AASHTO Member wins prestigious national award.
Press Release Summary:
Governing magazine named Pete Rahn, 2008 AASHTO president and current director of Missouri DoT, as one of its 2009 Public Officials of the Year. Noting the success of Missouri's I-64 project in St. Louis, Governing magazine specifically praised Rahn's ability to "partner with the private sector in unique ways to build large-scale transportation projects quickly and affordably." It also took into account Rahn's willingness to take risks and his desire to make a difference.
Original Press Release:
AASHTO Member, State DOT Director Wins Prestigious National Award
(Washington, D.C.)-Governing magazine has named Pete Rahn as one of its 2009 Public Officials of the Year. Rahn, who served as President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in 2008, is the director of the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Noting the success of Missouri's New I-64 project in St. Louis, Governing magazine specifically praised Rahn's ability to "partner with the private sector in unique ways to build large-scale transportation projects quickly and affordably." The New I-64 is the largest construction project in Missouri history. It involves the reconstruction of 10 miles of interstate highway, interchanges, and bridges on Interstate 64/Highway 40 in St. Louis.
In a statement released by the Missouri Department of Transportation, Rahn said, "I am deeply honored to be selected by Governing magazine for this prestigious award. It is gratifying to serve in a position that truly impacts people in their daily lives. The credit should go to 6,300 MoDOT employees who work hard every day to improve the lives of all Missourians. As a result, Missourians are reaping the benefits of improved roads and bridges, good paying jobs, and a safer transportation system."
Governing magazine also based its decision in part on Rahn's willingness to take risks and his desire to make a difference. Rahn is the first state transportation director to be selected in the award's 23-year history.
"AASHTO is extremely pleased and proud to learn that one of our own has received this impressive award," said John Horsley, AASHTO executive director. "As AASHTO President, Pete was a strong advocate of innovative, performance based management and it comes as no surprise to us that he was selected by Governing magazine as one of America's best and brightest."
Rahn was nominated for the Award by Deb Miller, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation. The Governing magazine article featuring Rahn is available at http://www.governing.com/poy/2009/rahn/.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation.
