WTS honors LaHood for diversity efforts in transportation

Earlier this week, WTS International presented its 2013 Navigator Award to former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to recognize his efforts to foster diversity in the transportation industry workforce.

LaHood is the first person to receive the award, which WTS created to "recognize the achievements of an individual or organization for extraordinary efforts to attract, retain and advance women in the transportation industry," WTS officials said in a press release.

LaHood was credited for supporting WTS' mission and for helping to set the gender diversity issue in the transportation industry on an accelerated path, said President and Chief Executive Officer Marcia Ferranto.

During his tenure as transportation secretary from 2009 until earlier this year, LaHood helped WTS establish the Transportation YOU program, a joint effort with the U.S. Department of Transportation that encourages girls 13 to 17 years old to pursue an academic path that leads to careers in transportation.

"I am honored to receive this award from WTS, and even more importantly, I am grateful for their work with the Department of Transportation to encourage more young women to pursue studies that can lead to careers in transportation," LaHood said in a prepared statement.