As you have likely heard, Jeff Lindley will be stepping down from his position as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Technical Officer at the end of October. This will certainly create a big void at ITE and for me personally. Jeff has served in the Deputy ED/CTO role for the past six years and has been instrumental to ITE’s success over that time.
As a Deputy Executive Director, Jeff serves as part of ITE’s Executive Leadership Team. Working with the ITE Board of Direction and guided by the ITE Strategic Plan, we provide day-to-day management and support for the ITE enterprise. Jeff has been a key member of this team, bringing strong leadership skills honed as a senior executive with the Federal Highway Administration.
As ITE’s Chief Technical Officer, Jeff has been involved in every aspect of ITE’s technical activities from supporting our Council Leadership Team, six technical councils and 15 standing committees, to leading our multi-million-dollar annual contract program, to guiding the development of the technical program for our Annual Meeting and Spring Conference, to representing ITE’s technical interests with our many partner associations, to managing our technical programs staff. In each area, Jeff has left his mark on our efforts, and we are stronger and better positioned today than when he arrived.
Jeff has been a leader with the industry and with ITE for decades. In recognition of his many professional accomplishments and contributions to ITE, Jeff received the prestigious Burton W. Marsh Award at the recent ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibition.
The ITE Council Leadership Team (CLT) Volunteer of the Year Award was renamed as the Jeff Lindley Personal and Technical Excellence Award. In proposing the naming of this award to ITE’s Executive Committee, CLT Chair Eric Rensel cited Jeff ’s “…quiet confidence and humble leadership style that is empowering to others, is inclusive, and promotes creative thinking that allows ideas to come forward.”
From a personal standpoint, I will miss the opportunity to work with Jeff daily. Our career paths have been intertwined from our early days working together at FHWA and
being reunited for the last 6 years at ITE. Jeff is a great friend and we have had many wonderful times together both through and outside of work. I feel fortunate to have been
able to turn to him while at ITE for his advice, counsel, and support.
While Jeff leaves big shoes to fill, I am pleased that Steve Kuciemba (F) will be joining ITE as our new Deputy Executive Director and Chief Technical Officer. Most recently, Steve served as a Senior Vice President and the National ITS/CAV Practice Leader with WSP. Steve has more than 30 years of transportation experience, having worked in the public sector, private sector, and in the association world. Steve has been an active volunteer with ITE and brings strong executive leadership skills and broad technical knowledge to the Deputy ED/CTO position.
To support a smooth transition, Jeff has agreed to stay on with ITE in a part-time capacity for several months. In addition to supporting Steve as he gets up to speed on his
new responsibilities, Jeff will lead the development of the technical program for the 2023 ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibition. So, while Jeff is heading off to enjoy a well-deserved
retirement, thankfully, he isn’t quite leaving ITE behind just yet. As always, contact me on the ITE e-Community or on Twitter: @JeffPaniatiITE.