Robert J. Dodge Professional Image Award

Recipient must be a member or affiliate member of NCSITE; possess demonstrated technical competence and excellent people skills; must have a demonstrated record of service to the profession, the organization, and his/her community; who by personal demeanor and example projects the best image of what a transportation professional should be.

Robert J. Dodge worked for the North Carolina State Highway Commission during the summers of 1946, 1947, 1948, and 1949 as a temporary employee. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Civil Engineering in May 1951 and was hired as a permanent employee in June 1951. He received one paycheck before being activated as a 2nd Lieutenant in US Army for active military duty during the Korean War. After 14 months in Korea, Mr. Dodge returned to Traffic Engineering to begin a life-time career. He rose through the ranks in Traffic Engineering to the Assistant State Traffic Engineer position within NCDOT.

He satisfied the requirements to become a Professional Engineer and a Registered Land Surveyor. He worked for almost 40 years with the NC DOT, most of which was with the Traffic Engineering and Safety Systems Branch.

He was active in the Southern Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. In 1985, he was awarded the Herman J. Hoose Distinguished Service Award. In 1992, Mr. Dodge was awarded the very first Robert J. Dodge Professional Image Award by the North Carolina Section ITE. Mr. Robert J. Dodge passed away on March 29, 2007 at the age of 78. He was active in his White Memorial Presbyterian Church for almost 60 years serving as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and advisor. His family mourns for him and the Christian southern gentleman that he was.

2011 Award Winner: Mark McDonald, P.E.

Mark McDonald was presented the Robert Dodge Professional Image Award at the Annual meeting. Mark graduated from NCSU with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1989. He has served in numerous positions within NCSITE, many of which require a lot of work but do not get a lot of accolades. In 2003 he served as the Finance Director for the SDITE Annual Meeting in Winston-Salem. He was the NCSITE Membership Committee Chair during 2006 - 2007 and he developed innovative ideas to increase membership and recognize new members. In 2008 - 2010, he served as a District Director on the SDITE Board representing the North Carolina Section. He is currently serving as the NCSITE Treasurer.

During his career, he has worked in both the public and private sectors. He has been with the City of High Point for 8 ½ years, and has been in his current position of Director of Transportation for the past 4 years. He has been described as someone that is always wonderful to work with whether it is on a NCSITE activity or a transportation project. He deals with everyone in the same good natured professional manner. Mark's wife, Patti, and his daughter Maggie were also at the lunch to enjoy the presentation of the award.

Congratulations to Mark McDonald, P.E. of the City of High Point for winning this award!

Past Award Winners

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R.V. Moss Lifetime Service Award

Recipient must have been a Member or an Affiliate Member for at least 15 years; should possess demonstrated technical confidence; should have made significant contributions to the profession and ITE through participation in committees, workshops, speakers’ bureaus, seminars, fundraising, meetings and local arrangement committees; and through elected office at the Section level or higher.

R. V. Moss, one of Walter and Lala Moss' six children, was born on October 15, 1931 in Hendersonville. He graduated in 1950 from Hudson High School, where he was President of his Senior Class and made an early contribution to mass transit by working as a bus driver. He enrolled in Mars Hill College in 1950, but joined the United States Army in 1951 and served as a paratrooper in the 508th Airborne Regimental Combat Team.

After leaving the Army in 1954, he enrolled in North Carolina State College in Raleigh, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in May 1959. While pursuing his studies, R.V. worked part-time for the City of Raleigh, and after graduation accepted a full-time engineering position. In 1960, he became Assistant Traffic Engineer for the City of Durham. In October 1963 he went to High Point to serve as the City Traffic Engineer, which was later titled Director of Transportation. In this capacity he oversaw the planning, design, construction and implementation of many important projects and programs, including upgrades to the High Point's computerized traffic signal system, and the development of a multi-modal transportation system to serve the Furniture Market.

In addition to his official duties, R.V. played an active part in the foundation of the North Carolina Section of the Institute of Traffic (now Transportation) Engineers (ITE). He attended the first of many meetings in High Point in 1965 gradually becoming more involved in the organization. He served as the NCSITE President in 1969. His involvement also extended to the Southern District ITE, where he represented the North Carolina Section on the Executive Board for two years before becoming Southern District President in 1980. As a well-known and respected transportation leader in the southeastern United States, R.V. received the District's top two awards: the Marble J. Hensley Individual Activity Award in 1984 and the Herman Hoose Distinguished Service Award in 1990. To recognize the tireless service and dedication that Mr. RV Moss has shown, in 1992, the North Carolina Section created the RV Moss Lifetime Service Award in his honor. He is a Life Fellow in the International ITE. Even since his retirement from the City in 1993, he regularly attends the NC Sections' Annual Meeting each fall.

Mr. Moss is registered by the State of North Carolina as a Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor. He is an active member of First Baptist Church in High Point and has maintained membership in High Point's Kiwanis Club since 1965. He and his wife Vera currently split their time between a variety of activities in High Point and their mountain home in Ashe County.

2011 Award Winner: Jim Humphrey, P.E.

Jim Humphrey was presented the R.V. Moss Lifetime Service Award by Mr. R.V. Moss at the Annual Meeting.

Jim received his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1974. After graduation, he went to work for the City of Charlotte where he spent the next 33 years of his career. He was the Executive Director of the Charlotte Department of Transportation when he retired in 2007. Under Jim's leadership, the City of Charlotte adopted a Transportation Action Plan which is the first comprehensive transportation action plan addressing the City's needs to sustain 25 years of growth. Additionally he worked on the Urban Street Design Guidelines, the Center City Transportation Plan and other efforts to implement new policies to guide growth and make Charlotte a sustainable community.

Between 2004 and 2007 Jim served as the NCSITE Secretary, Vice President, President, and Past President. Before 2004, Jim served as the Administrative Council Chair and he also chaired the effort to develop a business plan for NCSITE which led to the first paid Administrative Staff Person. He has always encouraged his staff to join NCSTE and most importantly has supported them to take active roles. A fellow NCSITE Board Member was quoted to say, "Jim is the model for effective leadership. He is the consummate professional, always exhibiting modesty when his accomplishments would certainly warrant great accolades. Jim has been an effective mentor to younger engineers, and understands how to effectively delegate responsibilities to those best suited to succeed in the challenge given. Jim has provided a model of success and professionalism to all of us who have had the pleasure to serve on the Board during his tenure."

Jim's wife, Pam, and his previous Administrative Assistant, Phyllis Batts, were also in attendance for the presentation.

Congratulations to Jim Humphrey, P.E. for winning this award!

Past Award Winners

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Jay Quinn Technical Excellence Award

Recipient must possess excellent technical knowledge and must share their knowledge / insight with the NCSITE through presentations at NCSITE sponsored meetings or training sessions, or active participation in councils or committees, task forces, or work groups. Recipient must have made a significant contribution to the Section, and is not required to be a Member or Affiliate of NCSITE to be recognized with this award.

Mr. Jay Quinn was a highly respected vendor of traffic signal equipment who had a deep commitment for ITE. He was a pioneer in helping others get trained by personally conducting training classes before they were formally offered by ITE and others. He constantly tried to help others by helping them get connected with the right people, and he was viewed as a storehouse of technical information. For all these reasons, NCSITE presented Mr. Jay Quinn with the very first NCSITE Technical Excellence Award in 1992 and named this award in his honor. Prior to that, in 1969 he began his career with Southeastern Safety Supplies in Columbia SC. He served as the South Carolina ITE President in 1972. He was awarded the very prestigious Herman J. Hoose Award in 1973 by the Southern District ITE.

If anyone has a photo of Mr. Jay Quinn, or has additional biographical information that can be shared on this web-site, please notify the Chair of the Operations Committee.

2011 Award Winner: Jim Dunlop, P.E.

Jim Dunlop Jim Dunlop was presented the Jay Quinn Technical Excellence Award on November 8th at a Roundabout Workshop that he had set up for NCDOT employees. He had a higher calling conflict (Coach K's Record Breaking Game at Madison Square Garden) and was not planning on attending the NCSITE Annual Meeting. Jim is the Western Region Congestion Management Engineer. He is a Duke University graduate in Civil Engineering; he is an avid Duke sports fan, supporting the football team as ardently as he does the basketball team. Several years ago, he worked diligently to update the NCDOT Driveway Manual in its most recent form. He has presented numerous technical presentations at NCSITE local and Annual Meetings. North Carolina's participation in alternative intersection and interchange designs is due in part to Jim's proactive nature of wanting to get these promising designs on the ground. He pushes the designers to consider designs that involve roundabouts, superstreets, and diverging diamond interchanges. He relishes new designs and works to find ways to make them fit in North Carolina. Jim is working across NCDOT agency lines to prepare public involvement information on alternative designs that Division and Regional Engineers can use in public meetings.

When this award was redefined in 2009, the committee said the award should be given to "someone like Jim Dunlop". So, this year, in 2011, we are going to recognize Jim Dunlop for this very deserving award.

Congratulations to Jim Dunlop, P.E. of NCDOT for winning this award!

Past Award Winners

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President's Award

This Award recognizes a Member or Affiliate who has contributed to the advancement of the transportation profession and the North Carolina Section Institute of Transportation Engineers. The NCSITE President awards the outstanding individual that has provided them guidance, advice, assistance, and offered help in whatever capacity is needed. The recipient exhibits such personal traits as integrity, honesty, professionalism, excellent work ethic, dedication, and leadership.

2011 Award Winner: Anthony Tagliaferri, P.E.

Congratulations to Anthony Tagliaferri, P.E. of the City of Charlotte for winning this award!

Past Award Winners

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Contribution to Transportation Award

Recipient is an individual not affiliated with NCSITE in any capacity who has contributed significantly to transportation through professional and/or political activities.

2011 Award Winner: John Brantley, RDU Airport

John Brantley was our keynote speaker for the morning session. He reviewed the history of the Airlines Industry at RDU Airport and finished with targeted suggestions for decision-making in the future. Mr. Brantley began his career in aviation 45 years ago with the Federal Aviation Administration. He started at RDU in 1977 as an engineering assistant and became airport director five years later.

During his tenure, RDU evolved from a mid-sized regional airport to an American Airlines hub to a thriving airport with flights that stretch coast to coast and include several international destinations.

One of the first major projects completed under Brantley's guidance was a long-range master plan that resulted in the construction of the airport's 10,000 foot runway. One year later, Terminal C was built by American Airlines for its Southeast hub operations.

After American pulled out in the mid-1990's RDU became the base for Midway Airlines (catering to business travelers). Following the economic downturn that followed 9/11, Brantley and his staff recruited Southwest Airlines, Jet Blue, and other carriers to provide more options for area flyers.

Mr. Brantley also oversaw the growth in RDU's operations, from the 11,000 space parking garage between the two airport terminals to the redevelopment of the general aviation area to the construction of the $570 million Terminal 2 which opened ahead of schedule and under budget in January of this year.

Mr. Brantley is a Raleigh Native, and a NC State University graduate. Mike Kennon, our NCSITE President, presented the Contribution to Transportation Award to Mr. John Brantley following his keynote address. Mike shared how Mr. Brantley had personally peaked his interest in the airline industry through the Airport Design Classes that he taught at NCSU. Through this class, Mike developed a passion for airplanes and airport operations.

Congratulations to John Brantley of RDU Airport for winning this award!

Past Award Winners

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Paul D. Cribbins Cup

Awarded to the outstanding student chapter within the Section (currently three: North Carolina State University, Raleigh (NCSU); North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro (N.C. A&T); and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte).

Paul Day Cribbins grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and upon graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in 1944, spent the next 15 years pursuing his education and serving in the military. He received Bachelors Degrees from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the University of Alabama. He later moved to West Lafayette, Indiana where he attended Purdue University for his Masters Degree, and later a PhD in Civil Engineering. After receiving his PhD, he became an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University (NCSU) from 1959 to 1961. He became Associate Professor of Civil Engineering from 1961 to 1966, and then a full Professor at NCSU in 1966 where he taught for 26 more years until his retirement in 1991.

Paul received numerous awards in recognition of his teaching effectiveness, including those from NCSU, The Merchant Marine Academy, the American Society for Engineering Education, and the NCSU Alumni Association. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina, and a strong advocate of student involvement in professional societies, especially the NC Section Institute of Transportation Engineers (President, 1967-68), and the NC Section American Society of Civil Engineers (President, 1970-71). In 1992, NCSITE recognized the leadership qualities and mentoring attitude that Mr. Cribbins provided the students, and created the Paul D. Cribbins Cup in his honor. This highly coveted Award is given yearly to the outstanding NCSITE student chapter that exhibits excellence in ITE Student Chapter events and activities. Paul was proudly inducted into the Transportation Hall of Fame (Spencer, NC) in 2005. Most recently, the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Southern District presented Paul with an Excellence in Transportation Engineering Award in April of 2009 and Paul was so pleased to have this award presented in person by his former students.

Paul Day Cribbins, 82, passed away on February 17, 2010. Paul had lived and worked in Raleigh for more than 50 years and was Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at N.C. State University. Mr. Cribbins and his contributions to our profession were recognized and remembered by NCSITE President Russell Dalton at the 2010 Annual Meeting Luncheon.

2011 Award Winner: UNC Charlotte ITE Student Chapter

The cup is awarded to the outstanding student chapter within the Section.

Congratulations to the students and faculty of UNC Charlotte for winning this award!

Past Award Winners

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Young Professional Award

Awarded to a Member or Affiliate, under the age of 35 years, who, over their young professional career, has contributed to the advancement of the transportation profession and the North Carolina Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Recipients should exhibit such personal traits as integrity, honesty, professionalism and leadership. Individual professional accomplishments such as transportation innovations, technical research, paper writing, and NCSITE organizational work, including meeting participation and committee work, can be considered.

2011 Award Winner: Todd Delk, P.E.

Todd Delk was presented the Young Professional Award at the Annual Meeting. Todd received his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University and his Master's Degree in City and Urban Planning and Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech. Todd is currently the Transportation Planning Engineer for the Town of Cary. He has served on the Transportation Planning Council several years and is currently ending his two year tenure as the Council Chair. He has been very active with Transportation Planning Council events including the Mid-Year Meeting. He is best known for trying to make things more fun and entertaining: "transFORAY", "transPOURtainmnet", and "make NCSITE funner" are just a few examples.

Todd's mom Doris, and his dad, Bar and Aunt Wendy were in attendance for the presentation.

Congratulations to Todd Delk, P.E., of the Town of Cary for winning this award!

Past Award Winners

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New Member Award

Awarded to a New Member or Affiliate of our North Carolina Section, who has contributed substantially to the advancement of the Section through any of the following responsibilities, and not limited to: Council involvement, committee involvement, special projects, conference planning, meeting participation, presentations at NCSITE sponsored meetings. A New Member would have less than five years of professional membership with our Section to qualify, and would represent the future leadership of NCSITE. Recipients should exhibit a teamwork approach to their NCSITE responsibilities, excellent leadership and professionalism skills, integrity, a willingness to learn, and an excitement for NCSITE activities and growth potential.

2011 Award Winner: Jed Niffenegger, P.E.

Jed Niffenegger was presented the New Member Award at the Annual Meeting. He has been an active member since 2008. He is a go-getter who willing accepts responsibility and has a fantastic attitude. Jed didn't gradually ease into active involvement. He has been described as being "all-in" from the start. As soon as he joined NCSITE, he immediately began working with the planning details for the Annual Meeting.

He planned and conducted a highly successful SSUG (Signal System's User's Group) meeting in Cary in 2010, and planned and conducted the SSUG meeting this year in Charlotte. He has been noted for breathing new life into this committee.

Jed has been described as being consistent and dependable. One nominator commented that "if you ask him to do something for you, you can consider it done without any second thoughts". Jed has a Civil Engineering degree from NCSU. Jed is the Senior Transportation Engineer for the City of Raleigh where he manages Raleigh's traffic engineering efforts including the largest signal system upgrade project in North Carolina.

Congratulations to Jed Niffenegger, P.E., of the City of Raleigh for winning this award!

Past Award Winners

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