ATSSA Signal July/August 2019

The Signal | July/August 2019 43 Chapter News Rocky Mountain Chapter Texas Chapter The Texas ATSSA Chapter met on April 17 at the Wingate Hotel in Round Rock, with 39 people in attendance. The chapter board of directors and technical committees met prior to the chapter meeting. Chapter President Frank Coghlan was pleased to report that fol- lowing the chapter’s state advocacy day, a bill was introduced and passed to expand the state’s “slow down andmove over” law to include Texas Department of Transportation contractors. This is a great example of how the chapter can work together for the good of all members in advocating for change in Texas. The Rocky Mountain ATSSA Chapter held its annual golf event and chapter meeting at Spring Valley Golf Club in Elizabeth, Col- orado on May 17. There were 44 people in attendance, with 17 sponsors supporting the golf tournament. Funds raised will be used to continue the work of the chapter in advancing roadway safety and saving lives, as well as supporting The ATSS Foundation. First place team winners of the golf tournament included Scott Williams, Kirk Thrasher, Rob Streno, and Nic O’Neil. Prizes were Guest speaker Tommy Simmons spoke with Texas ATSSA members during the chapter meeting about what employers need to know about current hiring practices. also awarded for the longest putt to Jimmy Conca, and the lon- gest drive to Timothy Wheatley. Ennis-Flint also sponsored a putting challenge which was won by Kirk Evans. It was also announced that the chapter is still looking forward to working with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to implement a Traffic Control Technician (TCT) course. Guest speaker Tommy Simmons, legal counsel to Commissioner Ruth Hughes of the Texas Workforce Commission, shared infor- mation about what employers need to know when dealing with current employees and also for hiring new ones. These guidelines included best practices and laws to be aware of in Texas. Sim- mons reminded chapter members that free tools and resources, such as sample forms and policies, can be downloaded on the commission’s website twc.texas.gov.