A Message from President Matt Marquardt:
As the new president of ASHE (not ASHEEE), I would like to welcome everyone to the 2009-10 season. I would also like to thank everyone for the privilege to serve this important transportation organization.The Delaware Valley Section Board had its first meeting on June 10 to kick-off the year. We are planning several technical sessions and hope to invite many interesting speakers to our monthly meetings. Please do not hesitate to send me or a member of the Board your thoughts and ideas.
Curt Shugars will be the Program Committee Chair this year. Having been the Program Chair for a few years, I know that he will welcome all the help he can get. So, if a member of his committee calls you asking to be a presenter, please consider and say "yes".
As you are aware, Curt is the Section’s immediate Past President (2008-09). Not only did he perform well as President, he has been extremely helpful to me as I transitioned into this position. It was very encouraging to hear Curt speak so highly of the Board and how helpful they were throughout the year. He was very humble and took no credit for the successes that occurred during his presidency. Working on the Board last year with Curt was a pleasure.
This year, our industry will be facing numerous challenges such as passing a meaningful "Reauthorization Bill", which is currently being reviewed by Congress. With a struggling economy, a resistance to increasing the gas tax (even though the last one occurred over ten years ago), and with an ever growing budget deficit, we as an organization need to be more diligent than ever. I am hopeful that President Obama and Congress will have the courage and insight to sign a bill that will elevate the importance of infrastructure back to a level where it belongs. Although the "Stimulus Funding" provided our industry a jolt that was needed, it unfortunately came with numerous federal guidelines and red tape. However, the message from the President was clear – infrastructure creates jobs, it is critical to the growth of our nation, and, more importantly, it helps to maintain the standard of living that we have all come to appreciate.
ASHE Mission Statement:
"Provide a forum for members and partners of the highway industry to promote a safe, efficient and sustainable highway system through education, innovation and fellowship."