Keys to a Solid Pipe Specification: An Interactive Session
2025-02-11 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Kojo Kamau A – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau A – 4th Floor
Speakers: Jennifer Harrell, P.E. – American Concrete Pipe Association

Presentation Description:
Developing clear, comprehensive pipe specifications is critical to successful infrastructure projects. Ambiguities in specifications can lead to delays, installation challenges, and performance failures. In this highly interactive session, Keys to a Solid Pipe Specification, attendees will actively collaborate to identify the essential components of effective specifications.
Using real-world case studies—featuring both successes and lessons learned—we’ll explore the direct impact of well-crafted specifications on project outcomes. Through group discussions and hands-on activities, participants will work together to develop a practical checklist for creating robust pipe specifications.
By the end of the session, attendees will have co-created a valuable tool they can apply to future projects. The finalized checklist will be available for download as a reference. Join us to sharpen your skills, contribute to a shared resource, and support the development of efficient, sustainable infrastructure systems.
Speaker Bio:
Based out of the heart of the US, Jennifer has been working with the ACPA since April of 2020. As the South Central Region Engineer with the American Concrete Pipe Association, she assists & supports the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana Department of Transportation officials, and other public & private stakeholders in meeting their critical infrastructure needs. Jennifer’s focus is on asset management, specification consultation, technical training, grassroot efforts, and infrastructure installation best-practices for reinforced concrete pipe and boxes.
Jennifer worked in municipal government for 12 years as a Hydraulics Engineer and a Project Manager and has 8 years of experience on the consulting side. She has more than 23 years of experience in all aspects of civil engineering, project planning and management. Her expertise of asset management and municipal planning includes research and analysis, budgeting, contract management, specification writing, QA/QC, inspection, construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure projects. Her background encompasses work in public and private sectors as well as manufacturing.

Cementitious Materials
2025-02-11 10:00 - 10:55 | Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Speaker: Vartan Babakhanian – Rinker Materials
Presentation Description:
Gain an understanding of the history of Portland Cement, its current chemical make-up, and how it’s manufactured. You will also learn the basics of Supplemental Cementitious Materials (SCMs) including Pozzolans (Fly Ash) and Ground granulated blast furnace slag.
Speaker Bio:
Vartan has been with Rinker Materials, formerly Gifford-Hill and Hanson, in Dallas, Texas. Since 1983.
Vartan serves as the Technical Services Manager, and his areas of responsibility include management of Rinker’s Technical Services laboratory Quality Control / Quality assurance program, where he is tasked with problem solving, developing and conducting training programs, research and development, and public relations.
Vartan has been a Professional Engineer since 1987 in the state of Texas

ODOT Project
2025-02-11 09:05 - 10:05 | 2025 Pipe School Encore
Location: Kojo Kamau C – 4th Floor
Speakers: Lori Duguid – ODOT
Cindy Wengerter – ODOT
Presentation Description:
This presentation highlights major transportation projects in the Central Ohio region. It aims to showcase efforts to improve infrastructure, enhance connectivity, and support development. By reviewing different projects, we reveal significant progress and challenges, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and community involvement. Our presentation provides valuable information for planners, designers, and the traveling public.
Speaker Bios:
Cindy Wengerter is the ODOT District Six Capital Programs Administrator, where she oversees the work in Planning, Engineering, and Construction of projects along the state’s transportation system. She and her staff are responsible for the project development process from project initiation, plan development, and construction. District Six covers eight Central Ohio counties with an annual construction program over $500M.
Cindy has 30 years of transportation experience in both the public and private sectors. Her experience includes bridge design and inspection, transportation planning, estimating, and project management. Cindy received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the Ohio State University.

Reinforced Concrete Pipe Basics
2025-02-11 09:05 - 10:05 | Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Speaker: Trevis Hanson – CCPPA

Presentation Description:
This presentation provides basic information regarding reinforced concrete pipe. Pipe size and shape options, reinforcing methods, different concrete types and how productions differs with each type, basic pipe design concepts, and installation are all covered to provide attendees with basic knowledge of each topic.
Speaker Bio:
Trevis Hanson is a Certified Engineering Technologist registered in the Province of Alberta in Canada.
Trevis worked for 8 years as a Consulting Engineer and 9 years as a Contractor. He then spent 7 years with the City of Calgary as the Bridge Operations Technologist inspecting and maintaining bridge structures. In May of 2021, Trevis joined the Canadian Concrete Pipe and Precast Association as the Technical Resources Manager – Western Canada.

International Concrete Pipe Workshop | Session 2: Cement Alternatives
2025-02-11 09:05 - 10:05 | Kojo Kamau A – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau A – 4th Floor
Facilitated by: FBS – German Concrete Pipe Association

Presentation Description:
More information coming soon!

Reinforcement 2
2025-02-11 09:00 - 09:55 | Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Speaker: Jake Jyrkama – Rinker Materials
Presentation Description:
We all know reinforcement makes our product stronger, more durable, and easier to handle. But how does it accomplish all of this? And why is it so important to be produced EXACTLY how the project plans specify? We will discuss the purpose of reinforcing, the types and identifications, basic welding requirements, fabrication of cages, and the specifications that govern it.
Speaker Bio:
Jake is the Director of Quality Assurance for Rinker Materials and is responsible for maintaining and developing QA/QC standards, measurements, auditing, monitoring, benchmarking and optimization for all products sold and manufactured. He is also responsible for training and development of quality control personnel as well as identifying operational improvement opportunities across the business. He is the current chair of the ACPA Quality Committee. Jake holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree, he is a Professional Engineer registered in Texas, and has over 27 years of experience in the concrete pipe industry.

Drycast Reinforcement
2025-02-11 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-10 15:10 - 17:30 | Pheoris West C – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris West C – 3rd Floor
Speaker: Bill Washabaugh – Northern Concrete
Jake Jyrkama – Rinker Materials
Speaker Bio:
Bill works at Northern Concrete Pipe, Inc. in Michigan, a family owned business for over 64 years. He is the 101st & 113th Chairman of the ACPA Board of Directors. Bill is a member of ACPA Government Relations, Manufacturing & Quality, Technical, Education and Marketing Committees, and an active ASTM participating member.
Jake is the Director of Quality Assurance for Rinker Materials and is responsible for maintaining and developing QA/QC standards, measurements, auditing, monitoring, benchmarking and optimization for all products sold and manufactured. He is also responsible for training and development of quality control personnel as well as identifying operational improvement opportunities across the business. He is the current chair of the ACPA Quality Committee. Jake holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree, he is a Professional Engineer registered in Texas, and has over 27 years of experience in the concrete pipe industry.

INSPIRE: Personal Values and Recognition & Celebration
2025-02-11 08:00 - 12:00 | Pheoris West B – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris West B – 3rd Floor
Speaker: Eric Steele – Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute
Presentation Description:
Inspirational leadership training doesn’t begin by learning a new set of skills or behaviors but rather by learning what inspires and motivates you. While each of us has different and distinct values, identifying them leads to being more intentional in how we think, act, communicate, and make decisions. Leaders who act from a place of self-awareness inspire and motivate others
Course Outcomes:

Increase self-awareness and the work of leadership (time spent working on self, team, and business versus time spent in the business.
Understand the influence as leaders on the people in their span of care.
Develop empathetic listening behaviors that enhance relationships and value individuals.
Define individual values to increase self-awareness and authenticity.
Learn and apply recognition and celebration practices to encourage desired behaviors and inspire others.

Speaker Bio:
Eric is an experienced coach with over a decade of experience in leadership, development, resiliency, and consulting. He has a bachelor’s degree from Franklin College and Master of Divinity from Indiana Wesleyan University. Eric comes from a military background with the US Air Force and Army. Starting with the Air Force, Eric served as a Crew Chief on the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. He then transitioned to the Army to serve as an Army Chaplain and is currently still serving at the rank of Major. Eric also brings a wealth of experience from the aviation sector, having served as UH-60 Blackhawk pilot in the Army, a Medevac Company Platoon Leader, and holding multiple ratings in fixed and rotor wing aircraft. Although the Blackhawk was the most complex, his favorite aircraft to pilot and learn in was the OH-58 Kiowa.
Of his military career Eric shares that “the experience of being a military aviator and chaplain allows me to combine technical analysis and share the human experience with any group I serve. I want everyone that I interact with to know that they are heard.” Eric believes that there is always an opportunity to learn from someone else. He brings a passion and experience to empathetic listening and leadership development. As a result, he believes that leadership development is something that can be learned and honed. Eric enjoys spending time with his daughters and playing or listening to anything related to blues music.
Contact Info: eric.steele@ccoleadership.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsteele22/

Small Drainage Inventory
2025-02-11 08:00 - 09:00 | 2025 Pipe School Encore
Location: Kojo Kamau C – 4th Floor
Speaker: Brian Schroeder, P.E. – KYTC
Michael Edwards, P.E. – Qk4 Engineering and Planning

Presentation Description:
Recent catastrophic events have exposed deficiencies in KYTC’s asset management. This prompted a large-scale project to identify and evaluate all small drainage structures (12 inch to <20 feet) located on KYTC roadways statewide. We will discuss the precipitating events, the data collection process, lessons learned and where the project stands to date.
Speaker Bio:
Brian Schroeder graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He began his career working with structural consultants. After a brief stint in aviation, he later found his home with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Maintenance working on roadway maintenance. Brian has been with KYTC for 12 years, all of it in the Division of Maintenance.
Brian lives in Lexington, KY with his wife and their two energetic children.

Michael attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2012. Michael worked for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet inspecting bridges from 2012-2015 in KYTC District 8 before taking a position with the cabinet in Central Office as a Load Rating Engineer and Superloads Program Manager from 2015-2018. In 2018, Michael returned home and took on the role of the District 8 Bridge Engineer where he oversaw inspection and maintenance for more than 1,000 structures across 10 counties in Southeastern Kentucky. Michael left the cabinet in 2022 to join Qk4 Engineering and Planning as a structural engineer, specializing in field bridge inspection.

Soils on the Jobsite
2025-02-11 08:00 - 09:00 | Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Speaker: Karl Beckemeier, P.E. – Rinker Materials

Presentation Description:
Soils are a critical component of all construction projects and are important to all types of pipe installations. It is important to understand how the information found in various references and guides on soils relates to what might be seen on a project site, along with the importance of this information in pipe installations. This presentation will cover: 1. Soil basics, terminology, and the importance of proper evaluation and construction; 2. Table 2 – USCS, AASHTO, and USDA comparison; 3. Compaction equipment, lift thicknesses, practices, and testing; 4. Quick checks in the field & lessons learned; 5. AASHTO #57 Aggregate; 6. Jobsite and excavation safety.
Speaker Bio:
Karl Beckemeier started with Rinker Materials in 2023 and is the Technical Resource Engineer for Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. His previous experience includes 2 years designing public infrastructure projects at Anderson Engineering, 4 years with Terracon performing field inspections and testing on soils and construction materials, 3 years as a Materials Inspector with the Missouri Department of Transportation, and 2 years as the Quality Control Engineer at Charah, Inc. for fly ash, bottom ash, and FGD gypsum in Louisville, KY. Karl graduated from the Missouri University of Science and Technology with a M.S. and B.S. in Civil Engineering, along with a B.S. in Architectural Engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri.

International Concrete Pipe Workshop | Session 1: European Sustainability
2025-02-11 08:00 - 09:00 | Kojo Kamau A – 4th Floor

Reinforcement 1
2025-02-11 08:00 - 08:55 | Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Speaker: Jake Jyrkama – Rinker Materials
Presentation Description:
We all know reinforcement makes our product stronger, more durable, and easier to handle. But how does it accomplish all of this? And why is it so important to be produced EXACTLY how the project plans specify? We will discus the purpose of reinforcing, the types and identifications, basic welding requirements, fabrication of cages, and the specifications that govern it.
Speaker Bio:
Jake is the Director of Quality Assurance for Rinker Materials and is responsible for maintaining and developing QA/QC standards, measurements, auditing, monitoring, benchmarking and optimization for all products sold and manufactured. He is also responsible for training and development of quality control personnel as well as identifying operational improvement opportunities across the business. He is the current chair of the ACPA Quality Committee. Jake holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, he is a Professional Engineer registered in Texas and has over 27 years of experience in the concrete pipe industry.

Pipe Show
2025-02-10 17:00 - 19:30 | Amina Robinson Grand Ballroom – 5th Floor
Location: Aminah Robinson Grand Ballroom – 5th Floor
VIEW THE EXHIBITOR LIST
The Pipe Show is a trade show created exclusively for the concrete pipe industry and is open for all Pipe School attendees. With over 25 exhibitors showcasing their products, services, and people, there is something for everyone to see at the Pipe Show!

SCC
2025-02-10 16:35 - 17:30 | Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Speaker: Tom Greene – GCP Applied Technologies
Presentation Description:
Learn the fundamentals of Self Consolidating Concrete (SCC). In addition to a brief history of SCC, this presentation will include a discussion of the properties, admixes, benefits, cautions, testing requirements, and special production requirements for SCC.
Speaker Bio:
Tom is a Regional Technical Services Manager for GCP Applied Technologies based in Houston TX. Among his responsibilities are technical support to customers through out the Mid-West and Southwest US, testing and data analysis for new admixture development, troubleshooting concrete problems, and technical training. Tom has worked on the technical aspects of the concrete industry for more than 40 years. Including tenures as Laboratory Manager for Rinker Materials and Technical Service Manager for portland and slag cement at Lone Star Industries. Tom is a frequent speaker at numerous industry events and a co-developer for the Concrete Fundamentals Lab at World of Concrete.
Tom is a Fellow at the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and active on numerous technical and educational committees. He is a former recipient of ACI Educational Committee Member of the Year award and former Chair of the Educational Activities Committee. Tom is an active member of other professional organizations including ASTM International, where he is Secretary for Committee C 9 – Concrete & Concrete Aggregates, and a former Chair of Sub-Committee C 9.60 – Testing Fresh Concrete, and C 9.27 – Ground Slag, and a supporter of several state concrete associations.

Building Tomorrow Today: Story of the ACPA
2025-02-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Presenters: Michael Kremer – American Concrete Pipe Association
Dena Silva – American Concrete Pipe Association
Trygve Hoff, P.E., ENV SP – American Concrete Pipe Association
Steve Hawkins, AIA – American Concrete Pipe Association
Presentation Description:
The story of the ACPA isn’t just about yesterday, it’s also about today and tomorrow. Join us as we talk about the various chapters of the ACPA story and gain a little inspiration on how you can be a part of writing the next chapter.

Admixtures
2025-02-10 15:35 - 16:30 | Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Speaker: Tom Greene – GCP Applied Technologies
Presentation Description:
Admixtures for concrete continue to be an ever-increasing part of our concrete production. This presentation will give you a thorough introduction to admixtures for both wet and dry cast concrete. During this course you will gain a knowledge of admixtures, along with the ASTM specifications that you need to be familiar with to make quality concrete pipe.
Speaker Bio:
Tom is a Regional Technical Services Manager for GCP Applied Technologies based in Houston TX. Among his responsibilities are technical support to customers throughout the Mid-West and Southwest US, testing and data analysis for new admixture development, troubleshooting concrete problems, and technical training. Tom has worked on the technical aspects of the concrete industry for more than 40 years. Including tenures as Laboratory Manager for Rinker Materials and Technical Service Manager for portland and slag cement at Lone Star Industries. Tom is a frequent speaker at numerous industry events and a co-developer for the Concrete Fundamentals Lab at World of Concrete.
Tom is a Fellow at the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and active on numerous technical and educational committees. He is a former recipient of ACI Educational Committee Member of the Year award and former Chair of the Educational Activities Committee. Tom is an active member of other professional organizations including ASTM International, where he is Secretary for Committee C 9 – Concrete & Concrete Aggregates, and a former Chair of Sub-Committee C 9.60 – Testing Fresh Concrete, and C 9.27 – Ground Slag, and a supporter of several state concrete associations.

Unrivaled Durability of Concrete Pipe
2025-02-10 15:15 - 16:00 | Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Speaker: Karen Thompson – Concrete Pipe Association of Australasia

Presentation Description:
Unrivaled Durability of Concrete Pipe Proven
The Australian Concrete Pipe Association has in recent years conducted field investigation and laboratory analysis of aged installed concrete pipe to provide evidence of the products unrivalled durability in stormwater pipelines.
Findings confirm:
– Standard assumptions around corrosion process and modelling are not appropriate for concrete pipe
– 100+ years service life without any reduction in structural capacity or corrosion induced cracking
The results and evidence of the study are being utilized to assess useful life and aide in technical discussions of lesser useful life of competitive products.
Concepts to be covered in the presentation:
– Durability of concrete pipe, the assumptions and evidence.
– Process of steel corrosion in concrete pipe in aggressive environments and why corrosion does not occur
– Durability risks for plastic pipes.
– How durability evidence is used by government agencies to value assets and plan future maintenance costs.
Learning objectives:
– Why concrete pipe is so durable
– Mechanism of steel reinforcement corrosion in concrete pipe
– Why greater than 100 years useful life can be utlised for concrete pipe
– Concept of design life versus useful life
– Characteristics and properties of plastic pipe that risk durability
The presentation outline:
– Explain the history of durability studies by the CPAA
– Illustrate the recent field investigations and laboratory testing to prove durability of concrete pipe
– Discuss the assumptions of corrosion prediction models and why these are not appropriate for concrete pipes.
– Corrosion process limited by oxygen availability with field investigation findings to prove
– Explain durability concerns of plastic pipe and what resultant characteristics of concern are
– Examples of 100+ year useful asset life being adopted for concrete pipe and why
Speaker Bio:
Executive Director of the Concrete Pipe Association of Australasia, representing the reinforced concrete pipeline, box culvert and associated civil precast product industry in Australia and New Zealand.
Graduating from the University of Queensland, Karen is a Civil Engineer with extensive experience in the pipe and precast industry in both Australia and overseas, including the design, supply, manufacturing, installation, marketing and business management of civil precast concrete and a range of pipe materials including concrete, plastic, vitrified clay and steel.
Karen chairs Australian Standards Australia Technical Committee WS006 Concrete Pipes, is a member of CE-026 Precast Box Culverts, WS028 Design and Installation of Buried Flexible Pipes and CE029 Access Covers and Grates.
Passionate about all things pipe and precast, bat crazy about durable and sustainable infrastructure, With an enjoy every day attitude, Karen is hell bent on sharing her knowledge and experience”

INSPIRE: Inspired Leadership and Listening
2025-02-10 15:10 - 17:30 | Pheoris West B – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris West B – 3rd Floor
Speaker: Eric Steele – Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute
Presentation Description:
What do inspirational leaders do? When we asked leaders around the world, regardless of generation, background, or culture, they invariably respond with the same list of actions. Inspirational leaders listen, build trust, grow people, and form lasting connections with the people in their span of care. The result of great leadership? Inspired team members who lean in, are authentically dedicated to helping others, and deeply accountable to their commitments.
Course Outcomes:

Increase self-awareness and the work of leadership (time spent working on self, team, and business versus time spent in the business.
Understand the influence as leaders on the people in their span of care.
Develop empathetic listening behaviors that enhance relationships and value individuals.
Define individual values to increase self-awareness and authenticity.
Learn and apply recognition and celebration practices to encourage desired behaviors and inspire others.

Speaker Bio:
Eric is an experienced coach with over a decade of experience in leadership, development, resiliency, and consulting. He has a bachelor’s degree from Franklin College and Master of Divinity from Indiana Wesleyan University. Eric comes from a military background with the US Air Force and Army. Starting with the Air Force, Eric served as a Crew Chief on the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. He then transitioned to the Army to serve as an Army Chaplain and is currently still serving at the rank of Major. Eric also brings a wealth of experience from the aviation sector, having served as UH-60 Blackhawk pilot in the Army, a Medevac Company Platoon Leader, and holding multiple ratings in fixed and rotor wing aircraft. Although the Blackhawk was the most complex, his favorite aircraft to pilot and learn in was the OH-58 Kiowa.
Of his military career Eric shares that “the experience of being a military aviator and chaplain allows me to combine technical analysis and share the human experience with any group I serve. I want everyone that I interact with to know that they are heard.” Eric believes that there is always an opportunity to learn from someone else. He brings a passion and experience to empathetic listening and leadership development. As a result, he believes that leadership development is something that can be learned and honed. Eric enjoys spending time with his daughters and playing or listening to anything related to blues music.
Contact Info: eric.steele@ccoleadership.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsteele22/

Quality School Introductions
2025-02-10 15:10 - 15:35 | Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris West A – 3rd Floor
Speaker: Rich Brewster – Northern Concrete Pipe
Speaker Bio:
Rich Brewster is Director of Quality Control for Northern Concrete Pipe, based in Bay City, Michigan. He’s been with Northern since 2004 and has been involved in the quality program since 2007. Rich is responsible for developing and overseeing Northern’s award winning quality control program, maintaining various plant and company certifications, ensuring product compliance to local, state and national specifications, personnel training, and overseeing product research and testing projects. Rich is an active member of ACPA’s Manufacturing/Quality, Education, and Research Committees; as well as Vice Chair on ASTM’s C-13 Committee. Rich is a proud recipient of the ACPA’s Mel Marshall Award, and the ASTM C13 Chair Award.

Opening Ceremonies & Keynote Speaker
2025-02-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Location:Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Speaker: Shelley Row, P.E., CSP – Blue Fjord Leaders
Presentation Description:
Decision-making can be challenging to get just right. Decisions can be made too fast or too slow. Neuroscience provides insight into the powerful internal forces that sway decisions whether you know it or not. If you want to enhance decision making, reduce workplace drama and improve productivity, learn the skills you need now.
Learning objectives:

Learn how your brain communicates through gut feel to influence decision-making.
Stop over-thinking by resolving the forces that freeze decision-making.
Discover proven techniques to slow a quick reaction before you respond and regret it.
Enable “aha!” moments when they are needed the most.

Speaker Bio:
An Inc. Magazine top 100 leadership speaker and one of eight engineers worldwide who is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), Shelley Row, PE, CSP, is a professional engineer and former government and association executive. As founder and CEO of Blue Fjord Leaders, Shelley’s work focuses on engineering leaders to see beyond the data. The Blue Fjord Leadership System grows your organization by growing the management skills of technical staff. At Blue Fjord Leaders we provide foundational management skills to enable decision-making, delegation, critical conversations, and more. Shelley Row’s one-on-one organizational assessment leads to customized professional development to achieve your goals.
Shelley is a high-energy, engaging speaker and consultant working with top managers and leaders in technical industries. She interviewed more than three dozen executives from the public, private, academic and political sectors on leadership skills needed by technical professionals. Interview results combined with neuroscience provide a practical, real-world approach to all programs.
Shelley learned the hard way that technical skills are not enough to be successful as a manager or leader. After plateauing in her career growth, she realized that you can’t think your way to the top. Success comes when you learn to think, feel and act. It is the integration of all three that makes a leader stand out. This realization transformed her from a woman engineer to a woman executive, from over-thinker to decision-maker, and from having a dream to living her dream. In 2010, Shelley and her husband left their careers and moved to a Provençal village for ten months and traveled around the world to return home to Annapolis, Maryland. Shelley published three books written about life and travel abroad.
Shelley founded Blue Fjord Leaders following a distinguished 30-year transportation career. Her career as a transportation engineer started in 1984 when women engineers were few. She worked as a transportation engineer in Texas, California, Arizona, North Carolina and Georgia during the 1996 Olympic Games. She finished her career in the Senior Executive Service with the U.S. Department of Transportation where she ran a research program on connected and automated cars. She is an award-winning leader with top honors in her agency. Shelley is widely-known within the transportation community for her leadership, vision and organizational skills.
Shelley is a sought-after speaker with hundreds of presentations to her credit including for national and international groups from 20 to 2000. She has articles published in Forbes, Fast Company, HuffPost Business, SmartBlog on Leadership, Realizing Leadership Magazine, CEO Magazine, ITE Journal, Thinking Highways and more. Her book is, Think Less. Live More. Lessons from a Recovering Over-Thinker. She is a certified virtual presenter, trained coach, a certified trainer for Business DNA Behavior self-assessment tools, and she completed training with the NeuroLeadership Institute. She is the past president of the National Speakers Association Washington, DC chapter. You can follow her work through X (@shelleyrow) and LinkedIn or by signing up for her newsletter on her website (www.bluefjordleaders.com).
Shelley holds Bachelor degrees in Civil Engineering and Architecture from Texas Tech University and an MBA from Virginia Tech. She is a registered professional engineer. Blue Fjord Leaders is a 100% woman-owned business with MBE certifications

New Attendee Orientation
2025-02-10 12:00 - 12:45 | Pheoris West A & B – 3rd Floor
Location: Pheoris A & B – 3rd Floor
Description:
Registered ACPA Members Only
