2010 Annual Report

NC TRIANGLE CHAPTER
2010 ANNUAL REPORT
2010 Board of Directors
and Committee Chairs
President
Paddy Jordan
Mulkey Inc.
Vice President
Kimberly Fischer
HNTB Corporation
Treasurer
Amy Simes
DENR
Secretary
Emily Yasukochi
Town of Chapel Hill
Immediate Past President
Julie Timm
Moffatt & Nichol
Programs
Paddy Jordan
Mulkey Inc.
Communications
Susan Humphrey
Mulkey Inc.
Professional Connections/Membership
Karen S. Reynolds
NCDOT – PDEA
Newsletter
Kristin Maseman
H. W. Lochner
Scholarship
Emily Yasukochi
Town of Chapel Hill
Awards/Banquet
Kimberly Fischer
HNTB Corporation
Mentoring
Ann Steedly
Planning Communities
Professional Development
Joanna Harrington
URS Corporation
Advisory Board
Anne Franklin
Message from the President
It’s been an incredible year for me as WTS NC Triangle President and the chapter also, as you will see throughout this report. As a
chapter we reached the majority of our goals and we were able to set
many new ones along the way. To me one of the biggest achievements
was the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with the NC Department of Transportation and Charlotte Metro Chapter. While this
objective is not the easiest to implement, it’s imperative we support
women in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math at all
ages. WTS NC Triangle is committed to fostering women’s place in
the 21st century workforce.
The NC Triangle Chapter seeks to increase the professional development of its members, along with providing networking opportunities.
WTS offers great diversity within both the chapter and the international
organization to provide its members with different perspectives on
transportation-related issues.
I have to give a special thanks to the WTS Board for all their hard
work this year, without them I would be lost. WTS is more than just an
organization, it feels like family. Please contact me or any of our board
members if you have questions or suggestions about the chapter, our
goals, or membership. We are always interested in your suggestions and
comments. I can be reached via e-mail at pjordan@mulkeyinc.com or
telephone 919-858-1895.
Looking forward to more opportunities to work together,
Paddy Jordan
WTS NC Triangle Chapter President
Program Highlights 2010
January 2010 WTS Professional Luncheon
NC Dept. of Transportation, Rail Division, Pat Simmons and David Foster
WTS NC Triangle Chapter was a joint sponsor with attorneys from Parker Poe for a update on high speed rail
in North Carolina. This was a follow up from the HSR Summit WTS put on in October of 2007.
January 2010 WTS Retreat at Ocean Isle Beach
WTS Planning Retreat
The NC Triangle chapter held its 2nd annual planning retreat weekend at
Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. The retreat was a great success and
allowed the board to set a budget for the year, brainstorm on new lunch
topics, select award winners, review policies, and plan for the upcoming
banquet. Everyone who attended had a great time and really enjoyed
getting to know each other.
January 2010 WTS Joint Meeting with ACEC, PENC, & ASHE
American Society of Highway Engineers, Professional Engineers of
NC, American Council of Engineering Companies and Women’s
Transportation Seminar.
WTS NC Triangle Chapter joined forces with local organizations for
a very eventful dinner. Speaker Gene Conti, NCDOT Secretary,
talked about what NCDOT has been doing to move ahead in 2010.
Mr. Conti spoke about rail, highways, bridges, and toll roads. This
event was very well attended and it was a great event for members to
socialize with other groups.
Program Highlights 2010
March 2010 WTS Professional Luncheon
David King, General Manager of Triangle Transit
The March 9th luncheon with presenter David King, General
Manager of Triangle Transit provided a status update on
transportation planning efforts in the three Triangle counties
(Wake, Durham, and Orange), leading toward a 1/2 cent sales
tax referendum to fund transit investments. Mr. King
expounded upon the transit technologies under consideration
and how they will work in concert with land use patterns both
today and in the future. Finally, Mr. King shared how regional
transportation planning efforts will interact with the High
Speed Rail program. This was a very informative luncheon.
March 2010 WTS 11th Annual Awards Banquet & Transportation Reception
NC Triangle chapter held its 12th Annual Awards
banquet on March 31st. This year WTS included a
reception for the NC Board of Transportation and was
pleased to have Ms. Karen Rae, Deputy Administrator
the Federal Railroad Administration as our speaker
along with NC Secretary of Transportation. Gene Conti.
There were over 80 attendees, including many
transportation officials. NC Triangle Chapter
honored seven award winners this year and two
scholarship winners. Through the scholarship
silent auction held at the banquet, WTS was able
to raise $450. It was a wonderful event for all
which helped to enhance the reputation of our
chapter.
Program Highlights 2010
April 2010 WTS Professional Luncheon
NC Dept. of Transportation, Lacy Love, Asset Management
Mr. Love spoke about how the massive highway building program in
the 1950’s widened thousands of local roads and add bridges. This
unwittingly resulted in a large number of bridges that are now
reaching the end of their useful life. The state’s bridges are aging out
at a faster pace than the funds available to replace them. Recognizing
the looming problem, NCDOT in a ground breaking effort with multiagency units, has developed the Low-Impact Bridge Replacement
Process.
May 2010 WTS Advisory Board
WTS NC Triangle Chapter has established an Advisory Committee of Local Professional Leaders in the
Transportation Industry. The purpose of this committee is to establish a quarterly forum for exchange of
information on current and rising transportation issues. WTS firmly believes that the professional and social
networking of our transportation leaders in an informal setting promotes stronger growth and development of
an integrated transportation system. Additionally, this forum will allow our chapter to identify emerging
issues and develop relevant and timely programs and seminars for transportation professionals in our area.
July 2010 WTS Professional Luncheon
NC Dept. of Transportation, Jim Westmoreland
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Board of Transportation adopted a Complete
Streets policy in July 2009. Since that time, the NCDOT and its partners have been working hard to implement
the policy. Mr. Westmoreland gave attendees an update on the policy and how it is to be implemented. He
also spoke about how Complete Streets will fit into North Carolina's future. This topic was a well attended
luncheon and attendees took away a lot of good information.
Program Highlights 2010
August 2010 WTS Family Day
Durham Bulls Game
As part of the WTS Family Day
members took in a Durham Bulls Game.
Everyone had a great time meeting each
other’s families and rooting for the Bulls.
We even got a special treat of a double
header.
September 2010 WTS Professional Workshop
Linda Shields, Greer Beaty, and Jill Wells Heath
WTS was excited to bring to our members this half day interactive class that taught us presentation techniques
and public speaking tips that were easy to implement. Members learned to build confidence and polish their
speaking skills with instructor Linda Shields of Speaking with Authority. Ms. Greer Beaty discussed sharing
information across disciplines with a sense of humor. Then Ms. Heath, one of our very own members, spoke
about how to retool your thinking and adapt in this challenging world.
September 2010 WTS Book Club
Kim Fischer hosted the first ever WTS Book Club at her home. While discussing Leila Meacham’s Roses, the
group enjoyed a great time eating and socializing. What a great bunch of bookworms WTS has!
Program Highlights 2010
October 2010 WTS Transportation Hall of Fame Ceremony
David Robinson, NC Transportation Hall of Fame
This lovely event took place at Prestonwood Country Club where the NC
Hall of Fame handed out awards and inducted five people into the Hall
of Fame. WTS members Paddy Jordan and Karen Reynolds attended to
represent WTS NC Triangle with a chapter display. It was a great way to
get the WTS message out to the many attendees.
October 2010 WTS & IBTTA Technical Tour
NC Turnpike Customer Service Center and Triangle Expressway Project
WTS teamed with International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) for a national conference
―Operating and Maintaining Your Toll Facility—Where the Rubber Meets the Road‖ held in Raleigh. In
conjunction with the conference there was a technical tour of the new NC Turnpike Customer Service Center
and Triangle Expressway project that is under construction. It was a unique opportunity to get out into the
thick of it.
Program Highlights 2010
November 2010 WTS
Annual Planning Retreat
For the 3rd annual planning
retreat, NC Triangle chapter
took advantage of the great
weather with a weekend at
Ocean Isle Beach, North
Carolina. The members had
a full agenda that covered a
budget for the year, lunch
topics, award winner selections, policies, a new web site and plans for
the upcoming banquet. It was a lot of work but a great bonding time.
December 2010 WTS Annual Toys for Tots Luncheon
WTS held the annual Toys for Tots luncheon at 518 West in Raleigh.
Eighteen members and their guests were in attendance. Each person
brought new unwrapped toys to donate to local families. It’s an
exciting time to gather and network.
Professional Connections Luncheons 2010
Karen Reynolds heads up this project that connects our members in groups of 3 - 4 that gather for lunch once a
quarter. These luncheons allow the members to meet in a informal setting and get to know each other.
Currently there are 24 chapter members in five luncheon groups that participate. This has been a wonderful
tool for members to connect and really become more active in WTS.
Future Cities Competition 2010
Many chapter members helped as judges and volunteers at the local Future City Competition. Future City
Competition introduces 7th and 8th grade students to engineering through simulation software, building scale
models, writing essays and giving presentations on their future cities.
What a Superb Year!
2010 WTS Board
MOC Signing with NCDOT
Advisory Board Meeting
2010 Banquet
Women’s Transportation Seminar
Undergraduate Scholarship Winner WTS NC Triangle Chapter is pleased to award Arlaidra J. Salter with the chapter’s 2009-2010
undergraduate scholarship. Arlaidra is a first-year student at North Carolina A&T State University,
where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in transportation with a focus in Transportation Supply
Chain Management. Arlaidra participated in the Air Force JROTC program throughout her high
school career, serving in various leadership roles, including Co-Color Guard Commander and Flight
Commander. She currently belongs to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
Student Roundtable, and shows off her Aggie Pride as a member of the NC A&T Blue Reign Dance
Team. Arlaidra has demonstrated the leadership experience, work ethic, and focus necessary for a
successful career in the transportation field, making her a deserving winner of this year’s
undergraduate scholarship.
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Graduate Scholarship Winner Lindsay K. Maurer is the recipient of WTS NC Triangle Chapter’s graduate scholarship award
for 2009-2010. Lindsay is enrolled in the Master of City and Regional Planning program at UNC
Chapel Hill, with a concentration in transportation and land use planning. Lindsay’s accolades from
her undergraduate studies at Centre College in Kentucky include graduating Summa Cum Laude and
winning the Gavin Easton Wiseman Valedictorian Prize, among numerous other achievements.
Lindsay’s current efforts involve studying the complex relationships between land use and
transportation, with the career goal of helping communities and regions overcome the problems
associated with municipal fragmentation, disinvestment in transit, and policies that have increased
dependency on automobiles. Lindsay’s academic accomplishments, experience, and strong sense of
her future as a leader in the transportation field are just a few of the many reasons she has been
selected as this year’s graduate scholarship winner.
WTS Membership
In the fall of 2010 WTS International implemented is Membership Campaign. With 39 chapters participating, the goal is to increase our membership by 15 percent, resulting in a proportionate increase in our impact
on the transportation industry. As professionals committed to the transportation industry, we all know the role
that continuous learning plays in supporting our careers. The campaign will last until the end of the first quarter of 2011. So, now is the time to join, rejoin or renew your membership with WTS!
The WTS North Carolina Triangle Chapter began 2010 with 40 members. Membership Chair Karen
Reynolds reported that over the course of the year, the chapter membership increased to 45 active members. At
the local level the chapter hopes continue to grow by providing numerous networking events, innovative and
informative programs, professional development opportunities, multi-level mentorship programs, and the ability to access to key leaders in the industry. Members are invaluable to the chapter and for that we thank you.
WTS Award Recipients for 2010
It is with great honor and pride that WTS NC Triangle Chapter presents the following awards.
These honorees represent the very best of Women’s Transportation Seminar and exemplify
WTS’s mission to advance women in transportation.
Pam Townsend—Woman of the Year Award
It is with great pleasure that we present Ms. Pam Townsend as Women’s Transportation
Seminar—North Carolina Triangle Chapter Woman of the Year. Ms. Townsend is VicePresident and Southern States Transportation District Manager for AECOM. She was promoted
to this position in 2008, when Earth Tech was acquired by AECOM. She assumed leadership of
operations for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and
Louisiana.
She has assumed leadership positions in the transportation industry over the course of her 25-year career. She received a Gubernatorial Appointment in 2009, to the Joint Legislative JOBS (Joining
our Business and Schools) Commission, chaired by the Lt. Governor to address the critical issue of preparing youth to be competitive in the 21st century global economy. Ms. Townsend is also
serving as the current President of Professional Engineers of
North Carolina, (PENC) where she is responsible for strategic
planning and policy direction for the 1,500 member organization.
She has also invested her time in starting the North Carolina Future City Middle School Program
in 2002, and continues to serve as a member of its steering committee.
Ms. Townsend’s colleagues praise her management style, especially her ability to look
for advancement opportunities for employees and address organizational needs to form a cohesive business unit. She has strived to educate business clients about the firm’s capabilities and to
successfully meet business goals. As a recognized leader in the industry, and through her career
achievements, she has increased the credibility and reputation of women in transportation. Our
WTS-NC Triangle Chapter is delighted to name Ms. Pam Townsend Woman of the Year .
Amy Simes—Member of the Year Award
Amy Simes was selected by the WTS NC Triangle Chapter as Member of Year for her
dedication and hard work. Ms. Simes brings her expertise as DENR's transportation liaison and
provides enlightenment to the chapter about upcoming transportation issues. Amy played an
very importation role with DENR in the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. Ms. Simes has given extensive time and effort
to the chapter by attending luncheons, board meetings, events, and
planning retreats. She has been dedicated to the public sector and
she has carried the financial responsibility of annual dues, luncheons, banquets, and other events from her personal accounts. Ms.
Simes has shown an extraordinary commitment to the goals and
growth of WTS and has contributed to the success of the NC Triangle Chapter. The chapter feels very blessed to have Ms. Simes
share her insight and knowledge with other members to help carry
out our mission and pursuits.
WTS Award Recipients for 2010
North Carolina Department of Transportation-Employer of the Year Award
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is an organization that has been a progressive and proactive leader in the transportation field through a commitment to excellence in
practice, quality of design, public safety and in the preservation of the human and natural resources of our state. This commitment is best illustrated by the NCDOT mission statement:
―Connecting people and places in North Carolina safely and efficiently, with accountability and
environmental sensitivity.‖
The NCDOT also holds an outstanding record of affirmative action practices in hiring and promoting employees
throughout all departmental service levels. The North Carolina
Department of Transportation is an organization that supports
the continuing education of employees through many training
opportunities and provides support to civil engineering graduates entering departmental service. These transportation engineering associates are provided an extensive orientation and an
eighteen month-long engineering associate program, affording
exposure to the range of work practiced in various departmental
and highway division offices. The NCDOT has supported and
partnered with our local Women’s Transportation Seminar –
North Carolina Triangle Chapter in several local transportation
panel discussions and transit forums. In 2009, more than half of
our WTS-NC Triangle Chapter luncheon programs were conducted by various NCDOT staff covering a diverse range of topics.
WakeUP Wake County—Community Organizer of the Year Award
The mission of WakeUP Wake County, is to educate its
members, the public, and government officials about growth and
development issues affecting the quality of life in Wake County,
now and for decades to come. The advocacy group, led by Executive Director Karen Rindge, has identified land use and transportation issues as one of its primary focus areas. Wake Up
Wake County was instrumental in creating the Capital Area
Friends of Transit group and also lobbied for the passage of the
Intermodal Bill in the state legislature, enabling Triangle and
other North Carolina counties to fund transit investments though
sales tax referenda. For its community-based efforts to promote
smart transportation options for Wake County, WTS NC Triangle Chapter is pleased to present Wake Up Wake County with
this year’s Community Activist/Organizer Award. Abeni
El-Amin accepted the award on behalf of WakeUP Wake county.
WTS Award Recipients for 2010
Kristen Dwiggins—Rookie of the Year Award
Kristen Dwiggins, graduating seven years ago from
NC State University, has quickly proven to be a very careerdriven woman and an inspiration to all young engineers pursuing a career path in management. Kristen currently works with
the Town of Cary, where she was just recently promoted to
Project Manager and now supervises a staff
of five. She is constantly making an effort to improve her
knowledge and abilities, and always takes the initiative to research solutions to problems that arise. As a result, she improves the final product effectively and efficiently for the people of Cary. Kristen sets high standards for herself not only in the work place, but in outside activities as well. She consistently pursues personal records in triathlons and long distance running races. No matter the work required in the office or out, when she sets a goal,
she is dedicated to achieving it. WTS is proud to recognize a young leader in the industry. Leaders aren’t just the people in charge but they are anyone who steps forward to make a difference.
A&T Transportation Institute—Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award
The programs and activities conducted by the Transportation Institute are designed to
provide ongoing initiatives in the areas of education, research,
community outreach, and workforce development. The Transportation Institute is a multidisciplinary unit that is dedicated to enhancing student learning and faculty development through educational experiences in transportation, research, internships, professional meetings, scholarships and stipends. The program is expanding faculty research opportunities through funded release
time, conference travel and summer employment. Serving as a
resource to the region, the Institute’s programs create an environment that fosters learning for the 21st century, and advances diversity in the transportation workforce.
Over the years, the Transportation Institute at North Carolina A&T State University has become a leader in transportation
research, education, and technology transfer. Research efforts
have led to numerous publications. Educational programs have
resulted in graduates being sought by Fortune 500 firms, federal
and state agencies, and many smaller firms both public and private. Kathryn Dobie, the director of the Transportation Institute,
accepted the award.
WTS Award Recipients for 2010
Washington Bypass Bridge—Innovative Transportation Solutions Award
AECOM was the lead designer for the joint venture of Flatiron Construction and United
Contractors for the recently completed 6.8-mile design of the US 17 Washington Bypass. At
time of bid, the $192 million project was the largest construction contract ever awarded by the
NCDOT. The project consists of two interchanges and six bridges, including the 2.8-mile-long
bridge over the Tar River and adjacent wetlands.
To minimize the construction footprint in these environmentally sensitive areas, a new
and innovative top down construction approach utilizing a unique overhead gantry was developed by the Flatiron-United JV Design Build team. The result was minimal impact to the wetlands and an accelerated construction schedule when compared to conventional construction
techniques. The world’s first application of the pile driving operation from an erection gantry is
the most unique feature of the system and is the essential element that truly eliminates the need
for equipment and temporary access trestles and ground work in the fragile wetlands.
A pair of 592-ft long, 750-ton gantries, one at each end of the bridge working towards the
middle of the bridge structure, built the entirety of the structure from the top down. The selflaunching truss system performs the complete sequence of construction activities. Construction
activities are on-going simultaneously across three spans (typically 120-ft in length) in an assembly line progression. As a span is completed and deck cured, the gantry is launched ahead to begin the pile driving on the next span. The dramatic reduction in wetland disturbance offered by
this ―true top down‖ construction operation was
warmly embraced by the US Army Corps of Engineers, NC Division of Water Quality, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, US
Coast Guard and other environmental agencies
during the permitting process.
AECOM’s scope of work included right-of
-way acquisition, roadway and structure design,
drainage, erosion control, signing, traffic control,
and signals. A two-dimensional tidal flow modeling study was also performed on the Tar River
bridge crossing. AECOM prepared the environmental permit applications and followed the
NCDOT Merger 01 process procedures to secure
the 401/404, CAMA, and Coast Guard permits as
well as FEMA CLOMR and NPDES permits and a
Norfolk-Southern Railroad agreement. WTS is
proud to present both AECOM and Flatiron with
the Innovative Transportation Solutions Award.
Banquet Sponsors
Transportation Champions
Banquet Sponsors
Transportation Partners
Transportation Patrons
NC TRIANGLE CHAPTER
2010 ANNUAL REPORT
Goals for 2011
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Support MOC with NCDOT and Charlotte Metro Chapter
Award Banquet
Annual WTS retreat
Host a Family Day activity
Increase Membership
Increase Social Media
Web Site Update
2010 Financial Report will
be distributed in the
second quarter of 2011.
A Special Thanks to all
the members and
guests for a great
2010!