Main ContentHighlights from the National LTAP/TTAP Conference- Magnificent Miles
The National LTAP/TTAP Conference held July 23-26 featured technical and professional development programs, plenary sessions and business meetings for the National Local Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA). Each year the 58 centers that comprise the Local Technical Assistance Program/Tribal Technical Assistance Program, (LTAP/TTAP) and their partners gather together to learn and network in a laid back manner- no jackets or ties permitted. And they mean it.
This year's educational sessions focused on the various aspects of training, management, operations and communications. These sessions all relate to the core missions of the program focusing on safety, workforce development, infrastructure development and organizational excellence. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) LTAP Clearinghouse, managed by ARTBA-TDF will work with conference organizers to host materials from the conference on the program's website. The conference also featured LTAP 101, a course presented by the Clearinghouse that educated participants on the LTAP/TTAP Strategic Plan, best practices for Center's Program Assessment Reviews and the new LTAP/TTAP website. Attendees were also given the opportunity to provided feedback to FHWA in a sound off session. The day long session was video taped in order to create a training session that will be available from the program website for LTAP/TTAP staff to use any time.
FHWA's Office of Professional and Corporate Development (OPCD) announced two new OPCD team members, Mike Burk, Chief, Partnership Programs for Workforce Development and Denise Saunders, LTAP/TTAP Program Manager that will be working with LTAP/TTAP. The OPCD team works closely with LTAP/TTAP centers and manages the Clearinghouse.
NTLTAPA held two business meetings in which they approved new bylaws, elected new officers for 2007-2008 and elected several new Executive Committee Representatives. The new NLTAPA officers are as follows: President, Marie Walsh (LA); President-Elect, Kevin Burke (IL); and Vice-President, Donna Shea (CT). The new NLTAPA EC representatives include: Region 4, Larry Sellers (AL); Region 6, Douglas Wright (OK); and Region 9, Laura Melendy (CA). NLTAPA released their first annual report detailing the year's activities. This report can be accessed on their website www.ltap.org.
A special moment was observed in honor of Dennis Rice, the Georgia LTAP Director who passed away this summer in a car crash. Dennis was known as a great leader and true believer in the LTAP mission. A scholarship has been set up in his name, for information contact Jessica Fitzgerald, (770)287-2262.
The conference closed with an invitation to the next year's conference that will be held July 14-17, 2008 in Beaver Creek, Colo. Stay tuned to www.ltapt2.org for more information throughout the year.
LTAP/TTAP centers are members of ARTBA's Research and Education Division. For more information about the conference or the LTAP/TTAP please contact ARTBA's Alison Premo Black, (202)289-4434, ablack@artba.org.
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