International Tolling Association Elects Earl J. “Buddy” Croft III, Executive Director of Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, as First Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 18, 2014
CONTACT: Kristofer Eisenla, LUNA+EISENLA media
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International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association’s (IBTTA) Officers and Board Begins New Term on January 1, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC – The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s (IBTTA) has announced the election of Earl J. “Buddy” Croft III, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA), as the association’s 2015 First Vice President. Croft has been the Executive Director of RITBA since being selected for the position in 2006. 

Croft’s election as IBTTA’s First Vice President for the association took place during the association’s 82^nd Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas that brought together nearly 1,000 transportation leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss innovative practices, policies, technologies, funding options and business models transforming mobility for drivers worldwide. 

“I am honored to be elected First Vice President of IBTTA. I look forward to working with the board and our members during this critical time for transportation and infrastructure investment. Our economy and everyday mobility depends on the quality of our highways, bridges and tunnels. IBTTA is on the move and providing solutions to address congestion, mobility, interoperability, reconstruction of highways and bridges and more,” said Buddy Croft, Executive Director, Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority and 2015 IBTTA First Vice President.

Croft will serve as First Vice President of IBTTA for one year, beginning January 1, 2015. Croft is on track to become the association’s President in 2016. For Croft’s current bio and photo, please click here.

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in more than 20 countries and on six continents. Through advocacy, thought leadership and education, members are implementing state-of-the-art, innovative user-based transportation financing solutions to address the critical infrastructure challenges of the 21st century.

“Buddy’s leadership is invaluable to our association and the industry,” said Patrick D. Jones, Executive Director and CEO of IBTTA.  “Buddy’s selection as IBTTA’s 1^st Vice President places him on a path to lead the association as President in 2016.  His leadership and passion for user-financed transportation in Rhode Island will continue to be a welcome voice in the 2015 transportation funding debate across the country.” 

Jones concluded, “Our industry is adequately financing transportation infrastructure around the globe. As the congressional surface transportation patch is set to expire in May 2015, Congress once again addresses a need for a long-term Transportation Reauthorization bill and tolling is increasingly being utilized by states and localities, our new leadership team comes on board at a critical juncture for the industry.” 

In 2013, IBTTA launched Moving America Forward, a public awareness campaign that highlights the benefits of tolling to elected officials, policymakers, the media, and the general public. For additional information on IBTTA’s Moving America Forward campaign, including fact sheets, background documents and other materials about tolling and the industry, please click here.

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About IBTTA
The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in more than 20 countries on six continents. Through advocacy, thought leadership and education, members are implementing state-of-the-art, innovative user-based transportation financing solutions to address the critical infrastructure challenges of the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ibtta.org or join us on Twitter @IBTTA or #TollRoads.