2/26/2018
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
From Genesee to D.C.: Clawson begins AASHTO Fellowship in spring
LEWISTON - Talk about Culture Shock!
Idaho Transportation Department North-Central (District 2) Materials Engineer Chad Clawson will leave tiny Genesee, Idaho and report to Washington, D.C. in April for a year-long commitment to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
Genesee has just 958 residents, while there are about 680,000 people in the D.C. area proper, with a metro-area population of more than five million people.
Clawson, who has been with the department for 18 years, was informed Feb. 16 that he earned a 2018 Transportation Management Fellowship from AASHTO.
"My initial reaction was disbelief, then excitement and internal panic; really, it was difficult to contain my excitement," said Clawson. "This is going to be a great opportunity for personal and professional growth."
In his nomination letter in November 2017, Chad was most intrigued by the exposure to transportation and infrastructure planning on a larger scale than is typically afforded him in Idaho.
He is excited to bring that big-picture thinking to his position within ITD, benefiting road users. "I look forward to synthesizing ideas -- then bringing them back to our department, and showing Idaho pride to the rest of the nation."
Clawson said the year with AASHTO will be spent working on a broad range of technical issues with design, traffic engineering, materials and operations. "There will be reauthorization of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, committee policy work, and a good deal of traveling. I will have direct involvement with topics at a different level that directly affect our safety, standards, and business practices here at ITD."
"What an amazing opportunity for Chad," explained ITD D2 District Engineer Dave Kuisti. "Given the nationwide applicant pool, being selected for the fellowship is a great reflection on Chad and the entire department. It is also a testament to the quality of our employees. We are excited for him, and looking forward to his return."
ITD D2 Operations Manager Doral Hoff added, "Chad being selected speaks very highly of our Materials Section and the great work that Chad and his team have done. To be recognized for his successes speaks exceedingly well of the importance that his profession has nationwide. We in District 2 are very proud of his accomplishments and feel very fortunate for the opportunity afforded Chad by the department. We wish him the best and look forward to his safe return where he can impart a new perspective in transportation for us all."
Clawson works in planning and project delivery for ITD District 2, helping prioritize a construction budget of about $15 million annually.