LITTLE ROCK, AR — The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) presented major awards to three prominent transportation leaders for exceptional service and innovation during a special ceremony at the organization’s annual meeting, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials.

Lorie Tudor, the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer at ARDOT, received the Alfred E. Johnson Achievement Award, which recognizes a Department of Transportation official in middle management who has made outstanding contributions in either engineering or management.

Tudor’s organizational, technical and analytical skills helped transform ARDOT’s process for bidding and vetting construction contracts. In 2018, the University of Arkansas inducted Tudor into its Academy of Civil Engineering, becoming the 30th ARDOT engineer — and the first ARDOT female engineer — to achieve this distinction in the Academy’s nearly 40-year history.

“We are extremely proud of Lorie for receiving this honor from her peers in the transportation industry,” said ARDOT Director Scott Bennett. “Her contributions have positively impacted the daily operations of the department. At ARDOT, we know how important Lorie has been to our efforts here. It’s rewarding for that to be recognized nationally now.”

AASHTO represents state Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation.