Notice to Media

AHTD Director Elected President of AASHTO

LITTLE ROCK (11-10) -- Dan Flowers, Director of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD), has been elected President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The announcement of Flowers’ election was made Tuesday, November 10 at AASHTO’s 84^th Annual Meeting in Boston.

Flowers became the 89^th President in the history of the organization. Flowers, who has served as Vice President for the past year, succeeds David Winstead of Maryland as President.

"This is an exciting time to be in the transportation industry and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," Flowers said. "AASHTO has a great tradition of addressing issues from a national perspective while attempting to keep the best interest of each member state in mind. It is truly an honor to be selected to lead this organization at this time."

In his acceptance speech, Flowers outlined four areas of emphasis for the upcoming year.

Full implementation of the provisions of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century.
Continuing outreach efforts in developing better relations with other transportation organizations on topics such as safety and Intelligent Transportation Systems.
Proceeding with research efforts and implementing new transportation technologies.
Advancing AASHTO efforts to promote the importance of intermodal transportation.

AASHTO Executive Director Francis Francois said, "Dan Flowers has many years experience dealing with the transportation issues addressed by AASHTO. He served this past year as our Vice President and as Chairman of the Reauthorization Steering Committee. We look forward to great accomplishments for the nation’s transportation system during his administration."

Arkansas Highway Commission Chairman Herby Branscum, Jr., of Perryville, believes Flowers is deserving of the job. "This is a distinctive honor for the State of Arkansas and a personal tribute to Dan Flowers for his outstanding leadership as Director of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, and to the transportation industry."

Flowers, formerly of Batesville, began his career with the AHTD in June 1969 following graduation from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a degree in Civil Engineering. While attending college, he worked for the AHTD as a summer employee for four years in Batesville.

After completing the engineering intern program, Flowers served in many capacities with the Department. He became Director January 3, 1994 after serving as Assistant Director for nearly six years. At the time he was appointed Director, he was the youngest person to be named to that position since the adoption of the Mack-Blackwell Amendment in 1953.

On the national and regional levels, Flowers has been active in AASHTO and the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO), having just completed a term as President of SASHTO. He has served on numerous committees including the Transportation Research Board, the AASHTO Standing Committee on Administration, Chairman of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Design and Chairman of the AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways.

In Arkansas, Flowers is a Registered Professional Engineer and a member of the Little Rock Engineer’s Club, the University of Arkansas College of Engineering Academy of Civil Engineers, and is a Past President of the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. He also serves on the Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center’s Professional Advisory Board at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Flowers currently resides in North Little Rock and is married to the former Sara Stobaugh of Hughes. They have two daughters, one son, and one grandson.

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For Further Information Contact:

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209
Tel: 501-569-2000
FAX: 501-569-2400
e-mail: