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The mission of the Leadership Academy Alumni Association is to foster meaningful and lifelong connections through the ongoing advancement of leaders, exchange of ideas, and mobility solutions to link communities. 

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LAAA Officers (2022-2023)

The LAAA Officers serve a two-year term. 


LAAA Officers (2022-2023)

  • Co-Chair - Stephanie Blanco, Capital Projects Manager (Toll), Riverside County Transportation Commission
  • Co-Chair - Alan Williamson, Construction Engineering Manager, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
  • Vice-Chair, Programs/PAPC Chair - Mike Davis, VP, Tolls and Technology Service Group Leader, RS&H
  • Vice-Chair - Membership/Sponsorship - Carlos Campo, Assistant Vice President, WSP, USA
  • Treasurer - Mark Hicks, Senior Toll Technology Specialist, RS&H
  • Secretary - Tyler Milligan, Managing Partner, Milligan Partners LLC
  • Ambassador - Lauren Hakos, Training and Development Manager, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
  • Ambassador - Mary Sallach, Director of Strategic Initiatives, State Road & Tollway Authority
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Distinguished Leadership Academy Alum of the Year Award

This award recognizes a leader who has demonstrated and made significant commitments to tolling and the transportation industry after graduating from the IBTTA Leadership Academy. Nominees for the IBTTA Distinguished Leadership Academy Alum of the Year has mirrored IBTTA's focus on advancing leaders in the industry as well as served to inspire others while building relationships.  This outstanding Alum embodies emerging mindsets and the evolution of transportation in their respective organization or agency, along with demonstrating an intense commitment to providing excellent service to the tolling industry and maintaining perseverance in the face of adversity.  Download the Purpose and Criteria

Purpose

The Distinguished Leadership Academy Alum of the Year will honor an Academy graduate who has made significant contributions to the transportation/tolling industry in a way that mirrors the Association’s focus on advancing transportation by attracting and developing talent with a keen recognition of the benefits of having a diverse and inclusive leadership and membership.

This outstanding Alum will have personal and professional priorities that exemplify overall leadership within a tolling agency, forging genuine human connections within and across diverse teams and people, and mentor and cultivate employees, and creating a culture of respect that fosters an atmosphere conducive to advancement and enthusiasm for the tolling industry. This outstanding Alum will embody emerging mindsets and the evolution of transportation in their respective organization or agency, along with demonstrating an intense commitment to providing excellent service to the tolling industry and maintaining perseverance in the face of adversity. 

This distinguished Alum should inspire and encourage personal and professional development in others; build strong relationships that support a high level of trust and credibility; promote the transfer of knowledge and influence from person to person, and recognize and respond to different learning preferences while cultivating other’s abilities and talents.

Nomination Criteria
Nomination Criteria

The Leadership Academy Alum Award is open to all IBTTA Leadership Academy graduates.  Nominations may be submitted by an individual familiar with the work of a nominee. Self-nominations are also accepted. To be considered for the award, a nominee must meet the following criteria: 

The nominee must be a graduate of the IBTTA Leadership Academy. The nominee must have demonstrated a continuing interest in and support of IBTTA and the Leadership Academy through the contribution of time, talent, or resources. The nominee must have contributed to the betterment of the bridge, tunnel, and tolling industry.
Selection Methodology:

Nominations will be submitted and distributed to the LAAA Awards selection committees. Only the nomination forms will be reviewed by the committee and numbered.  The LAAA Awards committee will score each submission and from there, will make the selection, based on numerical scoring. All nominees will be considered but only will be notified if they are selected for the award.

  • The nominee should have demonstrated, through personal, professional and/or organizational achievement, initiatives outlined by IBTTA President during his term.
  • During the current year, the Nominee must have served as a Leadership Academy mentor or must have guided and assisted others during participation in IBTTA committees, conferences, or activities.
  • The nominee must be a current member of IBTTA.
  • Previous winners are not eligible.
2023 Alums of the Year

Lauren Hakos

Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
LAAA Class of 2015

Lauren Hakos is the Training and Development Manager for the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission where she has worked for 20 years.  In this role, she serves as the liaison for employee communications. In addition to these duties, Lauren oversees all facets of the internal/external training programs conducted for employees Turnpike-wide and manages the Online Learning Center. Lauren also conducts the onboarding process for new hires and promotions, and oversees the Ohio Turnpike’s wellness programs.  Lauren is also a state-certified Six Sigma Green Belt through LeanOhio, which is part of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. 

Prior to joining the Human Resources Department in March 2014, Lauren served as the Ohio Turnpike’s Marketing and Communications Manager where she was the spokesperson and handled all media relations.  Her previous duties also included overseeing advertising/marketing programs, planning Turnpike safety events, promoting E-ZPass®, developing the agency’s first E-ZPass® retail program, and managing the Turnpike’s website and social media efforts. 

Lauren is an active member of IBTTA and a graduate of the IBTTA Leadership Academy.  She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications with a minor in Journalism from Ohio University. Prior to working for the Ohio Turnpike, she was the Director of Community Relations and Promotions for Sun Newspapers.

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Mary Sallach

State Road and Tollway Authority
LAAA Class of 2015

With nearly 20 years of experience in transportation and government, Mary oversees strategic planning and initiatives for the State Road and Tollway Authority, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the Atlanta-Regional Transit Link Authority. Mary is also the vice-chair and co-founder of the IBTTA Women in Tolling Council. Mary is an IBTTA Leadership Academy graduate and serves as an Ambassador for the LAAA. Mary's experience includes the oversight of the $1 Billion capital program at SRTA, the project management office and has served as the primary liaison with the Georgia Department of Transportation for the Major Mobility Investment Program.

Prior to her career at SRTA, Mary worked as the P3 Manager for the GDOT and as an Aide for the Senate Appropriations Committee. She received the FHWA James F. Condron Award in recognition for outstanding efforts with the Public Private Investment process in Georgia. She was also recognized in 2019 in Engineering Georgia Magazine's 100 Women to Know. Mary is an active volunteer in her community, serves as President of the Chamblee Middle School Education Foundation, has been a Girl Scout Leader for 9 years and is part of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee at Chamblee First United Methodist.

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LAAA Session & Awards

91st Annual Meeting
Seattle, WA

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