Columbia, SC – WTS South Carolina, the state chapter of WTS International, which promotes the advancement of women in the transportation industry, held its third annual awards and scholarship event on April 25. At the event, WTS South Carolina recognized the following awards and scholarship recipients:
Christy Hall received the “Woman of the Year Award” for her dedication to the field of transportation and to the SC Department of Transportation, where she served as the Secretary of Transportation since 2015. Hall retired from SCDOT this year and has served the state for her entire career in different divisions from design, project management, construction management, road and bridge maintenance, deputy secretary for finance & administration, deputy secretary for engineering, and finally SCDOT secretary. In a male-dominated indusrty, Hall serves as a role model showcasing to other women that they can also serve in leadership positions.
Joy Riley was recognized with the “Member of the Year Award” for her previous service as the WTS SC President and founding member. Riley continues to support the incoming WTS SC leadership and promotes the organization to her colleagues.
Three Oaks Engineering received the “Employer of the Year Award” for its dedication to providing structured career development, supporting its employees’ memberships in professional associations and financially supporting career development activities, and providing a work-life balance. the Year. As a small, women-owned business, women account for fifty percent of its staff across their three offices in the Carolinas.
Mallorie Barbee received the “Transportation YOU High School Scholarship”. Barbee is a senior at Dutch Fork High School where she was a Science Olympiad in both Bridge Design and Chemistry, served as a STEM Program Leader, and was a member of the Young Women in Engineering. She plans to attend the University of South Carolina and major in civil engineering.
Pamela Bynoe-Reed was awarded the “Jannet Walker-Ford Leadership Legacy Scholarship”. Bynoe-Reed is the Director of Marketing and Community Affairs for the Central Midlands Transit Authority (COMET) and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. Pamela is active in the Columbia community serving as a Board Member for the Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless and an Appointee to the City of Columbia Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee. In her role in public transit, she serves as a great example of the many non-engineering roles that exist in the transportation industry.
Lauren Villegas-Villegas received the “Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship”. Villegas-Villegas is pursuing a Doctorate in Civil Engineering with a concentration in structures from the University of South Carolina. Her research is focused on the use of non-conventional and sustainable construction materials as she is resilient design. Upon graduation, Laura hopes to secure a position with a design firm.
According to Petrina Butler, 2024 WTS South Carolina President, “WTS South Carolina is excited to recognize women working in the transportation sector. We believe an annual opportunity to financially support women pursuing higher education and to endow credit to women making advances in the industry will compliment the WTS mission. We look forward to growing the number of scholarship applications and award nominations in the years to come.”
More information about WTS South Carolina is available at https://www.wtsinternational.org/chapters/south-carolina .
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