ATSSA Signal November December 2020

The Signal | November/December 2020 41 Member Engagement Maintaining connections, even amid a pandemic ATSSA’s California Chapter didn’t miss abeatwhen theCOVID-19pandemic made in-person meetings out of the question. “I amproud to say that Californiawas the first ATSSA chapter to conduct a meet - ing via Zoom,” said Chapter President Craig Nielsen. “Many people to thank, especially fromATSSA national, for that.” The town-hall-style Zoom chapter meet- ing featured guest speaker U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), vice chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. A subsequent Zoom meeting introduced chaptermembers to Caltrans’ new chief safety officer, Rachel Carpenter. This ability to connect chaptermembers with public policy decision-makers is a major part of the value members get from being part of both ATSSA and the state chapter, Nielsen said. In 2021, the California ATSSA Chapter (Cal-ATSSA) will increase its focus on legis- lative efforts. Nielsen says that includes “getting straight answers frompoliticians, keeping a wary eye on political spend- ing, reminding decision-makers of the importance of safety and the industry in general, and sharing this collective infor- mation to help inform and, perhaps, to squash rumors where possible.” The chapter also enjoys healthy partici- pation fromtheCaliforniaDepartment of Transportation, better known as Caltrans. “They are involved by providing speakers for events, and by sharing innovation on both devices and systems that they may be testing,” Nielsen said “One of themore important aspects of Caltrans’ involvement is inviting industry partners to their Annual Safety Summit, which gives industry a say in future progress.” Nielsen is currently safety director with ChrispCompany, a road striping company with offices throughout California. He has worked in the traffic control indus - try for more than 35 years. He started working for local government in signs, street markings, traffic signals, and Cal-ATSSA Chapter President Craig Nielsen California Chapter California Chapter California Chapter California Chapter Califor Chapter California Chapter California Chapter California Chapter California Chapter  ifornia Chapter California Chapter California Chapter California Chapter California C ter California Chapter California Chapter California Chapter California Chapter Cal nia Chapter California Chapter California Chapter California Chapter California Chapt C h a p t e r P r o i l e