COMTO Michigan 11th Annual Scholarship & Golf Outing

11TH ANNUAL COMTO MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP & GOLF OUTING JUNE 22, 2023 MYSTIC CREEK GOLF COURSE & BANQUET CENTER MILFORD, MICHIGANI

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT BIANCA R. GRAVES COMTO MICHIGIAN PRESIDENT

JUNE 22, 2023 WELCOME TO COMTO MICHIGAN’S 11TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AND GOLF OUTING! WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE HOSTING THIS GOLF OUTING AS ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE FUNDRAISING EVENTS THAT IS BOTH A FUN AND ESSENTIAL EFFORT IN SUPPORT OF OUR NEXT GENERATION OF TRANSPORTATION LEADERS. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, IMMEDIATELY AFTER OUR 10TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AND GOLF OUTING, WE LOST A VITAL AND DYNAMIC MEMBER OF OUR CHAPTER, OUR VICE PRESIDENT SHARMYN ELLIOTT. TO HONOR HIS LEGACY AND COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING, MENTORING, AND PROMOTING YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN PURSUING A CAREER IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY, COMTO MICHIGAN ESTABLISHED THE SHARMYN ELLIOTT LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP. EACH YEAR COMTO MICHIGAN WILL AWARD A $2,500 SCHOLARSHIP TO A DESERVING STUDENT. ONCE AGAIN, WITH YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT, WE SOLD OUT ALL OF OUR SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES. THANK YOU!! OUR GOAL FOR 2023 WAS TO MATCH OUR 2022 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS OF $15,000. WITH YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT, WE WERE ABLE TO REACH OUR GOAL! COMTO MICHIGAN CONTINUES TO PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL OR ENROLLED IN A TRANSPORTATION RELATED COLLEGE OR TECHNICAL SCHOOL. I SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR SERVING AS STELLAR EXAMPLES OF HOW INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS VALUE AND INVEST IN ENSURING COMTO’S COMMITMENT TO CONTINUING THE LEGACY OF MINORITIES IN TRANSPORTATION. OUR SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE HAS SELECTED NINE DYNAMIC YOUNG PEOPLE AS RECIPIENTS OF THIS YEAR’S SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THEIR BIOS, TAKE TIME TO SPEAK WITH THEM AND ENCOURAGE THEM AS THEY EMBARK UPON THEIR JOURNEY IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES AND THEIR FAMILIES! A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR EVENT SPONSORS AND GOLFERS FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND GENEROUS SUPPORT FOR THIS IMPORTANT EVENT. MANY THANKS FOR THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF OUR HARDWORKING MEMBERS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AND GOLF COMMITTEES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR DEE PARKER, AND GOLF COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS JASON LUKASIK AND MARK GRAZIOLLI. YOUR DEDICATION TO ENSURING WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL EVENT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. HAVE A GREAT TIME TODAY AND “HIT ‘EM STRAIGHT AND HIT ‘EM LONG”!!

SINCERELY,

BIANCA R. GRAVES COMTO MICHIGAN PRESIDENT

PROGRAM 11TH ANNUAL COMTO MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP & GOLF OUTING WELCOME JASON LUKASIK, WSP GOLF COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR

COMTO MICHIGAN & COMTO NATIONAL UPDATE BIANCA GRAVES, LEADING EDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC PRESIDENT, COMTO MICHIGAN

COMMITMENT TO GROWING DIVERSITY IN OUR INDUSTRY MICHGAEL GRIFFIE - AECOM

PRAYER NATIERA FARRINGTON, SOMAT ENGINEERING, INC.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS DEE PARKER, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR

RAM, SOMAT ENGINEERING, INC. MELISSA LAMBERT, FISHBECK KALAYA THOMAS, METRO CONSULTING ASSOCIATES KIRK BRANSON, DLZ CYRILL WEEMS, BURNS & MCDONNELL LAURA RAMPERSAD, MODJESKI AND MASTERS SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTERS

GOLF OUTING PRIZES & AWARDS JASON LUKASIK, WSP

MELISSA LAMBERT, FISHBECK TROPHY SPONSOR PRESENTER

CLOSING REMARKS BIANCA GRAVES, LEBS

SHARMYN ELLIOTT LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP Sharmyn Elliott, a staunch supporter of COMTO on both the local and national levels, had been the Vice President of COMTO Michigan, the First Vice-Chair and Budget and Finance committee member of the COMTO National Board of Directors, when he tragically passed away in June 2022. Sharmyn wholeheartedly believed in COMTO’s mission to eliminate barriers in participation for minority individuals and businesses within the transportation industry; believing that this could be achieved through leadership, training, professional development, political advocacy, and networking opportunities and was resolute in his commitment in supporting women and minorities within the transportation industry.

During his 45-plus year career in the infrastructure engineering industry, he was a steadfast supporter of the multimodal transportation community. Sharmyn’s personal situation required him to join the workforce immediately after graduating high school. He was unashamed of his education from the “University of Hard Knocks”. By the sheer dint of his hard work, his intellectual curiosity, his uncompromising commitment to quality, and his integrity. Sharmyn rose from the position of field technician to being the Vice President of Somat Engineering, Inc. a consulting engineering firm in Detroit and Chief Executive Officer of its Ohio subsidiary.

Sharmyn developed strong leadership skills early in life and was passionately dedicated to mentorship and guidance. He exhibited an unwavering commitment to assist and advocate for the advancement and success of others and was responsible for the advancement of their careers of an unmeasurable number of co-workers, colleagues, mentees, family members, and friends; guiding them in the development of their individual skills in order to achieve their full potential.

He never failed to reach back as he climbed. Always humble in these acts, Sharmyn was a true example of selflessness, and whenever appreciation was shown, he always intensely stated, “This Is What We’re Supposed to Do.” Sharmyn was a strong supporter of MDOT’s Transportation Diversity Recruitment Program (TDRP), which began with four college interns in 2014 and by 2022 placed 65 interns within MDOT and the industry.

Additionally, among his many honors, Sharmyn was selected as a Michigan Department of Transportation Hall of Honor inductee in October of 2022.

This scholarship in his name is to celebrate students that embody Sharmyn Elliott’s spirit of community service, leadership, mentorship and guidance.

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GARRETT A. MORGAN TRANSPORTATION ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP

Garrett Morgan was an inventor and businessman - a man whose lifetime achievement is a model of dedication to public service, safety, and technological innovation.

In fact, Morgan's three-position traffic signal, for which he received a patent in 1923, could be considered the forerunner of modern intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Prior to his invention, most traffic signs in use had only two positions: stop and go. These manually operated two-position signals were an improvement over uncontrolled intersections, but because they allowed no interval between stop and go commands, collisions at busy intersections were common.

Morgan's signal was a T-shaped pole that featured three positions: stop, go, and an all-direction stop position. This third position halted traffic in all directions before vehicles were allowed to proceed on either of the intersection's roads. This feature not only made it less dangerous for motorists to travel through intersections but also allowed pedestrians to cross safely. Just before his death in 1963, the U.S. government gave him an award for his invention.

Morgan also developed a number of other inventions, including a gas mask that was later refined for use by U.S. soldiers during World War I. He life showed dedication to public service, safety, and technological innovation. Mr. Morgan’s lifetime achievement is a model of dedication to public service, safety, and technological innovation.

This scholarship in his name is meant to inspire students to choose careers in transportation so that this nation will have the skilled workforce needed to operate and maintain the world's best transportation system.

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2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES OLUWANIFEMI ADEGBULGBE

SHARMYN ELLIOTT LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT OLUWANIFEMI ADEGBULGBE is a student in the Civil Engineering PhD program at Wayne State University with an interest in Transportation Engineering and Planning. Oluwanifemi maintains a 3.74 GPA and is a student member of COMTO and ITE. She demonstrates a passion to ensure equitable, safe and reliable transportation through her work and research in micro-mobility, micro-transit, and transit, especially with its impact on disadvantaged communities. Her academic capability and dedication have been described as exceptional, and she has been identified as a strong advocate for disadvantaged populations and societal transportation solutions by her recommenders. throughout her academic career, she has taken on multiple leadership roles to address diversity in transportation, including her involvement in the Program of Excellence in STEM (PE-STEM), funded by the US Department of Education under the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) and her various volunteering experiences with the Center for Accessibility and Safety for an ageing population.

ELIZABETH BORG GARRETT A. MORGAN TRANSPORTATION ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT ELIZABETH BORG is a rising sophomore at the University of Michigan, pursuing a degree and career in Civil Engineering. Elizabeth maintains a 4.0 GPA and was a long-term member of the Girl Scouts organization, through which she cultivated a passion for community service. She led a child care initiative via her high school National Honor Society and volunteers at many events through her church, including but not limited to serving at food banks, soup kitchens and the St. Jude Detroit Gala. Elizabeth has been described as hard working, efficient and gifted when it comes to learning complicated material. Elizabeth looks forward to participating in U of M - Ann Arbor’s Changing Gears Undergraduate Research Program this fall and is making efforts such as this to gain valuable experience in the field, that will help guide her career.

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2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES FOLARIN (AKINFOLARIN) ABATAN

GARRETT A. MORGAN TRANSPORTATION ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT FOLARIN (AKINFOLARIN) ABATAN is a student in the Civil Engineering PhD program at Michigan State University where he maintains a 3.92 GPA. Folarin is currently leading efforts as a part of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 15-75, which is focused on updating existing guidance in the AASHTO Green Book related to acceleration, deceleration and stopping sight distance. Prior to joining MSU, where he also serves as a graduate research assistant, Folarin gained important practical experience during two years as a Traffic Engineer with the City of Detroit. He also has a passion for giving back, as shown through his involvement in COMTO Michigan chapter events, working as a traffic control volunteer for the first COVID-19 testing facility in Detroit through the Coronavirus Community Care Network, work with Habitat for Humanity and through other professional organizations such as ITE and NSBE. Folarin notes that volunteer experiences have allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of challenges faced by various communities and motivates him to continue giving back.

COLIN PEARSON GARRETT A. MORGAN TRANSPORTATION ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT COLIN PEARSON is a rising sophomore studying Civil Engineering at Michigan State University, where he maintains a 3.67 GPA. He serves as a professorial assistant, where he helps serve as an advisor to schools statewide for safe routes to school solutions. Colin expressed that this work has allowed him to use the skills he has developed in the classroom to make a tangible impact in communities.

He is motivated by having a positive impact on others and looks forward to pursuing a career in civil engineering or urban planning that will help him work toward a more equitable future for our cities. Colin was also one of forty incoming freshman at MSU to be selected to participate in the Honors College Impact program, which allowed him to spend a week prior to the start of the semester volunteering at organizations around the Lansing area and learning from experts about solutions to global inequities and intersectionality. Colin is a returning COMTO Michigan scholarship recipient.

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2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES ANAHITA ZAHERTAR GARRETT A. MORGAN TRANSPORTATION ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT ANAHITA ZAHERTAR is a student in the Civil Engineering PhD program at Wayne State University and maintains a 4.0 GPA. Anahita’s area of study is micro-mobility and performance measures for vulnerable road users. In her time as a PhD candidate, she has been recognized with prestigious awards from ITE and Wayne State University, as well as being awarded a mayoral fellowship from the City of Detroit and being selected for a spot in the MSU Apple Developer Academy in Detroit. She has worked on several traffic and ITS design projects and has been commended for her exceptional GIS and technical analytics. Along with her many academic achievements, she demonstrates leadership by being the president of her ITE student chapter, president of the Iranian Students’ Association, and involvement in professional organizations such as ASCE and TRB. She is excited to pursue a career in industry to apply her skills and knowledge to real-world problems and make a tangible impact on the world around her.

JORDYN JOHNSON MICHIGAN CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT JORDYN JOHNSON is a recent graduate of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School with a 3.98 GPA. Jordyn’s academic, leadership and interpersonal skills make her an exceptional recipient of the scholarship. She was recognized by College Board as a 2022-2023 Excellence in Academic Achievement Scholar and Jordyn is recognized as a leader of her peers. She has also achieved athletic letter honors in women’s track while serving as a cocaptain of the Women’s Varsity Track Team. Lastly, Jordyn is involved in the Trailblazers Program where she serves as a daily mentor to at-risk elementary students in her school district. Jordyn has expressed an interest in becoming a COMTO member and she will be attending Hampton University to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.

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2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES RAPHAEL RIVERA MICHIGAN CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT EMILY MINTON is a recent graduate of Rochester Adams High School with a 4.00 GPA. Emily has a strong command of analytic reasoning that places her at the top of her class at Rochester Adams. She has participated in numerous extracurricular activities, including Golf, National Honor Society, German Club and Eco club. She is also a student co-chair for the PTSA Legislative Committee. Emily has a passion for music, as she has been playing the violin for the past 12 years. Emily is a stellar person and student. She will make great contributions to our society. This fall, Emily will be attending Michigan State University. She will be majoring in material science and looks forward to designing road materials that are more environmentally sound and hopefully more cost efficient.

MORGAN VANDORP MICHIGAN CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT MORGAN VANDORP is a recent graduate of West Michigan Aviation Academy with a 3.99 GPA. Morgan is one of the top students in class not just for her excellent academic standing, but also for her dedication and passion for pursuing a STEM career in the future. In addition to her hard work in the engineering program at WMAA, Morgan has been participating in VEX robotics for six years and a captain for four. She led her team to the VEX worlds competition in Dallas last year. Outside of class, she also actively seeks out learning opportunities through job shadowing at local civil engineering firms. The problemsolving and teamwork skills that she has developed will be essential assets as she navigates engineering school and enters the workforce. Morgan will be attending Taylor University, in the fall, majoring in mechanical engineering.

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2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES SAMUEL HINE GARRETT A. MORGAN TRANSPORTATION ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT SAMUEL HINE is a student studying civil engineering at Michigan State University with a 3.43 GPA. He is motivated to pursue this career field because in doing so, he will be able to continue contributing positively to society, and making the world a better, safer place. Samuel has spent two summers working at OHM Advisors and has received and maintained many certifications throughout that time.

Additionally, he has always had a passion for helping those in need. Early on, this was demonstrated by contributing to his local Humane Society and continued on with being a volunteer lifeguard and through initiatives facilitated by the ROTC. Samuel has been commended for his service and leadership during his work on a hydroelectric project. When a fellow employee was accidentally electrocuted, Sam immediately directed the more senior employees to call 911 and began performing CPR on the injured employee. As a result, he received a Michigan State Police Citizen Life Saver Award for his ability to act under pressure and save a fellow employee’s life.

CONGRATS TO ALL OUR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS! COMTO MICHIGAN IS EXCITED TO SUPPORT YOUR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY. @COMTOMICHIGAN

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COMTO NATIONAL MEETING & TRAINING CONFERENCE JULY 8-11, 2023

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THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!

COMTO MICHIGAN BOARD & COMMITTEES 2022 - 2023 COMTO MICHIGAN OFFICERS BIANCA GRAVES PRESIDENT

LEADING EDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC

OLADAYO (DAYO) AKINYEMI, P.E. VICE PRESIDENT CITY OF DETROIT

KIM LEBLANC TREASURER

SOMAT ENGINEERING, INC.

MELISSA LAMBERT SECRETARY FISHBECK

GOLF COMMITTEE JASON LUKASIK WSP, CO-CHAIR MARK GRAZIOLI MDOT, CO-CHAIR BIANCA GRAVES LEADING EDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC

COMTO MICHIGAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS NATHAN FORD HNTB DEMETRIUS (DEE) PARKER MDOT SCOTT SHOGAN WSP

MELISSA LAMBERT FISHBECK

BEVERLY WATTS BME CONSULTING

JOSHUA SALAZAR HDR

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

AMILYN CEDERGREEN MICHAEL BAKER

DEE PARKER MDOT, CHAIR

KIM LEBLANC SOMAT

JOSHUA SALAZAR HDR

NATIERA FARRINGTON SOMAT

TONY MIGALDI HNTB

TERRENCE HICKS METRO STRATEGIES

DIVYA IYER MDOT

TREBECCA MCDONALD HNTB

NATIERA FARRINGTON SOMAT COMTOMICHIGAN.ORG

OUR MISSION OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE OPPORTUNITIES AND MAXIMIZE PARTICIPATION IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY FOR MINORITY INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, THROUGH ADVOCACY, INFORMATION SHARING, TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. OUR VISION COMTO MICHIGAN WILL SERVE AS AN ADVOCATE FOR AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK FOR ALL IN MICHIGAN.

THE VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP COMTO MICHIGAN STRIVES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR MEMBERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING: A NETWORK OF TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES STRONG NATIONAL AND LOCAL POLITICAL ADVOCACY ACCESS TO CAREER ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT QUALIFY FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUS, PDHS, ETC.) AND INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS MENTORING FROM EXECUTIVE LEVEL TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND GRADUATE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TRANSPORTATION CAREERS CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP COMTO MICHIGAN MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES, PRIVATE-SECTOR CORPORATIONS INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS; NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (DBE) AND SMALL BUSINESSES. FOR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: PLEASE CONTACT THE COMTO MICHIGAN MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR OR VISIT WWW.COMTONATIONAL.ORG AND CLICK ON “MEMBERSHIP".