The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has appointed Zachary M. Radford as vice president of policy and government affairs, as part of a wider strengthening of its policy, advocacy and communications capabilities.
Radford brings more than 20 years of multimodal transportation experience spanning Capitol Hill, federal and state government, national associations, public transportation and road safety, according to IBTTA. In his new role, he will lead the association’s policy, advocacy and government affairs efforts, working with members, policymakers and industry partners to advance IBTTA’s strategic priorities.
“The strength of IBTTA has always been the expertise and leadership of our members,” says Mark Chung, executive director and chief executive of IBTTA. “Every day, they are investing in infrastructure, improving safety, advancing innovation and delivering better experiences for the traveling public.” Radford, he adds, “will help ensure those real-world perspectives continue to inform the policies and decisions shaping the future of transportation.”
Radford succeeds Mark Muriello, whose transportation career included service on IBTTA’s board of directors.
Before joining IBTTA, Radford was vice president of government affairs at the National Safety Council, where he led national advocacy efforts on road and workplace safety. He mobilised close to 500 organisations in a coalition that contributed to the reinstatement of 1,000 federal safety professionals, and helped strengthen state safety policies, according to IBTTA.
Previously, as vice president of congressional affairs at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, Radford helped secure more than $2bn in federal investment for rail infrastructure and built bipartisan support for legislation expanding an $8bn rail tax credit.
Earlier in his career, Radford held a leadership position with the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission and an advocacy role at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. He also spent seven years on Capitol Hill, advising US senators Richard Blumenthal and Jon Tester on transportation and infrastructure policy. He holds a Juris Doctor from Washington University in St Louis and a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University.
New communications manager
IBTTA has also appointed Dante DeSanctis as manager of communications and marketing. He will support the association’s marketing and communications strategy, including advancing advocacy and communicating the value of the global tolling industry.
Before joining IBTTA, DeSanctis was research director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, leading a team that developed research, messaging and communications materials for national advocacy campaigns. He previously held research and communications roles at the National Republican Congressional Committee and HSP Direct.
