GPS Insight celebrates 10 years of innovation and success

Scottsdale, Ariz. — GPS Insight, a top technology provider of GPS vehicle and asset tracking software for commercial fleets, celebrated its 10th birthday in April in the rooftop garden at GPS Insight’s Scottsdale headquarters.

GPS Insight celebrated with approximately 150 employees, family and friends as they enjoyed 10 years’ worth of storytelling and pictures of the company’s trailblazing route of innovation and success in the telematics space.

It began in 2004, when Founder and CEO Robert Donat was a technology consultant. He was approached by a local trucking company that wanted assistance in finding a GPS tracking software that would meet all of its needs. None existed at the time, so he created GPS Insight as the first highly customizable GPS tracking software for fleets. Despite its significant growth, GPS Insight remains focused on innovation in the name of client success.

APWA ‘Low & Slow Across America’s Infrastructure Tour’

Kansas City, Mo. — The American Public Works Association kicked off National Public Works Week with the “Low and Slow Across America’s Infrastructure Tour” launch at the Washington, D.C., Public Works Fleet Campus, 1833 West Virginia Ave. NE, Tuesday, May 19. The tour featured best-selling author Dan McNichol, who drove a 1949 Hudson Commodore 8 — as a metaphor of the aged condition of infrastructure — from Washington, D.C, to Los Angeles, in order to assess the condition of infrastructure projects.

“APWA is pleased to sponsor the launch of the ‘Low & Slow Across America’s Infrastructure’ Tour. McNichol’s trip will draw attention to the critical condition of our country’s infrastructure and increase awareness of public works professionals, as well as the infrastructure investments needed to maintain these systems,” said APWA Executive Director Peter King. “Later this summer, McNichol will also discuss the tour with attendees of the APWA 2015 International Public Works Congress in Phoenix, Ariz., on Wednesday, Sept. 2,” King said.

APWA sponsors National Public Works Week annually with the more than 28,500 members in the U.S. and Canada.

SMART introduces propane autogas buses to its fleet

Detroit, Mich. — In May smart public transportation system introduced into its fleet 61 new Connector paratransit propane autogas fuel system buses. The buses will be fueled with affordable, clean, domestically produced propane gas, making smart the second-largest propane autogas powered paratransit fleet in Michigan and one of the top five largest in the United States.

“SMART is committed to responsibly and eco-consciously serving the communities in southeast Michigan. By using domestically produced propane we help support local jobs and our economy,” said John Hertel, general manager. “In addition, using the autogas technology will improve our operations, lower costs and preserve the environment in which we work, live and play.”

By investing in the new autogas vehicles, smart will reduce emissions, save money and extend the life of the vehicle. The total fuel and maintenance savings is projected to be $1.1–$1.7 million over the lifetime of the fleet, with a return on investment of less than four months. This technology has also been shown to extend vehicle life due to less wear and tear on the engines by other autogas fleets.

The vehicles and propane stations are grant funded.

ISI opens sustaining membership to firms

Washington, D.C. — The Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure announced in June that it had opened its sustaining memberships to private sector firms in engineering, planning, design and construction organizations. The ISI sustaining membership is designed for companies to be recognized publicly for their competency and experience in the development of sustainable infrastructure projects.

The ISI is a not-for-profit organization that, in partnership with the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at Harvard University, developed a tool to help public and private sector decision makers create sustainable infrastructure projects. The tool, called the Envision sustainable infrastructure rating system, is Web based and available in the public domain at no charge to the user.

Originally designed specifically for civil infrastructure, the Envision tool can help decision makers develop nationally recognized sustainable projects for all types of infrastructure, other than habitable buildings. It can also be used for industrial infrastructure, which has a significant effect on the sustainability of the communities in which they are sited.

For more information on sustaining memberships, visit www.sustainableinfrastructure.org.

Aero Industries promotes Jeff Boyd to vice president of sales and marketing

Indianapolis IN — Aero Industries Inc., a global leader in the manufacturing of tarp systems and trailer accessories, promoted Jeff Boyd to vice president of sales and marketing this month.

Boyd began his career at Aero Industries 16 years ago, almost immediately after graduating from Indiana University. Since then he has worked his way up through the company ranks. Boyd began as a Conestoga inside sales representative/product specialist and was then promoted to flatbed products manager in 2010. Three years later he was named director of sales.

Boyd also serves on the company’s leadership team, helping to make strategic decisions for the long-term vision of the company, analyzing industry trends and market demands to strategically deliver innovative products to customers.

Rush Truck Centers to Distribute EZ Oil Drain Valve products nationwide

Redmond, Wash. — EZ Oil Drain Valve has secured a national campaign with Rush Truck Centers, and EZ oil drain valves are now available at Rush Truck Centers nationwide. With over 100 locations across the country, Rush Truck Centers is one of the nation’s leading heavy-duty truck dealerships. Widely known for being a provider of premier solutions and products for commercial vehicles, EZ Oil Drain Valves’ products will be an addition to the company’s existing brand.

News releases regarding personnel changes, other non-product-related company changes, association news and awards are printed as space allows. Priority will be given to advertisers and affiliates. Releases not printed in the magazine can be found online at www.themunicipal.com. Call (800) 733–4111, ext. 2392, or email jmagallanes@the-papers.com.