APWA 2016 Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year announced

KANSAS CITY, MO. — The American Public Works Association announced in May the selection of 2016 Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Award recipients. This year marks the 56th anniversary of the Top Ten Leaders awards, which is one of the most coveted and prestigious awards presented by the APWA association.

The 2016 Top Ten Public Works Leaders list consists of Kenneth Eyre, P.E., senior associate, Greeley and Hansen, Alexandria, Va.; John Herzke, P.E., PWLF, vice president of municipal services, Clark Nexsen, Virginia Beach, Va.; Dena Mezger, P.E., director of public works, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Diane Nakano, P.E., assistant general manager, Sacramento Regional Transit Dist., Sacramento, Calif.; James “Jim” Neal, P.E., public works director, Charleston County, North Charleston, S.C.; Bob Patterson, P.E., director of public works, Pendleton, Ore.; James “Jim” Proce, MBA, PWLF, assistant city manager, Rowlett, Texas; Paul D. Wiegand, P.E., SUDAS program director, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; Clark Wantoch, P.E., PWLF, executive director, Wisconsin Concrete Pipe Assoc., Milwaukee, Wis.; and Walter “Walt” Veselka, P.E., PWLF, public works director, Bristol, Conn.

Each of the Top Ten Leaders are recognized for their achievements in engineering or administration, including career advancement; contribution to technology or job knowledge; commitment to the profession as evidenced by education, training, certification or registration; and continuing education, as well as professional excellence and service to the community in large and small municipalities.

Construction begins on Sellick Equipment’s multimillion dollar facility expansion

HARROW, ONTARIO, CANADA — On April 20, at the age of 97 years, Walter Sellick, along with sons Howard Sellick, president; David Sellick, vice president; and grandson Colin Sellick, systems manager, had a ground breaking ceremony for a new multimillion dollar, 120,000-square-foot facility.

“In order to compete on a global scale, we needed to expand and build a state-of-the-art plant,” said Howard. Sellick Equipment has manufactured rough terrain and truck mounted forklifts for over 47 years for a variety of industries, including building supply yards and engineered wood products, automotive recycling, oil field services, mining and military applications. In recent years, a new generation of forklifts was introduced featuring enhanced ergonomics, environmentally friendly diesel engines and increased lift capacities. Sellick products are supported by a nationwide dealer network providing superior parts and service needs.

Calhoun Super Structure, Natural Light Fabric Structures join forces

TARA, ONTARIO, CANADA — Calhoun Super Structure announced a joint venture with Natural Light Fabric Structures at the eighth annual dealer conference at Niagara-on-the-Lake on April 20. This alliance expands the Calhoun product line to include Natural Light fabric buildings.

The joint venture was a natural fit for both companies. For over 20 years, Calhoun, a Canadian-based company, has crafted the strongest, most reliable engineered fabric building on the North American market. The team of Natural Light Fabric Structures, based in Minnesota, offers decades of experience in general and fabric building construction, steel fabrication and manufacturing engineering. The alliance with Calhoun will enable easy, crossborder access to both product lines and allow for the sharing of design and engineering expertise.

Three public works agencies receive 2016 Snow and Ice Control Awards

KANSAS CITY, MO. — Three public works agencies have been selected to receive the American Public Works Association 2016 Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Awards. Established to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works snow and ice operations, the awards promote best practices in snow and ice removal while minimizing environmental impacts. This year, they were presented at the 2016 APWA North American Snow Conference, May 22–25, in Hartford, Conn.

The three recipients were: Longmont, Colo., Department of Public Works and Natural Resources: Buffalo Grove, Ill., Public Works Department; and the Orangetown, N.Y., Highway Department.

National contest challenges transportation students to improve roadway safety

FREDERICKSBURG, VA. — The American Traffic Safety Services Association announced in May a “Traffic Control Device Challenge” in partnership with the Transportation Research Board. The challenge will focus on how America’s roadway system must change to accommodate both human and machine drivers. This challenge is designed to promote innovation and stimulate ideas regarding traffic control devices with a goal to improve safety on the nation’s roadways. Eligible participants are individual high school, community college, college, graduate students and teams of students with an interest in transportation.

Submissions must be an original design or modification of an industry-accepted design or product. A panel of TRB experts will judge entries based on the ability of the idea to address a specific roadway problem, how easily it can be understood by all road users, its applicability on a nationwide basis and its feasibility for implementation.

Up to 12 finalists will be invited to display their ideas at the 2017 TRB annual meeting in Washington, D.C. From those, first, second and third place winners will be selected to present their concepts to the roadway safety industry at ATSSA’s annual Convention and Traffic Expo, Feb. 12–14, in Phoenix, Ariz. Interested students can find an application packet at tti.tamu.edu/documents/proposals/2017-TCDC.pdf

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 jmarlin@the-papers.com.