Category: Diamond Ring, for ETC Leadership Laura Valentine, HNTB Corporation, Bellevue Dan Dixon, Vice President Laura Valentine, Office Administration Manager Ellen Siebert, Employee Transportation Coordinator

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Outstanding efforts of Employee Transportation Coordinator recognized with top award
HNTB Corporation is a leading provider of architecture, engineering and design services. In each of the organization’s past three Diamond Award wins, Laura Valentine has been there, leading the CTR program down a path of success with her can-do attitude, creativity and resourcefulness. Having recently received a new promotion, Laura leaves behind her ETC duties in 2004, but not without making a lasting impression on those in the commute trip reduction field that have had the pleasure to work with her. For her longstanding leadership and commitment to HNTB’s CTR program, Laura Valentine has been awarded a 2003 Commuter Challenge Diamond Ring Award for ETC Leadership.

March 16, 2004 Awards Ceremony HNTB Corporation's Laura Valentine holds a Diamond Ring Award presented in recognition of her longstanding leadership and commitment to her organization's commuting program.

Laura Valentine began her stewardship of the commuting program at HNTB in 1999. While there was a solid CTR program in place when she arrived, it lacked enthusiasm, creativity and a forward-looking attitude. Not having much of a background in CTR or transportation demand management, Laura jumped right in, learning all the basics to developing a highly successful, well received CTR program. She also made herself available to answer employee questions on transportation issues and alternative commute modes, and regularly arranged meetings and events to encourage participation in the program. "Over the course of a year, Laura investigated ridesharing programs, promoted state-wide incentive programs, and sought out HNTB’s senior management support to actively promote the program," said King County Metro Employer Transportation Representative Dave Hollar. "Her efforts ultimately propelled the company to reach one of the highest transit mode splits in downtown Bellevue."

Using the company’s position within the local business community, Laura has worked to strengthen support for regional transportation solutions by sending letters to state and city officials supporting continued funding of the State CTR Program, various beneficial tax bills, and opposing Initiative 695. Laura also works closely with other local businesses through the Downtown Bellevue network group, seeking out input on ways to improve the program at HNTB as well as providing suggestions to other ETCs.

As any ETC can attest, financial strains on the company’s CTR program have challenged Laura. In the years following the disappearance of the B&O tax credit and I-695, continued CTR program subsidies were in jeopardy. Laura was able to show management and employees alike that the long-term effects on HOV usage were worth the investment of continuing HNTB’s CTR program.

HNTB employees receive a subsidized FlexPass that can be used for trips on Sound Transit and Metro and a guaranteed ride home in case of emergency or illness. A parking fee of $141.44 per month is collected from SOV drivers, which helps to persuade employees to leave their car at home. Carpools and vanpools receive priority parking spaces as an additional perk.

Management continues to support the subsidies given to employees and understands that the work site’s location in close proximity to the transit center is an important part of continuing the high level of transit use among employees. HNTB also has seen business benefits as a result of its commute trip reduction program. "Our employees see our close proximity to the transit center along with the subsidized FlexPass as an added benefit that some other companies don’t provide," said Valentine. "And management realizes that the CTR program is considered a benefit to our employees so they have been very supportive in keeping it going."

*Some definitions: An “ETC” is the staff-level employee transportation coordinator responsible for the daily administration of the transportation program. “SOV” stands for single-occupant vehicle, and “CTR” for commute trip reduction. 

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