Photo by David Galen.
DATA welcomed Commonwealth of Virginia Secretary of Transportation, Hon. Shannon Valentine (inset photo ©David Galen), as keynote speaker at DATA’s 32nd Anniversary Celebration and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 24th at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel in Herndon. The annual dinner event is one of only two fundraisers DATA holds each year to help support its mobility management efforts.
DATA President John Martin served as emcee for the evening, introducing the elected officials in attendance and delivering opening remarks. Helen Cuervo, District Engineer, Northern Virginia District of the Virginia Department of Transportation, introduced Secretary Valentine. The Secretary shared the new administration’s vision for transportation in the Commonwealth, particularly as it relates to the challenges faced by businesses and citizens in the Dulles area.
As always, a highlight of the evening was the presentation of DATA’s Awards. This year’s honorees included:
J. Hamilton Lambert, recipient of the 16th Annual Dr. Sidney Steele Founder’s Award. Mr. Lambert is a former Fairfax County Executive and the current Executive Director ofthe Claude Moore Charitable Foundation.
James N. Larsen, recipient of the President’s Award. Jim is the former Executive Director and CEO of DATA and currently heads up the Commuter Services Bureau of Arlington County’s Department of Transportation.
Bob Evans and Kelley Westenhoff, recipients of the “DATAs.” Bob and Kelley provided key support to DATA’s Live More Commute Less: FOCUS! grant, aimed at establishing a bike-oriented community in Reston and at encouraging commuters to bike or walk the “last mile” from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station to their home or office.
Fairfax County employers who have received “Best Workplaces for Commuters” designation were recognized with a banner in the ballroom.
The program concluded with DATA Executive Director Doug Pickford thanking the event’s sponsors and providing brief remarks on the successes and future challenges for DATA.
For more information on DATA, or to become a DATA member, please contact Director of Sales and Marketing Kelly Woodward at kwoodward@datatrans.org.