Transportation Secretary named to two prestigious national boards

Kansas Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz
was appointed to the Executive Committee of the
Transportation Research Board and will chair
a national Aviation Board. 

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board and will chair a national Aviation Board.

Lorenz recently was asked to join the Executive Committee of the prestigious Transportation Research Board (TRB) to provide leadership in transportation innovation and progress through research and information exchange that is objective, interdisciplinary and multi-modal.

“This invitation is extended upon the recommendation of the Chairman and the Executive Director of the Transportation Research Board, and with my approval,” said Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences and chair of the National Research Council.

The TRB is an integral part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The institution, which Congress established in 1863, is a nonprofit, charitable scientific corporation organized and operated to serve public rather than private interests.

“Secretary Lorenz’s selection to these esteemed industry trade roles is recognition of her national expertise and leadership on transportation issues. She brings a wealth of knowledge and transportation experience to these important committees,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “Not only will she represent our state’s transportation and aviation industry well, she’ll also be a key contributor to efforts that help the entire transportation sector move forward.”

Lorenz also was selected to chair the Council on Aviation for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). AASHTO will assess and recommend policies related to aviation legislation and regulation. This organization works jointly with the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) to recommend aviation policy.

“The importance of aviation policy is increasing as we enter an era of unprecedented growth of integrated manned and unmanned operations across our national airspace,” said Secretary Lorenz. “Active leadership in this space will ensure Kansas stakeholders in the aviation industry are fully represented.”