2023 Annual Meeting Agenda

Saturday, August 12

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. — GHSA Executive Board Meeting
O'Neill Room (4th Floor)
(Board Members only)

Sunday, August 13

8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. — Registration
6th Floor Foyer

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. — State Member Orientation
Astor Ballroom (7th Floor)
Sponsored by Alliance Highway Safety
(State Highway Safety Office Members only)

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. — Regional Meetings
(State Highway Safety Office Members only)

11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. — GHSA Business Meeting
Astor Ballroom (7th Floor)
Luncheon sponsored by LexisNexis
(State Highway Safety Office Members only)

12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Exhibitor Move In

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by Qualcomm
(Open to all attendees; registered attendees can purchase additional tickets for spouses/guests)

Monday, August 14

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. — Registration
6th Floor Foyer

7:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. — Exhibits Open

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. — Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by AAA

8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. — Opening General Session
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)

GHSA is inviting senior leadership from government, advocacy and industry to open this year's conference and discuss how we need to devote more attention and resources to preventing crashes, deaths and injuries on our nation's roads.

Opening Ceremonies

Presentation of the Colors: New York State Police Color Guard
National Anthem: NYPD Officer Kenneth Rivera

Emcee

Barbara Rooney, Director, California Office of Traffic Safety

Welcome

New York Welcome

Speakers

Bob Holycross, Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company
Sophie Shulman, Deputy Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — Morning Break in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Workshop 1: Serving the Underserved: Highway Safety Engagement in New Communities
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)

States and communities are increasingly engaging directly with members of the public to bolster their participation in highway safety planning and help enrich the delivery of highway safety services. Learn how safety advocates are building relationships with new communities by educating them about two critical safety issues – vehicle recalls and child passenger safety – as well as how to support highway safety initiatives among Native American populations.

Moderator

Russ Martin, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations, Governors Highway Safety Association

Panelists

Lonny Haschel, Program Manager, Check to Protect, National Safety Council
Nick Chabarria, Public Affairs Specialist, Automobile Club of Missouri
Lacey Tisler, Chief Traffic Safety Engineer, Nevada Department of Transportation
Mark McKechnie, Director of External Relations, Washington Traffic Safety Commission

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Workshop 2: On the Level: Reaching New Communities and Communicating about Evolving Automotive Safety Technology
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)

Automotive safety technology is constantly evolving, with new advancements and innovations developed nearly every day. It is crucial to educate motorists about the benefits and safe use of these features. Three national experts will discuss best practices for communicating about automotive technology and expanding the safety benefits through greater access.

Moderator

Craig Flynn, Deputy Director, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety

Panelists

Bryan Reimer, Research Scientist, MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics
Henry Greenidge, Regional Manager, Public Affairs, The Cruise Company
Amy Klinkenberger, Senior Manager, Safety Fuels and Regulatory Affairs, Mercedes

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Workshop 3: Breaking Through the Clutter: Public Communications to Launch a New Awakening in Traffic Safety
Empire Complex (7th Floor)

With traffic deaths at historic highs and a recent rise in dangerous driving behaviors, the importance of traffic safety can often be lost in the wider social consciousness. Join with a panel of safety advocates and expert communicators to explore how the safety community can work together to launch a new traffic safety awakening among policymakers, the media and the public.

Moderator

Jonathan Adkins, Chief Executive Officer, Governors Highway Safety Association

Panelists

Chad Wilson, Associate Vice President of Government Relations, Nationwide
Tim Weisberg, Deputy Director, Marketing and Public Affairs, California Office of Traffic Safety
Bill Kotowski, Grants and Contracts Officer, Idaho Office of Highway Safety
Katherine Hutt, President and Founder, Nautilus Communications
Jayne O'Donnell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Youthcast Media Group

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Workshop 4: Impaired Driving: Issues and Opportunities on the Cutting Edge
Julliard Complex (5th Floor)

Impaired driving remains an ongoing threat to motorists, and states and communities across the country are grappling with a range of emerging issues. Learn how states are preparing for cannabis legalization, the tips for avoiding safety pitfalls from early state adopters and about state licensing agency resources and activities to improve the administration of ignition interlock programs.

Moderator

Glenn Davis, Highway Safety Manager, Colorado Office of Transportation Safety

Panelists

Tyson Skeen, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Utah Prosecution Council
Craig Lyon, Director, Road Safety Engineering, Traffic Injury Research Foundation
Brian Ursino, Director, Law Enforcement, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
Tara Casanova-Powell, Principal, Casanova Powell Consulting

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by Intoxalock

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 5: Preparing to Take the Keys: Innovation in Novice Driver Education and Training
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)

Younger drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes, but research confirms a lower risk for young drivers who completed driver education and training, which teach concepts like driver responsibility, vehicle control and defensive driving strategies to reduce risky behaviors. National experts will discuss hands-on activities included in successful training programs and share insights about the importance of experiential learning in helping teens become safer and responsible drivers.

Moderator

Owen McShane, Deputy Commissioner, New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee

Panelists

Pam Shadel Fischer, Senior Director of External Engagement, Governors Highway Safety Association
Emily Davidson, Director, Ohio Traffic Safety Office
Jesse Cohen, Traffic Safety Advocate, Speakers Bureau, New York State Students Against Destructive Decisions
Dan Wagner, President, Teen Driving Solutions

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 6: SLOW DOWN! for this Speed Session
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)

Speeding is one of the most prevalent and pervasive traffic safety problems - and it's been that way for years. With new momentum behind the Safe System approach and its call for "safer speeds," how can we achieve the goal? Learn about new, innovative technology being deployed within New York City, automated enforcement in work zones and state and regional campaigns designed to put the brakes on speeding fatalities.

Moderator

Shandi Smith, Program Manager, Tennessee Highway Safety Office

Panelists

Douglas Tomlinson, Chief, Highway Safety and Traffic Operations Division, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Kim Wiley-Schwartz, Assistant Commissioner, Education and Outreach, New York City Department of Transportation
Nick Brown, Highway Safety Coordinator, Maine Department of Public Safety
Carmen Hayes, Regional Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Region 4

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 7: Mobility, Access and Safety
Julliard Complex (5th Floor)

People with disabilities and older adults have unique mobility needs. These underserved groups traditionally have not always been involved in transportation safety planning efforts that directly affect them. Join this important discussion that will explore safe walking, driving and other mobility opportunities for these individuals and how to involve them in planning, outreach and educational activities.

Moderator

Mark Ezzell, Director, North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program

Panelists

Josh Dunning, Vice President of Driver Safety, AARP
Anna Zivarts, Manager, Disability Mobility Initiative, Disability Rights Washington
Tiffani May Noel, Community Engagement and Diversity Outreach Coordinator, Nevada Office of Traffic Safety

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Afternoon Break in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)

4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. — Afternoon General Session: Creating and Sustaining a Highway Safety Dialogue with Diverse Communities
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)

Data show that minority populations are overrepresented in traffic crashes, and we know that many communities are not reaping the benefits of traffic safety initiatives. National advocates will discuss how to engage more diverse communities and stakeholders in discussions about traffic safety to ensure that services are provided to those that need them the most.

Moderator

Licet Gaveau, Executive Director, New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee

Speakers

Torine Creppy, President, Safe Kids Worldwide
Stacey D. Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Shelly Baldwin, Director, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Dimitrios (Jim) Mastoras, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, Safe Night LLC; Master Police Officer (Ret.)

Tuesday, August 15

7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Registration
6th Floor Foyer

7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — Exhibits Open

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. — Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by Nationwide

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — Morning General Session: An Early Report Card on the Safe System Approach
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation adopted the Safe System approach as the national model for highway safety in its National Roadway Safety Strategy. While advocate and government agencies have embraced the Safe System approach nationwide, what progress have we made on implementing this new framework? National experts will discuss what steps they’ve taken and will need to take going forward to put the Safe System into practice.

Moderator

Jonathan Adkins, Chief Executive Officer, Governors Highway Safety Association

Speakers

Toks Omishakin, Secretary, California State Transportation Agency
Lorraine M. Martin, President and CEO, National Safety Council
Russ Rader, Senior Vice President for Communications, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. — Morning Break in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Workshop 8: Serve and Protect: Innovative Practices in Traffic Enforcement Equity and Engagement
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)

The national discussion over policing has put traffic enforcement at an inflection point, with states and communities considering and implementing a range of new strategies to achieve more equitable outcomes. Learn about new law enforcement best practices, programs, training and reform, as well as a national gold-standard approach to leveraging federal funding to collect and analyze traffic stop data.

Moderator

Licet Gaveau, Executive Director, New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee

Panelists

Ken Barone, Associate Director, University of Connecticut School of Public Policy Commissioner
José A. Gomérez, The City of Newburgh Police Department
Colonel Lamar Davis, Superintendent, Louisiana State Police and Deputy Secretary, Louisiana Department of Public Safety

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Workshop 9: The Big Picture: Behavior and Other Elements in the Safe System Approach
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)

Nations, states and communities around the globe are rethinking the big picture on highway safety by carefully applying a Safe System approach. Safety experts will discuss how to ensure behavioral safety remains a key part of safety planning and programs, as well as innovative approaches to implementing a holistic Safe System on our roadways.

Moderator

Edica Esqueda, Impaired Driving Program Manager, Washington Traffic Safety Commission

Panelists

Tim Weisberg, Deputy Director, Marketing and Public Affairs, California Office of Traffic Safety
Barbara Sauers, Associate Administrator for Regional Operations and Program Delivery, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Mandy Büttgen-Quinn, Safety Engineer, City of Springfield, Missouri
Gamuna Wijetunge, Director, Office of Emergency Medical Services, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Emily Schweninger, Senior Policy Advisor, Transportation Health and Safety, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Workshop 10: Detection and Prevention: Technology and Tactics to Prevent Impaired Driving
Empire Complex (7th Floor)

Responding to impaired driving, especially drug- and polysubstance-impaired driving, requires new approaches. Hear about resources available to states and communities to bolster the detection of impaired drivers, as well as an update on the national race to introduce new technologies to passively detect alcohol impairment and prevent drunk driving before it can occur.

Moderator

Pam Shadel Fischer, Senior Director of External Engagement, Governors Highway Safety Association

Panelists

Chuck DeWeese, President, Connecting Clients Consulting, LLC
Jayme Derbyshire, Chemical Test for Alcohol Unit Coordinator, Montgomery County Police Department
George Bishop, Principal, Gen4 Consulting
Jeff Michael, EdD, Distinguished Scholar, Johns Hopkins University

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Workshop 11: Distracted Driving Breakout Rodeo
Julliard Complex (5th Floor)

Combating distracted driving on the road not only requires innovative countermeasures, but also an innovative workshop format! Instead of presentations or a panel discussion, join one of four rotating mini-discussion groups, where you’ll directly interact with and learn from practitioners implementing an array of innovative programs designed to change the social norm.

Moderator

Debra Hollis, Highway Safety Manager, Arkansas Highway Safety Office

Panelists

Christina Utz, Community Engagement Section Manager, Maryland Highway Safety Office
John Fabiano, Acting Highway Safety Division Manager, Massachusetts Highway Safety Division
Jonathan Nelson, Assistant to the State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office
Sam Cole, Traffic Safety Communications Manager, Colorado Highway Safety Office
Janet Kenny, Supervisor, State Highway Traffic Safety Section, Montana Department of Transportation
Staff Lieutenant Leo Shirkey, Assistant District Commander, Cleveland District 3 Headquarters
Bill Bell, Executive Director, Kentucky Office of Highway Safety
Greg McVey, Supervisor, Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Exhibit Hall Tear Down/Move Out

12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Awards and Networking Luncheon
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)
Sponsored by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility and The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc.

Emcee

Amy Davey, Administrator, Nevada Office of Traffic Safety Sponsor

Remarks

Darrin Grondel, Senior Vice President, Traffic Safety, Responsibility.org
Michelle Anderson, Director of Operations, The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc.

Join us as we honor the 2023 recipients of the James J. Howard Highway Safety Trailblazer Award, the Kathryn J.R. Swanson Public Service Award and the Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Awards. Network with old colleagues and make new friends while enjoying a delicious lunch. Ann Carlson, Acting Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will speak.

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 12: Staying Safe Outside the Vehicle
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)

Pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized and low-speed road users are in constant danger due to inadequate infrastructure and dangerous driving. What can be done to better protect people outside motor vehicles? Advocates will share how they are implementing programs in new and underserved communities to keep walkers, bikers, scooters and all road users safe from vehicle traffic.

Moderator

Leslie Kennedy, Administrative Branch Manager, Kentucky Office of Highway Safety

Panelists

Mandy Büttgen-Quinn, Safety Engineer, City of Springfield, Missouri
Michelle Anderson, Director of Operations, The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc.
Sangeeta Badlani, Nikhil Badlani Foundation
Cindy Iodice, Founder, Flagman Inc.

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 13: Drug Recognition Experts: An Evaluation of the Future
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)

With drug- and multi-substance impaired driving increasing across the country, law enforcement Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) are more important than ever. Explore the history of the DRE program along with current challenges and learn how State Highway Safety Offices can support and collaborate with state DRE Coordinators. Experts will also share resources available to states to bolster their impaired driving prevention programs.

Moderator

Michael Hanson, Director, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety

Panelists

Joe Abrusci, Project Manager, DECP
Conor Treacy, New York State Drug Recognition Expert Program
Darrin Grondel, Senior Vice President, Traffic Safety, Responsibility.org

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 14: Culture Shock: Evidence-Based Strategies to Reverse the Nation's Lagging Traffic Safety Culture
Empire Complex (7th Floor)

Underlying all behavioral highway safety efforts is a traffic safety culture that unfortunately remains poor among many drivers. Learn about evidence-based campaigns to change driver behavior, how one state has invested in a statewide Vision Zero program, how positive traffic safety culture can be instilled in novice drivers, and federal approaches to the issue.

Moderator

Karin Mongeon, Safety Division Director, North Dakota Department of Transportation

Panelists

Katie Womack, Senior Research Scientist, Center for Transportation Safety, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Kelly Browning, PhD, Executive Director, Impact Teen Drivers
Julie Vallese, Associate Administrator, Communications and Consumer Information, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Ellen Walston, Injury Prevention Program Coordinator, Eastern Carolina University Health Medical Center

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. — Taste of the State Reception
9th Floor Terrace
Sponsored by Uber
(Open to all attendees; registered attendees can purchase additional tickets for spouses/guests)

Wednesday, August 16

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. — Morning Coffee
6th Floor Foyer

8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — Morning General Session: A Right to the Road
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)

Walking, biking, using a scooter and other forms of non-motorized, low-speed travel are more popular than ever, but we continue to experience an ongoing national crisis of drivers striking and killing people outside of vehicles. Using a town hall format, a panel of experts will join with the audience to discuss what must be done to protect all road users in a variety of communities and roadway environments.

Moderator

Michael Hanson, Director, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety

Speakers

Amy Cohen, Co-Founder, Families for Safe Streets
Nanda Srinivasan, Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Jaime Sullivan, P.E., Director, National Center for Rural Road Safety
Cheryl Walker, Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Highway Administration
Rebecca Sanders, Founder and Principal Investigator, Safe Streets Research and Consulting

10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. — Workshop 15: Achieving Excellence in Highway Safety Criminal Justice in 2023
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)

Criminal justice is a key component of highway safety but police officers, prosecutors, judges and others in the traffic safety community face renewed internal and external pressures and challenges. Representatives involved in traffic safety interdiction, prosecution and adjudication will discuss strategies to shape a more successful, serviceable and equitable criminal justice system.

Moderator

Lisa Freeman, Executive Director, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission

Panelists

Sarah Garner, North Carolina Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor
Judge Jules Edwards, City Court Judge, Louisiana
Colonel Kevin Anderson, Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Maryland Transportation Authority

10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. — Workshop 16: Traffic Safety Communications: New Challenges and New Solutions
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)

With additional federal safety funding and a mandate to reach more communities, what communications strategies can State Highway Safety Offices and their partners use to reduce fatalities and serious injuries? Hear from experts in communications and media about the importance of the youth perspective in traffic safety, how to reach and engage with Tribal communities, an example of a successful and wide-reaching seat belt campaign and how states can work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to utilize federal resources.

Moderator

Jaime Pelotte, Senior Contract Grant Specialist, Maine Bureau of Highway Safety

Panelists

Lawrence Robertson, Program Director, Indian Highway Safety Program
Presley Connor Pevovar, Assistant Director of Communications, Students Against Destructive Decisions
Richard Klepner, Deputy Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety
Susan McMeen, Director of Consumer Education, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. — Workshop 17: Innovation in Automation: Alerts, Enforcement and Mobility
Empire Complex (7th Floor)

Highway safety programs are increasingly optimized by new technologies that leverage automated processes, monitoring, sensors and alerts. Learn about a range of services and partnerships available to State Highway Safety Offices that can be leveraged to make safety programs more successful, efficient and cost-effective.

Moderator

Russ Martin, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations, Governors Highway Safety Association

Panelists

Rob Patrick, Manager, Emergency Response and Outreach, Waymo
Mark Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Line Solutions
Brock Aun, Vice President of Communications, HAAS Alert
Andres Castrillon, Director, Government Affairs, Qualcomm

12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. — Closing Luncheon
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)
Sponsored by Amazon and Ford Motor Company Fund

Sponsor Remarks

Eli Pabon, Director, Global Road Safety, Amazon
Joe Provenzano, Mobility and Volunteer Engagement Director, Ford Motor Company Fund

Moderator

Pam Shadel Fischer, Senior Director of External Engagement, Governors Highway Safety Association

Al Roker, weather and feature anchor, and co-host of the 3rd Hour of NBC's TODAY; New York Times best-selling author; and 14-time Emmy winner, will speak about overcoming adversity, rising to meet new challenges, and how to create connections with new people and communities.

1:45 p.m. — Adjourn