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2008 Transportation Short Course:
For Chairs and Co-Chairs

Speaker Information and Needs

Session 10
Construction II
Wednesday, October 15
Room: 224 MSC

Speaker: Cindy Menches
Title: Assistant Professor
Company: The University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, TX
Presentation Title: Top 10 Strategies Used to Reduce the Inspection Workload
Presentation Summary: We will present the Top 10 Inspection Workload Reduction Strategies used within TxDOT and also used by other state DOTs nationwide.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: Dr. Menches has extensive professional and academic experience in the construction industry, and she has special expertise in construction planning and management. She is a former military officer, and provided contract oversight on several airfield pavement and road resurfacing projects. She is currently developing a "toolkit" of process efficiency strategies, and she recently conducted research on the effect of construction planning on project performance. As a follow-on to that study, Dr. Menches is currently investigating project management best practices for electrical construction. Dr. Menches is interested in the assessment, management, and mitigation of the construction workforce shortage, including the development of mitigation strategies.
A/V Needs: walk-around microphone, LCD projector
Moderator: Mario Medina
Title: SAT - District Engineer
Company: Texas Department of Transportation
Location: San Antonio, TX
Presentation Title: Managing Cost Growth & Accounting for Change Orders
Presentation Summary:
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Moderator: Stuart Anderson
Title: Professor
Company: Texas Transportation Institute
Location: College Station, TX
Presentation Title:
Presentation Summary: I am the Co-Chair of Construction Sessions I and II.
Bio/Expertise Highlights:
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Speaker: Harry Bush, Jr.
Title: Manager Technical Services
Company: Vulcan Materials Co SWD
Location: San Antonio, TX
Presentation Title: Aggregate Supplies - Future Predictions for Cost and Availability
Presentation Summary: The future availability and issues affecting costs of aggregates in the US and Texas.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: Harry is Manager Technical Services for Vulcan Materials Company, Southwest Division based in San Antonio, Texas. Vulcan operates crushed stone, sand & gravel, Hot Mix Asphalt and Ready Mix operations in this division. He has twenty seven years experience in heavy and highway construction and materials related to ready mix, hot mix and aggregates.
A/V Needs: podium with microphone, LCD projector
Speaker: Eddie Valtier
Title: Spur 601 Project Engineer
Company: Texas Department of Transportation
Location: El Paso, TX
Presentation Title: Construction Management of a Design Build Pass-Through Toll, SP601
Presentation Summary: The presentation will provide basic information on El Paso's Spur 601 Design Build Pass-Through Toll project with a focus on the construction management aspect of the project.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: I am currently assigned as TxDOT's project engineer for the Spur 601 Design Build Pass-Through Toll project. I perform oversight on design and construction issues as well as daily management of TxDOT's project office and consultant support.
A/V Needs: will provide powerpoint presentation, please notify of any date needed by
Speaker: Kenneth Barnett
Title: Director, Construction Section
Company: Texas Department of Transportation
Location: Austin, TX
Presentation Title: Managing Cost Growth & Accounting for Change Orders
Presentation Summary: Will discuss
Bio/Expertise Highlights: Director of the Construction Section and former hands-on field/district experience.
A/V Needs: walk-around microphone, Internet access, LCD projector
Moderator: Tracey Friggle
Title: Director of Construction
Company: Texas Department of Transportation
Location: Mesquite, TX
Presentation Title:
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Speaker: Kenneth Seiler
Title:
Company: KESPE
Location: Austin, TX
Presentation Title: Update of Local Government Project Procedures
Presentation Summary: I will be presenting the current status of TxDOT's effort to define the local government's role in delivery of transportation projects and to introduce a plan to allow local governments to take a larger role in the project delivery process.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: I retired from 36 years service with the Federal Highway Administration in 2004. Between 1991 and 2004, I developed a number of monitoring programs for FHWA and TxDOT and was listed as a national expert on contract administration.
A/V Needs: podium with microphone, LCD projector
Speaker: William Haverland
Title: Manager - Asphalt Sales & Marketing
Company: ConocoPhillips Company
Location: Houston, TX
Presentation Title: Asphalt Supply Outlook
Presentation Summary: This presentation looks at the economics of asphalt production from a refiners perspective, and what drives the refiner to make choices on producion levels.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: I have been involved in the asphalt industry for the past 20 years. The marketing business I manage is closely tied to our producing refineries, making me very familar with refining economics. I am actively involved in industry affairs, and have been Chairman of the Board of the Asphalt Institute twice. I am also active on many committees in association with the National Asphalt Pavement Association.
A/V Needs: walk-around microphone, LCD projector

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