I am honored and humbled to be a candidate for International Vice President. ITE represents the highest standards of professional development and technical advancement in the transportation engineering profession, and continues to bring tremendous value to its membership, industry and the traveling public.
From its conferences and publications to webinars and seminars, ITE offers crucial resources for all careers in the transportation industry. Our Specialty Councils work diligently to identify, address and resolve transportation challenges in a focused and deliberate manner, while members tackle local issues at the grassroots level and provide a venue for informational exchange on a wide variety of transportation topics.
Professional enrichment through active and meaningful member participation is the centerpiece of my vision for ITE. The organization must serve as a conduit between individual spirit and collective resolve if ITE is to continue playing a central role in elevating our profession. My vision includes these key areas:
Professional Development – The heart of ITE is its membership, and nurturing the careers of transportation professionals demands effective programs for leadership development. We need to have the membership’s pulse at our fingertips; understanding your needs and interests should help guide everything that we do. I will strive to communicate with you, the members, and continue to invest in our future.
Technical Advancement – ITE must remain at the forefront of technical expertise to satisfy the needs and demands of transportation systems that are constantly growing in magnitude and complexity. We have an opportunity to bring the best and brightest minds to bear on a wide array of technical challenges, and I will promote ITE as the premier resource for technical excellence and technological innovation in the transportation industry.
International Partnership – As a worldwide organization, ITE should persist in its commitment to increase collaboration with the international community of transportation professionals. I will encourage an exchange of ideas, technology and research that can be developed globally and applied locally.
These areas of emphasis have something very important in common; they rely on the participation, enthusiasm and commitment of an active membership. Both member and employer involvement in shaping the future direction of ITE are integral to its growth and success, and yield numerous benefits for the profession and public.
You, the members, work hand-in-hand with some of the most notable experts in the transportation industry, cultivating both valued professional relationships and lifelong personal friendships. Employers benefit from more knowledgeable staff, increased networking and business development opportunities and improved employee retention. With members reaching new heights in technical achievement and innovation, the public will benefit from safe, efficient and reliable transportation systems.
I have always believed that ITE is both a resource and a responsibility, and I have seen first-hand the benefits of investing my time in all that the organization has to offer. Every time I give to ITE, I get back so much more in return. With you, me and ITE working together, we can ensure that ITE continues to be the organization of choice for the transportation profession.