BS, Civil Engineering, Minor, Economics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Professional Experience
Associate Director, National Concrete Pavement Technology Center, March 2016–present, Ames, IA
Supports the director in conducting activities that maintain and grow this national program; manages complex research projects from proposal through final reporting; acts as liaison with industry and with local, state, and federal highway agencies; participates in strategic planning and implementation of same.
Provided technical support to transportation agencies and industry to further the development of a new generation of epoxy-coated load transfer devices for concrete pavements.
Worked with industry and transportation agencies to advance the use of portland cement concrete pavement utilizing continuous reinforcement and load transfer devices.
Liaison with state departments of transportation, professional associations, and technical organizations; provide specification review and input; and lead fiduciary, marketing, and sales.
Chief Engineer and Regional and Western Division Manager, American Highway Technology, 1999–2001 and 2001–2006, respectively, Kankakee, IL
Responsible for sales and support of AHT products and for technical support in the advancement of Portland cement concrete pavement through innovative practices and enhanced concrete accessories. Worked with state DOTs to facilitate specification requirements/changes.
Vice President for Membership and Chapter Relations, American Concrete Pavement Association, 1998–1999, Skokie, IL
Provided leadership and facilitated rapport among association members and governmental agencies to promote the benefits of Portland cement concrete pavement.
Executive Director, Missouri/Kansas Chapter of the American Concrete Pavement Association, 1988–1998, Lenexa, KS
Responsible for all chapter activities from budgeting to troubleshooting to presenting educational seminars. Worked with the Kansas and Missouri DOTs, Federal Aviation Administration, Corps of Engineers, and consulting firms. Also served as the technical expert for the Concrete Promotional Group of Kansas City and the Concrete Council of St. Louis.
Soil and Aggregate Engineer and Senior Research Engineer, Arizona Department of Transportation, 1985–1986 and 1986–1988, respectively, Phoenix, AZ
Worked primarily in materials and pavement management area. Administered contract research projects: developed problem statements, wrote requests for proposal, reviewed proposals, developed final scope of work and contract specifications, monitored projects under contract for compliance, reviewed reports, and reviewed change orders for approval. Greatly involved with quality assurance and testing of soils and aggregates through the central laboratory.
Several positions culminating in Special Assignments Engineer, Iowa Department of Transportation, 1979–1985, Ames, IA
Worked closely with department heads, key staff, and the FHWA. Worked on the development of Iowa’s pavement management system. With Iowa State University, prepared and presented pavement management short course for engineers, technicians, and administrators. Responsible for the materials test results reporting system. Experience in rural and urban design: geometric, storm sewer, urban area stage construction, special provision writing, plan and profile layout, and cost estimating, all complying with applicable standards and guidelines. Responsible for ascertaining research needs on low-volume roadways and working with county engineers to help solve their maintenance, design, and construction engineering problems.
Engineer, Patzig Testing Laboratories, 1981–1982, Des Moines, IA
Gained experience in materials testing for building and road construction industry and geotechnical investigations. Worked as a liaison between the firm and government entities.
Farmed for three (3) years in SW Iowa. 600 acres of row crop and livestock.
Military service with the U.S. Army in Europe.
Selected Research Projects
Tritsch, S. L. 2012. Impact of the Discount Rate on Long Life Pavement Capital Improvements: A Discussion of the Financial Inputs.10th International Conference on Concrete Pavements, Quebec, Canada, July 8–12.
Tritsch, S. L. 2012. Impact of Discount Rate on Long-Life Capital Improvements. 91st Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, Jan. 22–26.
Selected Professional Service
American Concrete Pavement Association, Strategic Advisory Board
American Society of Civil Engineers
Transportation Research Board
Committee AFD50, Rigid Pavement Design
Committee AFN30, Durability of Concrete
Committee AFH50, Concrete Pavement Construction and Rehabilitation (past chair)
