ACI has successfully helped clients navigate local, state, and federal regulations for over 45 years. During this time we have developed a long-standing relationship with the Florida Division of Historical Resources (FDHR), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE), Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and various county and local municipalities. ACI is experienced with survey, case study reports, 4(f) reports, and Memoranda of Agreement (MOA). We have worked in all 67 counties in Florida and with all seven FDOT Districts.
Always Growing
Always Growing
Marion Almy and daughter, Dr. Maranda Kles
Today, ACI’s offices and staff are integrated through remote server access, cloud-based project management, and real time field data. The Tallahassee Area Office spearheads many of ACI’s in and out of state projects and the St. Augustine Office continues to explore the nation’s oldest city through collaborative efforts with the University of Florida and private development.
DEVELOPMENT OF ACI
Marion Almy founded ACI in 1976 and was joined by Joan Deming in 1978. Local development projects dominated the first few years, but in the 1990s ACI took off – it was awarded cultural resource assessment survey contracts by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Over the years, ACI has become the “first choice” of national and international engineering firms, developers, federal, state, and local agencies, as well as a “go to resource” for tribal collaboration. Our staff come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds bringing their experience and expertise, resulting in ACI be knowledgeable, diverse, and flexible. In recognition of their knowledge and experience many of ACI’s staff have been nominated or elected to serve as board members and officers for various national organizations including American Cultural Resource Association (ACRA), National Trust for Historic Preservation (NRHP), Society of Professional Archaeologists (SOPA/RPA), with state organizations, including the Florida Public Archaeology Network, Florida Archaeological Council, and the Florida Anthropological Society (FAS), as well as the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation (FTHP), and the Florida Historical Commission (FHC); and local organizations include various city and county Historic Preservation Boards and Planning and Development Boards.
ACI also has extensive expertise working with pertinent state and federal laws and regulations. As the oldest full-service CRM firm in Florida and in recognition of our lead staff knowledge and experience, ACI has played a key role in assisting the FDHR and FDOT with writing and updating industry standards and guidelines. Theses documents include the original Rule Chapter 1A-46, Florida Administrative Code; the FDHR’s Archaeological and Historical Report Standards and Guidelines (S&G) and the Cultural Resource Management Standards and Operational (S&O) Manual; and the FDOT’s Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Handbook, the updated Chapter 8 of the PD&E Manual, and the third statewide edition of The Historic Highway Bridges of Florida.
Despite Marion’s early efforts to encourage her in other directions, her daughter Maranda pursued her degree in Anthropology focusing on Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology. Marion soon realized the error of her ways and encouraged Maranda to pursue Anthropology! While in undergraduate and graduate school, Maranda worked for other CRM firms, the National Park Service, and museums throughout Florida. After earning her PhD, she furthered her education and experience through teaching and field work. Ultimately, Dr. Maranda Almy Kles joined ACI in 2018 as its Vice President, Principal, and head of the Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology unit.
MISSION
MISSION
ACI’s mission is to promote an appreciation for cultural resources through our focus on our client’s needs. ACI seeks to develop responsible solutions that balance development and preservation and gain strong support from all interested parties. While steeped in a history of standard methods and regulatory requirements, ACI seeks to incorporate new technologies that improve data collection, interpretation, and presentation in an effort to achieve client objectives, meet regulatory requirements, and protect valuable cultural resources.
CODE OF ETHICS
ACI is committed to abiding by proper and legal business practices. We seek to exemplify the highest standards of professional conduct to protect the public’s interest in cultural resources, while providing diligent, creative, honest, and competent services and professional advice to our clients. ACI employees take personal responsibility for achieving our mission and honoring our commitments, through open and honest communication, encouraging and maintaining a safe work environment for all, and a commitment to professional morality, responsibility, and competence. ACI seeks to design and conduct projects that will add to our understanding of past peoples and places and contribute to the development of Cultural Resource Management by improving methods, techniques, interpretations, and applications.
ACI adheres to the professional ethics set forth by the American Cultural Resource Association and the Register of Professional Archaeologists. ACI follows the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines in Archeology and Historic Preservation.
CORE VALUES
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Passion
• Collaboration
• Inclusion
• Resource Protection
• Sustainability
• Reliability
• Responsiveness
• Confidentiality
• Planning for future development with a respect for the past
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
ACI gives back to the communities in which we work, through education, service, and leadership. We frequently visit or host school, university, and community groups to talk about archaeology, CRM compliance, history, and community development.
EDUCATION
Staff presents and publishes scholarly work at state and regional conferences and a variety of professional journals. Many of our staff members are active members of a variety of organizations including; ACRA, RPA, SEAC, FAS, AAA, SAA, Florida Trust, National Trust, Florida Historical Society.
VOLUNTEERING & LEADERSHIP
We volunteer through a wide variety of organizations in each of their respective communities. Many of our senior staff have served on federal and state boards, city and county commissions, planning boards, and community committees.
