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At the core of his agenda as ARTBA chairman, Potts will lead the charge to “reform, restructure, refocus and refinance” the federal surface transportation programs in 2009 when Congress will debate the next multi-year highway/transit bill.

ARTBA is calling for a significant boost in federal highway, bridge and transit investment to protect past infrastructure investments, particularly on the Interstate Highway System. The association is also advocating for the creation of a federally-led national goods movement program — Critical Commerce Corridors — to more safely and efficiently handle the expected doubling of truck traffic over the next 25 years.

Case founder named to hall of fame
J.I. Case started company in 1842

Jerome Increase Case, who founded J.I. Case & Co. in 1842 and led its rise to prominence in both construction and agriculture machinery, formally joined an industry pantheon when the Association of Equipment Manufacturers inducted him into its Construction Equipment Hall of Fame.

Case introduced many innovations — particularly in threshers, steam-powered tractors, graders and compaction equipment — that contributed to the rapid evolution of the heavy equipment industry. He was widely respected for his integrity and character, and his contributions extended beyond equipment into such diverse pursuits as banking, government service and philanthropy. Case lived from 1819 until 1891.

Appointments

ECOPATH names Carl Thodesen as senior civil engineer; Randall England is named senior vice president. Szabolcs “Yeti” Biro has joined the company as senior chemical engineer.

Eric Neitzke has joined Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc. (IMT) as vice president of sales.