Candidate for Vice President
Michael Sanderson, PE, PTOE
Principal, Engineering Inc., Billings, Montana

I have been privileged to serve as District 6 Secretary-Treasurer this past year. During the year, I have learned the details of the District’s operations and finances, and I’ve worked with the other officers, international directors and all of the District’s dedicated committee chairs to serve the members of ITE and to help achieve our common goals. Now I’m honored to be nominated as Vice President and would appreciate your vote.

In addition to my year as District 6 Secretary-Treasurer, I have served ITE in many roles in the past and each has added to the perspective I bring to my role as a District leader. From the Montana Chapter, to the Intermountain Section, to Local Arrangements Committee Chairman for the 2005 District 6 Annual Meeting and Professional Advisor for the Montana State University student chapter, I have gained valuable insights to the issues of the Institute.

My campaign last year focused on the goals listed below. These are still consistent with the direction of the District and work remains to be done in each of these areas:

• Serve our current members first. As we tackle new goals we must always consider the value of services we are providing our current members.
• Raise $500,000 for the student initiatives endowment. This past year I served on the District’s Endowment Fund Committee to help achieve this ambitious and important goal.
• Increase membership. Many professional organizations, including ITE, are struggling to maintain membership. We must develop new and creative ways to attract members.
• Elevate the public image of transportation professionals. Traffic engineers and transportation planners are not always recognized by the public for their significant contributions. Starting as early as elementary school, we must work to create a positive “brand” for our profession.
• Maintain ITE’s family-friendly meetings and reduce registration fees. Our family-friendly meetings distinguish ITE from other organizations. As a board we have worked hard to keep registration fees and hotel costs affordable.