I would like to begin my President’s Message by thanking Ally Baird, our Immediate Past President of the ASHE Southwest Penn Section. Ally did an outstanding job leading our section, and her leadership helped inspire this message.
I have worked in the highway transportation industry for more than 40 years, including 34.5 years with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. In 1989, I was promoted to the Engineering Department as a Right-of-Way and Utility Coordinator. It was an exciting time, as the Commission was entering the construction phase of its western expansion program. What helped me grow during that period were the people around me: those who took the time to teach me, mentored me, empowered me to make decisions, and supported me even when I made the wrong one. In short, relationships.
In 2017, Mark Markosky sent me a text saying he had heard I was retiring. I replied that he had heard wrong. A week or two later, he reached out again and asked me to meet him and his wife, Joyce, for breakfast. Mark, Joyce, and I spent two hours talking about everything but work. A few days later, Mark sent me an offer letter. I had never received one before, and I had no intention of leaving the Commission. I thanked him and said I was happy where I was. Mark was persistent, and in July 2017, I joined The Markosky Engineering Group. Why? Relationships.
You may be wondering what this has to do with Ally Baird. Ally understands the power of relationships. You can be among the best in our industry and do well, but to truly succeed and thrive, you need to build meaningful relationships. Be willing to help others succeed. Get involved in organizations such as WTS, ACEC, and, of course, ASHE. In her President’s Message last year, Ally spoke about the significant impact ASHE had on her professional growth and the value of meaningful, in-person interactions. I could not agree more. Relationships.
I will close with a quote from the Carnegie Institute of Technology: “Eighty-five percent of your financial success is due to your personality and ability to communicate, negotiate, and lead. Shockingly, only 15 percent is due to technical knowledge.” Relationships.
Thank you for the opportunity and honor to serve as President of the Southwest Penn Section for the 2026–2027 year. I will do my best to serve this section well, and I look forward to renewing old relationships and building new ones.