At the Southern District Institute of Transportation Engineers (SDITE) annual meeting in Savannah, Georgia, this spring two VHBers were recognized for their commitment, leadership, and significant contributions to the transportation industry and ITE. Kirsten Tynch was awarded the 2022 Herman J. Hoose Distinguished Service Award and Noelle Rauer was awarded the 2022 Joseph M. Thomas Outstanding Young Member Award. SDITE consists of transportation professionals across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Kirsten, Managing Director of VHB Virginia Beach, has been a member of SDITE for 29 years. She has held numerous roles, including presenting and moderating ITE conferences, volunteering for board positions at all levels, serving as President of the Virginia Section of ITE (VASITE) in 2008, as President of SDITE in 2014, and most recently as Director of ITE, SDITE’s representative to the international board. The Herman J. Hoose Distinguished Service Award recognizes members “who untiringly and unselfishly contribute to our profession and ITE, and who by personal integrity, leadership and example inspire fellow professionals to greater service.”
“Kirsten regularly identifies ways to share the power of ITE with professionals and she embodies all of the important qualities outlined in the award criteria,” said Christine Potocki, Senior Transportation Engineer and VASITE Past President. “Her real passion lies with helping young professionals and students thrive in ITE.”
Noelle has been an active and exuberant member of ITE for eight years and has taken on various impactful responsibilities and leadership roles at the student, section, district, and international levels, including currently serving as the SDITE Young Committee Chair and VASITE Director. The 2022 Joseph M. Thomas Outstanding Young Member Award recognizes “young members who over the course of their young career have contributed to the advancement of transportation engineering and the Southern District and who do so while exhibiting integrity, morality, and leadership.”
“Noelle has been an enthusiastic champion of ITE and committed contributor at all levels, much of which is targeted toward development of young members,” said Chris Daily, Transportation Manager in Richmond and VASITE Past President. “Through leadership roles and committee involvement, she identifies opportunities to improve the organization. Noelle is the consummate professional and dedicated engineer focused on delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that improve her community and the traveling public at large.”
By being named the SDITE Young Member, Noelle is also recognized as the District’s Rising Star and one of twenty international ITE Young Leaders to Follow.
Connect with Kirsten on LinkedIn or email, or with Noelle via email.
