AASHTO Journal, 2 October 2015
The board of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials elected Iowa Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino as association president until the end of the 2016 annual meeting. He was previously the group’s vice president.
The board chose Maine DOT Commissioner David Bernhardt to be the coming year’s vice president.
Wyoming DOT Director and AASHTO President John Cox (left) passes the gavel to 2015-16 President Paul Trombino of Iowa.The action came Sept. 28 at the end of the 2015 AASHTO annual meeting in Chicago, where the board also adopted policy resolutions including one pressing Congress to immediately pass a long-term surface transportation funding bill.
Wyoming DOT Director John Cox, the 2014-15 president, oversaw the meeting and board policy actions, until he handed over the gavel to President-elect Trombino.
The new board officers will help direct AASHTO staff efforts and implement board policies in the year ahead, including as representatives of the state agencies in communications with Congress.
“I’ve spent more two decades in transportation and this ranks at the top of my list of extraordinary moments,” said Trombino, “and I approach it with great humility. I am deeply honored to be selected by the AASHTO board of directors to serve in this national leadership role.”
Each year upon taking office, the new president outlines policies or goals for AASHTO to emphasize during that person’s term.
Trombino said that while he plans to continue pursuing AASHTO’s policy priorities, including a new transportation bill, he will also focus on ensuring AASHTO is well positioned to serve its member state DOTs.
That includes implementing the association’s new strategic plan, and its goal of a thorough review of AASHTO’s extensive committee structure that utilizes officials from the state agencies along with AASHTO staff.
Trombino also underscored the importance of this industry to the broader national well-being. “Transportation powers the creation of wealth across the United States, unleashing opportunity for economic activity and quality of life,” he said.
“AASHTO has served its members well for 100 years, and it is important that the organization continue to adapt to ensure it can serve its evolving membership.”
Iowa DOT Director Paul TrombinoAt the Iowa DOT, where he was named director in May 2011, Trombino is responsible for a $1 billion annual budget and a range of transit, rail, and aviation programs as well as highways and motor vehicle services. Earlier, he worked for 17 years at the Wisconsin DOT.
Trombino as AASHTO vice president was already a member of the group’s executive committee that oversees the association’s administrative actions. He also chairs the Subcommittee on Transportation Communications.
Bernhardt, AASHTO’s new board vice president, became commissioner of the Maine DOT in February 2011.
He joined that agency in 1984 and held various positions there before being named its CEO, including director of engineering and operations.