From Genesee to D.C.:
Clawson begins AASHTO Fellowship in spring
          

ITD District 2 Materials Engineer Chad Clawson, who has been with the department for 18 years, was informed Feb. 16 that he earned a 2018 Transportation Management Fellowship from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

He will leave tiny Genesee (pop. 958) and report to Washington, D.C. in April for the yearlong commitment. There are about 680,000 people in the D.C. area proper, with a metro-area population of more than five million people.

"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 the Idaho area.

He is excited to bring that big-picture thinking to his position within ITD, benefitting our 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 FAST Act, committee policy work, and a good deal of traveling. I will have a 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 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."

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 has done in materials. 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 D2, helping prioritize a construction budget of about $15 million annually.

District 2 celebrated Chad's AASHTO appointment at the district office on Tuesday.Pictured left to right: Kali Meyer, Wally Kilmer, Kelvin Murphy (sitting), Robert Gordon, Dennis Lenz (in hat), Clawson and Dave Kuisti.

Photo by Doral J. Hoff, P.E.

Published 02-23-18