A New Role for Dr. Curt Tompkins
Volpe Center Director, 2005-2007
The Volpe Center’s Director, Dr. Curt Tompkins, has accepted a new role as Director of the University Transportation Centers (UTC) program, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). UTC’s mission is to advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines comprising transportation through the mechanisms of education, research, and technology transfer at university-based centers of excellence. Curt’s background as a faculty member, college dean, and university president for 35 years, together with his recent immersion in transportation issues, make him uniquely qualified for this leadership position.
Dr. Tompkins led the Volpe Center to a renewed focus on improving business processes and providing cost-effective services to our customers.
During his nearly three years at the Volpe Center, Curt made important contributions to both the Center and to RITA, our parent organization. In early 2005, shortly after he began his tenure, the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) was dissolved when the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) was chartered. The Volpe Center was able to assist the new RITA administration in many significant initiatives, including contributing to DOT’s Transportation Research, Development, and Technology Strategic Plan 2006–2010, published in November 2006. Curt provided leadership to the Center in articulating its strategic framework. Within this framework, the goals are to contribute to solving U.S. DOT’s key challenges, influence the direction of the nation’s transportation enterprise, ensure a sustainable business model, and continuously develop the Center’s human capital. This framework, in addition to unifying the Center’s disparate transportation work, has also provided the fundamental groundwork for another of Curt’s initiatives—the establishment of an annual business plan for the Center. This initiative is part of a renewed focus to improve business processes and provide cost-effective services to our customers.
These are just a few examples of Curt’s leadership. He connected with each and every staff member. In his farewell to the Center, he expressed his appreciation for the Center’s staff: “What I cherish most about my nearly three years at the Center is the people. For over 37 years, the Center’s people have made the organization successful. They are a wonderful group of mission-driven human beings, and I shall miss them very much.” He will be missed, as well.