Business Meetings
President's Reports

• Jul. 24, 2005
• Jan. 9, 2005
• Aug. 1, 2004

July 24, 2005

Prepared by Terry McNinch

The past year has been interesting to say the least. When we departed from Albuquerque we knew we had significant challenges ahead of us. Momentum that had built during 03/04 to clearly define the role of NLTAPA (the CUSP) needed to be carried on. At the same time, those questions about NLTAPA's role prompted questions about the roles of the other National LTAP stakeholders - FHWA, the Clearinghouse, and the Centers themselves. "How does the LTAP puzzle fit together?" everyone was asking. As it turns out this was not an easily answered question.

An amazing amount of progress has been made. The Executive Committee has devoted a tremendous amount of time in conference calls, an untold number of e-mails, and lengthy face-to-face discussions on these issues. At times the path was rocky. More than once we asked ourselves, "We volunteered for this?" Everyone stuck to it and their dedication shows. We think we have figured out NLTAPA's piece of the puzzle. That task complete, we (the Centers) are now faced with walking the talk.

Over the years, the primary responsibility for carrying the NLTAPA load has rested on the shoulders of several members of the Executive Committee. That kept NLTAPA's head above water, but the association was always gasping for breath. That model must change. NLTAPA is an association of Centers - the member Centers must assume responsibility for making things happen. Every Center needs to be involved in some aspect of national activity. When you consider that there is an average 3+ staff per Center, there are almost 200 people that could be getting things accomplished to the benefit of the National LTAP Program. National activity needs to be a part of every Center's yearly workplan. Centers CAN make this happen.

The transportation community looks to NLTAPA as a major player - rightly so as the member Centers have the capacity to bring significant expertise and resources to the national and international table. Other associations would give their organizational right arm to be in such a position. If we let this opportunity slide through our fingers we shouldn't expect it to come around again.

I would like to thank the Executive Committee members Bruce Drewes (Secretary), Jim Burati, Lisa Harris, Marie Walsh, Ed Stellfox, Ken Skorseth, Chris Ahmadjian, Linda Howe-Steiger, Evan Hong and Donna Shea (Clearinghouse Liaison) for their dedication and support over the past year. Additionally, thank you to FWHA - Al Alonzi, Bill Evans and Cameron Ishaq - for being willing to engage in the difficult conversations that needed to take place.

NLTAPA Successes

• NLTAPA Operational Structure: Over the past few years, member centers have asked, "Why is there an association? Why do we pay dues?" Unfortunately those questions are the result of years of insufficient communication and lack of sufficient focus. Good things were being done, but centers didn't hear about it, and plans were being made, but if you were not at the meeting to hear it, you may have missed it. To fix that problem and as part of the R&R effort, the Executive Committee was challenged to put ON PAPER the Focus Areas of this Association. At the TRB meeting the EC committed to having this task complete by the summer meeting - the EC has done that and it will be presented during the business meeting on Sunday. Named the "NLTAPA Operational Structure," it lists the six Focus Areas and provides high level descriptions intended to answer your next question "What does this mean?" Additional details were composed that will become part of the Focus Area workplans that will be developed by the individual work groups over the next couple of months. The Executive Committee has approved the "NLTAPA Operational Structure," FHWA has given it their approval. Now it is time for the Centers to make it a reality.
• NLTAPA Involvement in the International T² Conference: NLTAPA Secretary Bruce Drewes is serving on the organizing committee for the 2006 International T2 Conference. In addition to Bruce's input, the EC has been actively providing feedback regarding the conference organization and session topic selections. NLTAPA's goal is to insure a meaningful conference for LTAP/TTAP participants as well as a beneficial experience for our international colleagues.
• NLTAPA / FHWA Funding Scenario Discussion: At the May EC meeting, the EC and FHWA engaged in a first of its kind discussion regarding funding scenarios related to TEA 21 reauthorization. The objective of the exchange was to provide FHWA with input on how to deal with a possible increase in funding, flat-line funding, and concerns if funding was to remain static or be reduced.
• Intertraffic North America (INA): Several months ago ARTBA approached NLTAPA to help them organize the first Intertraffic Conference in North America, September 27 - 29, 2005, in Baltimore. The European event, held yearly in Amsterdam, drew over 650 exhibitors and over 24,000 participants in 2004. As of July 21, INA had over 170 exhibitors. Ed Stellfox, and Terry McNinch have been working with ARTBA to identify conference presenters and distribute materials for use in Center newsletters. NLTAPA has endorsed the conference, as has NACE. FHWA is a financial supporter. The benefits to NLTAPA are listing on the conference web page, 5 free conference registrations and a full page ad in the conference material - something we could not have considered paying for. The long term benefit is that ARTBA views NLTAPA as a valuable resource.
• APWA Congress 2005 - LTAP Presentation: The presentation proposal submitted by the EC last fall for the 2005 Congress was accepted. The NLTAPA President will give a presentation on the services LTAP centers provide for counties and cities. The presentation will show examples of LTAP success stories and have agency participants in the audience or via short video clips tell about their experience with LTAP.
• AASHTO Technology Implementation Group (TIG): As a result of our increased activity with AASHTO, we have been invited to send a representative to the TIG meetings. The TIG surveys new technologies and recommends several each year for special promotion. Our attendance can influence the selection of technologies that are beneficial to local agencies. The NLTAPA AASHTO Partnership Liaison, Doyt Bolling, is currently serving on this committee.
• AASHTO Publications for Centers: As part of our renewed partnership agreement with AASHTO, we negotiated an arrangement whereby centers will have the opportunity to request, at NO cost, designated new AASHTO publications when those publications are of local agency interest. Centers also get member pricing when purchasing other AASHTO publications. What is that worth? If all 58 centers responded with a request for the 2004 Green Book, that is worth $5,800. 30% of the NLTAPA dues your Center paid this year.
• AASHTO Anti Icing / RWIS Computer Based Training (CBT): Through NACE's negotiation with AASHTO, and the NACE partnership with NLTAPA, centers will receive this CBT CD at no cost, can provide it to NACE members at no cost (non NACE members will be required to pay the license fee), and use it as part of training sessions, or include in our lending libraries. What would this have cost? $100 per licensed copy for everyone. Arrangements have been made for the LTAP Clearinghouse to replicate the CD and distribute supplies to the Centers.
• Safety Circuit Riders: At the November 2003 Executive Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., the committee met with George Ostensen and his staff from the FHWA Office of Safety. During the meeting, Mike Blankenship, then NLTAPA President, suggested to FHWA that if they really want to improve safety, they need to have an impact at the local level. That led to Tony Giancola's recommendation that what the Office of Safety needed to do was fund Safety Circuit Riders in the LTAP Centers. They were willing to think about it. During TRB 2003, members of the Executive Committee met with Office of Safety staff to begin laying out what a Safety Circuit Rider program would look like. FHWA was willing to fund one, half-time circuit rider, in onecenter, for $50,000. We appreciated the offer, but continued to stress that one half time person would not even begin to demonstrate the impact that this program could have. Over the months more discussions took place. Tony Giancola sunk his teeth into the idea and wouldn't let go. Executive Committee members drafted the content of the RFP. Discussions continued right up to the time that the RFP was announced to the Centers. By January of 2005 FHWA was ready with funding. If the 4 Circuit Riders prove successful, and it appears they are, the Office of Safety is open to consider additional funded positions. End result: Increased funding from Office of Safety, funding from the Office of Professional Development, and funding from the Federal Lands Program for a tribal position. Total Funding: $600,000. Increased from $50,000.
• Increased Funding Levels In SAFE-TEA: Through the efforts of Executive Committee members and various Center directors, along with NACE, NACO, AASHTO and ARTBA, we were able to get the funding level increased, (currently between $13.4 million - Senate, and $14 million - House). The bulk of that effort and expense was incurred by Centers that set their sights on getting the job done. Passage of the legislation is near, but that isn't the end of the effort. It marks the beginning of the 6 years leading up to the next renewal. Every center needs to insure that their elected officials know about the good things being done. Whether that means simply sending newsletters to your legislator's offices or face-to-face visits with legislative staff, YOU need to keep them informed.
• Handling of the Finances for the Mendocino Safety Showcase: NLTAPA was the recipient of $25,000 in FHWA funding for Mendocino travel stipends. By routing the funding through NLTAPA, monies that would have gone to university overhead charges were used to send even more participants to the showcase. When the BIA authorized $20,000 for travel stipends, red tape prevented its award until after the showcase. NLTAPA stepped in, advancing the funds, thereby allowing tribal members to attend the showcase, even though BIA funding had not yet made it through the pipeline. NLTAPA Treasurer, Duane Smith, took care of all accounting for the $45,000 and dealt with payments for the stipends, to the travel agents, and for on-site expenses incurred at the event hotels. Gib Peaslee's comment "This showcase never would have happened if NLTAPA had not stepped in to handing the funding issues." The Mendocino Safety Showcase was highlighted in the Fall 2004 issue of Public Roads.
• Common Sense Solutions for Intersection Safety Training Package: This project was funded by $28,000 from the Office of Safety and the T2 & Innovation Program, and $15,000 that the Michigan LTAP spent from of its own program funds. The final product consists of a 13 module training package. CDs containing the training material were sent to every Center. What did this cost your center? $0.00.
• LTAP Exposure within TRB - Cheri Marti, Chair of T² Committee: Over the 6 years that Cheri has served as the Chair of the T2 Committee, the atmosphere surrounding the committee has changed dramatically. T2 and implementation is now an integral part of research BEFORE it begins. LTAP was originally viewed cautiously by the committee. But through Cheri's leadership and the dedicated participation of LTAP'ers on the committee and those who attend the meetings and work on the activities, LTAP is no longer something to be viewed with a cautious eye, but rather a group that gets ASKED to sit at the table. If you saw the October issue of TR News (the TRB publication) you saw an entire issue sprinkled with LTAP this and LTAP that, including a full page on what LTAP is and what it does. Cheri put forth a tremendous commitment for 6 years. She put in the hard work, the LTAP Program received visibility and recognition as being "The Real Thing." Kathy DesRoches, New Hampshire LTAP, continues to serve on the committee.
• Strategic Planning Committee: Executive Committee members were part of the committee that developed the National LTAP Strategic Plan and the National Performance Measures. The result of this effort puts us on the far end of the curve with regard to program accountability. The work continued in spring of 2005 with a review of the PAR and CAR, Level 2 Evaluation, the Customer Needs Survey, and a committee charter. The new NLTAPA President will transition on to the committee to replace Terry McNinch.
• Roles & Responsibilities Group (R&R): Executive Committee members, representing the Association, joined other national stakeholders (FHWA, Centers, the Clearinghouse, and the Clearinghouse Advisory Committee) to do what has been needed to be done for many years - sort out who does what, why, when, etc. This activity is intended to set a new stage for the entire National Program, to make it the best it can be. Throughout the year, progress was made and recommendations are being put forth. Centers will continue to be solicited for feedback. It is CRITICAL that you respond.

January 9, 2005

Prepared by Terry McNinch

• Handling of the Finances for the Mendocino Safety Showcase: NLTAPA was the recipient of $25,000 in FHWA funding and $10,000 in AAA funding for Mendocino travel stipends. By routing the funding through NLTAPA, monies that would have gone to university overhead charges were used to send even more participants to the showcase. When the BIA authorized $20,000 for travel stipends, red tape prevented its award until after the showcase. NLTAPA stepped in, advancing the funds, thereby allowing tribal members to attend the showcase, even though BIA funding had not yet made it through the pipeline. NLTAPA Treasurer, Duane Smith, took care of all accounting for the $55,000 and dealt with payments for the stipends, to the travel agents, and for on-site expenses incurred at the event hotels. Mendocino organizer Gib Peaslee's comment "This showcase never would have happened if NLTAPA had not stepped in to handing the funding issues."
• Safety Circuit Riders: At the November 2003 Executive Committee meeting in Washington, the committee met with George Ostensen and his staff from the FHWA Office of Safety. During the meeting, Mike Blankenship reminded them that if they really want to move their safety numbers, they need to have an impact at the local level. That led to Tony Giancola's suggestion to George that what the Office of Safety needed to do was fund Safety Circuit Riders in the LTAP Centers. They were willing to think about it. During TRB last year, members of the Executive Committee met with Office of Safety staff to begin laying out what a Safety Circuit Rider program would look like. They were willing to fund one, half-time circuit rider, in one center, for $50,000. We appreciated the offer, but continued to stress that one half-time person would not even begin to demonstrate the impact that this program could have. Over the months more discussions took place. Tony sunk his teeth into the idea and wouldn't let go. Executive Committee members drafted the content of the RFP. Discussions continued right up to the time that the RFP was announced to the centers. End result: Increased funding from Office of Safety, funding from the Office of Professional Development, and funding from the Federal Lands Program for a tribal position. Total Funding: $600,000. Up from $50,000. If the 4 Circuit Riders prove successful, the Office of Safety is open to considering additional funded positions.
• AASHTO Publications for Centers: As part of our renewed partnership agreement with AASHTO, we negotiated an arrangement whereby centers will have the opportunity to request, at NO cost, designated new AASHTO publications when those publications are of local agency interest. Centers also get member pricing when purchasing other AASHTO publications. What is that worth? If all 58 centers respond with a request for the 2004 Green Book, that is worth $4,800.
• Anti Icing Computer Based Training: Through Tony Giancola's negotiation with AASHTO, and the NACE partnership with NLTAPA, centers will have the opportunity to receive this CBT at no cost and use it as part of training sessions, or as part of our lending libraries, and distribute freely to NACE members. What would this have cost? $100 per copy. Single distribution to 40 snow belt centers--$4,000.
• Intersection Safety for Non Engineers Training Package: This project was funded by $28,000 from the FHWA Office of Safety and the FHWA T2 & Innovation Program, and $15,000 that the Michigan LTAP spent from of its own program. The final product consists of a 13 module training package. Development is complete and it will be sent to FHWA for final review next week. Upon FHWA approval it will be distributed to every center. What did this cost your center? Nada.
• Increased Funding Levels In SAFE-TEA: Through the efforts of Executive Committee members and various center directors, along with NACE, NACO, AASHTO and ARTBA, we were able to get the funding level increased, on the Senate floor, from $12 million per year, to $15 million per year. The bulk of that effort and expense was incurred by centers that set their sights on getting the job done. While this was a great success, when the new Congress reconsiders the proposed legislation we may need to call out the troops again. What might this be worth? You do the math.
• NLTAPA Goals, Objectives & Activities - ready soon: Over the past few years, member centers have asked, "Why is there an association? Why do we pay dues?" Unfortunately this is the result of years of insufficient communication and lack of sufficient focus. Good things were being done, but centers didn't hear about it, and plans were being made, but if you were not at the meeting to hear it, you may have missed it. To that end, and as part of the R&R effort, members of the Executive Committee spent hours on conference calls and exchanged numerous e-mails in an effort to put ON PAPER the Goals, Objectives and Activities of the Association. The executive committee has reviewed this document, and once the R&R is complete it will be distributed for your comments and input. We hope to adopt this document at the summer meeting.
• LTAP Exposure within TRB - Cheri Marti, Chair of T2 Committee: Over the 6 years that Cheri has served as the Chair of the T² Committee, the atmosphere surrounding the committee has change dramatically. T² and implementation is now an integral part of research BEFORE it begins. LTAP was originally viewed cautiously by the committee. But through Cheri's leadership and the dedicated participation of LTAP'ers on the committee and those who attend the meetings and work on the activities, LTAP is no longer something to be viewed with a cautious eye, but rather a group that gets ASKED to sit at the table. If you saw the October issue of TR News (the TRB publication) you saw an entire issue sprinkled with LTAP this and LTAP that, including a full page on what LTAP is and what it does. Cheri put forth a tremendous commitment for 6 years. She put in the hard work, the LTAP Program received visibility and recognition as being "The Real Thing."
• Strategic Planning Committee: Executive Committee members were part of the team that developed the National LTAP Strategic Plan and the National Performance Measures. The result of this effort puts us on the far end of the curve with regard to program accountability. The work will continue in February when the team gets together again to review the effectiveness of the PAR and CAR, Level 2 Evaluation, and the Customer Needs Survey.
• Roles & Responsibilities Group (R&R): Executive Committee members, representing the Association, joined other national stakeholders (FHWA, Centers, the Clearinghouse, and the Clearinghouse Advisory Committee) to do what has been needed to be done for many years - sort out who does what, why, when, etc. This activity is intended to set a new stage for all the National Program as we strive to make it the best it can be.

August 1, 2004

Mike Blankenship, WV LTAP

This year flew by! You should be proud of your Association and your dedicated and hard working Executive Committee. I know I'm proud of the accomplishments of the Association this past year, and it has been a true privilege to serve as your President. This report highlights the successes we've had this year as an Association and as the LTAP Program.

1. LTAP/TTAP Strategic Plan - Ron Hall, Colorado TTAP, chaired the Strategic Plan Committee that developed this Plan, which updates and refocuses the 1997 LTAP Strategic Plan. The Plan focuses on the key program areas of Safety, Workforce Development, Infrastructure Management, and Value Delivery. This Plan is a major milestone in the history of LTAP/TTAP. It has specific performance measures that each Center is responsible for; when collected and aggregated, these measures will show our partners, and Congress, how successful our Program is. Committee members included Terry McNinch (MI LTAP), Renee Cusson (CO LTAP), David Frey (Northwest & Alaska TTAP), Patsy Anderson (KY LTAP), and Mike Blankenship (WV LTAP). FHWA and Clearinghouse representatives were Al Alonzi, Bill Evans, Cameron Ishaq, and Lisa Pogue. In addition to the Committee members' efforts, LTAP Centers provided valuable feedback and input during the development of this Plan, and we thank you for your help. Also, thanks to Al and FHWA for funding the Committee's travel. Now, use the strategic plan and give us your feedback on how it's working.
2. Safety Circuit Rider Program - At last year's Hawaii National LTAP Meeting, during the Safety Workshop, Tony Giancola, NACE, challenged George Ostensen, FHWA Associate Administrator for Safety, to fund Safety Circuit Riders for each LTAP Center. Tony, Terry McNinch, Bruce Drewes (Idaho LTAP), Tom McDonald (Iowa LTAP), and Mike Blankenship have worked diligently this past year in developing and submitting a proposal to FHWA for funding a pilot program of Safety Circuit Riders. Thanks to the FHWA Office of Safety efforts (George Ostensen, Beth Alicandri, Leslie Wright, Chimai Ngo) and Al Alonzi, 3 LTAP Centers will have Safety Circuit Riders in 2005! The Office of Safety has committed $500,000 to fund these 3 positions with a 20% match from the LTAP Centers. Let's make this Circuit Rider Program so successful that FHWA decides to fund even more Centers in the future. I want to say a special thank you to Janet Coleman, recently retired from the FHWA Office of Safety, who placed the groundwork for this funding with her determined efforts in working with NLTAPA through the years. Also thanks to Larry Klepner (DE LTAP) for serving on the review panel with FHWA and NACE.
3. Roadway Safety Assessment Showcase - Gib Peaslee (FL LTAP) has developed an amazing program! The Product Development Showcase (www.pdshowcase.org) that he coordinates is a wonderful LTAP success story that this Association needs to strongly support. Implementation resulting from the previous 6 Showcases has led to $250,000,000 in savings for local agencies! The Roadway Safety Assessment Showcase will be held September 28-29, 2004 in Ukiah, CA. Most Centers have marketed this Showcase in their newsletters, and some Centers are sending their trainers to participate. Gib has acquired funds to cover travel expenses for two rural agency teams per state to participate in this event, and the reimbursements will be made through the NLTAPA treasurer. Thanks, Gib, for your dedication to this outstanding program.
4. LTAP and Reauthorization - While we still don't have a new Transportation Bill, current House and Senate drafts show increased funding for LTAP, with as much as a 50% increase in LTAP funding. If this increase materializes, it will be due in large part to the efforts of Tony Giancola and Terry McNinch. Tony was instrumental in convincing our partners (NACE, NACO, AASHTO) to include specific wording increasing LTAP funding in their Reauthorization language. Terry produced informational material that many Centers forwarded to their congressional delegation. Terry also let me tag along during a meeting with one of his Michigan congressional staffers to learn the ropes of educating congressional leaders about LTAP.
5. Workforce Development Meeting - The Executive Committee participated in a Workforce Development Meeting in Washington, D.C. November 20, 2004 with AASHTO, ARTBA, NACE, APWA, ASCE, NICET, NTTD, ITE, and FHWA. The major providers of transportation and public works training and development were there, and it was a great opportunity for participants to gain a better understanding of who's doing what in training. I think NLTAPA can and should be the lead player in the effort to create a training database that lists what's available from all of these organizations. I encourage the Association to take an active role in this effort this coming year.
   
   As a result of this meeting, NTTD (National Technical Training Directors) invited NLTAPA to make a presentation at their November 2004 National Meeting.
6. NACE Conference - NLTAPA played a large role in the NACE Conference in Orlando, FL in April. The Florida LTAP did an incredible job with handling logistics, presenters, etc. Great job Florida! Sixteen LTAP members attended the Conference, and eight sessions had LTAP presenters. A number of LTAP personnel served as Table Topic Facilitators for the Delegate Luncheon. We also signed an updated partnering agreement with NACE during the Conference. We should strive to have this kind of participation and active relationship with each of our partners!
7. CUSP Committee - With the new LTAP/TTAP Strategic Plan, and the fact that the Association has been following goals and objectives adopted in 1991, the Executive Committee is reevaluating the Association's present and future roles and responsibilities. To this end, the CUSP Committee was formed by the Executive Committee in May 2004 to address these issues and determine 1) Association goals and objectives, 2) how to accomplish those goals, and 3) resources required. ("CUSP" comes from Al Alonzi's frequent references to the Association being on the "cusp of greatness"). As with the new Strategic Plan, I think this Committee's recommendations, and actions taken on those recommendations, will be a turning point in the success of our Association. Frank Peloubet (ND LTAP) is chairing this committee, and we will be working with FHWA and the Clearinghouse, in addition to soliciting feedback from the LTAP Centers over the next few months. Stay tuned!
8. NLTAPA Work Plan and Budget - Lisa Harris (KS LTAP) spearheaded the development of our NLTAPA Work Plan and Budget for 2003-2004. Following are the work items from that plan, with check marks beside those that were completed:
   • Facilitate Executive Committee and NLTAPA business
     • EC members to attend Fall EC meeting
     • EC members to attend January NLTAPA meeting
     • Room, beverages, AV equip, at January NLTAPA meeting
     • EC members to attend Spring EC meeting (Minneapolis, MN)
     • EC members to attend Summer NLTAPA meeting (Bernalillo, NM)
     • Conduct monthly EC conference calls
     • Collect dues from members
   • Communicate with LTAP centers on a regular basis
     • Distribute EC and NLTAPA minutes on T2ALL
     • Distribute (new) report on NLTAPA activities to members on T2ALL
     • Create and distribute NTLAPA annual work plan
     • Create and distribute treasurer's report
     • Regular communications with centers in regions
   • Create and maintain partnerships and joint endeavors.
     Attend the annual meeting of each of our partners or affiliates:
     • NACE
     • APWA
     • AASHTO
     • ARTBA
     • TRB Committee on Technology Transfer
     • Salt Institute
     • DC for reauthorization activities
   • Coordinate vendor exhibits at the LTAP conference.
   • Educate funding decision-makers and major transportation organizations about our program.
     • Reauthorization advocacy for LTAP - Consultant informs the EC regularly about reauthorization efforts and how to best get the word out. Consultant also educates partners and stakeholders about LTAP's significance in national transportation.
     • Help FHWA produce external LTAP "Annual" Report - Provides high quality and timely information to outside entities (FHWA to publish this periodically.)
   • Award the Ray Griffith Award
9. Additional Highlights
   • Thanks to Lisa Harris, we updated our Partnering agreement with APWA to include some excellent action points. The agreement was signed during our TRB Business Meeting. Two LTAP-related articles have been accepted for publication in the APWA Reporter and Bridges magazines, with more articles to follow.
   • Cheri Marti (MN LTAP) serves as Chair of TRB Technology Transfer Committee.
   • Dick Hanneman, Salt Institute, has new winter maintenance training materials developed in cooperation with LTAP Centers that he will provide in New Mexico.
   • Larry Klepner (DE LTAP) has served on the Rural Roads Working Group (chaired by Tony Giancola) for several years. This year Ed Stellfox, (MD LTAP) has replaced Larry on the Working Group. This working group, sponsored by NACE and FHWA, helps develop manuals and other information related to maintaining and improving low volume roads.
   • Terry McNinch and his task force have developed guidelines for Robert's Rules of Order that we will follow in New Mexico.
   • TRB invited LTAP participation in a Research and Technology Coordinating Committee meeting to discuss local stakeholder involvement in highway research and technology. Larry Klepner, Ed Stellfox, Bill Pogash (PA LTAP), and Barnie Jones (Oregon LTAP) participated.
10. Closing Thoughts - It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the President of the National LTAP Association. This Association is the greatest and most passionate group I've ever been involved with. You'll notice that Terry McNinch's name was listed several times in this report for various activities. I've served on the Executive Committee for 3 years, and this is a very hard-working group of people, but I believe that Terry is the hardest working and most dedicated member we have on the Executive Committee. We are fortunate to have him take over as President of the Association.
    
    I honestly believe that this Association has accomplished more than is humanly possible this past year, especially when you consider that we are a volunteer organization. Having said that, there remains much more to do, as you will see when the CUSP Committee completes its charge. I challenge each and every Center to do something in the next year that's above and beyond the call of duty that will help make us a successful organization. I know many of you already do this, and your efforts sometimes go unnoticed. Hopefully, our new reporting process will help highlight these successes. Remember, the National LTAP Association isn't the 10 Executive Committee members; it's the 58 LTAP and TTAP Centers, it's FHWA, it's the Clearinghouse, and it's our partners. Let's make this next year our greatest ever!