ATSSA Signal May June 2020

The Signal | May/June 2020 39 Member Engagement They are joined by Associate Director Jennifer Hedge, a native of southwest Virginia, whose territory includes the California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Okla - homa, and Arkansas chapters. Associate Director Angel Ramos can salute smartly, if necessary, as hemakes the rounds of the Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Heart of America chapters. And Associate Director Courtney Neal, who knows themedical term for a head andneck specialist, covers a broad swath of the country, representing the New England, New York/New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Northland, and Rocky Mountain chapters. Associate Allan González rounds out the team, keeping things rolling from head - quarters. He may be the best-known person on the team since he interacts with members from every chapter. Only six of the nation’s states aren’t represented by a chapter and one of them—Alaska—is interested in starting one, Bouchard said. She also said ATSSA has begun discussing the possibility of adding international chapters, but there are many details to iron out before that could happen. Chapters meet aminimumof two times per year and those meetings provide opportunities to network with people fromother roadway infrastructurecompa - nies plus they provide the popular perk of hearing directly from department of transportation (DOT) officials about changes under way and insights into the bidding process for state projects. Chris Fresa, vice president of Clark Pave - ment Marking Inc. in Apex, N.C., and president of the Carolinas ATSSA Chap - ter, said DOT involvement has been an integral part of his chapter’s meetings from the start. “We have hadDOT participation since day one in our chapter. Their input is greatly valued, and it allows us to provide our two states’ positions and information, complete and whole, when networking with the other chapters in the national forums,” Fresa said. Interactions with DOT personnel are so valuable for members that ATSSA oper - ates aPublic Agency ScholarshipProgram so transportation officials can attend the Association’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. This year, ATSSA awarded 130 of those scholarships. “Networking with decision-makers is a tremendous advantagebecause yougain firsthand information for your company,” ATSSA’s Bouchard said. Rick Shomion of the Minnesota Depart - ment of Transportation serves as trea - surer of the Northland ATSSA Chapter and said he appreciates being part of a group with a shared purpose. “Being a part of ATSSA has been a reward - ing experience for me. Knowing that I am working with like-minded individ - uals—city, county, and state employ - ees, contractors, and vendors—with a common goal of making our roadways safer is comforting,” Shomion said. “Even though we sometimes have competing interests, we are able to put our differ - ences aside and sit down at the table together to get the job done. I’ve been fortunate toworkwith a number of great individuals while being amember of the Northland Chapter of ATSSA.” Chapter meetings provide a place for companies to discuss their needs, evalu - ate issues as a group, and problem-solve. The chapter liaisons are there to help by providing personalized, customized assistance to each group. Participation in chapters is a benefit of ATSSA membership. Though each member is assigned a primary chapter based on its location, there is no limit to the number of chapters a company could take part in. That can be especially helpful if a company has offices around the country or deploys sales personnel. The Member Engagement Team is work - ing with chapter leadership across the country to keepmembers updated amid COVID-19 restrictions. Chapter boards are meeting virtually with the Califor - nia Chapter holding ATSSA’s first virtual chapter meeting in April. Chapter Advo - cacy Town Halls have begun online with state and federal elected officials. Joel Switch, an estimator with Akca Inc. in Plant City, Fla., is president of the Flor - ida ATSSA Chapter and said his partic - ipation in the group has been an asset to his company and is uplifting. “Many of us pour our hearts into the work we do and it is extremely reward - ing to see the impacts we can make to help save lives,” he said. “Being part of ATSSA gives us a great opportunity to surround ourselves with other business leaders who share the same goals.”  Being a part of ATSSA has been a rewarding experience for me. Knowing that I amworking with like-minded individuals—city, county, and state employees, contractors, and vendors—with a common goal of making our roadways safer is comforting.