APBP Announces 2024 Award Winners

Research Professional of the Year: Sarah O'Brien, Senior Research Associate for the Highway Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a leader in the research field, and has contributed to the advancement of safety for people bicycling and walking through her own research, mentorship, and shaping the state of the field through actively participating in leadership of professional bodies such as the Transportation Research Board. She has made significant contributions to pedestrian and bicyclist count and volume data processes and methods, decision-making tools for facility selection, and increasing accessibility in the public realm. The selection committee was impressed by the number of colleagues who collaborated to support her nomination, noting that “her colleagues and peers value her guidance, mentorship, and expertise in navigating research processes.” 

Public Sector Professional of the Year: Matt Messina, Chief of Multimodal Transportation for the Kansas Department of Transportation, has been instrumental in shifting the focus and practice of Kansas DOT from vehicle movement to providing a safe and reliable transportation system for all users. He has sought out and incorporated the tools and processes to result in meaningful incorporation of active transportation into state roadway projects and has looked beyond traditional funding sources to increase resources going to people walking and bicycling. To quote his nomination, “The culture of KDOT has literally transformed in the past 5 years as a result of his efforts to a place that accepts active transportation as part of the overall transportation system.” 

Private Sector Professional of the Year: Bill Schultheiss, Director of Design and Engineering at Toole Design Group, has a long record of helping communities throughout the country develop design guidance to improve facilities for people walking and bicycling, and is known for his ability to deliver trainings and presentations in a way that transcends professional silos and jargon. Bill has a proven track record of influencing national conversations about design standards through research and crafting user-friendly policy and guidance documents. The selection committee was impressed by multiple recommendations on Bill’s behalf that cited his ability to overcome differences of opinion to help create better facility designs, better guidance, and as a result create better conditions for people walking and bicycling across the country. 

Chapter of the Year Award: The Ontario Chapter is awarded the inaugural Chapter of the Year Award for its exceptional efforts in creating opportunities for member engagement and collaboration, both virtually and in person. The chapter’s initiatives, including partnerships with organizations such as the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and Project for Public Spaces, as well as its active presence on LinkedIn and Instagram, have strengthened the profession and increased APBP’s visibility in the region. The Ontario Chapter’s events, such as bike rides and monthly meetings, have provided valuable platforms for networking and knowledge sharing. 

Chapter Momentum Award: The Missouri-Kansas Chapter is awarded the inaugural Chapter Momentum Award for its remarkable resurgence post-COVID and recent expansion to include Kansas. The Chapter has an active bi-monthly meeting schedule where members have an opportunity to present their plans and projects as part of a roundtable discussion. The Chapter has conducted strategic planning showcasing its commitment to future growth.