Paul Meyer, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) California (formerly CELSOC), spoke with Institutional Investing in Infrastructure editor Drew Campbell about California’s infrastructure needs, public-private partnerships and ACEC California’s role in the market.

Should plan sponsors manage the complex and wide-ranging mix of infrastructure assets from a single allocation, or would these investments be better managed in multiple allocations? Furthermore, are infrastructure assets best managed from a private equity allocation? A real estate allocation?

The need to maintain and develop infrastructure in the United States — roads, bridges, energy, water and schools — has been a pressing topic during the 2008 election year. Despite recent high-profile infrastructure catastrophes, however, the issue has not reached the level of other hot button topics, such as foreign policy and the economy, except indirectly as a means to stimulate the economy and create jobs.