Monday, January 5, 2009

4:00 p.m. Registration – Lobby – 4th floor
5:30 p.m. Reception – Salon C – 4th floor
7:00 p.m. Reception and Registration Ends

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

7:00 a.m. Registration – Lobby – 4th floor
8:00 a.m. Opening Session Breakfast – Austin Grand Ballroom – 6th floor
TxDOT’s Executive Director outlines the department’s priorities for 2009.

Speaker:
Amadeo Saenz, Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation
Video (WMV 29.6 mb)

9:00 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m. Texas’ Future Transportation Needs – Governor’s Ballroom – 4th floor
A group of experts in business and transportation were asked to identify Texas’ transportation needs in the context of today’s economic reality. Their report is in, and attendees will get a chance to hear first hand about the process and the results.
Video (WMV 99.8 mb)

Moderator: John Barton, Assistant Executive Director for Engineering Operations, Texas Department of Transportation

Speakers: 
Dr. C. Michael Walton, Chair, 2030 Committee; Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering, University of Texas
Presenation (PDF 1.4 mb)
Tom Johnson, Executive Vice President, Associated General Contractors of Texas
Presentation (PDF 608 kb)
Roger Nober, Executive Vice President Law and Secretary, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Presentation (PDF 1.3 mb)

11:00 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. Road Hand Awards Luncheon – Austin Grand Ballroom – 6th floor
Road Hand Award Presenation (PDF 2mb)
Road Hand Award Video (WMV 15.1 mb)

Master of Ceremonies: Lawrence Olsen, Executive Vice President, Texas Good Roads Transportation Association
Keynote Address: T. Boone Pickens, Founder and Principal, BP Capital
Keynote Address Video (WMV 39.1 mb)
Pickens Interview Video (WMV 92.7 mb)
Road Hand Award Recognition: Steven E. Simmons, Deputy Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation

2:00 p.m. State and Federal Transportation Policy Overview – Governor’s Ballroom – 4th floor
Texans will be closely watching the state and federal capitols in 2009. There are many transportation issues to be addressed when Texas legislators return to Austin. There is also a fork in the road on the national scene with SAFETEA-LU set to expire in September 2009. Join in the discussion with key policy makers.
Video (WMV 112.2 mb)

Moderator: Deirdre Delisi, Chair, Texas Transportation Commission

Speakers:
Senator John Carona, Chair, Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, Texas Senate
The Honorable Jane Garvey, Former Administrator, FAA; Deputy Administrator, FHWA
The Honorable Richard Gephardt, Former Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives

3:30 p.m. Break
4:00 p.m.

State Initiatives – Governor’s Ballroom – 4th floor
Transportation takes center stage on several fronts when Texas lawmakers begin the 81st legislative session. Interim committees have been hard at work addressing many transportation issues, including a review of TxDOT's operations and market valuation process. Hear committee members’ perspectives on these important state initiatives.
Video (WMV 82.6 mb)

Moderator: Fred Underwood, Commissioner, Texas Transportation Commission

Speakers:
Senator Robert Nichols, Member, Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, Texas Senate
Representative Carl Isett, Chair, Sunset Advisory Committee, Texas House of Representatives
Senator Eliot Shapleigh, Member, Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, Texas Senate
Presentation (PDF496 kb)

5:30 p.m. Reception – Austin Grand Ballroom Lobby and Salon G – 6th floor
7:00 p.m. Reception Ends

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

7:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast – 4th floor
8:00 a.m.

Regional Partnerships – Governor’s Ballroom – 4th floor
Toll roads in the metropolitan areas are a part of the big-city culture, and the challenge for those managing these facilities grows everyday as more people move to Texas. Today’s economic landscape has added a new twist to meeting the priorities and driver expectations.  Come listen as officers of NTTA, HCTRA & CTRMA discuss these challenges.
Video (WMV 57.1 mb)

Moderator: William Meadows, Commissioner, Texas Transportation Commission

Speakers:
Robert M. Collie, Jr., Special Counsel, Harris County Toll Road Authority
Paul Wageman, Chairman, North Texas Tollway Authority Board of Directors
Mike Heiligenstein, Executive Director, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority

9:30 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Federal Initiatives – Governor’s Ballroom – 4th floor
A low balance in the Federal Highway Trust Fund hits home when reimbursements are slowed and projects are delayed.  Funding transportation must be a top priority in order for America to remain a global economic leader. Find out from national transportation experts what’s around the corner for federal funding.
Video (WMV 103.6 mb)

Moderator: Ned Holmes, Commissioner, Texas Transportation Commission

Speakers:
Dr. C. Michael Walton, Chair, 2030 Committee; Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering, University of Texas
Presenation (PDF 156 kb)
Kathy Ruffalo-Farnsworth, Commissioner, National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission
William K. Moore, Public Strategies Managing Director, ViaNovo

11:30 a.m. Break
12:00 p.m.

Luncheon and Keynote Address – Austin Grand Ballroom – 6th floor
Video (WMV 27.8 mb)

Keynote Address: The Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas