6/10/2016
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Emerging ITD leaders Barrus, Bathrick, Hubbard participate in 18-western-state program
BOISE - Three of the Idaho Transportation Department's top up-and-coming performers are participating in the Emerging Leaders program through the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO).
Ultimately, these participants are expected to apply the newly gained skills and knowledge to their respective agencies, which translates into better service for the department's customers — all Idaho drivers.
Public Transportation Manager Mark Bathrick, south-central Idaho Project Development Engineer Todd Hubbard, and new Traffic Services Manager Jesse Barrus (ITD's southeast Idaho Materials Engineer at the time) were selected by ITD’s senior leadership team last September to represent ITD in WASHTO’s Emerging Leaders Program. Nominations were open to all 18 western state DOTs, and only 30 participants were selected for the program.
Introduced by current WASHTO President Brian Ness, the program is designed to increase leadership skills among participants. Starting with the first session in Salt Lake City, Utah, in late October 2015, individuals performed leadership-training activities, engaged in face-to-face sessions with established industry leaders, read leadership books, gave group presentations, and shared best practices.
The group will attend the annual WASHTO conference, June 26-29, in Laramie, Wyoming.
“I am a firm believer that leadership can be developed with the right attitude when you are surrounded by the right people,” said Barrus.
“Most important to me was the interaction and relationship-building. We got to share stories and endeavors that shaped our desire to achieve. We heard from experienced leaders of their career paths. I also have a group of people who have the same enthusiasm that I can call upon for advice and mentoring,” he added.