History

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Ohio traces its origins to the early 1950s, when owners of private engineering firms began meeting informally to discuss business issues of mutual concern.

Along with colleagues from other states, these Ohio engineering company owners helped establish the Consulting Engineers Council of the United States in 1956 and the state organization took on the name of the Consulting Engineers Council of Ohio.

Simultaneous with the formation of CEC Ohio, a second organization representing engineers in private practice, the Consulting Engineers of Ohio, was becoming active. CEO was an outgrowth of the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers.

In 1977, after several years of negotiations CEC Ohio and the CEO merged to form the Ohio Association of Consulting Engineers. OACE grew steadily over the years. In 1999, the name of the organization was changed back to the Consulting Engineers Council of Ohio, to reflect the fact that it was the state affiliate of the American Consulting Engineers Council.

In May, 2001, the national American Consulting Engineers Council changed its name to the American Council of Engineering Companies. In August, 2001, CEC Ohio followed the lead of the national association by renaming itself the American Council of Engineering Companies of Ohio, or ACEC Ohio.

Today, ACEC Ohio represents approximately 150 independent engineering firms that offer a wide range of construction design and consulting services. Some ACEC Ohio firms are very large, employing hundreds, while others are sole proprietorships. The average-size company has 55 employees.

ACEC Ohio member companies employ more than 9,000 people in the State of Ohio. The engineering industry, as a whole, in Ohio contributes $15 billion to the GDP.