ATSSA Signal March/April 2020

The Signal | March/April 2020 43 Member Engagement p- n h- r r “I was very fortunate to return to the busi - ness in a leadership position in 2015 and will never look back,” Lemke said. “I love this industry and the team I get to work with each day. This industry is so reward - ing aswe trulyprotect and save lives each day through the design, installation, and maintenanceof safework zones and safe work environments.” Give ‘EmABrakeSafetyrents trafficcontrol equipment andprovides design, delivery, set-up, and take-down services to road constructioncompanies that fulfill project contracts forMDOT and for various local government agencies and public utilities in the state. The companyalsooffersdaily rentalofequipmentandsells trafficcontrol equipment to a variety of customers. Lemke has been an ATSSA member for about four years, joining as soon as he returned to the industry at his uncle’s company. He has served the chapter as president-elect and now president and is a member of the national Temporary Traffic Control Committee. He said ATSSA membership provides several valuable resources to help his company succeed such as training and networking opportunities with vendors, customers, transportationdepartments, and others in the industry. Membership also provides the ability to collaborate with industry experts at the state and national levels. Hesaidthehands-onopportunitiesprovided through chaptermembershipare a great resource for a business and everyone engaged in the goal of eliminating acci - dents in work zones. “Being an ATSSA chapter member has tremendous valuebecause it brings indus - try professionals together to collaborate on issues facing our industry and towork together toward our mission to advance work zone safety,” he said. Lemke saidoneof thehot safety issues in Michigan is thesameas isbeingaddressed across the country. “A lotof thetalk inour industry todayrelates to connected and automated vehicles as many see this as the future of transpor - tation. This makes sense based on the huge investments in this space by the vehicle [original equipment manufactur - ers],” he said. Lemke said it’s important to continue addressingwhatmost drivers facealready while planning and preparing for the connected and automated technology. He said it’s no accident that Michigan is holding the NWZAW kickoff event at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti. That is thetestingfacility for connectedand automated vehicles soMichigan Chapter members felt itwas important tohold the NWZAWkickoffevent there, noting that it’s critical for the futureofworkzonesafety to ensure those vehicles are ready to safely traverse the work areas.  Formore information on theMichigan ATSSAChap - ter, check ATSSA.com/MichiganChapter. Thank you ATSSA Volunteers! Your selfless giving of time, talent, and treasure are truly appreciated.