It’s been amazing! It’s helped me get promoted. It’s opened new doors, and I learn new techniques and skills from the students.

-James Rensing

Volunteering and staying “in the know” helps me help the students I serve. Being a knowledgeable, quick-responding, friendly resource for them keeps my professional life thriving. It makes my day when people tell me I made their experience so much easier and getting to celebrate their achievements with them is the best.

-Stacey Mueller

I have met and made friends with a lot of IMSA members and nonmembers throughout my many years as a section officer and moderator. I have maintained long friendships with so many, including some of my best friends. I love to teach and train all the new individuals that register for our certification courses.

-Jon Hoffman

Volunteering with IMSA, specifically serving on the Sustaining Exhibitor Advisory Group, has been an incredibly enriching experience. It’s given me a direct opportunity to contribute to strengthening the vital partnership between IMSA and its sustaining exhibitors, which is crucial for the success of the annual exhibition and meeting. I’m particularly drawn to the group’s focus on fostering open communication and collaboration. Beyond the satisfaction of contributing to such an important initiative, I’ve gained valuable insights into the needs and perspectives of both IMSA and its exhibitors. I’ve also appreciated the chance to connect with and learn from experienced professionals on the Sustaining Exhibitor Advisory Group, gaining a deeper understanding of the dynamics of trade shows and professional organizations.

-April Spears

Since I retired a couple of years ago, my volunteer work has helped keep my mind sharp. It allows me to network with colleagues and keep up with the emerging technologies. The greatest benefit of my work with IMSA is the Florida Section board of directors that I get to be part of. My board members and their wives are more than friends. They are truly family. Our section conference attendees have always commented on how sweet and smooth our registration desk runs during the crunch of a conference on the first and third day. They say they enjoy our conference atmosphere every year.

-Wayne Bryan

Learning through others has been extremely rewarding. Whether professionally, through the development of skills, learning about new technologies or personal growth through friendships with colleagues and their families, involvement in IMSA has had a strong positive experience on my life.

-Jospeh Molinaro

I like working with young adults, and, as time has moved along, they have kept me feeling young. I first volunteered as a moderator for the Middle Atlantic Section of IMSA and saw that many technicians’ only training was by their supervisors, and the things they taught were not always the best to do. As more and more people started taking certification classes, I noted that maybe  I was doing something right. I started doing more and more classes. These opportunities built a network for our techs in the Middle Atlantic Section.

-Mike LiCalzi

The benefit of being involved is “paying it forward” for all those who have mentored and guided me over the years. I now provide guidance and information to the new generation in this field. My personal growth was enhanced by volunteering and getting to know other members and students from different geographic regions, other municipalities and various contractors. There are times when an experience another person has can provide useful knowledge. It is great to be able to connect with someone and pick their brain. Just when you think you have seen it all along comes a new experience.

-Robert Decleir

When I first started with public works, I was not sure what to do. In some areas, you can only learn so much before you become stale.Then, I was encouraged to get into traffic lights and I have not landed. The more I learned, the more I wanted wanted to learn. Attending classes and becoming a moderator has increased my knowledge and allowed me to meet other techs in this industry. 

-Joseph Burris

I enjoy giving my industry a voice in IMSA conference planning. Through volunteering, I’m able to provide conference feedback from my industry and hear the same from others.

-Jack Tolbert

It has allowed me to grow professionally and personally at a much higher level. It has allowed me to share my passion for the industry. The best growth has been learning to adapt to all the different learning styles we come across in the industry.

-Matt Blessinger

My growth has flourished from hearing and learning from all the different obstacles and mistakes I have made and others have made and we learn from each other. Taking advice from those that have been in this industry for 20 plus years has truly blessed me with immediate knowledge that I would of rather had to of learned on my on the long hard way. The friendships have truly influenced me and seeing my friends at the conferences as we all live far away from each other, makes the conferences that more special and meaningful. Volunteering for IMSA has really made me want to be the best traffic worker I can be to help and influence others.

-Bradley Lewandowski

I have gained friendships as well as collogues to discuss new ideas and concepts. It has been a continuation of my learning, as my students challenge me in areas I have little practice or different trouble faults.

-Dennis Galinsky

Having to work with different personalities with different goals is always enlightening. It’s not that much different as dealing with students in the classroom, only on a much bigger scale. Once you interact with other professionals in the trade, you find out we have a lot more in common than we disagree on. Hopefully, the common ground will move us forward.

-Scott Delaroy

The most important benefit has been the camaraderie of the Florida Section leaders and team. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience that I can access at any time to help if I’m encountering any problems, and they are always willing to lend a helping hand. Being part of this supportive community has been invaluable for my professional growth and development. Let’s continue to support and uplift each other!

-Roy Schofield

Volunteering with the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) has helped me connect with other experts within the traffic industry and make an impact on the improvement of mobility and public safety. It has impacted my personal and professional growth by fostering teamwork, building confidence through tangible contributions to the traffic industry, and expanding my skillset as a marketeer through new challenges.

-Dana McCombs

Volunteering has had a significant impact on both my personal and professional growth. On a professional level, it has expanded my technical knowledge, strengthened my leadership and teamwork skills, and given me valuable hands-on experience in the field. Working alongside industry professionals has helped me stay current with best practices and emerging technologies. Personally, volunteering has been incredibly rewarding—it has enhanced my communication skills, given me a sense of accomplishment, and reinforced the importance of collaboration and community service. Overall, it has made me a more confident and well-rounded professional.

-Caleb Pettengill

One of the most significant benefits has been the opportunity to build meaningful connections within the ITS industry. IMSA is a vibrant organization with a diverse group of professionals who are passionate about advancing transportation technology and safety. Through my volunteer work, I have met many inspiring individuals, from fellow volunteers to industry experts. These connections have broadened my network and introduced me to new perspectives and ideas in the ITS field.

-Mindy Gillespie

Volunteering with IMSA has exposed me to issues and needs from many different angles due to all the different people and geographic areas I work with.

-Terry Kiser