Greetings NLTAPA friends and family,
I have always thought of myself as the newbie, and sat in awe of the more experienced LTAP staff. I remember when I first started, I panicked thinking I would never remember all the different names of heavy equipment. Now, somehow along the way, I woke up and suddenly was a grown-up LTAPer.
I came into LTAP with a totally different background in Architecture Design and Structural Engineering. I hadn’t yet finished my second master’s degree when I told my family that I had accepted the Training Coordinator position for Colorado LTAP. One year later, I moved up to Director. Still confused about this “LTAP” thing, friends and family had asked, “Well how long do you plan to do this before starting in engineering?” I adamantly responded, “3 years.” (Because in 3 years was the National LTAP/TTAP Conference in Hawaii – and I had to at least make it until then!)
I mention this now - 13 years later – because it is the love for what we do that binds our community together. I never envisioned such a long journey with the organization. A guiding passion keeps us coming back year after year.
Through the years, I have gained a lot of knowledge from participating on FHWA’s Roles and Responsibilities and Strategic Planning committees; the Clearinghouse Advisory Board; and the NLTAPA Executive Committee as regional rep and work group chairs. While managing a center with only 2.0 FTE, I’ve used this experience to whole-heartedly pursue what makes a successful center the most beneficial to its local agency customers. I am continuously searching, and focused on making sure our best practices are promoted and shared for the betterment of all centers.
Many of you know I can be passionate about endeavors that are important to the success of the Program, but I also want to be a President that listens. If you have ideas for change, concerns on the direction of NLTAPA initiatives, or you’re at a Center in need of help, I hope you will feel comfortable to call on me to be the representative of your voice as we progress forward. The Association exists to support YOU.
In the past year, at least 12 Centers have experienced change in management or directors; 4 regional reps have changed over; and several significant work group participants have retired. We have an opportunity to incorporate fresh perspectives and review the success of what’s currently in place. I look forward to working with our great new group of volunteers.
I feel strongly about…
Accountability - Demonstrating the benefit of the Association to its members; Roles of EC members; Tangible outcomes and external deliverables.
Awareness - LTAP as a national leader focused on local road needs; Beneficial state collaborative relationships.
Communication - Consistent messaging across the board – Centers/states, FHWA, Partners; Assure common goals are supported through all our efforts.
Funding - Although we’re just diving into implementation of MAP-21, it’s time to prepare for another Federal Transportation Reauthorization.
I am excited and honored to become the new President of the National Local Technical Assistance Program Association, and I want to assure the membership of my dedication and commitment to advancing the successes set forth by previous NLTAPA leadership.
Together,
-Renée Railsback.