ATSSA Signal March/April 2020

The Signal | March/April 2020 37 The Foundation ATSS Foundation announces first Champion Award Longtime board member and ATSSA member Susan Reiss honored TheAmericanTraffic Safety Services Foundation announced Susan Reiss as its first Foundation Champion during ATSSA’s 50th Annual Convention & Traf - fic Expo. The Foundation Champion Award was created in 2019 to recognize individuals or entities that demonstrate extraordi - nary efforts in supporting The Founda - tion’s corepurposeof promoting roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs. Through their unique combination of passion and skills, champions inspire others to get involved and give back to the industry. Reiss spent her career as a national sales manager for Impact Recovery Systems of SanAntonio. Shewas amember of ATSSA for more than 25 years and served on The Foundation’s board for more than a decade, including a term as president. Current Foundation President Dave Krahulec said Reiss is responsible for his involvement and that her work for The Foundation was instrumental in getting the charitable arm of ATSSA on solid footing. “I think Sue is the perfect candidate,” he said. “She has always been a huge supporter of The Foundation and put a lot of work into creating the programs we have.” One of the programs she initiated was the Sporting Clays Event that is nowpart of ATSSA’s annual convention. “There is no individual who has put more time, energy, or passion into our orga - nization,” Foundation board members Debra Ricker and Kathleen Holst said in nominating her for the award. “She led us through its transformation and put a heart into our charity.” Reiss received the award during the 50th Anniversary Gala held on Jan. 25 during ATSSA’s Annual Convention&Traffic Expo in New Orleans. Reiss’ dedication toATSSAwas recognized in 2019 at the 49th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo in Tampawhere she received the Association’s top honor, the Indus - try Achievement Award. That award is given to the Association member who has made significant contributions to ATSSA and left a mark on the roadway safety infrastructure industry during his or her career. Reiss has been instrumental in devel - oping ATSSA publications on roadway safety countermeasures and has served on the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Temporary Traf - fic Control Committee for more than 20 years. The Foundation Champion is selected by the nonprofit’s board of directors. “Wewanted to recognize people that have gone above and beyond for The Founda - tion and our programs,” Krahulec said. “There are a lot of people out there who do a lot of things, sowewanted to have a mechanismfor recognizing thosepeople.” Going forward, board members will consider nominations three times a year during their meetings inMarch, July, and November. Future winners will be announced as they are selected. Champions are strong, passionate indi - viduals or entities who drive to inspire others and are ambassadors of The Foundation. Reiss’ efforts ensured that she and The Foundation will have a legacy, Krahulec said. “She donated her time and energy to make sure The Foundationwas a success and able to grow and touch more lives,” he said. Nominations are accepted through - out the year. Nomination forms can be downloaded at Foundation.ATSSA.com/ Champion-Award. Formore information, call 540-368-1701.  Susan Reiss receives the Foundation Champion Award from Board Chair Juan Arvizu at the 50th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. Kathleen Holst, far left, and Debra Ricker nominated her for the new award.