TTI has been recognized nationally with the Glass Hammer Award for its promotion of women leaders within the Institute and the transportation industry.
The award was presented September 7 at a Gala Dinner honoring the 2011 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Transportation Development Hall of Fame and the inaugural Women Leaders in Transportation Design & Construction Awards. The Dinner was held at the Lansdowne Resort & Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia.
The Glass Hammer Award honors organizations in the transportation industry that have innovative programs and activities directed at successfully promoting women leaders. TTI received this recognition because of innovative diversity activities that have resulted in dramatic increases in its female workforce during the last decade, as well as its active promotion of women in leadership positions in national and statewide organizations.
“This award illustrates that TTI’s many efforts to grow and promote our female professionals are being recognized by our peers nationally,” said Dennis Christiansen, agency director of TTI. “Women are influential at every level in TTI and are contributing significantly to the Institute’s success and reputation. I couldn’t be more proud of them and of our organization for earning this special honor.”
TTI has programs in place to actively recruit women for leadership positions. Percentages of women in managerial and professional positions at TTI have increased 100% or more in the last decade. The Institute also strongly supports women in leadership positions in national organizations, including the Transportation Research Board, Institute of Transportation Engineers, Council of University Transportation Centers and ARTBA, among others. Twelve female researchers at TTI have PhDs.
TTI’s diversity plan puts special emphasis on recruiting and retaining female employees. Multiple career and leadership development opportunities are available for women within the organization. In addition, TTI ranked 8th in the State of Texas Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Purchasing Program, which includes women-owned businesses.
Melissa Tooley, Director of External Initiatives at TTI, represented TTI at the gala event and received the award on behalf of the Institute.