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The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials paid tribute to 12 state department of transportation individuals, teams, and programs at its annual awards program during the 2025 AASHTO Annual Meeting. Each winner was identified for their outstanding contributions to the transportation field and communities they serve.
“Every year, AASHTO recognizes individuals and teams who have had undeniable impacts on their profession, their community, and the transportation industry as a whole,” said AASHTO Executive Director Jim Tymon. “We are so proud to recognize the exceptional work of these winners and hope that publicizing their contributions inspires the next generation of trailblazing transportation professionals.”
Georgia Department of Transportation State Environmental Administrator Eric Duff received the Alfred E. Johnson Achievement Award for his leadership in transportation. In 2019, he launched the Interagency Office of Environmental Quality, bringing together state and federal partners to make environmental reviews more efficient. His efforts have improved policies, strengthened partnerships, and set a higher standard for environmental leadership in transportation.
The Utah Department of Transportation earned the Frances B. Francois Award for Innovation for pioneering LiDAR Detection for Vulnerable Road Users. Since 2021, UDOT has collaborated with top research universities to study LiDAR, a 3D detection technology that provides detailed intersection data. Their research has been published by the Transportation Research Board and shared nationally. With high accuracy, low latency and real-time data sharing, LiDAR is a powerful tool for protecting pedestrians and bicyclists at intersections.
Texas Department of Transportation Construction Engineer Ray Buzalsky won the Thomas H. MacDonald Memorial Award for an exceptional five decades of service. Over the years, he served as an inspector, chief inspector, and recordkeeper for construction projects across the Fort Worth district. After earning his professional engineer license in 1976, Ray took on the role of Resident Engineer for Tarrant County, where he supervised 45 major construction projects over a 15-year span. Ray is also recognized statewide as a subject matter expert in change order coordination with the Federal Highway Administration.
Nevada Department of Transportation’s Deputy Director of Planning and Administration Sondra Rosenberg was awarded the President’s Special Award of Merit. Her vast national planning and policy leadership plays a critical role towards advancing safety, mobility and quality of life through transportation. Joining the DOT in 2008, she continues to serve as a trailblazing leader for the DOT in many areas including administration, planning, human resources, communications, internal audit and external civil rights. Committed to implementing national transportation policy, she has played an active role in AASHTO’s planning and policy committees and was appointed as the vice chair of the Transportation Policy Forum in 2023.
Several individuals and teams received President’s Transportation Awards, presented to those whose exemplary work aligned with AASHTO’s vision, mission, and goals/objectives as outlined in the association’s strategic plan. Those winners are:
- Amanda Austin, P.E.; Texas Department of Transportation
- Stuart Anderson; Iowa Department of Transportation
- Empathy at the Intersection project team; Connecticut Department of Transportation & Massachusetts Department of Transportation
- Dom Pannone and Katherine Keith; Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
- Dr. John Milton; Washington State Department of Transportation
- Big Fill Landslide Response Team; Wyoming Department of Transportation
- Multi-modal Section 106 Programmatic Agreement; Connecticut Department of Transportation
- Hurricane Helene EMAC Response Team; Minnesota Department of Transportation