ATSSA The Signal January February 2020

American Traffic Safety Services Association 44 Member Engagement His involvement in local government stems fromparticipating inhis first ATSSA Legislative Briefing & Fly-In conference in Washington, D.C., 20 years ago. He embraced the unique opportunity to meet high-level policymakers, interact with congressmen, and hear from trans- portation officials. “I wanted to be engaged in my commu- nity,” said Sims, who has worked in the roadway safety industry for more than 30 years. Sims wanted to help influence change in roadway safety beyond the community- level. As regional manager at Advance Traffic Marking, he approached ATSSA to get involved nationally and became amember of ATSSA’s Pavement Marking Committee. He served on the commit- tee for 14 years and on the ATSSA Board of Directors from 2014–2017. Sims considers it an honor to be the president of the chapter he helped form four years ago. “I will serve the Gulf Coast Chapter with dignity,” he said. Sims said his goals are to have a more diverse chapter and bring on contractors to give thema platform to find products they need every day. The former ATSS Foundation Board member also plans to continue educat- ing the public about the importance of roadway safety. “I also look forward toworkinghardToward Zero Deaths and doing things that help promote the Foundation mission and cause,” he said. Rita Rose, ATSSA associate director of member engagement, is proud of the chapter and its growth over the past four years. “We are grateful for all the work the Gulf Coast Chapter is doing to advance road- way safety infrastructure and to help move Louisiana, Alabama, and Missis- sippi Toward Zero Deaths,” she said. She highlighted the importance of ATSSA chapters and their influence on the road- way safety infrastructure industry. “I recommendATSSAmembersget involved locally andnationally aswework together toadvance roadway safety infrastructure. Local chapters afford the opportunity to join forces with industry leaders, public agencies, legislative advocates, manufac- turers, and suppliers to exchange ideas and drive the future,” she said. TheGulf Coast Chaptermeets inAlabama, Louisiana, andMississippi each year and will host the 50th Anniversary Conven- tion&Traffic Expo inNewOrleans, where more than 3,500 roadway safety profes- sionals and transportation officials from around the world will convene. “I’mexcited about us being the host chap- ter,” Barber said. “I’m excited about the future.”