APWA Announces 2016 Jennings Randolph International Fellows

KANSAS CITY, MO. — Th e American Public Works Association, in association with the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, announced recently the 2016 Jennings Randolph International Fellows. APWA’s Jennings Randolph International Fellowship program is a unique international study and professional exchange opportunity that promotes collaboration and sharing of public works best practices, knowledge and innovation, both internationally and with public works colleagues in North America.

Chosen from a field of 18 applicants, the two 2016 APWA Jennings Randolph International Fellows will conduct public works study tours and make presentations at international partner associations’ annual membership meetings in Auckland, New Zealand, and in Malmö, Sweden.

Bruce Kaplan, AICP, CTP, manager, Transportation Systems Analysis Group, Central Transportation Planning Staff , Boston, Mass., will study the waterfront redevelopment experience of Auckland, specifically concerning its central rail terminal, the Britomart Transport Centre, to compare and contrast the waterfront renaissances in Boston and Auckland.

Matt Rodrigues, P.E., ENV SP, principal engineer, Public Works Engineering, city of Eugene, Ore., will conduct a public works study tour in Malmö, relating to Sweden’s implementation of the Vision Zero Initiative to eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries.

ATSSA 2015 National Safety Award recipient is Martin Weed, Washington State DOT

FREDERICKSBURG, VA. — The American Traffic Safety Services Association honored Martin Weed, of the Washington State Department of Transportation, with ATSSA’s 2015 National Safety Award at ATSSA’s 46th annual Convention & Traffic Expo at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La., during the association’s opening general session, Jan. 31. ATSSA’s National Safety Award recognizes public officials who have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the safety of America’s highways.

ATSSA members nominate individuals who are employed by a government agency or have retired from a government agency within two years.

Weed was instrumental in working with WSDOT in bringing the American Traffic Safety Services Foundation’s National Work Zone Memorial to events in the state in order to promote the foundation’s mission of spreading the word about work zone safety awareness.

Land Pride marks 30- year anniversary

SALINA, KAN. — 2016 marks 30 years in business for Land Pride, a division of Great Plains Manufacturing Inc. Since beginning operations April 1, 1986, Land Pride has grown to employ hundreds in communities across central Kansas and produces some of the best-selling, most durable three-point implements in the world. Land Pride has long been recognized as a leader in the landscape and light construction industry, as well as an industry-leading manufacturer of folding rotary cutters in 12-, 15- and 20-foot widths. As it approaches its 30th anniversary, Land Pride is also establishing itself as a major player in the manufacture of skid steer attachments.

The anniversary year kicked off in Louisville, Ky., at the 2016 National Farm Machinery Show, Feb. 10–13, and coincided with Great Plains’ 40th anniversary. The Land Pride and Great Plains’ booths are always an impressive site in Louisville, but the 2016 versions highlighted both anniversaries with special signage, co-branded displays and over 50 implements occupying more than 13,000 square feet.

As part of the anniversary celebration, several employee events and tours are planned. The dates and details of both will be released at a later date.

Debra Lee Ricker named American Traffic Safety Services Association board chairwoman

FREDERICKSBURG, VA. — Debra Lee Ricker, president of Worksafe Traffic Control Industries Inc., Barre, Vt., assumed her two-year term as chairwoman of the American Traffic Safety Services Association during the association’s 46th annual Convention & Traffic Expo Jan. 31 in New Orleans. Th e second woman to hold this position on ATSSA’s board of directors,

Ricker has worked in the pavement marking, work zone and traffic safety industry for more than three decades. Ricker and her sister, Lorena, founded L&D Safety Marking Corporation, a line striping and sign installation company in Vermont in 1985. When the sisters expanded the company’s services in 1991, they opened Worksafe Traffic Control Industries, a sign manufacturer that also offers the sale and rental of traffic control devices and equipment.

Ricker served as vice president of both firms from 1985 to 2012 when the striping business was sold. She then became president of Worksafe Traffic Control Industries.

As Ricker began researching safety training, she found out about ATSSA’s superior training and became a member of the association in 1989.

Aero Industries Inc. opens new facility

KENT, OHIO — On Feb. 15 Aero Industries Inc. moved into its new Kent, Ohio, facility.

Replacing the original Streetsboro, Ohio, location, the new Kent site, located off of I-76, provides a state-of-the-art facility for the installation and servicing of Aero products, in addition to offering a more accessible location for customers.

The new Kent facility also brings a substantial increase to Aero’s overall capacity.

“The new space will create more throughputs, improving customer lead-times, and making installation and servicing of Aero products more efficient,” said James Tuerk, owner of Aero Industries.

Aero Industries Inc. is a global leader in the manufacturing of tarp systems and trailer accessories. The company holds 67 patents and manufactures a complete line of Americanmade accessories for dumps, flatbeds, agriculture, refuse and other trailer applications.