field related to engineering; or
- a candidate may substitute up to an additional four years of practical experience in the design of plumbing systems, for a total of eight years, or be granted a credit of one-half year of practical experience for each full year of education in an accredited curriculum related to plumbing engineering.
Refer to the website for additional information https://aspe.org/education-credentialing/cpd/exam/
Upcoming Exams, Certifications, Book of the month.
- ASPE's January 2026 Book of the Month is:
Engineering Methodologies to Reduce the Risk of Legionella in Premise Plumbing Systems (eBook version) is 25% off ($99.95 member price) enter coupon code welcome2026
Get the most of your ASPE membership and use all the educational opportunities ASPE offers like the On-demand Webinars https://education.aspe.org
Ann Braden
KC ASPE Education Committee Chair
Corresponding Secretary
Happy January Birthdays!
Bretlynn Fischer
Michael Lawrence Foster
Bill Gonzalez
Brad Kielhofner P.E.
Robert Mitchell LaMendola
Brian S. Lasche CPD
Holly Lewandoski BA
Matthew J. Pellman P.E.
Brian Prendergast
William Warren Rosenbrook CPD, GPD, P.E., FASPE
Dexter Sibley
Congratulations to people with ASPE Anniversaries!
Eric Spencer Baum P.E.
Tony A. Butterfield CPD
Thomas Casebolt
Scott Daniel Groshans PE
Brian Hodes
Chaesare Heather Jones P.E., Leed A.P.
Brian Lerkins
Andrew D. Mitchell P.E.
Haylee Nicholas
Jose Joel Reza
Julianna Michelle Scheet P.E.
Todd Wicker
Thomas B. Woods
Larry Tatum, CPD, LEED AP
KC ASPE Corresponding Secretary