FBA Annual Awards recognize two of our champions

The Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) has just announced its 2012 awards, and BikeWalkLee is thrilled that two of our champions are among the winners--Don Scott of the Lee MPO and Billy Hattaway of FDOT District 1.  Congratulations to both Don and Billy for this well-deserved honor.  Lee County is lucky to have such dedicated professionals working to improve bike/ped facilities and safety in Lee County.  Thanks to FBA for recognizing them!
 

Don Scott, Lee MPO Director

FBA Supporting Agency of the Year:  Lee County MPO, Don Scott, Director

Being a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) director can be a thankless job, one that means juggling funds and priorities in a way that often results in no one being happy.  Not to mention it requires having to deal with funders who have their own ideas about how the money should be spent.  Somehow, however, Don Scott and his small staff have managed to make bicycle/pedestrian access and safety a priority without alienating those who would rather concentrate on motor vehicle capacity.

The completion of a countywide bike/ped plan, including getting two of three pilot projects that are part of the plan off the ground, is among the agency’s recent accomplishments.  As well, Lee MPO was among the first MPOs in the country to approve a resolution to develop a Complete Streets policy, a resolution that at least two member jurisdictions have taken to the next level, one already at the implantation stage.  Lee County has a long way to go to make it a truly bike-friendly community, but is well on its way due to the efforts of Don Scot and his dedicated MPO staff.    

FBA Bicycle Professional of the Year:  Billy Hattaway

Billy is the Florida Department if Transportation (FDOT) District 1 Secretary and serves as their bicycle/pedestrian safety improvements point person for the state.  FDOT has launched a comprehensive effort, targeting the top 10 most dangerous areas in Florida (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, Orange, Volusia, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Duval, Lee and Polk), with Billy leading the effort.  Besides being a professional traffic engineer, Billy is a certified planner who has worked in both the public (FDOT twice) and private sector. 

Prior to returning to FDOT, he worked for a transportation consulting firm well known for its bike/ped/transit work.  Additionally, he is a CyclingSavvy Instructor and accomplished cyclist with firsthand experience of conditions and design issues cyclists deal with on a regular basis.  Florida is fortunate to have Billy back in a role where he can have a significant impact statewide, something that is long overdue and welcome.