Keeping diversity in the forefront of public works Lori Daiber Business Development Manager Civil Design, Inc., Granite City, Illinois Member, APWA Diversity Committee
T
he APWA National Diversity Committee was formed to provide insight and resources to our chapters, branches and members. Our committee members are featured in the December 2015 issue of the APWA Reporter. The article highlights the diverse background of each member and their commitment to the success of the committee. Members of the Diversity Committee may serve up to a three-year term unless other opportunities in their career field preclude them from fulfilling their term. I can honestly say, it has been an honor to serve with the talented members across our nation to ensure that our organization is diligent in keeping diversity in the forefront of our public works. Over the past year it has been a top priority to keep our members aware of the Toolbox that is managed by the Diversity Committee. You can find a wealth of information to assist cities, municipalities, public works departments and members, and also educational tools for successful inclusion within public works departments in the Toolbox. The Diversity Committee members have contributed presentations and written articles that use their years of experience and research for the purpose of educating other members across the nation. Some of the presentations available to our members in the Toolbox include “Creating Solutions by Embracing Diversity,” “Progressive Women in Public Works”
and “Bridging the Generations” and can be found at http://www.apwa.net/ discover/Diversity/Diversity-Toolbox. The Public Works Expo is coming to Minneapolis, Minn., August 28-31! If you have never been to the Expo, pack your bags for an educational conference of networking and camaraderie with neighboring public works departments. On Sunday you will find our Diversity Committee members welcoming the first timers for breakfast and then off to the educational sessions.
Diversity Brunch. Our guest speaker will be Ms. Vicki LaRose, President of Civil Design, Inc. Vicki is the president and owner of a WBE/DBE company she formed in her basement in St. Louis, Mo., and has grown to 52 team members with four offices in three states. Hear how Ms. LaRose also formed a 501(c)3 charitable foundation to help build stronger communities in our surrounding municipalities. Looking forward to seeing you at the Expo! Lori Daiber can be reached at (618) 3431170 or ldaiber@civildesigninc.com.
Join us on Tuesday, shortly after the General Session, for the annual
Walter Veselka, P.E., PWLF, Public Works Director, City of Bristol, Conn., and Tim Webb, Public Works Director, Town of Ellington, Conn., were recently honored with an award for their efforts to bring convention business to the State of Connecticut and the City of Hartford. Veselka and Webb, Co-Chairs of the New England Chapter's 2016 Snow Conference Host Committee, were presented the "2016 Bring It Home Award" on April 27 for bringing the 2016 North American Snow Conference (which took place May 22-25) to the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. From Left to right: H. Scott Phelps, President of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau; Charles B. Beckman, M.D., of Guilford; Eugene P. Doris of Fairfield; Carolyn M. Thomas of Hartford; Africka S. Hinds of Hartford; Walter E. Veselka of Bristol; Tim Webb of Ellington; and Paul O. Robertson, Chair of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau.
www.apwa.net
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July 2016
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APWA Reporter
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