Submitted by Peter Koonce and Kimberly Leung, Western District International Directors

The ITE International Board of Direction (IBOD) held its Fall meeting over two days at the ITE Headquarters offices in Washington, DC. The gathering included some dedicated orientation time for incoming IBOD members set to begin their terms in January, as well as a dinner event where outgoing IBOD members had a chance to thank their fellow members and celebrate their three years of success.  The meetings took place October 28-29.

During the official IBOD meeting, the Board took several important actions:

• With the 2027-2029 ITE Strategic Plan starting in a few months, the Board discussed priorities for action, including using AI to improve access to and functionality of ITE products and publications and expanding communication and support for more than 185 Student Chapters worldwide.
• Had a review of the Safety Roadmap & Action Plan that is now wrapping up its second year and talked about elements that are getting ready to launch in 2027. A reminder to all ITE members to make sure they sign the Safety Pledge!
• Approved four (4) new student chapters at this meeting: Military Institute of Science & Technology in Bangladesh, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Texas at Dallas.
• The Board approved recommendations from the Nominating Committee to adopt the slate of candidates for VP for the 2027 Election: Julia Salvini (Canada District) and Ken Ackeret (Mountain District).
• The Board also approved a provisional 2027 budget, with the understanding that a final budget would be brought for review and approval at the January IBOD meeting.

Other significant updates included:

• A few Districts are finalizing updates to the Strategic Plans, while several are getting ready to launch new efforts in 2027. A District Strategic Plan is a sure path toward improving coordination with Sections and ensuring we provide enhanced value to our members.
• ITE is going to launch an update to its Fellows Program sometime in 2027 and continue making improvements to its website functionality (in particular the search and library/bookstore elements).
• Thank you to outgoing IBOD members: Karen Aspelin, Immediate Past President (Mountain District), Peter Koonce (Western District), Marc Jacobson (Texas District), Becky Rogers (Southern District), Carrie Falkenrath (Missouri Valley District), and Lindsey Van Parys (Council Leadership Chair).
• Welcome to incoming IBOD members: Pat Marnell (Western District), Dave Carter (Texas District), Lindsay Walker (Southern District), Nathan Becknell (Missouri Valley District), and Meghan Mitman (Council Leadership Chair).

Future Annual Meetings:

• July 25-28, 2027 – Calgary, Alberta (with ITE Canada District)
• July 23-26, 2028 – Albuquerque, NM (with ITE Mountain District)
• Date TBD, 2029 – Austin, TX (with ITE Texas District)

Reminders:

• V2X Training is available to all Districts and Sections and is paid for by USDOT – all you have to do is provide a location!
• The Annual Meeting abstract submission portal is open until December 1^st!

ITE International Board of Direction (includes outgoing 2026 directors and incoming 2027 directors)