TransConnect WTS Triangle

WTS NC Triangle Newsletter
March 2014

In this Issue

Note from the President
April Programs
Get to Know Your Board
In Case You Missed It...
Request for Donations
Featured Business

Featured Events

 Habitat for Humanity Build

March 28, 2014

 

 NC Public Transportation Assoc. Conference  

April 6-8, 2014 

 

 WTS Evening of Fun, Food & Friends 

April 10, 2014

 

Transportation YOU Mentor Program

April 24, 2014

Board of Directors

 

President

Kim Levine,

Asset Management Associates, PLLC

 

Vice President

Jenny Fleming, PE, Ecological Engineering

 

Secretary

Memory Washaya, NCDOT

 

Treasurer

Jessalyn Abril, PE, LEED AP,

URS

 

Past President

Amy Simes, PE, CPM, NCDENR

Quick Links


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2014 Partners

Advocate Sponsor

 

 

 

 
Patron Partner
  
  
  
HDR
  
 
  
  
Emerging Business
  
Supporter Partner 
 
 AMEC
 

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 



 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
Editors

Leslie Tracey, PE

City of Durham

 

Hatch Mott MacDonald
 

Trees and shrubs are starting to bud, flowers are in bloom, and April is just around the corner - we have finally reached Spring! At the WTS NC Triangle chapter, we would like to celebrate the longer daylight evenings with a night of networking, fun, food, and friends at Dave and Busters in Cary on April 10th. The event is FREE, so please join us and bring a co-worker, colleague, or friend!

 

Additionally, we are gearing up for our annual Go Gala event on May 20th at the Cardinal Club. We are looking for volunteers to help organize the event, as well as to help on the night of the event. If you want to sign up please let one of the chapter officers know.

 

We hope to see you at the next event!

  

Kimberly J. Levine

President, WTS NC Triangle Chapter

Upcoming for April

WTS Night of Fun, Food and Friends

Join the WTS NC Triangle Chapter at Dave & Buster's for a free evening of socializing and networking with fellow transportation professionals. The chapter is hosting the event for anyone who wants to learn more about WTS. If you work in the transportation industry, you are welcome. The chapter will provide the food, drinks and game tickets, as well as award door prizes. The event is April 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Dave & Buster's in Cary Towne Center. Register here by April 4.

 

NC Public Transportation Association

The WTS Triangle and Charlotte chapters will be participating at the NC Public Transportation Association (NCPTA) conference April 6-8 in Charlotte. This year's theme reflects on the best practices for transit in terms of legislation, technology and policy. The conference seeks to bring together transit professionals from across the state. Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon will kick off the conference, and Yvette Taylor from the Federal Transit Administration Region IV will be in attendance. Click here to register for the conference.

 

In addition, the WTS NC Triangle chapter will be assisting with conference registration and is looking for volunteers to work 2.5- to 3.5-hour shifts during the conference. There are available shifts during each of the three days of the conference. You do not need to register for the conference to volunteer. Contact Celia Gray with the WTS Charlotte chapter by March 31 in order to volunteer.

Get to Know Your Board

Vice President Jenny Fleming, PE

Jenny Fleming describes herself as a "wife, mother and business owner," and those are three reasons she joined the WTS-NC Triangle Chapter.

 

"I think what sets (WTS) apart is the atmosphere at our events are all about networking and camaraderie," said Fleming, who is serving as vice president of the chapter this year. "There are more opportunities to be active and participate, and you get to know even more people in the industry."

 

Fleming, a native of Nash County, is a 1995 graduate of NC State University. She worked for NCDOT and then in private consulting before she and a partner started a business in June 2008, Ecological Engineering, which focuses on water resources and hydraulics projects.

 

She joined WTS in 2011, after being recruited by another member to speak at a Transportation YOU event. Transportation YOU is an international mentoring program that encourages middle school girls to enter Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related fields. After speaking at the event, Fleming, who holds a professional engineering license, became involved very quickly, first as fund-raising chair, a post she still holds, and then as vice president.

 

One of the main benefits of membership in the chapter is the support for women in the industry, many of whom are trying to balance work and family, she said. Fleming's husband, Frank, works for her company, and they have three children. With all that, her free time is limited, but the networking, support and mentoring opportunities in WTS make it a worthwhile way to spend some of that time, she said.

 

"(You get) exposure to industry professionals and leaders," she said. "I regularly run into clients and potential clients at the events. Also, there's so much support for women in the industry, and it's not just the current generation. We get the opportunity to mentor the younger generation, and that's something I think potential members could really enjoy."

In Case You Missed It ...
Scholarship Luncheon
The WTS NC Triangle Chapter scholarship luncheon recognized the young women who were awarded WTS scholarships. Guest speaker, Karen Fussell, P.E., the first woman division engineer in the state Department of Transportation inspired everyone to not limit yourself in all the opportunities out there. Ms. Fussell discussed the importance how women can advance in the transportation industry. The message Karen wanted everyone to leave with is summed up in her favorite poem, " Our Greatest Fear" by Marianne Williamson. See photos of the event here.

Women, Wealth & Wisdom Breakfast Event 
The WTS NC Triangle Chapter hosted its first breakfast event of the year on "Women, Wealth and Wisdom," with guest speaker Bonnie-Clare Kunath, ChFC, CLU, CASL, Financial Professional. Ms. Kunath helped educate the group on financial issues like IRA's, trust, disability insurance, caring for aging parents, and saving for kid's college. Bonnie-Clare also shared her life experiences as a working mother and balancing family finances. Next breakfast is scheduled for June 3rd, and the topic will be "Negotiating Your Worth."

Go Gala

Request for Donations

WTS is currently soliciting donations for our Annual Silent Auction to raise funds for college scholarships and outreach programs for middle and high school students. Your support of a silent auction gift will help us mentor more young women, and help them on their way to a successful college degree and career. For more information, or to make a donation, please contact Nichette Hill.

Featured Business

ICA Engineering, Advocate Sponsor
ICA Engineering (ICA Eng) is having an outstanding first quarter. With many project wins and new hires, all signs point to growth in Raleigh.

 

Win Report

- NCDOT has recently awarded ICA Eng several Limited Services Contracts including the Rail Crossing Safety, Geotechnical, and Planning & Design.

- NCDOT also selected ICA Eng for design services on I-0911A - a 3.3 mile pavement rehabilitation and widening project along I-40 in Davie and Forsyth Counties.

- Under contract, ICA Eng begins CEI services on NCDOT's Wilmington Bypass projects (R-2633 BA / BB).

- North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NC EEP) has awarded ICA Eng a full delivery contract for the Roses Creek Stream Mitigation Site in Burke County, NC.

 

These wins have helped propel the firm into growth mode with the addition of two new staff members, Mike Robinson, PE, and Chas Wolfe.

 

New Hires

Mike Robinson, PE, joins ICA Eng as the NC CEI Area Manager and is responsible for the daily management of CEI projects and staff within the North Carolina area. He retired from NCDOT after 30 years of service. Prior to his retirement, Mike served as State Bridge Construction Engineer. Mike is a registered Professional Engineer and a graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.

 

Chas Wolfe joins ICA Eng as a Senior Technician to strengthen our North Carolina roadway department. Chas has more than 12 years of experience in the transportation industry. He is very familiar with utilizing Microstation and Geopak in the development of plans for roadway, rail, bridge and traffic control projects. He is a 1999 graduate of the Triangle Technical Institute in Greensburg, PA.

 

In addition, ICA Eng has employment opportunities for Lead / Sr. Bridge Engineer, Roadway Design Engineer, Stream Restoration Designer, Environmental Scientist / Biologist and CEI Inspectors.

 

With many project wins and new hires, all signs point to growth in Raleigh for ICA Eng.

Call for Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers for our Communications Committee. We need people who can edit WTS material, as well as help with social media outreach and website development. Do you have a way with words? An eye for editing? Are you a wizard with Twitter? If so, please consider volunteering to be on the committee. Contact Leslie Tracey or Paddy Jordan to volunteer.

 

Thanks

WTS NC Triangle