In June 2000, TRB sponsored a workshop for state DOT CEOs on strategic management issues facing their organizations. Since this workshop, many CEOs have commented on the positive experience they had in being able to learn about national trends and exchange ideas with their peers on changes affecting and being initiated in their organizations. A product of the workshop, TRB Circular 501, identified research needs.

The popularity of this event generated discussion about the possibility of repeating it, and perhaps instituting it on a regular basis. Three primary forces driving this interest were: 1) the environment of change impacting state DOT organizations continues to create challenges in how DOTs define their missions and align their organizations to deliver services that meet public needs; 2) the leaders of state DOTs, key beneficiaries of this event, are changing more rapidly than ever, with the average term of a CEO now less than two years; and 3) there is a perception by CEOs and the sponsoring organizations that valuable information and experiences are not being shared.

Consequently, a "CEO Leadership Forum" was held on May 4 - 6, 2003 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Resulting products include a summary report with recommended action items and a compilation of individual state initiatives addressing strategic leadership. program delivery, and operations. Products of the Forum are available on the AASHTO Standing Committee on Quality's website at <https://quality.transportation.org/?siteid=38&pageid=576>; look for CEO Leadership Forum Letter (PDF); CEO Leadership Forum, A Summary Report (RP-CLF-1 PDF); CEO Leadership Forum, State Strategic Initiatives (RP-CLFS-1 PDF); and CEO Leadership Forum Presentation (PDF). The Forum presentation is also available below.

Follow-on research under NCHRP Project 20-24(38) will investigate institutionalizing the Forum concept and other options for facilitating the exchange of ideas and information among state DOT CEOs.

CEO Summary (34 Mb)