ITRE / News / News Archives / News Release 9-20-06

City of Charlotte Employees Receive North Carolina "Advanced Roads Scholar" Award

September 20, 2006

Raleigh, NC – Bill Greentaner, William Halaburda, Dwayne P. Moore and Gary Nix, all employees for the City of Charlotte, recently received the North Carolina Advanced Roads Scholar Award, an advanced professional development award given to local government transportation personnel.

The North Carolina Roads Scholar Programs recognize local government personnel in the state who significantly increase their knowledge of road maintenance operations by completing a series of training courses offered by the North Carolina Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) at the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE). This special training opportunity is funded through a grant from the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. To become a North Carolina Roads Scholar, an individual must complete seven out of 13 one- or two-day training sessions offered regularly throughout the year. Individuals complete the Roads Scholar Program, and then go on to become Advanced Roads Scholars by completing eight more advanced training sessions. Each fall graduates receive recognition at the NC American Public Works Association (APWA) Streets Division Conference. This year’s conference will take place October 3-6 in Greenville, North Carolina where at least 32 NC LTAP Road Scholars and 10 Advanced Road Scholars are expected to be recognized for this achievement.

Students in the program take courses applicable to their jobs with the City of Charlotte such as Asphalt and Pavement Maintenance, Stormwater Hydrology and Drainage Design, American Disabilities Act, Writing for Transportation Professionals, Snow and Ice Control, Work Zone Traffic Control, and courses in management skills. Greentaner, an operations supervisor for the City of Charlotte, completed his course work over a period of seven years and says that they helped him develop in his current position by teaching him writing skills and the various liabilities that affect municipalities. He states, “the classes taught me how new products can save time and money.” “With newer standards being implemented regularly it is ever so important to be knowledgeable of the latest in construction and safety industry standards,” Halaburda agrees, “[I have] been able to consistently make advancements within the department.” Halaburda is a labor crew chief with the City.

The instructors for the courses in the Road Scholar programs know that some students are learning the basics and others have been working in the field and may benefit from more than just the technical information offered in the workshops. “I have had on the job training, but the overview opens up your mind for a different perspective on how to look at the work,” admits Moore, field operations supervisor. “In the Street Maintenance industry, we need to keep on board with new products and practices to help us provide better service.” Nix, a field crew chief with the City of Charlotte, expresses gratitude for the training he received in order to graduate from the Advanced Road Scholar Program. For some graduates, the opportunity for this level of training is otherwise unavailable and they are thankful to the City of Charlotte for the time to attend the courses. Halaburda states, “I am honored.”

LTAP is one of 57 centers nationwide that provide outreach to local transportation agencies. ITRE, administered by North Carolina State University, is a non-profit organization that conducts research, education, and technical assistance projects on a wide variety of surface transportation issues with the goals of solving problems and creating new products, better services, and smarter workers. ITRE is located at NCSU’s Centennial Campus. For more information about ITRE or LTAP services, or additional information about the Roads Scholar or Advanced Roads Scholar programs, please visit our Web site at www.itre.ncsu.edu.

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