ATSSA Signal July/August 2020

The Signal | July/August 2020 5 ATSSA News Though socially distant, ATSSA has never been closer and more ready to serve you I n theweeks leading up tobeginningmy role as ATSSA’s new president and CEO, I had notes, plans, and ideas on how I saw the first fewweeks andmonths going during this tran - sition. Nowhere in any of those notes did the terms pandemic or COVID exist nor was there a thought that the entire staff would be telecommuting. What didn’t surprise me nearly as much after I started on March 16 and we moved to a telework model, was the incred- ible staff and Board leaders and their commitment to our ATSSA members and the mission of moving Toward Zero Deaths on U.S. roadways. Since the onset of this pandemic, our team has constantly been looking at our most valuable offerings and how we can make them more relevant, easier to access, and most useful to you. At the time I am writing this, I am starting my eighth week at ATSSA and in that time, everyone has worked diligently to: • shift key training and certification programs from face-to-face to virtual to help you develop your workforce, recruit and train new staff, and meet the demands of the accelerated pace of roadway construction occurring in most states; • coordinate with each state to ensure their departments of transportation (DOTs) will accept and recognize these virtual offerings; • connect personally with our members and see where they need help that we can provide; • continue to advocate on Capitol Hill, with state legislators, and with local and state DOTs to ensure our industry is seen as essential and to continue to find ways to fund infrastructure projects not only now, but also into the future; • create opportunities for interaction through virtual Town Halls to connect you face-to-face (or screen-to-screen) with key legislative and industry leaders to provide you with the latest updates on COVID-19 and industry issues; • and increase our communication efforts through our website, social media, and print and digital platforms to ensure you have the latest information at your fingertips. As we continue to learn what will be involved with our new reality for this industry and this world, I amexcited for ATSSA to innovate and change to meet your needs. Being the new guy at ATSSA, I am excited to hear from you about how we can better serve you. Let’s stay in touch. Simply email me at newguy@atssa.com and start a dialogue today.  I am excited for ATSSA to innovate and change to meet your needs. Being the new guy at ATSSA, I am excited to hear from you about how we can better serve you. Stacy Tetschner, President & CEO stacy.tetschner@atssa.com