WTS Highlights "Transportation Crossroads”
at Atlanta Conference



PINK CEO Cynthia Good shares an inspirational message in
opening keynote session

Atlanta, where Interstate 75/85 connect and the site of the nation’s busiest airport, hosted the WTS 2008 Annual Conference – aptly themed “Transportation Crossroads.”  From the Opening Reception at the High Museum of Art through the closing session featuring a panel of those who have gone“Where Few Women Dare to Be,” attendees at the W Hotel Midtown engaged in educational sessions, networking opportunities, interaction with exhibitors and keynote speakers.  Held during National Transportation Week, the WTS Conference presented program tracks on Leadership and Development, Environment and Sustainability, and Transportation Issues. 

Atlanta Chapter President Claudia Bilotto and Conference Co-chairs Jane Hayse and Elizabeth Stepp led an energetic group of committee members and volunteers in bringing true southern hospitality as well as key transportation leaders in Georgia to WTS.  

General Sessions Present Key Success Stories, Workforce Future

In a pre-conference professional development session on “Transportation Crossroads and Mega Regions,” Dr. Catherine Ross, Ph.D., Director for the Center for Quality Growth & Regional Development at Georgia Tech, offered an overview of urban growth challenges in the U.S., based around eight to ten ‘megaregions.’  Cynthia Good, Founding Editor and CEO of Atlanta-based PINK Magazine, energetically kicked off the meeting’s opening Thursday general session with advice on career advancement in the current workplace and a brief history of the magazine’s success. 

Later that day, Marilyn Moats Kennedy captivated luncheon attendees with a look at the major generational segments in today’s workforce, noting each group’s preferences, attitudes and motivators in a markedly humorous yet informative style.  Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue welcomed WTS at the Friday morning breakfast session, proudly highlighting the achievements of women in transportation in his administration.  Friday morning’s business meeting marked the transition from the 2006-8 Board of Directors to the 2008-10 Board, as Ann Koby turned over the gavel of International President to Elaine Dezenski.  Preparing for next year’s event, Seattle Conference Co-chair Marj Press offered a taste of what’s in store for the 2009 meeting with a video and a piece of local chocolate at each place setting. In Friday’s closing luncheon session, moderator Liz Levin assembled panelists Marsha Anderson Bomar, Jane Chmielinski, and Nuria Fernandez to share their personal triumphs, tribulations, and tips in making decisions at their respective “crossroads.” 

WTS Recognizes Corporate Partners, Scholars, Awardees

WTS recognized its major corporate partners, recognition award recipients, and WTS Scholarship recipients at the Thursday evening Awards Banquet, always the best attended event at the Conference.

Corporate partners at the Advocate, Guardian, Champion and Trailblazer levels were presented awards.  A complete listing of the 2008-09 corporate partners can be found on the WTS website homepage.

WTS Scholarship President Sue Lai presented the Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship to Susan C. Paulus, a student from the Wisconsin Chapter.  Bin “Brenda” Zhou, from the Heart of Texas Chapter, received the Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship.  International President (2006-08) Ann Koby presented the first President’s Legacy Scholarship to Jennifer Clare Duthie, also from Heart of Texas.  This year’s Louise Moritz Molitoris Leadership Award was given to Alecia Star Phillips, of the Colorado Chapter.  Alecia was unable to be present.

Robert H. Prince, Jr. received this year’s Rosa Parks Diversity Award, citing that because Rosa Parks sat down, he has had opportunities to stand.  Prince was recognized for service at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and DMJM Harris, where he is a Vice President.  Autographed copies of Robert’s book Everyman: Foot Prince in the Snow were presented to one winner at each table. 

Accepting the inaugural Transportation Innovation Award, Allison Sander challenged attendees to think about long term effects of the carbon footprint of the American lifestyle and talked about the AltWheels Alternative Transportation and Energy Festival leading to her award.  Cynthia Hughes Alder, Director of Business Development of Jacobs Engineering, accepted this year’s Member of the Year Award with her son in tow, having brought six new chapters into WTS. 

Citing numerous corporate accomplishments and commitments, emcee Ann Koby presented Mike Kennedy, President, Transportation Business Group, with the Employer of the Year Award to CH2M HILL.   For her active participation in WTS, Transportation Research Board, and other community organizations, Marcy Schwartz, senior vice president of CH2M HILL, received the Woman of the Year honor.  The evening ended on a sweet note, as CH2M HILL sponsored a chocolate-themed dessert reception in honor of these two noteworthy achievements.

Informative breakout sessions, local technical tours, the Silent Auction and a Saturday Fun Walk/Run to benefit the WTS Scholarship rounded out the options that kept meeting attendees busy throughout the event.  WTS wishes to thank all the speakers, presenters and moderators who shared their knowledge and expertise.  Selected sessions qualify for AICP credits.  To the Atlanta Chapter Host Committee and each and every local volunteer – a huge THANK YOU!  Now it’s on to Seattle in ’09.