Thank You! It Has Been A Great Ride!

February 26, 2020

Many of you are aware that I stepped down from my role on the AASHTOWare Project Task Force (PTF) on January 17^th and am retiring from the State of Michigan on February 28th. It has been a great ride, but now comes to an end. I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU AASHTOWare Project user community! You are a wonderful group of dedicated and talented people!

AASHTOWare Project is truly unique as it is designed by transportation professionals for transportation professionals. This could not be accomplished without the active participation by many of you on the various Technical Review Teams (TRTs), Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs), and the Project Users Group (PUG). Your participation has helped ensure the software moves forward in the best interest of the user community. I am extremely grateful to all of you that have participated with these groups for your time and commitment to the software. The AASHTOWare Project software is reaping the benefits of your great work.

I also want to acknowledge another group of incredible individuals that I’ve had the honor of working very closely with during my tenure on the PTF. The group I am referring to is responsible for overseeing AASHTOWare Project in various capacities and includes my fellow PTF members, AASHTO staff, Special Committee on AASHTOWare (SCOA) liaisons, Technical and Applications Architecture Task Force (T&AA) liaisons, PUG Board members, and Infotech leadership. This group puts the needs of the agencies first and foremost and works tirelessly to improve and grow the software. I cannot thank these individuals enough for their dedication to AASHTOWare Project.

In addition, I want to congratulate Janet Treadway in her new role as PTF Chair, and Lanny Campbell in his new role as Vice-Chair. Both have significant experience and knowledge of AASHTOWare Project from their time serving on the PTF and many years working with the software at their agencies. I have absolutely no doubt that they will do a fantastic job, as both are extremely dedicated and passionate about AASHTOWare Project which will serve them well in their new leadership roles.

As for my future, stepping down from the PTF and retiring from state service is bittersweet. I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife, kids and grandchildren along with pursuing various interests I simply didn’t have time for in the past. But I will very much miss working with AASHTOWare Project and most of all, I will miss the people I’ve worked with and grown close to. The past six years on the PTF have been extremely rewarding. Being able to lead the incredibly talented groups that oversee AASHTOWare Project has not only been a privilege, but it has been fun. Representing AASHTOWare Project and our amazing team nationwide has been truly an extraordinary experience.

So, thank you again user community for all that you have done during my tenure on the PTF. It has been my pleasure and honor to serve on the PTF and I wish all of you the very best moving forward. Rest assured, the future of AASHTOWare Project is extremely bright and in good hands!

By
Kevin Fox, Michigan Department of Transportation