Page 26 - ACEC PA - Spring 2021 Conference Program

SPEAKERS - Day 1 Leeann Sherman, MPS, CAE
Leeann began serving as the Executive Director of ACEC/ PA in 2017 from the Pennsylvania Public Transit Association (PPTA), where she served as executive director for four and a half years. She has over 25 years of management experience in the tourism, transportation, and non profit sectors with
a background in business operations, fiscal management, human resources, board and member relations, professional education, meeting coordination, and advocacy.
Leeann was a driving force behind the success of Act 89 and ensuring that public transportation was an integral part of the funding program. As a member of the Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition, she is aware of the challenges and issues that lie ahead for the consulting engineering community.
Leeann has a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and master’s degree in Community & Economic Development, both from The Pennsylvania State University. She has served as Chair of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Association of Association Executives (PASAE) and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), the highest professional credential in the association industry.
Melissa Batula, PE
Melissa was appointed PennDOT’s Acting Executive Deputy
Secretary in March 2021, after serving as the first female
Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration since January
2020. Melissa is proud to join over 11,000 dedicated staff
members who share her commitment to serving the
transportation needs of citizens across the Commonwealth.
Her role includes overseeing investments in PennDOT
assets, ensuring quality and safety across the department,
and advancing innovative strategies to solve Pennsylvania’s
21st century transportation challenges. Melissa is adept at building strong relationships with industry and governmental partners and is committed to helping to guide the department in successfully carrying out its mission.
Melissa began her career in the private sector, where, from 1987 to 2006, her role grew and developed from a draftsperson to a senior design engineer. She joined PennDOT in 2006 as a senior civil engineer, where she has progressed through the department in various management positions.
Melissa is a Professional Engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in organizational leadership.
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