Good evening.

I'm Lyndo Tippett, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

It is an honor to join you for the Second Annual dinner.

I'm proud to be a part of the Transportation Founder's Fund-and am pleased to continue DOT's support of ITRE's important research and education activities.

Now more than ever, it is crucial that we come together to discuss the goals and challenges faced by the transportation industry.

As we continue our commitment to provide for North Carolina's transportation system, it is imperative for us to maintain an ongoing dialogue with national transportation leaders and policy makers.

There is much transportation activity on the horizon on the national level, which promises to greatly effect what we do on the state level.

I can think of no one better to provide insight on our exciting future than our keynote speaker, the Executive Director of AASHTO-Mr. John C. Horsley.

Prior to being asked to serve as Executive Director of AASHTO in February 1999, John worked for five years in the Secretary's Office at the U.S. Department of Transportation-and beginning in April of 1998, he served as the Associate Deputy Secretary and Director of the Office of Intermodalism.

In that position he served as the Department's advocate for intermodal policies to improve freight efficiency, passenger convenience and to encourage teamwork among all modes of transportation.

He directed the Department's national outreach program on the implementation of TEA-21, the six-year highway and transit reauthorization approved by Congress in June, 1998.

As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs at USDOT, John guided the Department's outreach program on the ISTEA.

He also worked closely with Congress, state and local governments, transportation constituencies, labor and citizens groups on such initiatives as the National Highway System designation, innovative finance, livable communities, border crossing efficiency and departmental restructuring.

A former county commissioner in Kitsap County, Washington, John was an active participant in national organizations of state and local government, including the National Association of Counties and the National Association of Regional Councils.

He was the founding Chairman of the Rebuild America Coalition, a public-private infrastructure investment advocacy group.

A graduate of Harvard with a degree in history, Horsley served as a Peace Corps volunteer and a member of the U.S. Army.

Please join me in welcoming the Executive Director of AASHTO, John C. Horsley.