The American Road & Transportation Builders Association has chosen a Texas CEO to lead the group through 2016. David S. Zachry, chief executive officer of Zachry Corporation, was elected during the ARTBA’s conference in Philadelphia.
Speaking to the group, Zachry outlined several key goals for the year ahead. The most important thing, he said, is for the association to remain “laser-focused on its mission of ensuring a long-term Highway Trust Fund fix and congressional approval of a multi-year bill that boosts federal surface transportation investment.” The group is also going to advocate for more federal investment in airport construction as part of the re-authorization of the nation’s aviation programs.
Zachry said he will work to build the number of firms and organizations supporting the “Transportation Makes America Work” lobbying and advocacy communications program “to help ensure the industry has the financial muscle to achieve its legislative goals.” The association is also going to expand the scope of its training initiatives with development of new accredited, national road and bridge safety certification programs, Zachry said.
Under his leadership, the trade association will work to fully engage the next generation of industry leaders in “supporting the association’s advocacy mission and providing them with new leadership opportunities,” Zachry said. He also wants the ARTBA to be as engaged as ever in efforts to support the professional development of women in the construction industry through the recruitment of more women and students to consider transportation construction careers.
Zachry’s career in the transportation construction industry spans nearly 30 years. In 1996, he was named president of the company’s Civil Group. By August of 2004, he had assumed the responsibilities of president and chief operating officer of Zachry Construction Corporation. He became president and CEO in 2008.
He is the third generation Zachry in the company founded by his grandfather, H.B. “Pat” Zachry, in 1924. Today, the San Antonio-based firm builds technically-unique, large-scale projects around the world with high integrity and innovation. Highways, bridges, waterways, museums, music halls, hotels, and hospitals are among the company’s many projects that provide noteworthy infrastructure solutions.
Zachry’s ARTBA volunteer leadership positions include serving as senior vice chairman, first vice chairman and vice chairman at-large.
He is the current chair of the steering committee of the Construction Industry Ethics & Compliance Initiative. Zachry also serves on the Texas A&M Civil Engineering Advisory Council, and on the boards of the Southwest Research Institute and the Associated General Contractors of America.
