Washington, D.C. [May 29, 2008]
Three-dozen transportation design and construction industry "rising stars" came to Washington, D.C. May 20-22 to participate in the American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF) 13th annual Young Executive Development Program (YEDP). The intensive, three-day program focuses on the impact the federal government has on the industry and the role that ARTBA plays in shaping national transportation policy. The 2008 class was the largest to complete the program.
The YEDP program included sessions on the federal legislative and regulatory processes. Participants heard from Bob Meredith, transportation specialist with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Legislative and Governmental Affairs, about the structure and operations of the federal highway program. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, discussed the role of Congress and government in transportation funding and policy development. Susan Binder, FHWA Office of Legislative and Governmental Affairs director of government relations also provided an overview of challenges facing the nation's transportation infrastructure.
YEDP fellows also visited Capitol Hill and met with their members of Congress to advocate for a proposal to address the projected FY 2009 revenue shortfall facing the Highway Trust Fund Highway Account, that if unaddressed, would result in a 34 percent reduction in each state's federal highway funds. Participants also urged opposition to a proposed "gas tax holiday" and support for legislation reauthorizing the federal aviation programs.
Participants in the program included:
Amanda Abrams, administrative supervisor, J.D. Abrams, L.P., Austin, Texas
Mark Aikawa, principal project manager, CH2M Hill, Inc., Oakland, Calif.
Albert Amos, innovative financing manager, Jacobs Carter Burgess, Inc., Austin, Texas
Nicholas T. Andreychek, account manager, SemMaterials, L.P., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Matt Carnal, economic analyst, SemMaterials, L.P., Tulsa, Okla.
Theresa Carr, project manager, CH2M Hill, Inc., Portland, Ore.
Lyle Clark, project manager, Granite Construction, Inc., Lewisville, Texas
Robert A. Davidson, producer/account manager, Scott Insurance, Franklin, Tenn.
Lorena E. Echeverria, transportation group manager, Earth Tech, Inc., Austin, Texas
Michael J. Eichten, highway group manager, Earth Tech, Inc., Chicago, IL
Dan Fischer, regional manager, 3M Traffic Safety Systems, Glendale, Mo.
Aaron M. Flautt, project manager, Earth Tech, Inc., Dallas, Texas
Scott "Ponch" Frank, construction manager, Ranger Construction Industries, Inc., West Palm Beach, Fla.
Christopher S. Fronheiser, project manager, DMJM Harris, Baltimore, Md.
Calex Gonzalez, project manager, HDR, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska Chip Greene, project manager, Bell & Associates Construction L.P., Brentwood, Tenn.
David D. Harwood, P.E., National Transportation Sector Leader, Terracon Consultants, Inc., Wheat Ridge, CO
Gregory C. Heinz, consultant, PB, Seattle, Wash.
Robert Kerns, traffic networks manger, Transurban Limited, Alexandria, Va.
Mimi Kronisch, project engineer, Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, L.L.P., Alexandria, Va.
Steve W. Lillich, junior estimator, The Shelly Company, Twinsburg, Ohio
Daniel James Lucas, area manager, The Walsh Group, Chicago, Ill.
Oscar I. Moreno, segment leader, SemMaterials, L.P., North Salt Lake, Utah
Michael W. Morgan, project manager, Ajax Paving Industries, Inc., Tampa, Fla.
Robert Orr, division manager, Wilbur Smith Associates, Kansas City, Mo.
Jason Phillips, senior associate, H.W. Lochner, Inc., Taylorsville, Utah
M. Sean Porter, project manager, American Structurepoint, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.
Bob Schafer, vice president, Ranger Construction Industries, Inc., Fort Pierce, Fla.
Jeffrey Schechtman, vice president/director, ports & marine division, PB, Glastonbury, Conn.
Jo Ellen Sines, vice president of project development, Corman Construction, Inc., Annapolis Junction, Md.
Wes Stafford, division manager, Wilbur Smith Associates (WSA), Charleston, WV
Weng On Tam, procurement manager, HDR Engineering, Inc., Pfugerville, Texas
Scott Voytek, regional sales manager, 3M Traffic Safety Systems, Chicago, Ill.
Jason Wagner, director of policy and government relations, Associated Pensylvania Constructors, Harrisburg, Pa.
Joey Wilson, p resident, Wilson and Associates, P.C., Franklin, Tenn.
Thomas G. Zink, deputy director of transportation, Gannett Fleming, Inc., Mount Laurel, N.J.
Established in 1902, ARTBA is the voice of the U.S. transportation construction industry in the Nation's Capital.
The ARTBA Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF) was established in 1985 as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity to promote research, education and public awareness. It supports an array of initiatives, including educational scholarships, awards, roadway work zone safety and training programs, special economic reports and a national exhibition on transportation.