WTS-DC January-February 2008

Volume XXIX ¤ No.1 January/February 2008
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
BY MELINDA PAGLIARELLO, WTS-DC PRESIDENT
Welcome to the first WTS-DC newsletter in 2008! Since the last newsletter, our
group has closed out 2007 with another successful Annual Awards and Holiday Party and
kicked off the planning process to put together an engaging agenda for 2008.
Before focusing on the coming highlights for 2008, I would like to thank all of the
board members who served the group in 2007. A particular note of appreciation for 2 years
of hard work as WTS-DC president is due to Jennifer Mitchell. I would also like to recognize
the rest of last year’s officers: Michele Holland, Vice-President, Robyn Sinquefield, Secretary
and Jeanette Kramer, Immediate Past President. Our local chapter is a dynamic one, known
for providing members with quality programs and networking opportunities. A great deal of
work goes on behind the scenes to make it all happen and we would not be the successful
chapter we are without the many volunteer hours put in by all of the board members. Please
join me in thanking them.
Looking forward to 2008, I am happy to note that we have a great board in place
to lead the group this year. Please see page 8 for current officers and committee chairs. We have a good mix of longterm volunteers with invaluable institutional knowledge and experience, as well as some fresh faces with new and
invigorating ideas.
The board’s underlying goal is always to provide a value to our current members and to garner new members
by offering unique experiences that provide professional, and sometimes personal, benefits. To that end quality programs,
both in the large and small group format, continue to be a top priority. Engaging all of our members, who cover the
entire transportation spectrum, as well as a broad range of experience, is a challenge. However, it’s exactly this bringing
together of different groups that makes our chapter unique. Kay Ryder, this year’s vice president, led a program planning
meeting at the beginning of this month. Based on ideas generated at the meeting, as well as the responses received to last
month’s survey of the general membership, the programs calendar for the year is being refined. I am pleased to report
that the planned programs look like they will offer something for everyone.
Other initiatives this year include:
• Increased outreach to area students
• A series of programs on diversity
IN THIS ISSUE
• Refocus and redefining our chapter’s relationship with our local corporate
2007 Holiday Party, silent Auction and
sponsors and members. It is only with their support that we continue to
Annual Awards Ceremony……...….Page 2
present high quality programs and events.
2007 Annual Holiday party
Sponsors………………………………….……..Page 3
WTS-DC 2007 Awards ...................Page 4
WTS-DC 2007 Scholarship
Awards………………………………………….Page 5
WTS-DC Silent Auction…………..……Page 6
WTS TRB 2008 Reception….…………Page 7
Save the Dates………………………………Page 7
WTS-DC Board of Directors……….…Page 8
WTS-DC 2007-2008 Corporate
Sponsors………………………………….……….Page 9
Additionally, throughout the year our legislative chairs will keep us plugged into
what is sure to be an interesting election season and what it will all mean for
transportation.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that the WTS International Annual
Conference is being held in Atlanta this year, May 14-16. This year’s theme is
“Transportation Crossroads”. I encourage any who are able to attend to do so, as our
chapter is hosting the conference in 2010. We need to begin planning for that this
year, primarily through the development of a theme. Having as many members
involved in this process will be important to making it a success. Look for further
details as the year progresses.
2007 Holiday Party,
Party, Silent Auction
and
Annual Awards Ceremony
By: Michele Jacobson, AICP; Principal Associate; Lea and Elliott
Over 100 people celebrated at the WTS-DC Annual Holiday
Party, Silent Auction and Awards Ceremony at the City Club
of Washington in downtown DC on December 11, 2007. This
very special evening was an opportunity for our Chapter to
recognize and honor our Member of the Year, Woman of the
Year, Employer of the Year, and Diversity Leadership Award
recipients. These individuals and organizations made
extraordinary contributions to the transportation industry as
leaders, role models, mentors, and benefactors and they
generously support WTS in a variety of ways.
In addition to honoring our award winners, we also
recognized three extremely talented and deserving students
as recipients of WTS-DC Scholarship Fund endowments.
Funded through the annual WTS-DC Scholarship Fund Silent
Auction as well as by direct contributions, these awards are a
way to support our industry’s future. A special thanks to
those who either donated items to the Silent Auction or who
contributed by bidding on those items or donated directly to
the Scholarship Fund and congratulations to the students!
Events like this would not be possible without the support of
sponsors and we want to again express our deep gratitude to
them and to commend WTS-DC 2007 Holiday Party Chair
Michele Jacobson and Silent Auction Co-Chairs Margaret
Ballard and Michele Holland and their planning committees
for executing a terrific event.
We hope that everyone had a wonderful time and we look
forward to doing it again next year!
Page 2
¤ WTS Washington, DC Chapter Newsletter ¤ www.wtsinternational.org
2007 Annual Holiday Party Sponsors
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Our InIn-Kind Sponsors
vvv
Page 3
¤ WTS Washington, DC Chapter Newsletter ¤ www.wtsinternational.org
WTSWTS- DC 2007 Awards
DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Accepting the award on behalf of Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) was
Joanne Olson. PB has long been an advocate of the belief that
equal opportunity for employees is integral to attracting and
retaining top-flight professionals.
In 1997 the Diversity Oversight Committee (DOC) was established
as the monitor and coordinator for PB’s diversity efforts. The
DOC oversees the activities of three employee network groups:
Women’s Outreach Network, Black Professionals Network and
the Hispanic Resource Network. Each of these networks address
career development, recruitment, retention, and work/life
balance issues. PB also continually supports a host of activities
and organizations that foster its commitment to diversity,
including WTS-DC. Many of PB’s employees are members of
WTS-DC and serve in various leadership roles within the
organization.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Deborah Lipman
Deborah Lipman has served as the director of the office of
policy and government relations at WMATA for over 20 years.
She has more than 30 years of experience in transportation
policy and management and has held key positions as a senior
consultant, contributing to the development of legislation and
policy for the House Committee on Energy & Commerce and
the Senate Budget Committee. Debbie has been an integral
part of the development and implementation of transportation
strategies in the greater Washington region since the late 1970’s.
Debbie has also encouraged participation and support of WTS
goals, principles, and programs. She was one of the earliest
members of WTS-DC and served as the program chair,
legislative chair, and finally as president in 1983.
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Federal Transit Administration
Catherine Connor
Accepting the award on behalf of Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) was the Administrator James Simpson and
Deputy Administrator Sherry E. Little. The FTA values the
opinions of its workforce and realizes that to cultivate ideas, it
must stimulate the minds of its workers. From providing
educational opportunities, to creating learning and
development opportunities, the FTA has generated programs
that provide the knowledge and skills to prepare employees for
advancement. WTS-DC has benefited from FTA’s promotion of
the organization, and many of its dedicated board members
and members throughout the nation are employed by or have
been employed by the FTA.
Page 4
Catherine Connor is the Senior Vice President, Manager of
Government Affairs for PB. Catherine joined PB in 1989 after
working with the American Council of Engineering Companies
where she was deputy director of government affairs. Prior to
that, she was special assistant to the assistant secretary of
government affsairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Catherine has been an active member of WTS-DC for over 16
years and has continuously promoted WTS and its mission within
the transportation community through her various affiliations.
¤ WTS Washington, DC Chapter Newsletter ¤ www.wtsinternational.org
WTS-WTS--DC
--DC 2007 Scholarship Awards
By: Margaret Ballard; WTS-DC Committee Member
ABOUT THE WTS-DC SCHOLARSHIP FUND— Scholarships are awarded based upon each applicant's specific
transportation goals, academic record, and transportation-related activities or job skills. In order to be considered,
each applicant must meet the application requirements and must currently be enrolled in a degree program in a
transportation-related field such as engineering, planning, finance, or logistics. This year, the WTS-DC Scholarship
committee recommended that an award be bestowed on three outstanding candidates in the categories of
undergraduate, masters and post-graduate studies. Each received $2,000 and a one-year membership in WTS.
They enjoyed meeting with so many of the WTS-DC members who attended the party.
Alexandria McBride, Howard University,
Undergraduate Award
Alexandria is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and expects
to graduate in 2009. While studying abroad in 2007 at the University of
Melbourne, she became active in Engineers without Borders and has started
a Howard University chapter. Alexandria’s career objective is to “further my
understanding of civil engineering in order to strengthen my ability to
develop solutions for human and social problems.”
Tanga Fitzgibbon, American University,
Graduate Award (Masters)
Tanga is currently enrolled in American University’s Key Executive Master of
Public Administration and is expected to graduate in 2008. Tanga currently
works for the Federal Maritime Commission; she says, “My overarching goal is
to continue growing as a leader in the maritime sector...WTS has played a
pivotal role in my transportation career.” Tanga has been a member of
WTS-DC since 2005, and last year, served as the programs committee cochair. In 1988, she was awarded the Helene Overly undergraduate
scholarship from WTS International.
Sevgi Erdogan, University of Maryland,
Graduate Award (PhD)
Sevgi expects to receive her PhD in transportation demand management
and operational planning in 2008. She is currently a research assistant, a
position she also held at Istanbul Technical University, the second oldest
engineering institution in the world. Sevgi is “interested in building for today
and contributing to a progressive future with innovative transportation ideas
and solutions...and pushing the boundaries of opportunity offered to
women.”
Page 5
¤ WTS Washington, DC Chapter Newsletter ¤ www.wtsinternational.org
WTSWTS-DC Silent Auction
Auction
By: Michele Jacobson, AICP; Principal Associate; Lea and Elliott
ANNUAL FUNDRAISER FOR THE WTS-DC SCHOLARSHIP FUND - For the past few years, WTS-DC has
incorporated the Silent Auction Fundraiser as part of the annual festivities of the Chapter’s Holiday Party and
Awards Ceremony. There were several tempting items up for bid – including Segway Tours, theater tickets, a week
at a Colorado ski condo, Capitals Box Seat tickets, WMATA Behind the Scenes tour and lunch with General Manager
John Catoe, tickets to see the Nationals in the new stadium, and plenty more. As an option to the auction, a direct
donations box was provided for our guests. All in all, WTS-DC raised about $3,000 from the auction and about
$1,800 from direct donations! We would like to thank all of the organizations, companies and individuals who made
this possible:
American Trucking Associations, Inc. • Amtrak •
Bechtel Foundation • Cairo Corp • Custom
Celebrations by Tia • DC Self Defense Karate
Association • Dewberry • DMJM+Harris • Fran
Hooper Consulting, LLC • Hatch Mott McDonald
• HDR Engineering, Inc. • Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
• Virginia Railway Express • Washington Area
Bycyclists Association • Margaret Ballard • Laurie
Baulig • Jeanine Black • Sally Buckley •
Above: Interested bidders filling the silent
auction sheets.
Lora Byala • Jay Campbell • Jennifer Clinger Mitchell
• Cathy Connor • Christie Dawson • Elaine Dezenski and Josh Sawislak • Mort Downey •
Kay Ryder • Ron Ewing • Tom Flournoy • Bea Hicks • Sally Hill Cooper • Michele Holland
• Tonya Holland • Louise Tobi Kester • Linda
Lasley • Linda Lawson • Shirley LeBeau • Rebecca
Leonard • Erin McLaughlin • Leigh Merino • Beth
Newman • Melinda Pagliarello • Odessa Phillip •
Laurie Radow • Jamie Rennert • Jim Simpson •
Laura Trejo • Molly Wagner • Norine Walker •
Sara Wilson • Felicia Young
Above: People flock around the silent auction
tables.
Page 6
¤ WTS Washington, DC Chapter Newsletter ¤ www.wtsinternational.org
WTS TRB 2008 Winter Reception
By: Christie R. Dawson, WTS TRB Reception Chair
The Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) held its 26th Annual Winter Reception in conjunction with
the 87 Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at the Omni
Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The event continues to be one of the premier outreach and networking
opportunities undertaken by WTS International. This year nearly 300 participants from throughout the country
and abroad have joined WTS Board Members and chapter members at the reception. Other attendees included
industry leaders, top-level government officials and private sector individuals.
th
This year’s corporate sponsor was AECOM. During the reception, WTS International President, Ann
Koby, signed a collaborative agreement with TRB to continue the organizations’ joint partnership efforts on
women’s issues in transportation. We look forward to another successful event in January 2009.
SAVE THE DATES
April 3, 2008: Professional Seminar on the Basics of the Lobbying Disclosure Act for the
Non-Lobbyist
More details later!
Volunteers Wanted!
Contact Any Board Member
To Find Out How You Can Help
For the Latest Chapter News and Events, Check Us Out Online
www.wtsinternational.org
Click on Washington, DC Chapter
Page 7
¤ WTS Washington, DC Chapter Newsletter ¤ www.wtsinternational.org
WTS-DC 2008 Board of Directors
WTS-DC OFFICERS
President
Melinda Pagliarello
Membership
Michele Jacobson
Lea & Elliott
[email protected]
Jacobs Engineering
[email protected]
Professional Development
Courtney Kulyk
Vice President
Kay Ryder
UrbanTrans Consultants
[email protected]
Federal Aviation Administration
[email protected]
Newsletter and Communications
Ruchi Mohinder
Treasurer
Prajakta Chitre
Jacobs Carter Burgess
[email protected]
Parsons Brinckerhoff
[email protected]
Programs Co-Chairs
Jess Juriga
Secretary
Erin McLaughlin
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Dewberry
[email protected]
[email protected]
Kelly Bobek
Immediate Past President
Jennifer Clinger Mitchell
Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
VA Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation
[email protected]
WTS-DC COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Corporate Relations
Mary Arzt
Sharp & Company
[email protected]
Blank Rome Government Relations
[email protected]
Recognitions
Christie Dawson
APTA
[email protected]
Scholarship
Erin Morrow
MWCOG
[email protected]
Diversity Co-Chairs
Tonya Holland
Federal Transit Administration
[email protected]
Tracee Strum-Gilliam
Parsons Brinckerhoff
[email protected]
Legislative Co-Chairs
Anja Graves
CHG & Associates
[email protected]
Anne Stubbs
Coalition of Northeastern Governors
[email protected]
Page 8
¤ WTS Washington, DC Chapter Newsletter ¤ www.wtsinternational.org
WTSWTS-DC Salutes its 20072007-2008 Corporate
Members
Thank you for your continued generosity and support of the
Washington, DC Chapter
Page 9
¤ WTS Washington, DC Chapter Newsletter ¤ www.wtsinternational.org