Top transportation leaders recognized for outstanding contributions

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials honored 10 state department of transportation individuals, teams, and programs at its annual awards program during the 2024 AASHTO Annual Meeting. Recipients were recognized for their achievements to the transportation industry and how their efforts benefitted the communities they serve.

“These AASHTO annual awards celebrate individuals and teams who demonstrate an unwavering dedication to the transportation sector,” said AASHTO Executive Director Jim Tymon. “As members of the AASHTO family, these award recipients made a significant mark in their respective state DOTs and in the broader transportation community; contributing to safer and more multi-modal communities across the country.”

Dr. Shawn Wilson – current WSP senior vice president and former secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) – won the George S. Bartlett Award for his exceptional leadership in transportation. During his tenure as DOTD secretary, Wilson established the state’s Office of Innovative Procurement, advancing innovative finance and accelerating design-build endeavors. From 2021-2022, he served as AASHTO’s first African American president. During his tenure as AASHTO’s president, Wilson emphasized the industry's vital role in fostering more equitable and inclusive communities.

Joey Hopkins, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, won the Thomas H. MacDonald Memorial Award for his significant contributions to both AASHTO and his state. In October 2023, Hopkins was appointed as secretary of North Carolina DOT, which oversees one of the largest state-maintained highway systems in the nation. With over 30 years of experience at NCDOT, he previously served as chief operating officer and held various engineering roles, including deputy chief engineer. Hopkins played a key role in developing the Strategic Prioritization Process, which helps rank transportation projects and support the efficient use of funding for infrastructure improvements across North Carolina.

Teri Soos – deputy chief operations officer for the Maryland State Highway Administration, a division of the Maryland Department of Transportation – received the Alfred E. Johnson Achievement Award for her significant contributions in overseeing the state’s transportation operations. She plays a crucial role in work zone safety, ensuring that Maryland DOT workers return home safely to their families. Over the years, she has held various leadership positions aimed at enhancing transportation systems and infrastructure within the state.

Utah Department of Transportation’s “Using AI and Computer Vision Tools to Enhance Parcel Detection from Right of Way Plan Sheets” initiative received the Francis B. Francois Award for Innovation. This Utah DOT project leverages advanced technologies to automate and improve the identification of land parcels in transportation planning; an effort aimed at increasing accuracy and efficiency, thereby reducing manual labor and project timelines.

Several individuals and teams received President's Transportation Awards, presented annually to acknowledge excellence in specific transportation fields. Those winners are:

• President’s Award for Administration and Organizational Excellence: Arizona Department of Transportation’s Leadership and Professional Development Team

• President’s Award for Environment and Planning: Idaho Department of Transportation’s First Wildlife Overpass Project

• President’s Award for Equity: Idaho Department of Transportation’s US-95/McArthur Lake Project

• President’s Award for Mobility: Missouri Department of Transportation’s 1-270 North Project Build Progress Together

• President’s Award for Partnerships: Texas Department of Transportation’s Stakeholder Project Information Portal

• President’s Award for Research: Rita Pauley of the West Virginia Department of Transportation